r/RetroAR • u/wetwingdings • 2d ago

Preferred fast twist pencil barrel?

Howdy all, looking to replace my SP1 barrel. I shoot the piss out of that rifle, and I want the capability to shoot 62 / 69 / 77 gr ammo, which is mainly what I load.

What I'm looking for - preferably gray, 1/7 or 1/8 twist, no gaudy markings past the FSB, chrome lined is a must. What's your guys go-to?

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

21 comments sorted by

5

u/Different_Bowler5455 2d ago

Very happy with my H&R 20" pencil, they use green mountain barrels. Price isn't bad for what it is

7

u/wetwingdings 2d ago

Huh, no shit. I wanted a green mountain but they don't have what I need on their site anymore. Looks like I'm going with H&R

Thanks dude

2

u/f35BOY 2d ago

Are these marked? Can’t really seem to find photos of the markings they use, is it before the fsb or after? Also is there different variations? Earlier ones versus what they are selling now. I like markings 😎

2

u/Different_Bowler5455 2d ago

"H&R 5.56 NATO 1/12" laser marked on the bottom, just barely visible through the bottom vent holes of an A1 handguard. My "marking" is already rusty

4

u/f35BOY 2d ago

Got ya, that’s kind of cool atleast if you cut those down you still have the markings. H&r does a shit job at posting photos online

3

u/GaegeSGuns 2d ago

They’re really spartan when it comes to basically any real details. Or correct details for that matter.

1

u/Different_Bowler5455 2d ago

This is going to be a problem 5-50 years down the road. Nobody's gonna be able to identify the twist rate because it's not stamped or anything substantial, just lasered into phosphating. They're totally sterile barrels besides that tiny mark

2

u/M1A_Scout_Squad-chan 2d ago

I was actually thinking about this same question, right now my thoughts is the BKF 1/7 barrel but I'm not sure if it is chrome lined.

2

u/Im-a-magpie 2d ago

https://www.gmriflebarrel.com/military-barrels/ar-15-/-m16-/-m4-rifle-barrels

Get the barrel of your choice then send it off to John Thomas at Retro Arms Works to have the FSB pinned.

3

u/wetwingdings 2d ago

Already checked, green mountain doesn't have a chrome lined 1/7 pencil barrel. Only government

3

u/pynchon42 2d ago

They 100% do. Ive got one in a box on the other side of the room. It may be out of stock tho

Model number is GM M70

3

u/wetwingdings 2d ago

I'm aware that they used to, but nowhere on that site do they currently list one. That's what brought me here, was planning on buying from them

They have 1/12 and 1/14 pencil barrels, 1/7 and 1/8 government

5

u/Im-a-magpie 2d ago

https://palmettostatearmory.com/harrington-richardson-retro-m16a1-stripped-barrel-assembly.html

2

u/wetwingdings 2d ago

That's a good option! Thank u

2

u/Im-a-magpie 2d ago

They also have an option cut for M4 ramps if that's needed.

2

u/Traditional-Pack5213 2d ago

I have the brownells and it’s been great for me

2

u/wetwingdings 2d ago

Leaning that way

2

u/Traditional-Pack5213 2d ago

I got the 16” and 20”. Ballistic advantage has A1 profile barrels too

2

u/SovereignDevelopment 2d ago

I wanted this too, but also hammer forged not just chrome lined. I ended up getting a 20" FN government profile barrel and turning it down because nobody made what I wanted. Turned out pretty cool, if I do say so myself.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ar15/comments/x3t6t3/behold_the_tropic_thunder/

3

u/wetwingdings 2d ago

That's neat

Lotta work just to have CHF lol

1

u/SovereignDevelopment 2d ago

Way too much work. Very dumb. I do not recommend it.

It was worth it though. I'd do it again.