Rainier Arms UltraMatch .223 Wylde Mid Barrel - 12.5" [Archive]

GOST

5 April 2015, 10:55

http://pull01.rainier.netdna-cdn.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/650x650/99043cc1cf05a75bc1697c6b119a2899/u/m/um-12-mid-barrel-a.jpg

http://pull01.rainier.netdna-cdn.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/650x650/99043cc1cf05a75bc1697c6b119a2899/u/m/um-12-mid-barrel-c.jpg

http://pull01.rainier.netdna-cdn.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/650x650/99043cc1cf05a75bc1697c6b119a2899/u/m/um-12-mid-barrel-b.jpg

Description:
We wanted to build an AR15 barrel using the finest blank and mass produce them to bring them to market at the most competitive prices. Our UltraMatch barrels start out as Shilen blanks and contoured to our specifications. We wanted the best balance between accuracy while keeping the weight down as much as possible. It also features Shilen's Ratchet Rifling which allows for flatter trajectories and easier cleaning. We are so confident in our UltraMatch barrels that we will offer a 100% money back guarantee within 90 days of purchase. If you aren't completely satisfied with the barrel for any reason, return it for a full refund, no questions asked.

Features:
Stainless Steel Match Grade Shilen Blank
Length: 12.5"
Twist: 1:8
Thread Pitch: 1/2 X 28
.750 Gas Block Seat
.223 Wylde Chamber
Mid Length Gas System
Ratchet Rifling
M4 Feed Ramps
Proprietary Contour
Bead Blasted Finish
Weight: 1 lbs 12.8 oz

http://www.rainierarms.com/rainier-arms-ultramatch-223-wylde-mid-barrel-12-5

GOST

6 April 2015, 05:07

It'll be interesting to see how these new mid-length 12.5" barrels handle.

SINNER

6 April 2015, 05:21

I need to try one of these. Thinking one of these with a CMT lefty upper would run about as gas free as possible suppressed. For a lefty that is.

Dstrbdmedic167

6 April 2015, 06:10

It'll be interesting to see how these new mid-length 12.5" barrels handle.

I have a 12.5" ARP mid length in my SBR. Shoots like a dream. Have run it with standard block and adjustable (since I shoot suppressed now) and never have had any issues with factory ammo I mine. It's a sweet shooter as I'm sure these will be as well.

UWone77

6 April 2015, 10:16

I'm building up a 12.5" Mid. I returned by 16" Rifle, because I knew I wouldn't build it up anytime soon. Throwing this on a 12" MML with a can.

GOST

6 April 2015, 10:43

Look forward to seeing it.

docsherm

8 April 2015, 07:25

Has anyone used this yet? I am wondering what buffer would work best with this. The 12.5" and mid gas is very unique, might be the ticket for a can though.

UWone77

8 April 2015, 07:31

Has anyone used this yet? I am wondering what buffer would work best with this. The 12.5" and mid gas is very unique, might be the ticket for a can though.

doc,

I just picked one up yesterday, and it's currently at the gunsmith waiting for a gas block pinning. Hope to have it up and running at the end of the week/early next to throw on my SBR. I'll play with the buffers a bit and throw a can on it.

docsherm

8 April 2015, 07:42

doc,

I just picked one up yesterday, and it's currently at the gunsmith waiting for a gas block pinning. Hope to have it up and running at the end of the week/early next to throw on my SBR. I'll play with the buffers a bit and throw a can on it.

What gas block did you go with? I was thinking of an adjustable one to get the gas correct.

Are you going to run a can on it?

Thanks, I am very interested in this set up.

Dstrbdmedic167

8 May 2015, 16:26

I can't for the life of me find the thread where we discussed this barrel in the MML. It wouldn't work for UW and the "12.5" barrel I was using did work with a 12" handguard. We found out that my barrel is actually 12 ⅝" and not 12.5".

Reason for the post I received a 12.5" 277WLV barrel today and had the same issue UW had. Barrel likes "this" much from working with the 51T adapter. So back to the drawing board....

GOST

8 May 2015, 16:33

Has anyone used this yet? I am wondering what buffer would work best with this. The 12.5" and mid gas is very unique, might be the ticket for a can though.

Talked to Chris Reeves of Triarc Systems who also produce a 12.5" mid-length barrel, he recommended a H buffer.

