Cut 16" barrel down, or buy new 14.5"?

[hurley842002]

Did a quick search but didn't come up with much. My favorite barrel length is 14.5 with perm attached muzzle device. My current setup is 16" BCM mid length.

I'm thinking of having the barrel cut and rethreaded to 14.5 with perm attached 1.5 BCM comp. Is there any functional reason I should just buy a new 14.5" barrel and sell my current one to recoup $$? Obviously I want to go the cheaper route, but not at the expense of reliability.

My current barrel is the BFH variant and I'd want to replace it with a BFH barrel, but a new 14.5 BFH is $309 + shipping + muzzle device. So what say ye experts, buy new barrel or cut my current barrel?

ETA: future plans when $$ allows are an fsb shave and some sort of 13ish" keymod rail, so removable muzzle device isn't necessary.

[davsel]

Not at all an expert, but I'd keep what you have. Every time I think I've found the perfect muzzle device, something else comes along and I want to be able to try it out. The last time, I swore I was done changing muzzle devices and gas blocks - love the ones I have, and then Jay at Double D Armory cuts us a deal on silencers. I gotta have one, and they attach via proprietary QD muzzle device. So, I switched again.

However, your wants/needs are likely different. I'd purchase the barrel you want, new, and sell the one you have to me for a huge used discount.
[Beer]

[hurley842002]

I'm definitely not picky about muzzle devices, in fact the only reason I'd get a BCM over an a2, is because my rifle is all BCM lol. As far as any NFA stuff goes, I MAY be able to get into that upon retirement (I'm only 30 lol), so I'm in no rush to worry about cans or the like. Thanks for the input!

[Wulf202]

There can be issues with port size and chrome lining damage. But judging by your location you know the local smith that can do it properly.

[hurley842002]

There can be issues with port size and chrome lining damage. But judging by your location you know the local smith that can do it properly.

Those are the types of issues I was wanting to hear about. If I take the leap, Burt will be the Smith!

[ray1970]

I'm sure I'm stating the obvious, but you could probably save time by just swapping out the barrel. Buy a new one, sell your old one, and the difference between the two will most likely be less than what it would cost to have it cut, crowned, and threaded, and possibly refinished. Personally, I won't cut a chrome lined barrel for fear of chipping or flaking where it gets cut. Maybe I'm just paranoid.

I imagine you won't have much trouble selling a BCM barrel in 16" with the mid-length gas port.

[cofi]

Buy a new barrel and sell the old one

The battle comps suck a nut I would look into other breaks or just run an extended a2

[BigBear]

The battle comps suck a nut

Why?

[hurley842002]

Buy a new barrel and sell the old one

The battle comps suck a nut I would look into other breaks or just run an extended a2

Not considering the battle comp, it's the BCM gunfighter comp.

Also starting to consider a non BFH lightweight barrel, as I don't shoot nearly enough to see the benefits of the heavier duty barrel, and I could get the barrel and an a2 comp for around $30 less than the BFH barrel by itself.

[Irving]

If only there were people who lived in Thornton, in the middle of building rifles that needed a barrel.

[hurley842002]

If only there were people who lived in Thornton, in the middle of building rifles that needed a barrel.

Hmmm do I sense a hint.....lol

[Great-Kazoo]

There can be issues with port size and chrome lining damage. But judging by your location you know the local smith that can do it properly.

Sometimes. We went from 16 - 12" bbls and the only issue is getting to the range more often. Not to discount potential for port enlargement.

[DFBrews]

If only there were people who lived in Thornton, in the middle of building rifles that needed a barrel.


"Riffle"

[Irving]

"Riffle"

Who was that? Jake or NYNCO?

[68Guy]

I had my Rock River 16" cut down to 14.5 by Bert at B&P Tactical. Great job, very reasonable price and he does multiple true up checks on the threads so I know my suppressor will not take a strike. He did a blind pin beneath the YHM QD suppressor locking ring so you cannot see it. Works great and I shot the rifle this weekend with the suppressor (FINALLY after 8 months). No issues. Now was it actually worth the dollars to lose 1.5" of barrel? Dunno - jury is still out on that. Of course, in hindsight, I screwed myself because I have since built a dedicated lower for an SBR in 300 BLK and I could just get a second upper in 5.56 with any barrel length I wanted and just have left the original as it was. Oh well, live and learn...