A 14.5" SBR - am I crazy?

calicojack · Jan 18, 2020

There are times when I want a light weight barrel instead of an HBAR. A mid-length barrel with a tower sight and fixed rear sight (longer sight radius); just something about that setup appeals to me.

This would be perfect:
https://bravocompanyusa.com/bcm-bfh-14-5-mid-length-light-weight-upper-receiver-group/

And this rear sight:
https://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=1735

And then FDE hand guards, pistol grip, and stock. Maybe an Aero Precision FDE Cerakote lower. Just day dreaming out loud.

Steve_Zissou · Jan 18, 2020

Why SBR a 14.5" when you can just replace the birdcage with a pinned and welded QD Surefire muzzle device, be at >16" OAL, and use your tax stamp money for a suppressor instead? That's what I always do, at least.

calicojack · Jan 18, 2020

Steve_Zissou said:
Why SBR a 14.5" when you can just replace the birdcage with a pinned and welded QD Surefire muzzle device, be at >16" OAL, and use your tax stamp money for a suppressor instead? That's what I always do, at least.

Has to be an HBAR, yes?

Combloc · Jan 18, 2020

Then he would have an illegal firearm in marlandistan's eyes.

I always say Jack, if that's what you want, go for it! Never waste your focus worrying about what others think. (Absolutely no offense intended Steve)

Steve_Zissou · Jan 18, 2020

calicojack said:
Has to be an HBAR, yes?

Yeah, but I'm a big guy and usually shoot AKs so the extra couple ounces doesn't bother me. If I want lightweight I can just throw together a pinned+welded pencil barrel 14.5 .300 memeout upper and call it a day, where it weighs even less because of the wider barrel bore and probably has better ballistics at that length anyways.

danb · Jan 18, 2020

Steve_Zissou said:
Yeah, but I'm a big guy and usually shoot AKs so the extra couple ounces doesn't bother me. If I want lightweight I can just throw together a pinned+welded pencil barrel 14.5 .300 memeout upper and call it a day, where it weighs even less because of the wider barrel bore and probably has better ballistics at that length anyways.

i gotta get one of those memeout uppers!

oh, and as for the HBAR, bit: there is heavy, then there is heavy and fluted

Steve_Zissou · Jan 18, 2020

danb said:
i gotta get one of those memeout uppers!

It's the rich man's 7.62x39!

Combloc said:
Then he would have an illegal firearm in marlandistan's eyes.

I always say Jack, if that's what you want, go for it! Never waste your focus worrying about what others think. (Absolutely no offense intended Steve)

None taken! I forgot to add in the "make sure to purchase something advertised as "heavy"' or get the manufacturer to stamp "HBAR" on your barrel for full MD Stasi compliance" clause that should be bolded in everyone's signature here.

woodline · Jan 18, 2020

https://columbiariverarms.com/frequently-asked-questions/

If you are cool doing your own thing, CRA sells pencil barrels that are MD approved for HBAR. Not sure what the actual weight is though.

Vile Shadow · Jan 18, 2020

calicojack said:
There are times when I want a light weight barrel instead of an HBAR. A mid-length barrel with a tower sight and fixed rear sight (longer sight radius); just something about that setup appeals to me.

This would be perfect:
https://bravocompanyusa.com/bcm-bfh-14-5-mid-length-light-weight-upper-receiver-group/

And this rear sight:
https://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=1735

And then FDE hand guards, pistol grip, and stock. Maybe an Aero Precision FDE Cerakote lower. Just day dreaming out loud.

That aint extreme. I’d say this is.

calicojack · Jan 18, 2020

fbi_surveillance_van said:
https://columbiariverarms.com/frequently-asked-questions/

If you are cool doing your own thing, CRA sells pencil barrels that are MD approved for HBAR. Not sure what the actual weight is though.

Hmm - from their web site:

"In the state of Maryland, the following profiles from Columbia River Arms and Black Hole Weaponry are classified as heavy barrels: Pencil, Slim, Light, Standard, SPR, National Match, Semibull, and Bull. The M4 profile does NOT meet the requirements for the heavy barrel designation. *Information received from State of Maryland Licensing Division, Firearms Department, Sgt. Pickle, on November 6, 2017."

[EDIT - I will have to say; if these count as HBAR in Maryland, then I guess the SBR approach is not required at all]

outrider58 · Jan 18, 2020

If it were me, I'd hold out for a Colt 14.5 SOCOM. Google it. Go to the various sites that carry them. They will undobtadly say OOS. Put yourself on a few waiting lists and wait. Took me about a month and I had them coming out of my ears. The BCM is good, but IMO, the Colt is the better barrel. That's why they are so hard to keep in stock.