GOST

8 May 2015, 16:35

toolboxluis00200

8 May 2015, 16:39

Man that is sexy love to be able to get one maybe one day I will droll droll

turkishroy

8 May 2015, 20:30

Dstrbdmedic167

8 May 2015, 20:39

turkishroy

8 May 2015, 20:44

I use an Adj gas block and also tailor my ammo for this rifle so I have no issues. YMMV

Define tailor. We talking handloads specific to the gun, or simply checking what weights/brands will cycle the action?

Dstrbdmedic167

8 May 2015, 20:46

Define tailor. We talking handloads specific to the gun, or simply checking what weights/brands will cycle the action?

Combo of both. I've never had issues running factory ammo in it but yes I also run hand loads in my rifles. That's unsuppressed not suppressed.

JHoward

8 May 2015, 20:48

I need this. Preferably already drilled for taper pins and a FSP.

GOST

8 May 2015, 21:42

Not to sound corny but I was just wondering how well this sort of gas/dwell would work. Think it would have to have a can to function? I know PWS has a MK212SD that requires a can for proper function...

There are currently two 12.5" mid-length barrels that I know of on the market, both utilize a proprietary rifling. Both the Rainier Arms with Ratchet rifling and the Triarc with Track rifling are a single edge polygonal rifling. This provides a tighter seal of the projectile and reduces forward escaping gases, therefore minimal loss of gas pressures allowing the use of a longer gas system.

GOST

8 May 2015, 21:50

I need this. Preferably already drilled for taper pins and a FSP.

A Kino build without the additional gas block would be cool.

turkishroy

9 May 2015, 06:51

There are currently two 12.5" mid-length barrels that I know of on the market, both utilize a proprietary rifling. Both the Rainier Arms with Ratchet rifling and the Triarc with Track rifling are a single edge polygonal rifling. This provides a tighter seal of the projectile and reduces forward escaping gases, therefore minimal loss of gas pressures allowing the use of a longer gas system.

Interesting detail. I've read about poly rifling improving seal and consequently velocities. Gonna have to google that Triarc stuff, not familiar with it...

alamo5000

12 May 2015, 06:33

Question sort of on topic and sort of off topic. Does anyone make a CHF 12.5 (or so) barrel?

Next question for all you SBR owners... in 5.56 I understand that the short barrel makes the gun REALLY LOUD. How much more loud are we talking? And is the same thing true for .300 BO?

I am thinking of SBR'ing a lower but I am initially leaning towards doing it in 5.56 mainly because I won't have to stock a bunch of other ammo.

Considering the SBR will be a 100 yards and in gun (my designated purpose) what are the pros and cons to my thinking?

I keep coming back to suppressing a 12.5" 5.56 but I think a .300 will be a ton quieter.

If I do my SBR I am thinking some sort of a red dot, maybe a SRS on top... but right now it's just in the 'maybe' category.

BC98

12 May 2015, 06:44

Centurion Arms and Palmetto State both offer 12"-ish CHF barrels. I've got the Centurion barrel and it's a tack driver. Mine's loud but I run muzzle brakes on it so it's hard to tell if it's that much louder than my other guns. It doesn't bother me, though.

Slippers

12 May 2015, 08:28

It's louder but not annoyingly so as long as you don't use a brake or comp.

UWone77

12 May 2015, 08:31

DutyUse

12 May 2015, 09:03

More then likely, if you go ahead and file the paper work for an SBR lower you'll end up with multiple uppers for it. Just a feeling ;)

alamo5000

12 May 2015, 11:30

More then likely, if you go ahead and file the paper work for an SBR lower you'll end up with multiple uppers for it. Just a feeling ;)

I can feel the money draining out of my wallet already.

I'm up in the air if I should SBR my current lower or just buy a new one.

That said just a couple of observations....if I SBR it and then suppress it I'm really not gaining much because the OAL is still out there. If I do it though I'm thinking a CMT billet lower and a billet slick side upper with a 12.5 CHF barrel.

I'm still not entirely sold on an SBR in general but the more I learn the more I can see its use.

At least so far that's the concept. I would probably want a new lower with a different stock for an SBR.

DutyUse

12 May 2015, 11:46

I almost went billet as my first SBR lower and I can totally see the appeal. After talking with the guys here tho I'm glad their advice sunk in and that I went with a forged BCM as my first. You can always get a more boutique lower later to SBR...

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

alamo5000

12 May 2015, 11:50

Why? Reason with me.

I am 95% about utility so the jury is still out on building an SBR..

Is it a weight issue or something else that says don't go billet?

DutyUse

12 May 2015, 12:00

Why? Reason with me.

I am 95% about utility so the jury is still out on building an SBR..

