Geissele Barrels...

[Joelski]

Please forgive me if this has already been discussed, but I couldn't find anything about it, even on the Industry Announcements board. Per their website, Geissele now has two cold hammer forges and is going to be offering barrels as a separate item in the near future. According to the site, the barrels are CMV, Chrome lined, and come in 10.3", 11.5", 14.5" and 16" lengths. Finish is manganese phosphate. Price for all sizes is a very affordable $270. I am looking forward to trying one, and expect the quality to be to the usual Geissele standards. With such a plunge into this niche, it's safe to say that DD and FN are no longer the main players, especially with the price. Here's hoping that G has been paying attention to the community and gives us a .68 gas port, although it's not against the law to shoot cheap, under-powered ammunition, so the port dimension is likely to stay in the .70 vicinity.

https://geissele.com/parts-tools/barrels.html

[tact]

Curious what the appeal is specifically.

[Joelski]

Alternative to a more expensive barrel of the same sort. Some rifles just need a black barrel and this isn't a huge jump from a BA stainless. The appeal of the durability of a CHF/CL barrel. I have a barrel that is seeing close to 14k rounds and is losing some accuracy, even for me, so I'm looking to give one a try.

[mustangfreek]

Not trying to start anything.

But I’d look at proven stuff..

Criterion, Brt , Triarc, and I think Centurion , just off top of my head make what you want.

last upper assembled, used a criterion hybrid and so far very pleased.

[Former11B]

Not trying to start anything.

But I’d look at proven stuff..

Criterion, Brt , Triarc, and I think Centurion , just off top of my head make what you want.

last upper assembled, used a criterion hybrid and so far very pleased.

Been waiting a while on a certain criterion barrel and still have 6+ months to go…

It’s my fault though because I want a specific length

[Joelski]

You're not starting a thing, man. I know those are fine barrels. Price isn't everything, but its a factor and I feel like Geissele is leveraging their market penetration to join the game at the stated price. Will it last? No idea. Is it enough to inspire a guy to step up from a less expensive barrel? Probably, at least for certain parts of the demo. I don't have proof talent. Rosco has barrels somewhere in the military, but at that price, you know they aren't making long range assassin barrels.

I'd probably give my money to Centurion out of that group, but I want the thing while I'm still able to shoot. G is bringing capacity (which gives some assurance of availability), specs, and price point.

Like I said, if it's a loser, I'm not out a fortune. If it's a performer, I saved half of what you paid. Either way, I ain't gonna do the "just as good as" thing. A good product makes its own rep.

[mustangfreek]

Former11b-What length u looking for?

Joel…not half cheaper then mine..I don’t pay retail..lol

And twice the price, then look at the carbon fiber options..

Monies.

[BoilerUp]

G has been making barrels longer than I realized - I never really noticed. It seems to me that the really hard part of this is a really good chrome lining process. CL gives longevity, but generally you expect to lose some accuracy; however, a few companies out there seemed to have figured out how to produce a really accurate CL barrel but you typically "pay up". The only one I have direct experience with is LMT and I've been really impressed with their 5.56 barrel and the reputation of their .308 CL barrels is excellent. I'm curious if G is doing their own chrome. I'd be more likely to buy one if I knew they were sending them out to someone with the track record (FN?). If they are doing it themselves, I'd give it a few years and let the results come in.

All that said, I view CL as a bit of a manufacturing relic. My understanding is that the nitride process provides as good or better hardness but the process is much cheaper and easier to master, which is why you can get surprisingly good barrels and surprisingly good prices these days. I don't really get caught up in CL vs Nitride anymore, just pick someone who knows what they are doing.

[Joelski]

G has been making barrels longer than I realized - I never really noticed. It seems to me that the really hard part of this is a really good chrome lining process. CL gives longevity, but generally you expect to lose some accuracy; however, a few companies out there seemed to have figured out how to produce a really accurate CL barrel but you typically "pay up". The only one I have direct experience with is LMT and I've been really impressed with their 5.56 barrel and the reputation of their .308 CL barrels is excellent. I'm curious if G is doing their own chrome. I'd be more likely to buy one if I knew they were sending them out to someone with the track record (FN?). If they are doing it themselves, I'd give it a few years and let the results come in.

