Pencil barrel options? - 24hourcampfire

Bought a PSA "light" rifle kit but with a M4 contour and a 13.5" Keymod FF Handguard.
It's 6lbs 6oz w/o mag or optics.

What would I save with a pencil barrel? Manufacturer?

Don't have numbers on 14.5" barrels but on 16" barrels a true pencil barrel is about 4.8 - 5 ounces lighter. Carbine length gas on both,.625" gas block on the thinner barrel. Faxon makes one. The version I bought has Mid-Length gas. Other lightweights I have used are VooDoo, Daniel Defense, Bushmaster/Quality Parts and Colt.

OP - I put together a PSA upper and lower with their stainless 16" pencil barrel and Midwest 12" SSK handguard - it was exactly 6 lb as pictured (including the Pmag). I don't know how much different this handguard and stock are from yours in weight, but hope that helps.

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My buddy put together an upper for me with a Faxon mid length pencil and Midwest Industries gen 2 super slim rail. With MOE stock and grip and cheap-o Bushnell TRS 25 it weighs in at 5.89 pounds and shoots better than it has any right to. It's making me rethink lightweight barrels and red dot sights.

Hope this helps.

Here is the pencil barrel that is on my truck gun;

[color:#FF0000]Black Hole Weaponry LINK[/color]

1:8 Twist, mid-length gas, polygonal rifling, great accuracy and very easy to clean.

Ed

Originally Posted by APDDSN0864

Here is the pencil barrel that is on my truck gun;

[color:#FF0000]Black Hole Weaponry LINK[/color]

1:8 Twist, mid-length gas, polygonal rifling, great accuracy and very easy to clean.

Ed

Tryed to shoot any groups with match ammo with that barrel? Been eyeing that one for a LW build.

Originally Posted by Bluemonday

Originally Posted by APDDSN0864

Here is the pencil barrel that is on my truck gun;[color:#FF0000]Black Hole Weaponry LINK[/color] 1:8 Twist, mid-length gas, polygonal rifling, great accuracy and very easy to clean. Ed

Tryed to shoot any groups with match ammo with that barrel? Been eyeing that one for a LW build.

Not yet. I've been playing with some of my 50-55gr handloads made for prairie dogs and crows. If I get off my butt, I'll go put some together. I have 69gr SMK and Hornady 75gr Match, Varget, TAC, Benchmark, H-4895, Fed 205M, and Rem 7 1/2's to mix and match.

When I get that "round-to-it" I'll post the results. It's been accurate enough with the 50-55's that I considered shooting the Campfire Black Rifle Challenge, but never got that "round-to-it".

Ed

Originally Posted by ridge

My buddy put together an upper for me with a Faxon mid length pencil and Midwest Industries gen 2 super slim rail. With MOE stock and grip and cheap-o Bushnell TRS 25 it weighs in at 5.89 pounds and shoots better than it has any right to. It's making me rethink lightweight barrels and red dot sights.

Hope this helps.

Sounds real familiar...

Yeah, my buddy's more of a starter and alternator guy, but he's not too shabby with AR's if you get past his acute case of hillbilly fugliness.

Strangely enough he has your initials....

Hey, I just realized this is my second post! In 9 years no less! Does this mean I've reached resident expert status?

Originally Posted by ridge

Yeah, my buddy's more of a starter and alternator guy, but he's not too shabby with AR's if you get past his acute case of hillbilly fugliness. Strangely enough he has your initials.... ;)Hey, I just realized this is my second post! In 9 years no less! Does this mean I've reached resident expert status?

Yes, you are officially an "old new guy".

Welcome (back) to the 'Fire!

Ed

Welcome back!

I'm thinking about buying one just like it, was yours coated SS or chrome moly?

Nitrided 4150 CMV (I think).

Next time we go to the range let's really warm it up and see what it does.

Faxon pricing is good, hope they get some back in stock

Originally Posted by APDDSN0864

Here is the pencil barrel that is on my truck gun;

[color:#FF0000]Black Hole Weaponry LINK[/color]

1:8 Twist, mid-length gas, polygonal rifling, great accuracy and very easy to clean.

Ed

Just received one of these that I had ordered during their SHOT show sale. Need to order a handguard, gas block and tube - everything else is on hand to put it together (Colt 6720 donor upper/lower/bcg/trigger/etc, Rogers super stock, Aimpoint T1, Magpul BUIS, etc.)

My Voodoo 16.5 ultra light is 21 oz

Originally Posted by TXRam

Originally Posted by APDDSN0864

Here is the pencil barrel that is on my truck gun;

[color:#FF0000]Black Hole Weaponry LINK[/color]

1:8 Twist, mid-length gas, polygonal rifling, great accuracy and very easy to clean.

Ed

Just received one of these that I had ordered during their SHOT show sale. Need to order a handguard, gas block and tube - everything else is on hand to put it together (Colt 6720 donor upper/lower/bcg/trigger/etc, Rogers super stock, Aimpoint T1, Magpul BUIS, etc.)

That barrel deserves a BCM KMR rail, IMO.

Originally Posted by Bluemonday

Originally Posted by TXRam

Just received one of these that I had ordered during their SHOT show sale. Need to order a handguard, gas block and tube - everything else is on hand to put it together (Colt 6720 donor upper/lower/bcg/trigger/etc, Rogers super stock, Aimpoint T1, Magpul BUIS, etc.)

That barrel deserves a BCM KMR rail, IMO.

Thinking about an ALG Defense M-Lok. I don't like the look of the key mod rails personally.