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rxer311
9 December 2018, 16:42
I have started building a 12.5" SBR twice...and each time something didn't suit me so I ripped them apart and parted them out. I have been saving some cash and after Christmas I will have a decent enough chunk of change to finally get a decent 12.5" SBR done. There are only a few 12.5" barrels out there right now and even less complete uppers ready to go. Here is my list...are there any others out there I am missing? I am currently considering these...

1. Larue Ultimate upper kit. Really dollar per dollar, these seem to be a great value. I love my 16" ultimate upper as it is easily sub MOA, and I am not even a great marksman. If I go this route, I will probably also just buy their lower as well to have a matched rifle. Still for $1000, its a complete rifle with good components. The only drawback is that I will have to wait months for the lower. I can always form 1 my current Larue Lower and just put the new one on my other rifle when it eventually shows up. The downside is that the lower is billet, and while it will fit other uppers it won't match.

2. BCM 12.5" complete upper. Once I add a BCM BCG and CH the price of these reaches over $800 and that is with the standard barrel as they don't offer their hammer forged barrels in this length. Not sure what sort of precision I could expect from this barrel, but I still think this would be a quality upper with quality components. Of course if I go this route, I'd have to spring for a BCM lower to match at another $400. So just over $1200 for the complete setup before the tax stamp.

3. Noveske crusader. Well, try finding a factory built crusader. I have to admit that I am a Noveske fanboy, even post John. The thing is I would be piecing this together from parts. This would easily be the most expensive option, even building off a Gen 1 set. It would be glorious, but also over budget. I would have to build the upper, then wait to build the lower, before doing the form 1.

4. Frankenbuild...what you got?

What others am I missing?

fledge
9 December 2018, 16:55
Centurion said their 12.5 will be available again soon. Buy a complete upper from them. Their billet sets are available so form 1 a lower and make it a complete Centurion build.

VSeven has a 12.5 that is also good. I bet you can request a complete upper also.

SMOS had a 12.5 in carbine and midlength. But I don’t think they do retail. Maybe call them. Then go find a gfy set floating around. They were on sale as a complete set for BF for under $400 at Oregon Rifleworks.

rxer311
9 December 2018, 17:27
Like Noveske, I think V Seven is going to be well over my budget.

I will have to look into the Centurion, but they don't currently have it on their website. Any idea when it will be available?

I love SMOS Stuff but their retail shut down and I don't want to scour the net to find parts.

Really looking forward to seeing what Centurion have to offer, but at this moment I think my options 1 and 2 are my best bets.

UWone77
9 December 2018, 18:34
I have a 12.5" mid from Rainier, smooth shooter. Not sure if they still sell those barrels as they were the Rock Creek Blanks.

I've also got a Noveske 12.5 Crusader.

What's the budget?

BoilerUp
9 December 2018, 18:38
AR15 Performance ("ARP") has a good reputation. They have a 12.5" barrel w/ .223 Wylde chamber and middy gas: https://www.ar15performance.com/inc/sdetail/38007/14399

I have essentially that same barrel in 6.8mm SPC. Will you be shooting suppressed? If so, you might like that mid gas. The ARP scout profile is on the lighter side.

Also, "True Sporting Arms" which is the outlet shop for Columbia River Arms (formerly Black Hole Weaponry) has a few 12.5 barrels on the cheap: https://truesportingarmsllc.com/product-category/ar15/5-56-223-wylde/?swoof=1&pa_length=12-half-inch&really_curr_tax=119-product_cat

I believe BHW used to make the Match barrels for Rainier. (Correction - it was their Select barrels)

Primary Arms has the BCM 12.5" on sale right now for $210: https://www.primaryarms.com/bravo-company-bcm-ar-15-barrel-12.5in-5.56-nato-carbine-length-govt-profile

They also have a nice Criterion barrel that is $20 cheaper than on Criterion's site: https://www.primaryarms.com/criterion-barrels-.223-wylde-12.5-hybrid-carbine-chrome-lined

Lastly, FWIW, Daniel Defense also makes a 12.5" CHF barrel.

Edit: Hah! Never mind! It looks like you found what you needed right here from DISCOM

UWone77
9 December 2018, 18:54
I believe BHW used to make the Match barrels for Rainier.


Negative. Just their Select Barrels, which were never offered in 12.5

Stone
9 December 2018, 19:59
https://danieldefense.com/12-5-5-56mm-carbibe-1-7-gov-profile.html

rxer311
10 December 2018, 02:42
I have a 12.5" mid from Rainier, smooth shooter. Not sure if they still sell those barrels as they were the Rock Creek Blanks.

I've also got a Noveske 12.5 Crusader.

What's the budget?

