Opinions on whether the barrel below complies with "heavy barrel"? SPR-like profile

[MG-70]

Guys, from my search here, and in speaking with my FFL, I realize the state police hasn't described exactly what a "heavy barrel" is, and most people seem to think it's better that way.

Is there a general consensus on what "heavy barrel" means?

I'm thinking of assembling an upper incorporating a Wylde or 5.56 chamber, rifle length gas system, and an 18" overall barrel, with the last few inches, ahead of the gas block, being .720" or .730" thick (I haven't bought the parts, some manufacturers differ a bit). From the gas port backward it measures approximately .840" and over.

I just measured my old school Bushmaster 20" upper, literally stamped "Hbar", and the thinnest area of the barrel, again, in front of the gas block, measures .720." Behind the gas block, all the way back, it is either .750" or thicker (I couldn't easily remove the handguards, but will try later with the tool).

Obviously, I don't want to break the law, which is the reason I have researched the topic and am still looking for answers.

In your opinions, would the 18" barrel described above comply with the "heavy barrel" rule?

If not, then can those of you more learned in the law and/or rules and opinions, suggest alternatives for me to build an 18" upper within those laws/rules/opinions, without it being a pistol or SBR?

Thanks, and sorry if this has been covered. Since it's an important aspect of gun ownership in MD these days, perhaps a "sticky" can be posted for quick reference.

Thanks in advance!

 

[swinokur]

MSP has stated if it's advertised as a heavy barrel or stamped as a heavy barrel-it's an HBAR. Nothing else really exists AFAIK.

 

[rbird7282]

Who makes the barrel you're looking at?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MG-70]

So, it must be stamped "Hbar" or "Heavy Barrel" in order to comply? Does it specify who has to stamp it? ETA, sorry, I missed the "advertised as" comment.

Thanks for the lightning quick reply; I wasn't expecting anything until later tonight.

Cheers

ETA, Green Mountain barrel, 416 stainless.

 

[AssMan]

IIRC, you must be able to "articulate" that it is an HBAR. So if the profile is similar to or is thicker than a Colt Sporter, I would think you're GTG.

 

[DutchV]

A metal stamp set is not expensive or especially difficult to use.

 

[MG-70]

IIRC, you must be able to "articulate" that it is an HBAR. So if the profile is similar to or is thicker than a Colt Sporter, I would think you're GTG.

Do you know the contour of a Colt Sporter, and does it matter if the Colt Sporter wasn't threaded? Someone could make a big deal about the diameter of a threaded muzzle.

Thanks again!

 

[AssMan]

Do you know the contour of a Colt Sporter, and does it matter if the Colt Sporter wasn't threaded? Someone could make a big deal about the diameter of a threaded muzzle.



Thanks again!

Not off the top of my head, but it's been discussed many times before and is posted here somewhere...

Regarding the threading, I don't have any idea. Most will agree that this is a grey area and to tread lightly. I personally would make sure the barrel profile was as previously mentioned and would be perfectly comfortable with a threaded muzzle - but that's me. YMMV.

 

[MG-70]

Not off the top of my head, but it's been discussed many times before and is posted here somewhere...

Regarding the threading, I don't have any idea. Most will agree that this is a grey area and to tread lightly. I personally would make sure the barrel profile was as previously mentioned and would be perfectly comfortable with a threaded muzzle - but that's me. YMMV.

Gotcha. I can search for the Colt Hbar contour later, but I would be bet it's the same as the Bushmaster I have on hand. From the gas block area to the muzzle, the SPR-like barrel I found follows the Bushmaster Hbar contour; we'll have to see how thick the BM is under the handguards...or maybe the actual contour makes absolutely no difference if the new barrel isn't advertised as, or stamped, Hbar or heavy barrel. If that's the case, then it certainly makes you wonder about the objectives of the lawmakers.

Thanks again for the reply!

 

[Blacksmith101]

You might also want to record the actual weight of the barrel you use, preferably weighed on a certified scale, just because it will give you an arguing point if you ever need to prove a point. My barrel weighed X.XX ounces and this approved barrel only weighs X.XX.

I on the other hand want to find a rifle length upper with a now banned profile to put on a pre ban lower just because I can.

 

[mac1_131]

MSP has stated if it's advertised as a heavy barrel or stamped as a heavy barrel-it's an HBAR. Nothing else really exists AFAIK.

read this carefully.

IMHO a build where you define it is an HBAR is risky.

You need manufacturer documentation of some sort.

Actual measurements are meaningless

 

[MG-70]

You might also want to record the actual weight of the barrel you use, preferably weighed on a certified scale, just because it will give you an arguing point if you ever need to prove a point. My barrel weighed X.XX ounces and this approved barrel only weighs X.XX.

Good point; that I can do, even though "barrel weight" usually refers to the contour, or diameter at various points, and not necessarily weight (I believe a fluted Heavy Barrel is still a heavy barrel, regardless of actual weight). I guess I'll have to research what various barrels stamped "Hbar" or "heavy barrel" weigh.

And here I was thinking that deciding on type of handguard was going to be the most time-consuming part of the project.

Thanks again!

