TexasCHLforum.com

parabelum wrote:1/7 twist is great for heavier bullets, as stated previously. I do think that you really need a longer barrel still (20") to see a substantial difference though over 1/9.

If possible and budget permits, I'd suggest a chrome lined barrel.
It will be easier to clean and won't get hot as quickly, so your accuracy will be improved. You will also have a longer barrel life.

If I was building, the right barrel would be my biggest investment next to properly staked bcg.

Pawpaw wrote: The #1 problem with the M-16 when it was first introduced in Viet Nam was the lack of a chrome lined barrel and chamber. When the rifle was the least bit dirty, corrosion would set in and cause extraction issues in the middle of a firefight. I realize not many of us live in a jungle environment, but I want that extra protection just in case.

couzin wrote:

Pawpaw wrote: The #1 problem with the M-16 when it was first introduced in Viet Nam was the lack of a chrome lined barrel and chamber. When the rifle was the least bit dirty, corrosion would set in and cause extraction issues in the middle of a firefight. I realize not many of us live in a jungle environment, but I want that extra protection just in case.

Not really, the first versions (not talking about the AR15 model) of the m16 / xm16e1 (with fa) were being shipped without cleaning kits because colt proclaimed it was a self-cleaning rifle. A delivery problem with powder types caused the fouling. Rifles that had proper cleaning kits did not have near the jamming problems the others did. The m16a1 was the masterful fix.

The Self-Cleaning Gun

With the purchase and distribution of more than 85,000 AR-15 rifles in Vietnam, there was not a single .22 caliber cleaning kit, operator’s manual or chamber or bore cleaning brush available. As recalled by Gene Stoner, the Army had no intention of buying the rifle so the government did not want to waste money on cleaning kits and manuals. The AR-15 was supposed to be an “interim” solution until they could get the SPIW (Special Purpose Individual Weapon) finalized and fielded. Therefore, the gun was touted as being self-cleaning. Troops were instructed that it was not necessary to perform any cleaning or maintenance on their weapons prior to going out on patrol or on a mission. Due to lack of reasonable maintenance guns would be fouled, firing thousands of rounds without cleaning. By not cleaning, the humidity and other environmental factors, the gun was even more prone to corrosion in the barrel and chamber. With the lack of availability of cleaning supplies, operator manuals and maintenance training, rifles were found to be in unserviceable condition in the hands of infantry soldiers. Many soldiers in the early part of the Vietnam War received training on the M14 rifle in basic training and when they arrived in Vietnam they were issued an M16. They received no instruction on operation and maintenance. With the introduction of Ball propellant, the fouling became more of a problem without maintenance

Failure to Extract

Failure to extract problems were due to the bolt unlocking sooner due to the change-over from IMR to Ball powder. There was still high residual pressure in the chamber and the cartridge cases did not have sufficient time to contract to be easily removed from the chamber. Thus, the extractor would slip off the rim or shear part of the rim off leaving the fired cartridge case in the chamber. To clear this malfunction, often the bolt would be closed again and the cartridge would come out of the chamber. If you compounded this malfunction with a corroded and pitted chamber, the cartridge case would become lodged in the chamber and have to be pounded out with a cleaning rod. This was by far the most serious of any malfunctions of the M16 in Vietnam. Chrome plating the chamber cured the extraction ill. The next major improvement to extraction took place in the 1970s with the addition of the rubber extractor spring buffer, which greatly increased extractor force. This particularly helped carbines that had a much higher cyclic rate.

AndyC wrote:Depends - do you prefer the gas-block which includes the traditional, triangular F-type front sight or do you want a sleeker look eg. pop-up iron sights?

RogueUSMC wrote:You might look at http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/...i have ordered from them a few times. The first time I almost didn't. I said to myself, "am I REALLY gonna buy something from an outfit that calls themselves 'Joe Bob Outfitters'?!" But their service has been outstanding! I ordered my 9mm carbine barrel and got a confirmation that the order was being picked about two hours later and then next day, I had tracking on it. They made me a return customer...

EDITTED TO ADD:
The above mentioned barrel was discounted because the vendor of that particular barrel got a lot in that had their markings etched as opposed to rolled. They were selling the whole lot for $30 less. I could care less that the logos aren't the way the company wanted them to be. The barrel itself was QC'd just like the regular run. Sometimes Joe Bob has some really, really good deals...