ARP Barrels

[hrdstmax]

Has anyone tried any of the Grendel/.264 barrels from ARP(ar15performance.com). I had a JT 24" bull barrel and I switched it out for the lighter and shorter 18" ARP barrel. Any thoughts on these barrels. I havent seen any mention of these barrels on this forum.

[achristian8]

I had a 6.8 spc2 barrel from them. It was 20 inchs with rifle length gas. It would not cycle. It short stroked every round. It would fire but not pick up the next round. I talked to arp and they gave me a list of things to check. After I had done all I could do I took it to a local gunsmith. The barrels gas port had to be drilled out. After that the rifled fired fine and would shot around 3/4 moa if I did my part. It always left a bad taste in mouth that I had to go through all of that with a brand new barrel. I have no idea if this has ever happened with their grendel barrels but there is more than one story like mine over on the 68 forums.

[LRRPF52]

https://cse.google.com/cse/home?cx=016368947416500061353:paqd_0xcu1o&hl=en

There was a forum member recently who had one that had a short chamber, as in the shoulder was short.

I bought well over $1000 in barrels and parts from him a few years ago. The owner of AR Performance has been banned from this forum at least 3 times now, coming back with retread accounts like he did on AR15.com, where he has also been banned at least 3 times, first for publishing customer information online to "punish" the customer because he had some problems with a 7.62x39 bolt IIRC. He posted the guy's name and address, and had a thing on his webstore stating to the effect that..

"Due to John Doe, at 12345 Elm Street, Hometwon USA, I will no longer be selling 7.62x39 bolts individually."

It was really weird. He tried to come back onto AR15.com by going around one of the mods by purchasing a dealer account, and that was banned as well the second time. He then created a re-tread account and lurked with it for the most part, trying to promote 6.8 in the technical forums, then got caught and banned again.

He literally sent me a threatening PM out of the blue here on this forum before being banned for openly stating that he only comes here to "smear buggers".

After that, I went to sell one of the ARP barrels I had remaining because quite frankly, I didn't want to have anything to do with his products anymore. I went to polish the feed ramps on it, and lo and behold, the feed ramps cracked like glass. This was using a rubber Cratex bit.






I couldn't in good conscience try to sell that barrel after that, so I tried to make due with it and see how much farther I could polish out those chipped feed lips, and was able to do so.

After talking with a company that AR Performance recommended calling to ask about meloniting, I came to the conclusion that the sharp edges of the feed ramps had through-hardened, as the metal treatment of the case-hardened barrel extension had not been done with the anticipation of ever being salt bath nitrided. The feed ramps were brittle like obsidian.

The 6.8 guys thinks he walks on water though. I wish I had known more about his personality traits before ever doing business with him. I still don't know why he sent me the threatening PM. It literally came out of nowhere.

You'll also find an anti-6.5 Grendel shrine on his website. He's his own worst enemy in the marketing department. I don't know why an owner of a company in this business would spend so much time with the personal attacks, to be honest. It just doesn't make any sense.

[rabiddawg]

Hmm, second thread this week referencing arp.

[achristian8]

I was trying to be nice in my previous post. All opinions aside he sold me a product that did not function as advertised. A quality barrel should never have to have a drill press put to it. In fact that experience led me to abandon the 6.8 spc all together. Turned out well though because now I have a grendel with a much higher quality shilen barrel.

[NugginFutz]

Hmm, second thread this week referencing arp.

I noticed that, as well. Low post count. Makes one wonder.

[achristian8]

Hmmmmm

[cory]

Brother you're not the only one he has sent threatening PMs to. The guy is something else. Has anyone ever meet the guy. I've got a 4ft troll with a ten year old's voice and a serious napoleon complex pictured in my head when I think about him. I imagine I'm not that far off. (I've never meet the guy in person.)

Added: I've got a feeling he might wear skinny jeans too.

[achristian8]

10-4

[bwaites]

OK, guys, that's not what our forum is about. The OP had a legitimate question. I think its fair to answer the question, but we avoid bashing everywhere we can. Please clean it up, while offering good information.

[NugginFutz]

Roger that. Good point.

Apologies to the OP, if any offense was taken.

[hrdstmax]

No worries... I just wasn't seeing any mention of these barrels.. I was just curious since I noticed that they were no longer continuing to produce 6.5 Grendel barrels. Maybe my 24" JT barrel spoiled me but I am having trouble finding a a good load that shoots well with this barrel. I use mainly 8208 and H335 with 120 PH and 123 Amax and can't get Sub MOA groups at 100. My JT 1/2 MOA all day long no matter who was shooting. Any idea why they don't make the Grendel barrels anymore. The reason I swapped barrels is because I wanted a more versatile rifle, light weight for hunting.

[NugginFutz]

The answer to why they quit is simple - ARP has been involved in a long running "us vs. them" feud, and the owner believes he can do better with alternate chambering (6.5 x 6.8ish stuff). It actually makes sense, because he no longer has to feel conflicted about selling barrels chambered in something he despises.

[hrdstmax]

Any alternate barrels to switch to without breaking the bank? I'm thinking of a BHW 20" , an AR stoner 18" and 18" Liberty... Any opinions?

[NugginFutz]

The three you mention all have the potential to shoot well, and I'm admittedly biased toward the Black Hole Weaponry barrels. I already own 2, and I've got an 18" BHW 264LBC on order now. Without bolt, a BHW is about $200, including discounts. These are 3P polygonal barrels, which tend to shoot a little faster than most other conventionally rifled barrels, so it's like getting another invisible 2".

Mark with Precision Firearms is also selling BHW barrels (with bolt) for about $300 (?) - difference is these are chambered with a true SAAMI Grendel reamer, whereas all the ones you mentioned are either 264LBC (BHW) or something similar. None have the Grendel's distinctive Compound Throat. This is relevant mainly because the straight necked variations can be somewhat finicky about what they like to shoot well (mine included). In contrast, most of the hand loaders with true SAAMI chambers seem to get their accuracy loads fairly quickly.

Finally, don't overlook the very real possibility of shooting what you have while you save up a little extra for what you want. I'm talking about a barrel from Lilja or Performance Firearms. Off the rack budget stuff is ok for plinking, but if you really want something you want your picture taken with, spend some extra cash - it's nearly always worth it.