So I’m currently in the market for a 14.5 inch ar that I can use for home defense and to take carbine classes with etc. I’m debating between the m4 with the rsiii rail or the m4v7 slw. I love the ambi controls of the m4 but the weight savings and barrel profile of the slw seem really appealing. Does anyone have feedback on either of these rifles and their accuracy as well? Thanks!
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M4A1 vs V7SLW
- Thread starter Jman1456
- Start date
Accuracy out of the SLW is good. We use the same barrel on a very similar rifle at work (V11 SLW). Strangely, they don't heat up quite as quick as some other light weight profiles I've shot.
The weight savings is nice. In my case, I've found that I prefer a heavier profile (SOCOM or something like the Centurion Arms midweight) for a GP rifle. However, that's just me. A LOT of folks love the lighter profile barrels as a primary/general purpose/home defense option.
I don't think you can go wrong either way.
The weight savings is nice. In my case, I've found that I prefer a heavier profile (SOCOM or something like the Centurion Arms midweight) for a GP rifle. However, that's just me. A LOT of folks love the lighter profile barrels as a primary/general purpose/home defense option.
I don't think you can go wrong either way.
The M4 RIII is a very nice rifle, as is the DDM4 RIII, if you are looking at Daniel Defense. The DDM4 I believe is mid-length which is an advantage. Personally, I have no experience with the M4V7,
Based on what I've learned so far, other than weight savings, it seems like a heavier profile is "better" in every way than a light profile. For a relatively short barrel (14.5" in this case), I don't mind the weight penalty for a GP rifle.
If I anticipate lugging THAT particular rifle around all day long, I'd likely choose the SLW over the A1 (if selecting between the two you're looking at).
For me, if I'm looking at a lightweight barrel, then I want everything else as lightweight as possible: lightest rail, lightest optic, flashlight, buttstock, etc. If I'm not going full-lightweight, then I'd rather "save weight" somewhere other than the barrel (i.e. the handguard, light, etc., if I want to cut down on front-end weight).
In my anecdotal experience, I also really like the accuracy of my SOCOM barrel compared to other barrels I've shot.
For what it's worth, when considering taking one of Buck Doyle's scoped carbine classes, I have thought long and hard on whether I'd bring a SOCOM barrel to a course like that (not sure I would given the choice).
I got to shoot in a carbine class with someone elses M4A1 and then a v7 slw a good friend brought, and for less then a pound difference in base weight I appreciated the sturdiness of the m4. If I was going shorter then 14.5 Id go a different route for sure. But running, prone, around barriers, standing and shooting I didnt notice a difference at all except the SLW barrel definitely got hot faster, but the m4a1 barrel took a little longer to cool so 6 of one half dozen of the other.
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