Is it a weight issue or something else that says don't go billet?

It's the Industry standard. Plus when have you ever read about a forged lower being "worn" out? I'm sure there are government Colt lowers in rotation that have seen untold millions of rounds and decades of abuse and still going strong.

What really sold me was this.. You will have this SBR lower for the rest of your life. What looks good now in billet might not in 2030. Forged lowers will remain a timeless look.

Edit: Here's the thread (http://www.weaponevolution.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7106) where I asked the same question billet vs forged for SBR. Guys smarter then i on the subject, giving better answers then i can give honestly.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

gatordev

12 May 2015, 12:30

Another happy Centurion Arms 12.5" user here. The one issue, if you want to call it that, is that it tends to have larger POI shift than other barrels with a heavier barrel profile when shooting suppressed. Not a deal breaker by any means. Otherwise, mine has been going strong for just shy of 1,000 rounds over the last year and is my go-to carbine competition gun. I think I've even managed to clean it once or twice.

Slippers

12 May 2015, 12:31

That said just a couple of observations....if I SBR it and then suppress it I'm really not gaining much because the OAL is still out there. If I do it though I'm thinking a CMT billet lower and a billet slick side upper with a 12.5 CHF barrel.

I'm still not entirely sold on an SBR in general but the more I learn the more I can see its use.

They kind of go hand-in-hand. If you don't have an SBR for a suppressor, then the rifle is very front heavy, and very long. If you have a chance, shoot a 16" with a can on it, and you'll immediately see that you wouldn't want to use it for an extended period of time.

Louder bang and compromised ballistics (to some extent) in exchange for more fun and smaller/lighter weight. I use my 11.5 more than any rifle I own.

Also, once you realize how easy it is to get a stamp for a lower receiver, you'll probably SBR all of your lowers. And in the grand scheme of things, even if you do SBR some fancy-shmancy billet lower and get tired of it, you can always take all the guts out and put them in a new $100 forged lower, and SBR that one. $200 tax stamps are virtually nothing compared to the money most of us spend on ammo.

alamo5000

12 May 2015, 19:08

They kind of go hand-in-hand. If you don't have an SBR for a suppressor, then the rifle is very front heavy, and very long. If you have a chance, shoot a 16" with a can on it, and you'll immediately see that you wouldn't want to use it for an extended period of time.

Louder bang and compromised ballistics (to some extent) in exchange for more fun and smaller/lighter weight. I use my 11.5 more than any rifle I own.

Also, once you realize how easy it is to get a stamp for a lower receiver, you'll probably SBR all of your lowers. And in the grand scheme of things, even if you do SBR some fancy-shmancy billet lower and get tired of it, you can always take all the guts out and put them in a new $100 forged lower, and SBR that one. $200 tax stamps are virtually nothing compared to the money most of us spend on ammo.

That is a very thought provoking post there Slippers. Thanks!

I can already tell that this trust is going to get my wallet in trouble :)

I have a lot of thoughts in my head about an building an SBR.

GOST

12 May 2015, 19:17

I second what Slippers said, go ahead and do it. Now what lower are you going to form 1?

alamo5000

12 May 2015, 19:37

I second what Slippers said, go ahead and do it. Now what lower are you going to form 1?

I only have one! LOL

I am thinking about SBR'ing the one that I have, but then again I might just do a whole new build.

Check out CMT's facebook picture...

https://scontent-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/p720x720/11188154_972742432745347_11869593040796501_n.jpg?o h=68145dc148b6c3fc8bde2fdcfd9996e1&oe=56067480

docsherm

12 May 2015, 20:28

Noveske used to make the best 12.5 CHF barrel on the market. They widely considered the 12.5 their best barrel. Not sure about the qualities of the new ones, but I've got a 12.5 from when Johnny was still around and it's been a great barrel. Still have an old 18T shooting a M4-1000 on it.

I have a 12.5" CHF Noveske I got from John when they first came out. I have tried several 12.5' barrels, BCM, PSA, and Daniel Defense. All of which were not in the same league. If you can find a Noveske grab it. Other then that I would go with the DD 12.5".

alamo5000

12 May 2015, 20:41

It's the Industry standard. Plus when have you ever read about a forged lower being "worn" out? I'm sure there are government Colt lowers in rotation that have seen untold millions of rounds and decades of abuse and still going strong.

What really sold me was this.. You will have this SBR lower for the rest of your life. What looks good now in billet might not in 2030. Forged lowers will remain a timeless look.

