What are the government profile barrels primarily used for? I notice some great deals pop up on them from time to time. Would these be more ideal for long-range hunting type shooting or are they more geared towards self-defense type situations?
As I recall the government profile was to prevent the barrel from bending if the user was too aggressive with the bayonet. The last few inches of the barrel were made heavier to prevent the bending while the portion under the hand guard did not need that extra weight since it was supported by the handguard between the front sight and the receiver nut. I'm sure someone will be along to expound on this soon enough.
kwg
This question was also asked on Arfcom. As it turns out the folks doing the research and development on the new A2 rifles believed the A1 barrels were bending during/after bayonet training. They assumed this when they dropped a test piece down the barrel and the test piece did not go all the way through. That is when the Government profile was born. As it turned out, the barrels were not bent. It seemed the copper on the bullets was stripping off at the gas hole and leaving just a little mound of copper inside of the barrel and that is why the test piece would not drop through. But, it was too late, the Government barrel had been born and the contracts were already signed. The end result is what you see now.
Without some big hairy study a person might or might not prove the Government profile is more accurate than the straight .750 barrel. I can understand the extra stiffness of the heavier barrel just past the gas block or front sight. Although, it's my thought the barrel is going to flex at the receiver end more than the muzzle end at every shot.
For liberals and anarchists, power and control is opium, selling envy is the fastest and easiest way to get it. TRR. American conservative. Never trust a white liberal. Malcom X Current NRA member.