Budget is around $1200 before stamp.

rxer311
10 December 2018, 02:43
And I will be shooting suppressed

I know there are a few more options out there in 12.5" barrels, but before I build one I want to explore turn key upper options. Whenever I started building one I would end up scrapping the build. If there are no turn key options that suit me, then I will build.

I really like the BCM option, but really would prefer the hammer forged barrel, but if the standard barrel will do the trick, I am up for that.

gatordev
10 December 2018, 02:46
I've got some posts about my 12.5" experiences. Go with a VSeven. If that's out of budget, personally I'd wait for the CA barrel. Mine has been fantastic in both accuracy and gassing. If you don't want to wait, I'm sure the BCM will be fine.

voodoo_man
10 December 2018, 04:47
what are you looking to do with it?

For the money you are going to find it VERY difficult to beat overall quality of BCM.

For just a little less you can score some decent finds from dsgarms.com - they use the same manufacturer as other large name barrel companies.

DD barrels are also very nice if you can find a contract over-run sale or something like that.

I'd stay as far as possible away from larue and noveske right now. Larue, while they are reported to make good stuff they aren't competitive in terms of pricing or performance for the price. Noveske changed some stuff around and their quality isn't as great.

Farva
10 December 2018, 06:50
I’d have to echo what voodoo said. I have a BCM 11.5” upper and I shoot it suppressed and it’s been phenomenal. Again, I think for the price and quality you’ll be hard pressed to beat BCM.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

rxer311
10 December 2018, 06:51
Have you looked at the Larue ultimate upper though? Billet upper/rail, barrel, assembly, bcg, ch, lpk, 2 stage mbt trigger, buffer assembly, stock, and grip for $800. $200 to add a Larue lower. Complete rifle for $800. It actually is a good value right now. I just don't know if that is my direction at the moment.

MoxyDave
10 December 2018, 11:53
I have the Crusader 12.5" in one of my builds. It's heavy, relatively speaking. I much prefer my lightweight BCM CFH 14.5" for general use. They are both plenty accurate. I can make 2 hits on a 24" 400yd target before I hear the first one hit, no problem, with either one. But I would be a lot happier carrying around the lightweight BCM if I had to [:)]

Joelski
10 December 2018, 15:29
Have you considered 11.5? It seems those are the options available from KAC and LMT, so it must be a relevant length. Is the 50 fps worth one over the other?

Stone
10 December 2018, 16:02
Its a few more bucks and in 12.7" but well worth it. My 10.5" A5 is a rockstar...

https://www.lwrci.com/p-394-ic-a5-upper-receiver.aspx

rxer311
10 December 2018, 16:22
Its a few more bucks and in 12.7" but well worth it. My 10.5" A5 is a rockstar...

https://www.lwrci.com/p-394-ic-a5-upper-receiver.aspx

My budget was actually $1200 upper and lower so this will be well over my budget...but yeah, that is awesome!

Stone
10 December 2018, 17:09
Sorry brother, I thought the upper budget was 1200. I am curious though, why 12.5"?

rxer311
10 December 2018, 18:35
I have a 10.3" SBR, I have a 14.5" pinned, and a 16". 12.5" was just to fill the void LOL. I want a handy lightweight rifle I can run suppressed, but not take a huge velocity penalty. I suppose a 11.5" would also fill the void...

Stone
10 December 2018, 21:24
Yeah, I get it. I have been building rifles based on "voids" myself.[:D]

Former11B
11 December 2018, 05:15
I have a 10.3" SBR, I have a 14.5" pinned, and a 16". 12.5" was just to fill the void LOL. I want a handy lightweight rifle I can run suppressed, but not take a huge velocity penalty. I suppose a 11.5" would also fill the void...

I helped put together an 11.5” for @MCA a few months ago

Here’s the upper:
6065

Aero upper + BCG
Daniel Defense 11.5” barrel and DD 10.0” MFR XS rail
Griffin SNACH and Hammer Comp

The lower was a forged Aero w/ subdued flag, CMC trigger and the usual suspects

rxer311
11 December 2018, 08:42
I found this complete upper and it might be a winner. It is 11.5 and not 12.5, but it has the features I want. I believe criterion makes MI barrels.

https://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/MI-556CRM10-U-p/mi-556crm10-u.htm

rxer311
11 December 2018, 09:17
I called them and they are not criterion. They are most likely ballistic advantage.

VIPER 237
11 December 2018, 12:13
I called them and they are not criterion. They are most likely ballistic advantage.