Edit: Here's the thread (http://www.weaponevolution.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7106) where I asked the same question billet vs forged for SBR. Guys smarter then i on the subject, giving better answers then i can give honestly.

I just read that thread that you linked into... good stuff. Right now even though I could probably afford it I have to prioritize what I am buying. First order of business is a suppressor. I've been waiting on the damn thing for a while. Long story short I just have to space out my purchases of major items some. Which one piece buy one piece none of it is a major purchase but by the time you build a complete upper or complete lower...you wind up spending $$$.

The thought in my head was to possibly get another (non ambi) CMT Tactical Billet and SBR it and at the same time get a couple of matched stripped upper receivers. I have a slick side with a dust cover but for the SBR just a straight up slick side might be better. Less stuff to hang on or fiddle with.

Honestly I really like the CMT stuff. It couldn't be more perfect for me. That said I have little experience with anything else.

What Slippers said about the balance of the gun seems perfect. I recently handled a rifle with an AAC can on the end of it and that was the first thing I noticed.

Don't get me wrong I am learning a whole lot. An SBR seems like it would be the go to thing for a street fight. Ducking behind a car or going around obstacles etc. That said you can only shoot what you can acquire (target wise) so I have to think about the optic and all that too.

Long story short there is virtue in building a rifle that has a completely different intent to it. My rifle now is set up to where I could tag a 700 yard target or shoot a small group or whatever. For the SBR the intention would be more for a street fight obstacle climbing gun so the ballistic loss really isn't a big deal considering the intention would be for a 100 ish yard gun. I would be aiming for a minute of man kind of gun rather than just something that will shoot tiny groups. Minute of man with fast target acquisition....

That said the handling of an SBR if it's 12.5 or whatever inches would be a whole lot easier to handle, but when you put a suppressor on the end of it the OAL is still going to be right out there around 16". However having a balanced rifle is a very good thing.

I am not really one to half ass what I do. I would rather get what I want. I have learned through a lot of bad experience that buying good once hurts, but you wind up spending more if you buy bad.

Budget wise I try to keep myself to within $500 a month for shooting stuff...between ammo and this and that... sometimes I blow right through that....

alamo5000

13 May 2015, 14:50

For 5.56 what is the optimal barrel length for an SBR? I lean towards 12.5 but I see barrels that are down to 10.5. Do you lose anything by going 10.5 over 12.5?

Dstrbdmedic167

13 May 2015, 14:55

For 5.56 what is the optimal barrel length for an SBR? I lean towards 12.5 but I see barrels that are down to 10.5. Do you lose anything by going 10.5 over 12.5?

That's like asking which is better? 9mm or 40 S&W... Lol I'll let others chime in with more use with various lengths but I really like my 12.5".

alamo5000

13 May 2015, 15:06

That's like asking which is better? 9mm or 40 S&W... Lol I'll let others chime in with more use with various lengths but I really like my 12.5".

Initially I am leaning towards 12.5. That seems to be the predisposition, but an 11.5 might work too.

What I need to do though is figure out what the overlay is of the suppressor over the mount so that I can find the right barrel length/hand guard combo that can accommodate the suppressor.

I would definitely like to hear opinions though on 10.5 vs 11.5 vs 12.5.

FWIW I know it's all about velocity. You lose so much per inch but going from say 20" to 18" the drop off is minimal for the round. But dropping that short...I don't have any hard data to back up any theories I might have.

gatordev

13 May 2015, 16:30

I would definitely like to hear opinions though on 10.5 vs 11.5 vs 12.5.

Google will yield literally pages upon pages of responses. Assuming the barrel is ported correctly (which isn't a guarantee, depending on manufacturer), I'd argue velocity has very little to do with anything for a range toy/plinker. Pick something that gives you your preferred handguard length coupled with your overall preferred suppressed length/weight. The rest is mostly mental masturbation (again, for a range gun).

alamo5000

13 May 2015, 18:07

Here is something I found posted up by BCM:

"Q: Why BCM chose the 11.5" SBR over the 10.5"

I get this question a lot. It is a good one. When we spec our program we can build anything we would like, so we sat down and looked at the pros and cons.

First Statement: I know a good 10.5" SBR can run very well. I personally own a semi MK18 type and it runs great. No problems.

A: Dwell time.
Dwell time is the time that your gas operated weapon maintains pressure to continue the cycling of the weapon. It primarily exsists from the time the bullet passes the gas port in the barrel to the time the bullet exits the muzzle. When you pull the trigger and fire the weapon the movement of the bolt carrier group unlocks the bolt, extracts, and ejects the spent casing. Then it cocks the weapon, feeds, chambers the next round, and then locks again. One of the thing that can make SBRs finicky is the dwell time (or lack of).

