Bear Creek Arsenal Barrel Physical

Published on July 17, 2020
Duration: 16:37

This guide details a comprehensive physical inspection of a Bear Creek Arsenal 16-inch AR-15 barrel, led by an expert from School of the American Rifle. It covers critical measurements like gas port size, headspace, and erosion, along with functional chamber tests and installation techniques including thermal fit and alignment checks. The inspection reveals potential issues with the throat length and crown, impacting compatibility with certain ammunition types.

Quick Summary

An expert inspection of a Bear Creek Arsenal 16-inch AR-15 barrel revealed a short throat, causing it to fail .223 Wylde function gauge tests and behave more like a .223 Remington chamber. Pitting near the muzzle and imperfect gas port deburring were also noted, impacting its suitability for certain ammunition types.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction and Initial Specs
  2. 01:00Gas Port Measurement
  3. 01:48Headspace and Erosion Checks
  4. 04:12Chamber and Throat Function Test
  5. 06:42Barrel Extension Alignment
  6. 08:25Borescope Inspection
  7. 12:48Final Assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key specifications of the Bear Creek Arsenal 16-inch AR-15 barrel inspected?

The inspected barrel is 16 inches long, chambered in .223 Wylde with a 1:8 twist rate, M4 feed ramps, and a nitride finish. Its gas port was measured at .068 inches.

What issues were found during the inspection of the Bear Creek Arsenal barrel?

The inspection revealed a short throat, causing the barrel to stick on a .223 Wylde function gauge, and significant pitting near the muzzle. The gas port deburring was also noted as not cleanly done.

How is proper barrel extension alignment ensured during installation?

Proper alignment is ensured by using a torch to heat the upper receiver for a thermal fit installation and then employing an alignment rod to confirm the barrel extension is correctly clocked and not canted.

Can the Bear Creek Arsenal barrel fire 5.56 NATO ammunition?

While the barrel is chambered in .223 Wylde and passed headspace checks for 5.56 NATO, the short throat identified could potentially cause pressure issues with 5.56 NATO or Wylde-spec loads, making it behave more like a .223 Remington chamber.

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