Start here...

https://www.gandrtactical.com/Barrels_c_13.html

Falkus · Jan 18, 2020

Sling Blade said:
That aint extreme. I’d say this is.

Ridiculous but whatever floats their boat....

calicojack · Jan 18, 2020

outrider58 said:
If it were me, I'd hold out for a Colt 14.5 SOCOM. Google it. Go to the various sites that carry them. They will undobtadly say OOS. Put yourself on a few waiting lists and wait. Took me about a month and I had them coming out of my ears. The BCM is good, but IMO, the Colt is the better barrel. That's why they are so hard to keep in stock.

Start here...

https://www.gandrtactical.com/Barrels_c_13.html

Great idea. Thanks for the tip.

woodline · Jan 18, 2020

calicojack said:
Hmm - from their web site:

"In the state of Maryland, the following profiles from Columbia River Arms and Black Hole Weaponry are classified as heavy barrels: Pencil, Slim, Light, Standard, SPR, National Match, Semibull, and Bull. The M4 profile does NOT meet the requirements for the heavy barrel designation. *Information received from State of Maryland Licensing Division, Firearms Department, Sgt. Pickle, on November 6, 2017."

[EDIT - I will have to say; if these count as HBAR in Maryland, then I guess the SBR approach is not required at all]

Yeah, the law is pretty stupid. But I appreciate BHW/CRA for contacting MSP to talk to them directly so that Marylanders can buy their stuff without worrying. Because of that I will give them my business when I can, even though I left MD last year. Their barrels shoot well for me, and the sales they run regularly (pretty sure I saw a banner for one when I grabbed that link for you) make them very affordable.

The colt SOCOM 14.5" barrel is a great choice too, and I can see why many would favor that over the CRA barrels. I had one in my M4 back when I was in the military, and it was very durable and accurate enough to get the job done.

Slim · Jan 18, 2020

calicojack said:
There are times when I want a light weight barrel instead of an HBAR. A mid-length barrel with a tower sight and fixed rear sight (longer sight radius); just something about that setup appeals to me.

This would be perfect:
https://bravocompanyusa.com/bcm-bfh-14-5-mid-length-light-weight-upper-receiver-group/

And this rear sight:
https://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=1735

And then FDE hand guards, pistol grip, and stock. Maybe an Aero Precision FDE Cerakote lower. Just day dreaming out loud.

I’d do it. I have a pre-2013 lower with a pencil barrel but if one didn’t, then SBR is a valid route.

I’m about to send off for a stamp for a M4A1 RIS II FSP rifle’d upper, because those things are a pain to deal with if there’s a pinned muzzle device.

Combloc · Jan 18, 2020

fbi_surveillance_van said:
………………………………………………………………….
The colt SOCOM 14.5" barrel is a great choice too, and I can see why many would favor that over the CRA barrels. ………………………..

Wait a minute...…...Are you telling me there are barrels other than Colt out there???

inkd · Jan 18, 2020

calicojack said:
Hmm - from their web site:

"In the state of Maryland, the following profiles from Columbia River Arms and Black Hole Weaponry are classified as heavy barrels: Pencil, Slim, Light, Standard, SPR, National Match, Semibull, and Bull. The M4 profile does NOT meet the requirements for the heavy barrel designation. *Information received from State of Maryland Licensing Division, Firearms Department, Sgt. Pickle, on November 6, 2017."

[EDIT - I will have to say; if these count as HBAR in Maryland, then I guess the SBR approach is not required at all]

Good ol' Sgt. Pickle.

I wonder what the date is on the email conversation I had with him where he states that diameter and profile had no bearing on what constituted a "heavy barrel" in Maryland?

Melnic · Jan 18, 2020

so you want a long sight radius?
Isn't a 10.5" with one of those clamp on the barrel front sights )placed near the brake) about the same sight radius (within 1") as a mid length FSB?

I do see how you want a light barrel, that HBAR is adding like a whole lb.

outrider58 · Jan 18, 2020

Melnic said:
so you want a long sight radius?
Isn't a 10.5" with one of those clamp on the barrel front sights )placed near the brake) about the same sight radius (within 1") as a mid length FSB?

I do see how you want a light barrel, that HBAR is adding like a whole lb.

Carbine length 10.5 has the same sight radius as a 14.5 carbine length barrel, no?

calicojack · Jan 18, 2020

outrider58 said:
Carbine length 10.5 has the same sight radius as a 14.5 carbine length barrel, no?

Yes - but the BCM offering I cited is actually a mid length. Even so, the Colt in carbine length is still well worth considering.

A 14.5" SBR - am I crazy?

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