The 11.5" carbine is approximately 4% longer weapon than its' 10.5" counterpart, but this extra inch gives the barrel a 40% increase in length for dwell time. IMHO, this is an excellent trade off. This additional dwell time (all other things being equal) will allow the carbine to be more forgiving to different ammo types, extremes in air temperature, weak or worn extractor springs, worn extractors, buffer weights, etc.

Last Statement: For those folks who have a 10.5" that works very well, I would reply; me too. (see first statement)

If I had to "go to war" with a AR15 Carbine, I would grab the BCM 11.5"."

Found here: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_2_138/174764__Q__Why_BCM_chose_the_11_5_SBR_over_the_10_ 5_.html

That to me isn't just a cosmetic reason...

Then the question arises 11.5 vs 12.5. It's only an inch but I wonder if that would add to reliability with various ammo?

docsherm

13 May 2015, 18:27

GOST

13 May 2015, 18:28

10.3" run fine but both KAC and BCM make 11.5" barrels instead.

alamo5000

13 May 2015, 19:08

John Noveske did a lot of testing on barrel lengths. He wanted to be able to shoot MK262 in an SBR and not waist it. After a great deal of testing he determined that 12.5" is the optimum length to properly stabilize the heave rounds out to distance. I have used many length AR Barrels and 12.5" is the best overall size that I have found.

And by the way .40 S&W is so much better than 9mm.....:P

On one of these threads I kind of waffled around but said I was leaning 12.5 but I was just basing it off my my own feel and research. I think the 12.5 would possibly give me more ammo options. I am finding out that even with a short barrel I would still be able to shoot out to 400 yards with no problem...

But as Slippers was saying the balance matters, which was something I didn't think about.

My concept of the SBR though will be a ducking, dodging, running, hiding behind a car, quick target acquisition, reliably shooting type of gun. Not that I ever plan on it, but it would be more like a street fighting gun more or less.

The concept of my other upper got me exactly what I wanted. I can shoot sub MOA and I am confident I can hit targets 600 yards or more no problem. With an SBR I wouldn't be worried about any of that. I want a completely different concept of gun.

DutyUse

14 May 2015, 02:04

I personally have uppers in 10.3, 11.5, and 12.5 waiting patiently for the day my BCM lower is no longer a paperweight. If I could only have one ...the 12.5 noveske chf & Nsr combo would be hard to deny

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

gatordev

14 May 2015, 04:20

But as Slippers was saying the balance matters, which was something I didn't think about.

My concept of the SBR though will be a ducking, dodging, running, hiding behind a car, quick target acquisition, reliably shooting type of gun. Not that I ever plan on it, but it would be more like a street fighting gun more or less.

The concept of my other upper got me exactly what I wanted. I can shoot sub MOA and I am confident I can hit targets 600 yards or more no problem. With an SBR I wouldn't be worried about any of that. I want a completely different concept of gun.

This is why I said what I did about trying to figure out which length is "better." It's like asking which is better: a SUV or a pickup? They both can do similar things, but one might be better suited to your actual needs. In the case of barrels, it's more about how it's made than the length. Gas port and profile are the two main ones, IMO.

Gas port because it can affect how it will run with specific ammo, and whether it's suppressed or not. I'm not a huge fan of having to play with gas blocks. For me personally, I'd rather just start with a port that's built to spec. Then again, I don't shoot Tula, so I'm generally not worried about underpowered ammo.

Barrel profile can have just as much to do with balance as length. I have a 10.3, a 11.5, and a 12.5. With the 10.3 (M4 profile) and a can, it's very nice to hold and only slightly nose heavy. The 11.5" would be the best all around balance with and without a can, but I have a "standard" profile BCM barrel on it, which heads weight, along with a piston system that's on there, which makes it more of a pig. Add a can, and it's very nose heavy. My 12.5" is an absolute dream to shoot unsuppressed. Super light, well balanced with the rail and profile, and super reliable. Add a can, and it gets a bit nose heavy.

Out of all of those, there's no "wrong" choice. They're all accurate, have no trouble hitting Minute of Steel at 200m and beyond, and run great with spec ammo. But they each have they're peculiarities because of their other traits beyond barrel length.

