Suggestions for a custom barrel maker (<9in)

[depletedyourcranium]

So I'm looking for a custom barrel maker to slice me up a PDW-sized Grendel barrel, somewhere in the 8-9 inch range. You guys have any good suggestions? My preference would be on a fast turn around time, seconded by lower cost. Accuracy is not a requirement for this rig so all those Shaw and Krieger blanks would be wasted. I did find a maker a couple months ago when I was first toying around with the idea in my head that had specced one out for like <$250 with their website menu, but I can't remember and I didn't book mark it.

[mdram]

i dont think any custom guy will be fast right now
if accuracy is not a concern, just grab one off the shelf

[depletedyourcranium]

i dont think any custom guy will be fast right now
if accuracy is not a concern, just grab one off the shelf

I would love to but no one offers a stock barrel in that barrel length range.

[StoneHendge]

"Fast" is a relative term. https://columbiariverarms.com/config...-your-264-lbc/

[James Young]

I have been looking into this as well. I'm curious how comparative 6.5 Grendel is versus the 300 Blackout in short barrels. So far I only have estimates based on limited data, but my numbers suggest that the short Grendel barrels should be superior to Blackout barrels 3.0" longer. A 7.5" Grendel barrel will equal the energy of a 10.5" 300 Blackout in a similar grain weight (~125) and easily outshoot it at distance. The 7.5" barrel Grendel should also have the same energy as a 77 grain 5.56 out of a 16" barrel but will struggle to keep up at distance.

The same is theoretically true in comparing 6.5 Grendel to 300 Blackout in the popular 5.5" Sig Rattler and less popular 5.5" Maxim PDX. In a 5.5" barrel the Grendel should be ~200FPS faster with ~200-300 ft lbs more energy. The problem is we have no real data at these barrel lengths, and it is not unusual for calibers to lose significant velocity at the shorter lengths.

[65GbySeven]

I've used this guy's for 5.56 barrels. Good shooters easy MOA with factory ammo. Haven't used him for Grendel. Give him a call and ask about turn around time. Looks like less than $200 and you can send him a bolt for head spacing.

https://deadshotbarrels.com/collections/config-barrels/products/ar-15-grendel-caliber

[depletedyourcranium]

I've used this guy's for 5.56 barrels. Good shooters easy MOA with factory ammo. Haven't used him for Grendel. Give him a call and ask about turn around time. Looks like less than $200 and you can send him a bolt for head spacing.

https://deadshotbarrels.com/collecti...rendel-caliber

Funny you should mention them because that's who I ended up finding and was the one I got the quote from awhile back. Took my dumbass like a week to realize I had got the quote in an email and could just search for it. So ordered March 4 and it shipped March 24... so I'm pretty happy as far as turn around time goes.

Specs were:

8.5 inch length
pistol gas
Unnamed chromemoly barrel blank
1:9 twist
HBAR profile
No muzzle threads but opted for a "magna port" and target crown (was a little cheaper)
Tungsten Cerakote


Worked out to be $200 shipped, so not too bad. I'll get some good pics of it when it arrives (supposed to be here Monday.)

[depletedyourcranium]

I have been looking into this as well. I'm curious how comparative 6.5 Grendel is versus the 300 Blackout in short barrels. So far I only have estimates based on limited data, but my numbers suggest that the short Grendel barrels should be superior to Blackout barrels 3.0" longer. A 7.5" Grendel barrel will equal the energy of a 10.5" 300 Blackout in a similar grain weight (~125) and easily outshoot it at distance. The 7.5" barrel Grendel should also have the same energy as a 77 grain 5.56 out of a 16" barrel but will struggle to keep up at distance.

The same is theoretically true in comparing 6.5 Grendel to 300 Blackout in the popular 5.5" Sig Rattler and less popular 5.5" Maxim PDX. In a 5.5" barrel the Grendel should be ~200FPS faster with ~200-300 ft lbs more energy. The problem is we have no real data at these barrel lengths, and it is not unusual for calibers to lose significant velocity at the shorter lengths.

[65GbySeven]

Nice! I am very curious to see what velocities you get. I had a 12"PSA for a bit. Shot great and pretty good velocities.

I was going to build a blackout, but I have a bunch of Grendel Brass, so if you can get some decent groups with it... I'll have my next build all planned out.

[fabbrisd]

"No muzzle threads" - now that gave me a chuckle - your shorty is going to BOOM... have fun

[kmon]

"No muzzle threads" - now that gave me a chuckle - your shorty is going to BOOM... have fun

That is what I am thinking, loud blast and flame thrower combined.

[depletedyourcranium]

Yeah I've not quite found my way into the suppressor game, so this is going to be a double-up with plugs and muffs time at the range with this gun, and should serve as a secondary way to signal aircraft from the ground with the muzzle flash.

[depletedyourcranium]

So my barrel came yesterday. First impressions are that its a little nicer than what I was expecting but still a little rough around the edges. No major concerns, just the barrel extension was a little scuffed and the drilling on the ports, while they look pretty daggone cool, are a little rough. There was some overspray from the cerakote on the crown so I couldn't get a sense of just how well done it was but regardless it looks fine for me and my purpose with this barrel. I'm not trying for or expecting anything beyond 3 or 4 inches at 100 yards with this thing. I will say the barrel as a whole looks pretty fucking cool, pardon my French.




Markings and gas port. I had actually ordered a 1:9 twist, but only because that's all that was in stock in the standard barrel blank... so if it actually is 1:8 that's great. I'm going to only be shooting factory stuff anyway so I don't think 1:8 or 1:9 would make a spits worth of difference for me.


Shot of the "magnaports". Holes are a little rough and could use a chamfering, but the flutes really make it them look cool.


Best shot I could get of the recessed crown. Looks a little rough but I think that's mostly from the cerakote.

[depletedyourcranium]

Compared to a 10.5 BCA barrel for scale.

[StoneHendge]

Those ports are reminiscent of a P-40 Warhawk. It needs shark teeth!