All that said, I view CL as a bit of a manufacturing relic. My understanding is that the nitride process provides as good or better hardness but the process is much cheaper and easier to master, which is why you can get surprisingly good barrels and surprisingly good prices these days. I don't really get caught up in CL vs Nitride anymore, just pick someone who knows what they are doing.

Pappabear over on M4C has been liking his new Geissele rifle so far, and I have to assume that by now, they're shipping with home-made barrels. He's a guy I look at as a relatively serious precision shooter of some stripe, or at least he talks a good game; it is the internet, after all. :) There's a thread over there with lots of decent feedback on rifles and uppers, and I won't claim factory built status for my gun, but I can run a mean torque wrench (as well as head-spacing and castle nut staking) just as good as John Noveske's old crew.

[Joelski]

All that said, I view CL as a bit of a manufacturing relic. My understanding is that the nitride process provides as good or better hardness but the process is much cheaper and easier to master, which is why you can get surprisingly good barrels and surprisingly good prices these days. I don't really get caught up in CL vs Nitride anymore, just pick someone who knows what they are doing.

And this is why I looked at the Rosco barrel for my Geissele build. Aside from the fact that G wasn't, and still isn't offering barrels (yet), the barrel I bought was found on BAD's website, and I sorta crossed my fingers and hoped it would be a decent offering, considering the overall quality, and they (again, hopefully) wouldn't throw their rep away on garbage barrels. So far, what I've read is more good than bad and no shitshows with the Rosco stuff, so maybe they are a legit maker, at least as good as BA and way better than those hundred dollar things you can find all over the auction sites.

Edit: oops! The Rosco is nitrided on the outside and barrel extension, and chrome lined bore. To their credit, they do claim to have a more realistic port diameter. That said, nothing helps a DI system as much as an AGB.

[Former11B]

Looking for a 13.9” Criterion

[UWone77]

I hope Bill knows how to make barrels better than he does sourcing chinesium optics.

I think it's interesting that G cannot keep a lot of their current stuff in stock, but decides to go out and start making CHF Barrels.

[gatordev]

I think it's interesting that G cannot keep a lot of their current stuff in stock, but decides to go out and start making CHF Barrels.

The overall G catalog seems to suffer from this, even pre-COVID. If you want 3 or 4 triggers, you're good, but otherwise all of the extra stuff is back-ordered...but more product gets introduced. And we never did see those commercial 416 bolts come to light.

[UWone77]

The overall G catalog seems to suffer from this, even pre-COVID. If you want 3 or 4 triggers, you're good, but otherwise all of the extra stuff is back-ordered...but more product gets introduced. And we never did see those commercial 416 bolts come to light.

Been looking to get a 10.3" upper, the near clone version, but it's perpetually backordered / out of stock. I know I've missed a few drops, but I feel uppers shouldn't be in a short suppy. Seems like there was nothing wrong with just sourcing DD barrels for this. I guess if I ran/owed a multi-million dollar operation, I'd run it the way I saw fit, instead of getting my advice from the internet.

Heh... totally forgot about those commercial 416 bolts gator!

[UWone77]

In case anyone is interested. 16" version in stock at Rainier:

https://www.rainierarms.com/geissele-cold-hammer-forged-5-56-chrome-lined-barrel-16/

[Former11B]

I’d like to get one but I’m probably going to get a 10.3/10.5” once my FN barrel gets a little more mileage

[UWone77]

I’d like to get one but I’m probably going to get a 10.3/10.5” once my FN barrel gets a little more mileage

I've still got a few G receiver sets, sights and BCG. I may build a 10.3 like you're planning to. I'll wait for some range reports first.

[alamo5000]

I’d like to get one but I’m probably going to get a 10.3/10.5” once my FN barrel gets a little more mileage

Tell us more about your build. I love my 10.5.

[Former11B]

Tell us more about your build. I love my 10.5.

