I need some input on my build...

[Porfirio]

So in a moment of passion (and because it was the only lower in stock) I purchased a matched set billet Noveske gen III upper and lower. I just graduated from college, got some money for graduating and wanted an upgrade from my old AR (a dimaondback DB15). I have always liked the Mk12 and decided to build a Mod H (ish) clone (I'm not looking for a faithful reproduction, just the spirit of the rifle). I need some help with my barrel choice for the upper. Aaron Cowan of Sage Dynamics did a great review on the Ballistic Advantage hanson profile barrel so I decided to pick that up for my build. I wasn't going to go with the AEM5 because I was naive and thought it would obviously be better to get a newer can like a Deadair sandman or Surefire Socom but doing some reading on this site has led to me to desire an AEM5 a bit more now. Problem is the hanson profile barrel will not accept the AEM5 collar (already confirmed this with Ron Allen). I have not started the build yet but have all the parts. Sending back the hanson means eating $30 in a restocking fee and ballistic advantage makes a barrel specifically profiled for the AEM5. I'm also amenable to the idea of buying a better barrel in a year from CLE or the like when the AEM5 would finally clear and just put a whole new barrel in and I'd have an extra barrel for another build. What are your thoughts?

 

[MontanaMan]

If BA barrels were free, I wouldn't waste time on it, especially if I was after an accurate build.

Talk to Paul Craddock at Craddock Precision & tell him what you want & he will do it for you on your choice of a Critereion, Rock Creek button or cut, or a Bartlein barrel.

Buy once cry once; the Criterion & the Rock button barrels will cost you around $345.

CLE is great also, & a Criterion or a Douglas barrel from them will run you $370.

You cannot go wring with either choice.

JMHO, YMMV

MM

 

[Merle]

Sounds like you might be on a budget so if it were me I'd go for a different suppressor, probably something in the .30 caliber variety. That way you can use it on most anything else you decide to buy in the future. You hae already strayed away from the Mk12 clone by using Noveske receivers so why limit yourself to a suppressor that will only be able to be used on a very specific setup?

 

[Greg Langelius *]

The spirit of a particular version AR is really the spirit of the AR itself, and a departure from that original spirit can foster functional issues, especially if this is a first or early building venture. Do so with the assistance of an experienced nearby builder.

My own approach to configuring a first new AR is to stay away from specialized fiddly bits, and stick with complete modules, Uppers and Lowers. The synergy of the gas system, BCG, and Buffers needs to be a coordinated issue.

The accuracy of an AR stems mainly from the Barrel and Trigger. Skimping on these components is a false economy. Do it right up front.

I would also give serious consideration to the fact that rifle and parts stocks are currently under very high demand, especially where higher quality components are concerned. Resist any urge to buy based primarily on availability and take some more time to be able to employ better component parts.

Greg

 

[RyanScott]

If you don’t want to shoot unsuppressed the AE22 is slick, and you can get a spikes gas block with collar machined into it. That works out to a 16.5” barrel with rifle gas, port should be in the .080-0.86 range.

 

[Porfirio]

Sounds like you might be on a budget so if it were me I'd go for a different suppressor, probably something in the .30 caliber variety. That way you can use it on most anything else you decide to buy in the future. You hae already strayed away from the Mk12 clone by using Noveske receivers so why limit yourself to a suppressor that will only be able to be used on a very specific setup?

Hi Merle, not necessarily on a budget, just relatively impatient and heard good things about the BA barrels. I'm willing to try it out. But I do agree that getting something other than the AEM5 first makes more sense. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Porfirio]

Thank you all for the input, taking it all to heart and thinking about it. I think I am going to do what Merle said, get a stamp for a normal suppressor and then when lead times allow I am also going to get a CLE, Craddock etc barrel spun up and contoured correctly and also get an AEM5 that will go on the new barrel for the AR. As I said to Merle, I am mostly impatient and just don't want to wait through Craddock's current 16 week lead time (and what I assume is similar across the industry). I know some on here aren't the biggest fan of BA but I feel I got it for a good price and it should work for now, I definitely agree though that going forward this AR deserves a better barrel because barrel aside I didn't spare on components.

 

[WildBill3/75]

Don't name your rifle Tiffany. Makes you sound like the weirdo that lives in Grandma's basement.

 

[Porfirio]

Ryan Scott, have you shot the AEM5 vs 22 and how would you say they compare?

 

[awpk03s]

I don’t know much about the AEM cans, but you can’t go wrong with a Sandman.

Criterion makes solid AR barrels, as does White Oak, typically available and excellent shooters for not a ton of coin.

 

[rbutcher]

AEM5 is about the best sounding 556 suppressor I have ever heard. Thing is on the heavy end of the spectrum, but it’s a bombproof tank. The collar and brake look awesome as well.

You will most likely end up with multiple cans throughout your life, because everybody’s progression usually ends up with multiple cans mostly dedicated to certain guns. With this in mind, I would go ahead a file for the AEM5.

I would also spring for the CLE recon barrel. Rifles are much more fun when they are laser beams out to distance.

 

[RyanScott]

Ryan Scott, have you shot the AEM5 vs 22 and how would you say they compare?

I’m told a meter would tell a difference but I can’t hear it.

 

[smoothy8500]

Problem is the hanson profile barrel will not accept the AEM5 collar (already confirmed this with Ron Allen)

I don't know if it's an option, but I had Allen Ent make a custom collar to fit my WOA barrel. It was only a few bucks more than off the shelf price. It might be worth asking.

 

[MPDS13]

If you are wanting an AEM5, then get one. They are awesome and really quiet. It is a little older style technology, but like stated above the quietest can I own and has the best tone too. That being said. If you are going that route, then again like stated above buy once. Get Craddock to spin you up a barrel and while that is being built you can source the rest of your parts and get the paperwork started on your suppressor.

 

[WillHugh]

I can confirm all of the suggestions to go with Craddock. I had him spin me up a rifle gas 16 inch barrel off a Rock Creek blank. It's the softest shooting most accurate ar I've ever run. Went with the 16 inch barrel and long ras rail, and with an rc2 supressor it has almost the same look as a mk12. I felt the slightly shorter barrel and more modern supressor design were the way to go, but that being said the AEM cans are pretty iconic.