Rosco iirc

rxer311
11 December 2018, 21:05
Anybody have any experience with these?

http://sionicsweaponsystems.com/store2015/5/87-5-upper-receiver-group-w-10-mi-ssk-rail.html

fairlanericky
13 December 2018, 18:47
Anyone have any time on these barrels?

https://triarcsystems.com/product/12-5-track-2-0-barrel/


They also have a build your own page.

https://triarcsystems.com/product/triarc-complete-upper-receiver-w-track-2-0-barrel/



Ric

UWone77
13 December 2018, 19:22
Anyone have any time on these barrels?

https://triarcsystems.com/product/12-5-track-2-0-barrel/


They also have a build your own page.

https://triarcsystems.com/product/triarc-complete-upper-receiver-w-track-2-0-barrel/



Ric

My buddy swears by Triarc. I know Chris Tran loves them too. He's raved about their Track 2.0's

HalfByTwentyEight
23 November 2019, 07:35
Got a Centurion 12.5" about a month ago from Monty. Shoots great. Note that they have changed the gas port size on the 12.5 chf from .064-.065 to .067. Also, newer barrels have keyed gas block which is pretty nifty.

HalfByTwentyEight
7 December 2019, 07:34
Hadn't seen the Triarc barrels yet. Very interesting with the single edge poly (SEP) rifling. Anybody have any info on gas port sizes for the different barrel lengths they offer? Might call them next week to get some info.

Joelski
7 December 2019, 11:42
Garand Thumb sez 11.5" makes the best suppressed SBR. I wonder if he said that before, or after he scored a FA 416?

UWone77
7 December 2019, 11:46
Hadn't seen the Triarc barrels yet. Very interesting with the single edge poly (SEP) rifling. Anybody have any info on gas port sizes for the different barrel lengths they offer? Might call them next week to get some info.

I'd call them. They always seem to be improving their stuff, so I wouldn't be surprised if specs changed in the few years.

fairlanericky
7 December 2019, 14:37
Found this company while looking for a 9.5" 5.56 barrel. Don't know anything other than what's on the website.

https://columbiariverarms.com/

UWone77
7 December 2019, 15:20
Found this company while looking for a 9.5" 5.56 barrel. Don't know anything other than what's on the website.

https://columbiariverarms.com/

That's who took over Black Hole Weaponry's operation.

fairlanericky
7 December 2019, 22:24
That's who took over Black Hole Weaponry's operation.

Since I know nothing about Black Hole Weaponry, are these barrels any good?



Ric

UWone77
7 December 2019, 23:31
Since I know nothing about Black Hole Weaponry, are these barrels any good?



Ric

Their last few years was hit and miss. They made Rainier's original Select Barrels, and those were shooters for the most part.

BoilerUp
8 December 2019, 07:12
That's who took over Black Hole Weaponry's operation.

Whas there a change of ownership? I just thought the renamed / rebranded themselves.

Note that they have a discount / outlet website as well: https://truesportingarmsllc.com/

Rick, I don't have solid data to back this up, but I put BHW/CRA kind of in the middle. Generally better than the budget barrels but haven't earned the reputation as a top barrel maker. I think they priced accordingly. I would say the CRA is one of the least expensive custom barrel shops, so you if you want something odd or hard to find, they are a good source.

Default.mp3
8 December 2019, 19:14
Anybody have any experience with these?

http://sionicsweaponsystems.com/store2015/5/87-5-upper-receiver-group-w-10-mi-ssk-rail.htmlSionics has a very good reputation over at M4C; they're not so popular outside of there, but I've yet to hear anything negative about them, so they're arguably a bit of a hidden gem (they worked with Will Larson AKA Iraqgunz of Semper Paratus Arms for awhile, IIRC, hence the M4C connection, and Larson has always praised them). They're local to me, and have done a little work for me before, and I've been happy.

Geissele also has an 11.5" upper that's not inordinately expensive, as does Sons of Liberty Gun Works, though I've heard of CS issues with SoLGW (though haven't heard anything bad about the guns themselves). PWS also has a budget line that could work, if you're interested in trying out a piston gun.

alamo5000
8 December 2019, 19:24
Their last few years was hit and miss. They made Rainier's original Select Barrels, and those were shooters for the most part.

I have one of the original ones on an AR. That rifle is very accurate. Easily sub MOA.

Aragorn
9 December 2019, 12:34
Its an 11.5” but BRT has their barrels made with the Triarc rifling, per Clint (the owner) over on M4C, although they call it 6P. Chrono data I’ve found posted online shows their barrels are all pretty consistently fast, so, velocity might be closer to a 12.5”. That’s internet data though so take it for what’s its worth.

http://www.blackrivertactical.com/concrete5/optimum-barrel/#!/BRT-11-5-OPTIMUM-CQB-Barrel/p/110110072/category=1852006

They also make the same barrel for dedicated suppressed if that’s the route you’re going.

I know they put a lot of work into their profiles and port sizes; I’ve got the 16” and it’s just ridiculously smooth.