SBRing the XCR-Barrel Options

Get the gun, register, get the barrel. You get more trigger time doing this, rather than climbing the walls waiting for your forms with nothing to do

Good point. Any idea if it is cheaper to have a local smith chop the 16" barrel down to 11 inches than paying the $350 or whatever for the additional barrel from Robinson?

Accomplice said:

Good point. Any idea if it is cheaper to have a local smith chop the 16" barrel down to 11 inches than paying the 0 or whatever for the additional barrel from Robinson?

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A local guy chops barrels for $90, which for sure is cheaper than a $300 SBR barrel. ADCO does a great job of chopping barrels.

I'm getting tired of waiting for SBR factory barrels so I may buy an HBAR with the new gas system and chop it, which would set me back nearly $400, so make sure you get the profile you want from day one.

Variable has it right. Waiting for factory stuff is a pain. Buy an extra barrel and shoot your gun until you get paper work back then slap on your new barrel. I have the light barrel in 16 and 11". I've had the short barrel on the gun for some time now, since March or April I think. You'll definitely like it.

It would be best to use the heavy barrel to sbr correct? More meat for rethread/crown or whatever?

I'd like to get an sbr ~10.5-10.75"

As far as atf procedure goes, do you have to have your forms and stamp+receiver ingraved before you even take possession of the short barrel?

magikbullet said:

It would be best to use the heavy barrel to sbr correct? More meat for rethread/crown or whatever?

I'd like to get an sbr ~10.5-10.75"

As far as atf procedure goes, do you have to have your forms and stamp+receiver ingraved before you even take possession of the short barrel?

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.

Owning SBR parts with a non registered firearm could be classified as intent by the ATF...in theory. I prefer Heavy, or medium contour for SBR's. Colt Commandos are all pencil though, so I wouldnt consider it a big deal. Just preference. Personally I like heavy barrels on short guns.

I had the heavy barrel conversation with the guys @ TDI. They all said the same thing. Heavy barrels are for full auto weapons, used to dissipate heat. Had nothing to do with accuracy. I say, why make the gun any heavier than it needs to be? The XCR is already a bit chubbier than the others. The trend is for heavy barrels... "trend". But why on a CQB gun that won't be used for sustained rates of fire?

Now, if you like it cause you think it looks cool, then that's another story.

Prizm,

How much does the muzzle rise on each shot of your SBR? I'm wondering if the heavy barrel might give a slight advantage in getting quicker follow up shots with the added weight muting that muzzle hop.

Accomplice said:

Prizm,

How much does the muzzle rise on each shot of your SBR? I'm wondering if the heavy barrel might give a slight advantage in getting quicker follow up shots with the added weight muting that muzzle hop.

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Great question... the answer is that I can't find any significant muzzle rise with this gun. I'm a whimpy shooter, meaning I don't like any unecessary muzzle rise, whip, or recoil. I can handle it, but I prefer it not be there. The XCR just doesn't have much rise. And I doubt the increase in weight for carrying the gun is worth a very minimal decrease in muzzle rise. If anything there are several new muzzle breaks available now. And the new designs cut down on the noise that these breaks are notorious for. My buddy with the 14.5" XCR has a break on his and it's not obnoxious at all. And it stays right on target all the time.

If you're ever going to train and take classes with it, you may want to pass on the heavy barrel. The XCR is a porker already.

I will probably SBR mine down the line.

My 10.5" AR has a govt. profile barrel. I don't see any reason to go with the heavy barrel... especially considering that the XCR's is free floated anyway. My shorty AR groups just fine for what it is with the non FF front end.

If you are going with the 12" factory barrel, I believe the only option is the heavy barrel.

I just ordered mine today with the 12" barrel, but I guess I have the advantage of not having to wait for registration ;D