[mjkeat]

Originally Posted by Quentin

Yeah it's difficult to recommend for someone else since you can't be sure that it's right for them especially in the future as their needs may change. I actually agree with you on the Spikes LE uppers, they're incredible bargains and the odds are that 1:7 will handle 55gr. just fine. Also there are ways to live with a fixed A2/F-marked FSB.

I was just saying that if Jedi has chosen the Del-Ton because it offers the features he wants for the best price then maybe give it a little more thought but in the end it is his decision. One thing for sure, there are so many great choices -it ain't easy!

I am just speaking from experience. As my skill increased so did my needs requireing me to change things around. For instance my M6A1 came w/ 7" rail and F marked front sight. For $200 more I could have had a M6A2 that would have met all my needs even today. Because I didnt get the A2 to start I ended up spending much more money and time getting an aftermarket rail to mount properly. I have my A2 sight on for the mean-time while I get things in order for a low profile GB. As soon as that happens the A2 will come off and a free float rail will go on. Its all but a 15 min. job.

Its a hard decision to make when you are dealing w/ that kind of $.

Enough of that though.

[Jedi940]

Also, looking at the picture for the spikes tactical upper, it looks like a heavy barrel but in the description is states government profile. Is that not the same as M4?

[mjkeat]

Originally Posted by Jedi940

Also, looking at the picture for the spikes tactical upper, it looks like a heavy barrel but in the description is states government profile. Is that not the same as M4?

I just did a search and it appears the the gov. profile is a heavier barrel and the M4 is lighter w/ cut outs for a 203 launcher.

[Jedi940]

From what I read, the only difference is the forward notch. The barrel still gets thin under the hand guard which I don't want. I guess I'll have to make some compromises for my first build until I can get more money to build a better one. If I got everything I wanted, I would probably end up spending $1000 on the upper alone. The only thing I'm not sure about is chrome lining. I have read several reports that chrome lining aids in feeding and extraction of cheap steel cased ammo which is what I would like to use for plinking.

[mjkeat]

Originally Posted by Jedi940

From what I read, the only difference is the forward notch. The barrel still gets thin under the hand guard which I don't want. I guess I'll have to make some compromises for my first build until I can get more money to build a better one. If I got everything I wanted, I would probably end up spending $1000 on the upper alone. The only thing I'm not sure about is chrome lining. I have read several reports that chrome lining aids in feeding and extraction of cheap steel cased ammo which is what I would like to use for plinking.

Dont compromise. Save if you need to. A grand is a lot to spend, but... Chrome lining of the bolt from what Ive been told help smooth out cycling and aids lubrication. Chrome lining the barrel aids in lengthening the life of the barrel. Youre right though steel cased ammo is said to lessen the life of the extractor. Do you really need a heavy barrel? I think a medium or the thin to heavy contour would serve you fine for a semi auto rifle.

Heres what I found:

swingsetOctober 31, 2006, 12:59 AM
I don't have the measurements handy but in general, here's what they are:

Lightweight - thin the entire length.
government - thin under the handguards, heavy profile from the gas block to the flash suppressor
M4 - stepped barrel, thin under the handguard.
A1 - generally a lightweight barrel, whole length.
A2 - generally a government profile, sometimes an HBAR
HBAR - very heavy under the handguards, heavy to the FS.
standard - heavy all the way to the FS.
Pencil - thin the entire length.

For a handy carbine, get a lightweight barrel. They are accurate, unless you shoot the living crud out of them and get them super hot, and the weight savings is worth it. There are no downsides to light barrels, unless you're shooting F/A or match shooting.

[Jpyle]

[QUOTE=Jedi940;312465]First post; First AR-15

It has the heavy barrel, railed gas block with YHM sight already included for $425. I read alot of people recommending spikes tactical but it seems that all their uppers come with the A2 front sight.

Are there any other options that I am missing?

QUOTE]

The upper in your link does not have a railed gas block, the YHM flip up sight replaces the gas block entirely and does not mount to a rail. I am looking at the exact same sight for my build. One word of advice, if you decide on a free float tube over standard M4 hand guards have it factory installed. Taking the gas block off and then reinstalling it after you get the tube on can be a real PITA, especially if you have a FH or brake installed on the barrel.

[Txhillbilly]

The HBAR I put together,I used a Model 1 Sales upper with a 16" stainless barrel and aluminum carbine length floating handguard. It will shoot neck & neck with my RRA Varminter up to around 300yrds.

Some guys talk bad about Model 1 Sales,but I have used their stuff for years without any problems and they are a local company for me.

RRA Varminter-Top, 16" HBAR-Bottom

[Jedi940]

A big deciding factor would be weights. If I could figure out what the weight will be with the heavy barrel and standard m4 handguard that would help me out a lot. I don't want a 10 pound gun but I also don't want a super thin barrel either.

I think I will call customer support and see if I can get dimensions and weights on the barrels. Just looking at their pictures, its hard to tell actual size. If their "lightweight" barrel is still thicker than the m4, I might switch to that. If its a "pencil barrel," forget it.

@txhillbilly - what is the weight difference between your two rifles. Optics included is fine (unless one scope is way heavier than the other) as I intend to put a scope on mine as well.

[Quentin]

A 16" HBAR carbine would weigh about 7-7.5 pounds while an M4 clone would be about 6 pounds. No mag, no rails and just iron sights. A lot of the weight of the HBAR is out front so it's not as manueverable as the M4 but easier to keep on target for quick followups. You really have to handle both to decide which is best for you. I recently saw an AR weight calculator, I'll try to find the link tomorrow if someone doesn't post it sooner - going to bed now.

[Jedi940]

Well I emailed customer service at del-ton and asked them about their barrels. They said their lightweight barrel is .625 inches in diameter and the heavy barrel is .750. While they didn't give weights like I asked, they did say the heavy barrel is about 13 oz heavier than the lightweight barrel. I guess that's not too bad so I'll probably order the heavy barrel and live with the weight. I don't think it should be too bad. I'm not going to hang that much stuff on it.