Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles Upper Project, 16" Mid-length HBar

This build was inspired by two existing uppers I have been looking at, but neither seemed quite right for me. The 14.5" SOCOM M4A1, and the 18" SPR.

I want the stability of the heavier barrel, but not too heavy, or too long (front heavy).



I already have a 16" middy with the A2 barrel profile, and I like the overall ratios of handguard length and gas system length to barrel length. I like the pinned A2 front sight base also. This is my current 16" middy, it was a project I put together a couple years ago with the Ballistic Advantage barrel, it's 1/7, melonite finished.










For the new build, I ordered a barrel kit from TNTE Sales. I'll finish it up with a free float tube, probably the YHM Black Diamond, and the Surefire three-prong tuning fork up front.

I'm hoping it will turn out to be a fairly tight shooting AR with the heavies.

I'll take you all along on the build, as it goes along, and the load work and accuracy results.

So here's the beginning of it, the barrel kit is on the way, It's a 1/7, 4150 steel, melonite finish.

16" mid length gas system is tough to beat. I do prefer a light weight barrel to carry around . I have a midweight 16" and it's not much more total weight and seems to shoot just a tad bit better.

kwg

Yeah, I was kind on the fence between medium contour and HBar, but since I do have the A2 contour already for a lighter carrying option, I decided to go full HBar.

It will be heavier, but I believe it should still balance pretty well.

I don't know who developed the first 16" mid length but they deserve a pulitzer prize for one of mankind's greatest inventions.

kwg

Hmm. They seem to have a good selection of parts & barrels. Thanks for the heads-up!
https://www.tntesales.com/

Yeah they have a lot of the retro parts too, seems that is getting popular.

I remember when TNTE started up a few years ago, A firefighter owned outfit. Stood out to me because my dad and brother were both career firefighters.

This is actually the first time I've bought from them. I was looking for a specific type of barrel, and they had it.

Did you get it built ??

kwg

No not yet.

I'm discovering that TNTE Sales is not the place to shop if you are in a hurry. My order is still 'Awaiting Fulfillment". I placed the order on 31 Dec. They indicate 7-10 business days is typical, so I'm being patient here.

I'll definitely be sharing here when we get some forward movement.

Well I got a UPS tracking number. Label created, not on the truck yet.

I've multiple 16" Middy's,but wayyyyyyyy prefer 18" rifle systems.

Far less fickle and much smoother.

And quieter......................(grin)

16"s, or better yet, 14.5"s, make good, handy vehicle guns; for most other use, I'd rather have an 18" any time.................lots of lighter weight / mid-weight 18" barrels & handguards too, no need to have a 9 lb gun.

MM

Tough to beat handy/dandy and Rifle Gas...............

Got 18" er in process right now targeting about 6 to 6 1/4 pounds. Adjustable GB & after I get it tuned in with a full weight BCG, I'm going to take the 1st plunge into dealing with a LWT BCG version..........................if for no other reason than I can.

MM

I like commonality.................

Sometimes when things get boring, gotta try a blonde instead of a redhead................good news is, you can always go back to what worked before if things go to hell.

MM

I've seen me dabble.................

I'm sure there will be an 18"/rifle along the way. I still like the 20" rifles too, even though they aren't cool anymore.

20's don't piss me off...but I do reach past them on the average,to tote an 18" instead................

I've got barrels 10.5", 14.7", 16", and 20" represented.

I have an itch for a 12.5" pistol too. That and an 18" would hit most of the lengths between 10 and 20". I don't have any interest in shorter or longer than that.

Probably my favorite in the handy/dandy category is this 14.7", mid-gas.