 

[MG-70]

read this carefully.

IMHO a build where you define it is an HBAR is risky.

You need manufacturer documentation of some sort.

Actual measurements are meaningless

Affirmative! I don't want unnecessary risks. This idea started as a way to not have to use more than one upper on the same pre-2013, and way earlier, lowers.

Guess my search is switching to barrels stamped "heavy", or "heavy barrel," or "Hbar".

If I were buying a house in the region today, it certainly would not be in Maryland, because of these type laws, that make absolutely no sense whatsoever.

Cheers

 

[Digby]

MG-70
I'm planning a build with an 18" HBAR profile barrel and have the same question about "SPR" profile barrels. There are a lot more SPR profile barrels than HBAR barrels. I have a 20" Colt HBAR barrel at home that Fulton Armory removed from my Colt AR15 about 10 years ago and replaced with a 20" heavy Krieger barrel. I will mic the barrel profile tonight and report back on the measurements.

I was also contemplating installing a heavy bull barrel with a profile substantially thicker than that of an HBAR. Reading the law literally, I wonder if that configuration AR would be problematic as well?

So far, the most promising candidate for my build is a Criterion 18" HBAR barrel. Criterion makes exceptionally good barrels.

 

[Pitbull410]

Call Engage Armament, they sell white oak barrels that are stamped HBAR, safest bet. Pretty sure my buddy got a 18" rifle length from them before

 

[Digby]

So this topic has come up before on the board. Here's a link to an interesting, but not definitive string from 2014.

https://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=148968

 

[vgplayer]

First off does anyone here really think that LEO is going to know the specific differences between pre/post SB281 ban and HBAR vs non-HBAR. They are just going to see an evil assault weapon or a modern sporting rifle. If you were doing something stupid probably the former.

I know everyone wants to cover their bases and I am not advocating breaking the law but sometimes I feel the gun community has this mentality of "the law tells me what I can do" and better not poke the bear so lets create self-induced "definitions", "rules", "laws" just in case and live in a constant state of fear.

*END RANT*

 

[MG-70]

MG-70
I'm planning a build with an 18" HBAR profile barrel and have the same question about "SPR" profile barrels. There are a lot more SPR profile barrels than HBAR barrels. I have a 20" Colt HBAR barrel at home that Fulton Armory removed from my Colt AR15 about 10 years ago and replaced with a 20" heavy Krieger barrel. I will mic the barrel profile tonight and report back on the measurements.

I was also contemplating installing a heavy bull barrel with a profile substantially thicker than that of an HBAR. Reading the law literally, I wonder if that configuration AR would be problematic as well?

So far, the most promising candidate for my build is a Criterion 18" HBAR barrel. Criterion makes exceptionally good barrels.

Digby, good point on the contours thicker than those stamped Hbar. Laws don't always make sense, but for you to be busted, there still has to be intent, if I'm not mistaken. For this particular build, I do not want what most people are looking for, which is an M4 type barrel, but at the same time I don't want to go too heavy, but will if I have to.

I, personally, would feel comfortable following the contour of my Bushmaster Hbar, or an easily verifiable Colt Hbar, even if not marked Heavy or Hbar. I too would feel comfortable buying a barrel whose contour is heavier than one stamped Heavy or Hbar; though I prefer not to.

I'll look for the Colt Hbar's contour measurements later, and I will try to measure my own Bushmaster Hbar.

Now, I think I better log off in order to do some work.

Cheers

BTW, the Criterion was on my list, but if you note the pics, it does step down ahead of the gas block. Please post if you find out it's stamped Heavy or Hbar.

 

[94hokie]

Affirmative! I don't want unnecessary risks. This idea started as a way to not have to use more than one upper on the same pre-2013, and way earlier, lowers.

Guess my search is switching to barrels stamped "heavy", or "heavy barrel," or "Hbar".

If I were buying a house in the region today, it certainly would not be in Maryland, because of these type laws, that make absolutely no sense whatsoever.

Cheers

I may be reading your post wrong, but if your lowers are all pre-2013 then you don't have to worry about barrel profile

 

[MG-70]

First off does anyone here really think that LEO is going to know the specific differences between pre/post SB281 ban and HBAR vs non-HBAR. They are just going to see an evil assault weapon or a modern sporting rifle. If you were doing something stupid probably the former.

I know everyone wants to cover their bases and I am not advocating breaking the law but sometimes I feel the gun community has this mentality of "the law tells me what I can do" and better not poke the bear so lets create self-induced "definitions", "rules", "laws" just in case and live in a constant state of fear.

*END RANT*

Please let's not take the thread in that direction. Let's try to keep it informational, especially since there's not much in terms of "heavy barrel" guidelines.

If a law, rule, or opinion, is defined by the state, then it's not "self-induced". I too believe that, much like the magazine restrictions, you're not going to be busted for having a barrel that's .02" thinner than one stamped Hbar, but that they will tack on additional charges if/when you do get busted for any serious offense. For this reason, and the fact that I have much to lose, I follow the rules.

As much as most cops, like most everyone else, haven't memorized the fine text, once they confiscate, research the books, and take measurements, you're up the creek.

Cheers