KAC SR-15 lower, Innovative Arms gas adjustable upper, FN 10.5” CHF 1:7, Geissele Mk14 9.5”, Geissele Airborne CH, Rainier Enhanced BCG, CMC trigger, TA44 ACSS ACOG, Mini-4 suppressor

https://i.imgur.com/0bZUC2y.jpg

[BoilerUp]

Nice pistol. [BD]

How do you like that mini-ACOG? I've been wanting to try one out

[Former11B]

Nice pistol. [BD]

How do you like that mini-ACOG? I've been wanting to try one out

I love it with the ACSS reticle. With 1.5x, it’s like a narrow red dot with a BDC reticle. I’ve used it on steel out to 500yds stationary and with the moving target holds was making 100% hits on a 66% IPSC at 300yds going 3-4mph

[Joelski]

I'm interested in the 10.3" barrel as well. Hoping it shows in stock soon.

[Joelski]

Been looking to get a 10.3" upper, the near clone version, but it's perpetually backordered / out of stock. I know I've missed a few drops, but I feel uppers shouldn't be in a short suppy. Seems like there was nothing wrong with just sourcing DD barrels for this. I guess if I ran/owed a multi-million dollar operation, I'd run it the way I saw fit, instead of getting my advice from the internet.

Heh... totally forgot about those commercial 416 bolts gator!

Bill's contract is active now, so he's surely sending every URGI upper he can get to the mil. You can either expect to wait for a good while, or else build your own. He sells the parts separately, and they're less of a pain to source. All you're doing by giving him a 30% premium is paying money he doesn't deserve since you can build it as good as his kids can.

I'm not going to buy a new Harley, or Gibson guitar, because they're selling you the next 30 years of equity (speculatively) IF the product is desirable by that time, and IF you haven't worn it out!

[UWone77]

Bill's contract is active now, so he's surely sending every URGI upper he can get to the mil. You can either expect to wait for a good while, or else build your own. He sells the parts separately, and they're less of a pain to source. All you're doing by giving him a 30% premium is paying money he doesn't deserve since you can build it as good as his kids can.

I'm not going to buy a new Harley, or Gibson guitar, because they're selling you the next 30 years of equity (speculatively) IF the product is desirable by that time, and IF you haven't worn it out!

I guess I just have no motivation to build anymore. These days I find it much easier to have it delivered already tested fired, in a box.

Then again I can't even find the motivation to complete and organize the gun room, so there's that.

[Joelski]

I guess I just have no motivation to build anymore. These days I find it much easier to have it delivered already tested fired, in a box.

Then again I can't even find the motivation to complete and organize the gun room, so there's that.

I agree! Pack that shit up and send it to me for disposal and kiss that albatross goodbye! [:D]

[Stone]

Got an email on the 10.5" barrel last week as "in stock" Not building anything right now so I'm not sure if they are still in stock... FWIW I used a 12.5" Triarc barrel on the last build and she is a tack driver. Well worth the few extra bucks. Seems to like everything I ran through it. 75g SGD- 62g TBBC- Wolf 5.56 FMJ brass cased.

[Former11B]

Put a 13.9” criterion on back order for a Centurion build. Wouldn’t mind a Geissele or even one of the new Griffin Armament barrels to go in my existing 10.5”. Guess I made it easier on myself by making it harder….if that makes sense

[BoilerUp]

Put a 13.9” criterion on back order for a Centurion build. Wouldn’t mind a Geissele or even one of the new Griffin Armament barrels to go in my existing 10.5”. Guess I made it easier on myself by making it harder….if that makes sense

Ah, I forgot about the new GA barrels...when I first looked at those, I wasn't that interested...but, just this morning I was tormenting myself about whether or not to buy a Colt 14.5 SOCOM for my Geissele Mk16 / URG-I-ish upper build. I really like the Cot SOCOM barrels, but like the idea of a mid gas from the DD, but I really don't get those silly government profile barrels. The GA 14.8 provides a close to SOCOM profile, mid-gas, and nitrided SS which in theory should give the best of both worlds for accuracy and durability. And since GA gives a generous military discount and actually has them in stock that might be my answer. Anyone want to convince me otherwise?

