AR question

OMEGA5 · 06-16-2012, 04:33

I've got the AR bug and I've been looking at pics posted here.
One thing I've noticed that has me puzzled. Some AR's have
a barrell that has a narrow section about 3 to 4 inches back
from the muzzle brake/flash suppressor. Can any of you more
knowledgable folks tell me the purpose for this? Nearly all
manufacturers have one or more in their line up.
Sure appreciate it,
Dano

expatman · 06-16-2012, 04:38

It is a military profiled barrel. The notch is where the M203 grenade launcher attaches along the barrel. Obviously not needed on a civilian model.

TangoFoxtrot · 06-16-2012, 04:43

Yeah its more of a looks thing. Glad its not on mine. Hey OMEGA5 thanks for your service in VietNam!

OMEGA5 · 06-16-2012, 11:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by expatman

It is a military profiled barrel. The notch is where the M203 grenade launcher attaches along the barrel. Obviously not needed on a civilian model.

Thanks. I couldn't think of a reason for it. Only AR I
ever handled was back in 68. At the time I was given a
choice between the M16 or keep my M14. I went with the
14 and never looked back.
But, in the last few years, I've had and AR on my Wanted
Before I Retire list and it's worked it's way to the top. Just
now started seriously looking at them and that was one of
the questions that I couldn't find an answer to online.
Dano

OMEGA5 · 06-16-2012, 11:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by TangoFoxtrot

Yeah its more of a looks thing. Glad its not on mine. Hey OMEGA5 thanks for your service in VietNam!

Appreciate it and thanks for your service also.
Dano

jrs93accord · 06-16-2012, 15:47

Does this bring back any memories?

m2hmghb · 06-16-2012, 16:34

Thank you for your service Omega. When the M16A2 came out it had a thicker barrel, in order to attach the M203 grenade launcher they had to modify the profile to make it thin enough for the launcher to attach.

OMEGA5 · 06-17-2012, 10:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrs93accord

Does this bring back any memories?

Some, but I kept my M14, used a shotgun, M60, M3 and
M79, and 1911 but only had an M16 for a few days and
only thing I got to do was clean it. Never fired a round.

That's not to say I didn't see them used,
just never fooled with one enough to be "intimate"
with it like I was some of the other weapons.
I plan on changing that in the next few
months.

Dano

GSSF17 · 06-17-2012, 10:36

.....just saw this thread and began reading- thought about jrs93accord that has a killer "back in the day" setup- 20 inch barrel, A2 that would be right up your alley, OMEGA5, but he is already in with the pic!

My father chose to keep the M14 as well in the service (1969) but I have since got him into the AR game. Got him a older Bushmaster with the 20 inch barrel, fixed carry handle, and a sling. Only "frills" (as he calls them) is the collapsible stock.

OMEGA5 · 06-17-2012, 10:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by m2hmghb

Thank you for your service Omega. When the M16A2 came out it had a thicker barrel, in order to attach the M203 grenade launcher they had to modify the profile to make it thin enough for the launcher to attach.

That makes sense. What doesn't is that manufacture's are
still making it that way. Not like you find grenade launchers
at your local sporting goods store :-)
Thanks,
Dano

OMEGA5 · 06-17-2012, 10:56

"My father chose to keep the M14 as well in the service (1969) but I have since got him into the AR game. Got him a older Bushmaster with the 20 inch barrel, fixed carry handle, and a sling. Only "frills" (as he calls them) is the collapsible stock."

I can identify with that feeling. Up until a few years ago,
I didn't even like scoping a rifle that had iron sights.

But as my eyes got older I found a whole new world
of optics and "frills". Even have red dots on some of my shotguns now.

Pay my respects to your father when you see him next.
Dano

**MrMurphy** · 06-17-2012, 20:43

My dad had the M14 and M16 both in '68-69.

Here's an M203 on my issued M4, showing the 'why' of the stepped barrel.

They now have a shorter M4-specific M203 which does not need the step and latch as well.

m2hmghb · 06-17-2012, 21:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by OMEGA5

That makes sense. What doesn't is that manufacture's are
still making it that way. Not like you find grenade launchers
at your local sporting goods store :-)
Thanks,
Dano

Some of the reasons are simple, certain people enjoy emulating the military and this is one way for them to do it, just like some have marks for full auto on the lower but it's blocked. Another is to save weight, it has a heavier profile but the stepping of the barrel does reduce some weight. Another is from a manufacturers perspective, if they sell the barrels like that they don't have to invest in more tooling for them to create different profiles. As they say different strokes for different folks.

fnfalman · 06-17-2012, 23:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by OMEGA5

That makes sense. What doesn't is that manufacture's are
still making it that way. Not like you find grenade launchers
at your local sporting goods store :-)
Thanks,
Dano

Less remanufacturing = less cost to the customer.

