AR heavy barrel questions.

somdstrangler · Dec 15, 2014

So, I'm looking to buy my frist AR. As I understand it, in the "great" state of Maryland, I have to buy an AR with a heavy barrel.

Now I've heard a lot of guys say that the extra weight on the front of the gun is hardly noticeable. I've also heard guys say the heavy barrel made the gun too front heavy and made it unwieldy.

I'm wondering what you guys think about shooting an AR with a heavy barrel.

Is it worth the cash? Is it really the only option here in MD for a decent AR?

Any and all help/suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

NateIU10 · Dec 15, 2014

You can HBAR rifles that weigh in around 6-6.2 Lbs on the low side. You can set up an HBAR so that the weight is negligible, or even balanced the same as a non-HBAR.

OrbitalEllipses · Dec 15, 2014

If you want an AR, it's among the few ways you're getting one. Alternatives include a braced pistol which IIRC can have a pencil barrel.

Personally, I've found a heavy barrel to be just enough weight at the front of the gun to be a problem (but I've got wimpy girly-man arms). That said, I wouldn't necessarily call it "heavy" for a rifle, just unwieldy and unbalanced which won't matter if you're benchrest shooting. Clearing a house or running a class? Yes that extra weight WILL be a bummer. A heavier, but more balanced rifle - by using a heavier buttstock 0 can feel better in most environments aside from the aforementioned.

In regards to the above post, I played with some of Engage's HBARs this weekend and there were a standout few that were excellently balanced and didn't feel all that heavy. I believe one had a BCM KMR rail, though I don't remember the buttstock.

somdstrangler · Dec 15, 2014

Is the AR 15 pistol a good thing to learn on? I'm completely new to all of this. It sounds like the ar 15 pistol might be a good idea. I'm assuming that I'd still have to do everything that is required for purchasing a regular pistol in MD?

Boom Boom · Dec 15, 2014

Depends on what configurations you're comparing. Sure, a 14.5" pencil barrel with welded flash hider or brake will be noticeably lighter. But a 14.5" H-BAR with a welded flash hider or brake will not be a noticeable difference compared to typical 16" govt profile. A lightweight handguard (i.e. mid-length MOE) really helps.

My advice is to buy the lower and upper separately, so you're not pigeon holed into getting whatever complete rifles are on the shelf. Take your time.

erwos · Dec 15, 2014

somdstrangler said:
Is the AR 15 pistol a good thing to learn on?

No. Buy a 16" HBAR. The extra weight isn't really a big deal. Your optics, furniture, and accessory choices will make a much bigger impact on weight than the barrel.

Boom Boom · Dec 15, 2014

erwos said:
No. Buy a 16" HBAR. The extra weight isn't really a big deal. Your optics, furniture, and accessory choices will make a much bigger impact on weight than the barrel.

Yep. 6-8oz distributed across a 16" barrel isn't very noticeable. A 16" H-BAR with irons-only or a small red dot should weigh quite a bit less than a 16" govt profile festooned with all sorts of jewelry.

somdstrangler · Dec 15, 2014

a Great help

You guys have been a great help. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and time.

erwos · Dec 15, 2014

Here's my AR-15 rifle build process:
1. Build basic rifle
2. Accessorize rifle with awesome new furniture and optics
3. Realize rifle is too heavy, replace everything to make it lighter

This is why I've got a UBR, various rail systems, and big VFGs all lying around not being used. The only accessories I consider required on a new rifle at this point are an upgraded trigger, extended-latch CH, and a BAD lever (or equivalent). I am a little more generous about optics, but not by much.

somdstrangler · Dec 15, 2014

Does anyone know if you can buy a gun in another state in leave it there?

We have a family house in PA. Could i buy an AR there and leave it there?

erwos · Dec 15, 2014

somdstrangler said:
Does anyone know if you can buy a gun in another state in leave it there?

We have a family house in PA. Could i buy an AR there and leave it there?

Depends. Do you live at that house during the year on a regular basis?

somdstrangler · Dec 15, 2014

Well, I go back and forth honestly. I mean, I could live there full time, but I have a MD license.

I'm wondering if PA gun shops would even bother filing the paperwork?

TonyB. · Dec 15, 2014

I used a lightweight BCM KMR rail and MFT stock to offset the weight of the heavy barrel and the result is a well balanced rifle.

Go down to Engage and take a look at what they've got. They have a large selection of rifles in every imaginable configuration to help you decide.

OrbitalEllipses · Dec 15, 2014

erwos said:
Here's my AR-15 rifle build process:
1. Build basic rifle
2. Accessorize rifle with awesome new furniture and optics
3. Realize rifle is too heavy, replace everything to make it lighter

This is why I've got a UBR, various rail systems, and big VFGs all lying around not being used. The only accessories I consider required on a new rifle at this point are an upgraded trigger, extended-latch CH, and a BAD lever (or equivalent). I am a little more generous about optics, but not by much.

What color UBR and how much do you want for it?

erwos · Dec 15, 2014

OrbitalEllipses said:
What color UBR and how much do you want for it?

It's black, and I'm keeping it for a future build.

rob-cubed · Dec 15, 2014

Just a thought while you are considering what to get: the difference in sight radius between a 16" and a 20" barrel will affect practical accuracy. If you are using modern optics the extra barrel length doesn't matter, but with irons it makes a real impact on groups. There's a reason nearly all the high-power guys run 20" HBARs, and they even add extra weight to both ends.

Bolts Rock · Dec 15, 2014

rob-cubed said:
Just a thought while you are considering what to get: the difference in sight radius between a 16" and a 20" barrel will affect practical accuracy. If you are using modern optics the extra barrel length doesn't matter, but with irons it makes a real impact on groups. There's a reason nearly all the high-power guys run 20" HBARs, and they even add extra weight to both ends.

Well there's also the fact that High Power guys must run a 20" A2 configured rifle right down to a GI grip for Service Rifle. That said my NM rifle tips the scales at 17lbs. but it is a dedicated High Power competition rifle, no way I'd try to hump it through the woods.

Sticky · Dec 15, 2014

My first build was a varmint rifle, 20" sst bull barrel and there is no way I'd want to carry that all day with high powered scope and bipod attached. My next build was much more manageable, a 16" HBAR and it shoots great. It is presently setup for HD with a micro red dot, small laser, TLR1s light and tritium fixed sights. This weapon, I would carry all day long, :thumbsup:

OrbitalEllipses · Dec 16, 2014

erwos said:
It's black, and I'm keeping it for a future build.

Hannukah present maybe? No? Okay...

outrider58 · Dec 16, 2014

I remember back say 20-25 years ago or so, everyone wanted H-bars on their ar-15s. Didn't want those skinny a$$ed Vietnam era barrels. You gotta have'm now. No choice in the matter but, there are ways to balance it out.

AR heavy barrel questions.

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