[Joelski]

Finally got a 14.5" Geissele barrel. Now I just have to find a KAC URX nut wrench in stock to finish the damn thing.

[Former11B]

Finally got a 14.5" Geissele barrel. Now I just have to find a KAC URX nut wrench in stock to finish the damn thing.

https://www.dwilsonmfg.com/SR15-URX-II-3-31-Barrel-nut-Wrench_p_57.html

[TheRifleman]

Their shipping department needs to be retrained.

Take a look at the left on this first picture and tell me what you can see poking it's head out. Also looked what they shipped my barrel and handguard in, the same box.

https://i.imgur.com/fyohMsl.jpg

Yep, that's what you thought it was. Now look closer and see if you see anything else wrong.

https://i.imgur.com/KNyDExT.jpg

Here, for those not tech savvy with the pan and zoom.

https://i.imgur.com/dg8PLjA.jpg

One more just in case.

https://i.imgur.com/eqoA3ho.jpg

Debris because of room temperature IQ packagers making me not wanting that tube anymore. I know, I could have used an air hose and blasted to make sure but honestly not worth it IMO. So I stuck my last Trajectory Arms gas tube in it's place..

https://i.imgur.com/ePTA6aW.jpg

This was also supposed to be a BNIB barrel.

https://i.imgur.com/ktFowjb.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/7amCvLc.jpg

However being the person I am, I problem solved it at my level and cleaned things up and saw that the GB was aligned correctly and the bore scope confirming that it was indeed a mint barrel that had some poor custodians taking shoddy care of it. I messaged Bill on TOS afterwards, he never responded back. I had zero need to make it known and be a drama queen about it because it's not me. I could have used an appreciative response for making him aware about it to take care of on his end. Maybe he doesn't care enough anymore because of those contract bucks from government and his legion of rabid cola warrior fans to shout down anyone who dares to raise the red flags?

To be fair in disclosure, my barrel was sent back with an RMA because of an undersized gas port for an 11.5. They said sorry and for my troubles I was given free of charge a replacement that has the correct port size, a free Super Duty gas block pinned, and my choice of either a MK14 or Mk16 in 10.5 in the colors they offered, free of course.

But no barrel nut wrench, lol. Luckily I still have the one that came with my 13.5 Mk14.

I don't think that I will be buying direct from Geissele anymore, their shipping stinks because that could have been packaged a lot better. Their wait time to make things right took longer than a few months and I was initially patient with them because I knew that they were sponsoring an all hands at event in PA for some folks at TOS when my RMA had already arrived prior to, and had been acknowledged that it was looked at and agreed with about it being their mess up.

As for the barrel itself, it shoots good. I haven't given it the whole nine yards with group testing because I still hit plates with it and I need it to be a minute of man IPSC at reasonable self defense distances exactly where the shot needs to be sent. And it does that well so I am satisfied. However that being said if I ever am going to buy another CHF CL, it will not be from Geissele based on this past experience. Too many other great options to consider like the BCM BFH, Criterion Hybrids or Cores, Sionics, FN (probably the sole source of all other CHF "brands"), and Centurion Arms.

[TheRifleman]

Finally got a 14.5" Geissele barrel. Now I just have to find a KAC URX nut wrench in stock to finish the damn thing.

URX4?

[Stone]

Bill better get his shit together over there, thats BS... On a side note, they sent out their latest sale email last week, so I went to his site only to find that almost every product was out of stock as usual and it wasnt from the sale either, it was like that a month ago... It looks like Bill has taken some buisness advice from the Umbrella Corporation...

[alamo5000]

I bought a hand guard from them once. It showed up with bare aluminum showing like someone banged it on the corner of a table or whatever. I attempted to return it but got lectured about how 'it's a tool' and so on and so forth. I told them that might be true but for what I was paying any dents and scratches need to come from MY use. I finally sent it back and got a refund after they reluctantly sent me the stuff to do so. After that I've decided that they live off of the kool aid drinkers and I've never dealt with them again.

[Former11B]

For that reason I buy sales from third party retailers. Can return to them and let them deal with the damaged product from the MFR.