OMEGA5 · 06-18-2012, 04:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMurphy

My dad had the M14 and M16 both in '68-69.

Here's an M203 on my issued M4, showing the 'why' of the stepped barrel.

They now have a shorter M4-specific M203 which does not need the step and latch as well.

That pic really puts it into perspective. Give your Dad my
respcts and thank you for your service too.
Dano

DScottHewitt · 06-18-2012, 09:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by OMEGA5

I've got the AR bug and I've been looking at pics posted here.
One thing I've noticed that has me puzzled. Some AR's have
a barrell that has a narrow section about 3 to 4 inches back
from the muzzle brake/flash suppressor. Can any of you more
knowledgable folks tell me the purpose for this? Nearly all
manufacturers have one or more in their line up.
Sure appreciate it,
Dano

Quote:

Originally Posted by expatman

It is a military profiled barrel. The notch is where the M203 grenade launcher attaches along the barrel. Obviously not needed on a civilian model.

Really? So, you are the arbiter and final decision on what other people NEED or WANT?!?!?

Seems that should be a personal choice.

NOT your unilateral choice for EVERYONE

DScottHewitt · 06-18-2012, 10:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by OMEGA5

That makes sense. What doesn't is that manufacture's are
still making it that way. Not like you find grenade launchers
at your local sporting goods store :-)
Thanks,
Dano

http://www.americanspecialtyammo.com...Launchers.html

DScottHewitt · 06-18-2012, 10:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMurphy

My dad had the M14 and M16 both in '68-69.

Here's an M203 on my issued M4, showing the 'why' of the stepped barrel.

They now have a shorter M4-specific M203 which does not need the step and latch as well.

On the full-length rifles, doesn't the M203 attach differently or something? I thought the M4 was the only one that needs the step.

Mayhem like Me · 06-18-2012, 10:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by DScottHewitt

On the full-length rifles, doesn't the M203 attach differently or something? I thought the M4 was the only one that needs the step.

The entire front handguard is replaced on the rifle version and the M203 is mounted to the sheet metal handguard.

DScottHewitt · 06-18-2012, 10:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mayhem like Me

The entire front handguard is replaced on the rifle version and the M203 is mounted to the sheet metal handguard.

That's what I was thinking, but I wasn't sure.

Thanx.

expatman · 06-18-2012, 10:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by DScottHewitt

Really? So, you are the arbiter and final decision on what other people NEED or WANT?!?!?

Seems that should be a personal choice.

NOT your unilateral choice for EVERYONE

What the H E L L is your problem?

I never claimed to to be the "arbiter" of anything. I simply made a generic comment. It is possible that I could have used a poor choice of words as I see that you seem to think that I am making a "final decision" for other people. I tried to answer the mans question that is all.

Seems to me that you are trying to start something where nothing exists. If a guy want a mil. profile barrel on his AR who am I to care? I have one myself, I don't see any problem with it.

In the words of our currently dear departed Rodney King....."Can't we all just get along?"

**MrMurphy** · 06-18-2012, 11:10

This is the classic model on an M16, shown complete.

Until they made an M4-specific model the adapter with latch and stepped barrel were necessary.

TactiCool · 06-18-2012, 11:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by expatman

It is a military profiled barrel. The notch is where the M203 grenade launcher attaches along the barrel. Obviously not needed on a civilian model.

Don't be sure of that. Especially on this forum...

DScottHewitt · 06-18-2012, 12:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by expatman

What the H E L L is your problem?

I never claimed to to be the "arbiter" of anything. I simply made a generic comment. It is possible that I could have used a poor choice of words as I see that you seem to think that I am making a "final decision" for other people. I tried to answer the mans question that is all.

Seems to me that you are trying to start something where nothing exists. If a guy want a mil. profile barrel on his AR who am I to care? I have one myself, I don't see any problem with it.

In the words of our currently dear departed Rodney King....."Can't we all just get along?"

There's a very simple answer.

I misread your post.

I thought you were saying that non-military had no "need" {RIGHT TO OWN} for a M203.

My bad. Apologies.

IF you WERE speaking against the Second Amendment, then less my bad.

expatman · 06-18-2012, 13:06

Apologies accepted. Thank you.

I suppose we can move along now....nothing to see here.