Greetings!
This is a review of the Sportsmansguide M4 type barrel that is 16inches long.

Here is the official claim on the website:

1:7" RH twist rifling. Chambered in 5.56 NATO. Includes barrel extension. Barrel threaded for a flash hider.

http://shop.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=606333

This was pointed out in a previous thread as being a low cost barrel. Cost was $99.00 + S&H. But what does it offer?

Here is a nice photo of the threaded muzzle:

Standard A2 and Vortex devices easily thread onto the end. No problems here! Threads were sharp and clean!

The above photo is a rough "bullet" test on the muzzle end. Obviously these are new barrels, but bore specs are important to accuracy. Lacking a muzzle gage, this is my only comparison tool. Wolf 5.56 ammo is used as an example here. As can be seen there is adequate bullet showing.

Barrel end?

I do believe this is chrome lined! See the flash of silver there!

Alternate view above on bore end.

Check out the profile. As claimed, this is an M4 profile:

You can see the location of the gas hole. This was clean and free of debris. I can measure it later, if anyone is interested. It should be a different size than full length barrels due to gas pressures.

Moving down to the chamber/ feed ramp/ barrel extension end:

Nice deep phosphate job! It was tight slipping into my AR upper (Delton) due to the phosphate. The next few photos depict how the extension/ chamber end of the barrel looks. Note that the extension is part of the barrel... as in 1 piece. Convenient since you don't have to buy extra parts... and less problems on assembly. I routinely see barrel extensions (seperate) for $17.00 on up! So this is a good cost savings built in to this AR barrel.


Once again... I am seeing something silver here! This chrome lining doesn't like the phosphate finish, as expected... Nice M4 style feed ramps.


 I placed a 5.56 round into the chamber. The following photo demos how far into the chamber it went, by hand.


So would I purchase another one? YES! And actually I did. I am thinking about making an M4A4 and also an AR pistol. This would be a nice low cost barrel for the previous projects.

Since this is a site for builders, I would also make the case that this would be an excellent "project" barrel.

No range report yet due to time and parts needed to assemble a rifle.

I did not see any maker marks, or country of origin (assume US due to import ban?). There is no caliber marking like on some barrels I have purchased.

I would like anyone else's feedback on their SG M4 style barrel!

well done review

Thanks it sold me!

Bought one over a year ago and promptly installed it in a DSA flat top upper and dropped it on a new RRA lower fitted with a RRA 2 stage trigger. Fit on the upper was very good. Installed a Leepers Picatinny clamp-on gas block, which also fit very well. Checked the twist rate to confirm 1/7, also right on! Ditto on the chrome lined chamber, and bore. Range test confirmed it's love for heavy bullets. With Black hills blue box 74 gr. Hornady match bullets, it shot better than my 20" Guatamalan contract Colt upper, which I prize very highly. And yes, I bought two more since to install on my 2 RRA consecutively numbered lowers with TNW billet uppers,  also fit nice. Haven't been to the range with these yet. Just my two cents.

J.K.

Nice write up, the last time I looked at S/G no one had done a write of either pro or con on the barrel.

Toad,

Yep. I successfully installed it... no problems on fit or finish or accuracy!

Glad you liked the review!

Has anyone gotten the AK47 barrel they have?
http://shop.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/ak-47-barrel.aspx?a=8 91186

Does the m4 barrel have the cuts for the taper pins to mount the front sight?

Boss,

That is a NEGATIVE.... there are NO pin cuts for the front sight.

 

I was going to post additional photos of the region.... but I am not able to upload photos tonight...

Otherwise the barrel is a "bolt on" deal....

I got one of their barrels a couple years ago and I am happy with it. It is more accurate than i expected and all the parts fit together well. I don't think it is chrome lined though.