GOST

14 May 2015, 05:20

Has anyone got any rounds through this barrel yet?

docsherm

14 May 2015, 08:21

I plan to this weekend....if life does not throw any crazy stuff at me from now until then. I finished a build and am itching to try it out.

DutyUse

14 May 2015, 10:41

GOST

14 May 2015, 12:01

On an off topic, but still related to SBRs, would an A5 type buffer system be advisable with a 12.5 middy barrel like this? Or for that matter a 14.5 middy?

I have a BCM A5 kit, but since I have never used a system like that i'm sketched to use it for the 14.5" middy noveske build it was planned for
Chris Reeves from Triarc did not recommend the A5 for the 12.5" mid-length. There are some reports of 14.5" mid-lengths not cycling properly with A5's also.

GOST

14 May 2015, 12:02

I plan to this weekend....if life does not throw any crazy stuff at me from now until then. I finished a build and am itching to try it out.

Look forward to seeing your results.

Slippers

14 May 2015, 13:00

Chris Reeves from Triarc did not recommend the A5 for the 12.5" mid-length. There are some reports of 14.5" mid-lengths not cycling properly with A5's also.

I've seen nothing but positive reports of the A5 with bcm 14.5 middys. It does depend on which buffer you use, but the A5 is far more forgiving. It took me a long time, but I finally switched over all my carbine lowers since they are much more flexible when going from suppressed to unsuppressed, and I don't use adjustable gas blocks.

docsherm

14 May 2015, 13:48

I plan to test it with several buffer weights and an A5 buffer.

GOST

14 May 2015, 13:53

I've seen nothing but positive reports of the A5 with bcm 14.5 middys. It does depend on which buffer you use, but the A5 is far more forgiving. It took me a long time, but I finally switched over all my carbine lowers since they are much more flexible when going from suppressed to unsuppressed, and I don't use adjustable gas blocks.

I personally do not run an A5, but I have read reports of some cycling issues on the other sites. But my BCM 14.5" mid-length will short stroke with steel case ammo like Tula, and that is with a carbine extension and H buffer.

rob_s

3 June 2015, 18:30

Anyone have any rounds down range yet?

Anyone suppressing theirs?

Anyone that hasn't built theirs up able to measure the gas port size?

UWone77

4 June 2015, 08:19

I haven't shot mine yet, the main reason is I don't have it set up. Right now it's matted with a KX5 and a MML handguard, and I'd rather run it with a correct length handguard without a KX5 and with a can. We're slowly packing for a move, and I've been swamped with other things, so it's probably going to be awhile until I get some lead down range with mine. Hopefully Doc will get his up and running before I do.

adam_s

4 June 2015, 15:00

Chris Reeves from Triarc did not recommend the A5 for the 12.5" mid-length. There are some reports of 14.5" mid-lengths not cycling properly with A5's also.

So, I've run a Triarc 12.5" Middy with VLTOR A5, with no issues-both suppressed and unsuppressed. That being said, I run 5.56x45 ammo, not .223, which may make a difference. Survey size of one though...

docsherm

4 June 2015, 19:00

Mine is built, I have 3 different buffers and an A5 buffer to try it. I have two different cans I will use also. I just need to get some range time with it.

DutyUse

5 June 2015, 05:10

I personally do not run an A5, but I have read reports of some cycling issues on the other sites. But my BCM 14.5" mid-length will short stroke with steel case ammo like Tula, and that is with a carbine extension and H buffer.

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/06/05/c9af89324093a4267946296e4775e448.jpg

I had planned to run the bcm A5 Kit and then play around with different combos until hopefully it ran well with either a 16 or 14.5 middy upper. But now I'm not so sure..

Would I be better served tearing down my factory bcm lower in favor of the A5? It's on a form 1 and will see lots of flavors of uppers

Slippers

5 June 2015, 07:11

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/06/05/c9af89324093a4267946296e4775e448.jpg

I had planned to run the bcm A5 Kit and then play around with different combos until hopefully it ran well with either a 16 or 14.5 middy upper. But now I'm not so sure..

Would I be better served tearing down my factory bcm lower in favor of the A5? It's on a form 1 and will see lots of flavors of uppers

I did it to my bcm lower, which is an SBR. Worth it in my opinion. I switch back and forth between an 11.5 and 14.5 mid. Prior to installing the A5 I would also have to swap the buffer, since my 14.5 needed a carbine buffer, while my 11.5 used an H2.

Now I don't have to change the buffer and both uppers run fine suppressed and unsuppressed with the A5H2. The 14.5 in particular is extremely soft feeling, especially without the can.