AR Barrels, Explained

By Daniel Y

Top to bottom: 20-inch Rock River service rifle upper, rifle length

The sheer volume of AR-15 options can be very overwhelming for a first-time buyer, or even someone with a few ARs of their own. This guide will break down the confusing world of barrels and what features really matter. We will also talk about matching up barrel features to intended purposes.Guides @ TFB: Best Pistol for Concealed Carry The 5 Best Full-Size Handguns The Top 5 Best Rifles & Long Guns of 2024 Best Hunting Shotguns For Every HunterThis article will not deal with twist rates because we have a full article on that topic coming soon.ChamberFor simplicity, we will only be discussing 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington guns. There are myriad other options out there (like 6mm ARC or 6.5 Grendel Type II) but most guns in current production have a 5.56 NATO chamber. This is safe to use with both 5.56 and .223 ammo, which is an important feature because it allows more ammo options. Back in the day, some ARs had chambers cut for .223 Remington

Source: The Firearm Blog