How do I choose a barrel for my build?
Argos Ordnance offers several barrel options to fit into many budgets, for different end-uses and firing schedules.
Nitride/QPQ
Nitrided barrels are the least expensive option for a quality barrel, providing years of useful service life before any accuracy degradation is noted. The QPQ (Quench, Polish, Quench) process used to treat our barrels adds extreme hardness to the inside and outside of the barrel steel, either 4150CrMOV or 416R in our case, and requires no oils to provide the best corrosion resistance. Nitrided barrels are best for semi-auto applications with a standard, consumer-level firing schedule, including regular training scenarios.
Chrome-Lined
Chrome-lined barrels represent the mid-tier option for barrel treatment. Chrome-lining is an additive process where chrome is added to the bore through an electrolytic process and increases the durability and corrosion resistance of the bore many times over. Chome-lined barrels are typically made from 4140CrMOV or 4150CrMOV barrel steel and Mil-Spec Phosphate finished to resist corrosion but require protective oils to maintain that resistance over time. Chome-line barrels are best suited for more vigorous firing schedules, including regular full-auto fire.
Cold Hammer Forged (CHF)
We offer top-of-the-line CHF barrels from industry-leading suppliers, which command a premium over standard CrMOV barrels. Hammer-forged barrels are produced by using a large forging machine that uses hammers to compress a mandrel under thousands of pounds of pressure to shape the chamber, lands, and grooves. This forging process also physically alters the structure of the steel, making it exponentially stronger. Our available CHF barrels are produced from a special machine gun barrel steel used by top military suppliers, chrome-lined, and Mil-Spec Phosphate treated for a lifetime of reliable service under the most extreme firing schedules.
416R Stainless 5R
We offer Crane Spec, Mk12 barrels from Centurion in our SPR builds, finished from top-tier 5R blanks, in a 5.56 NATO Match chambering optimized for use with Black Hills 77gr ammunition and a 6mm ARC option. Raw stainless barrels are more for lower volume semi-auto and high precision use than nitrided, CrMOV, or CHF counterparts.
What is the difference between 223 Wylde and 5.56 NATO chamberings?
223 Wylde is a hybrid chambering for AR variants that features the same external dimensions and lead angle as the 5.56 NATO chambering but with the same free bore dimension as commercial 223 Remington chamberings. In short, the 223 Wylde chambering is able to fire both commercial 223 Remington (55,000 PSI) and higher pressure NATO spec 5.56 (62,000 PSI) safely and accurately.
5.56 NATO is the standardized chambering utilized by the US and other militaries that features a .125" longer throat than a 223 Remington chamber. This added feature allows for more powder and longer projectiles to be used safely to enhance the NATO spec ammunition's performance capabilities. Commercial 223 Remington ammunition is safe to fire in either 223 Wylde or 5.56 NATO chamberings but will provide the best performance in a 223 Wylde chambered firearm.
Why are there two different twist rates for 5.56/223 barrels? How do I choose?
We offer barrel options in both 1:8 RH and 1:7 RH twist rates. Either twist rate will stabilize all factory available 5.56 NATO ammunition from 55-77gr with relative ease. We have used both twist rates over the years with great success.
Should I have my gas block "hard pinned?"
Gas block pinning is an optional service for those wishing to "bomb proof" their upper. This process includes cross-drilling the barrel to accept a hard or spring pin to semi-permanently mount the gas block to the barrel, negating the need for dimpled, set screw installation. While not necessary for most user applications, hard pinning can give a greater sense of security, knowing for certain that the gas block will not loosen and come out of position, rendering the rifle inoperable until repairs are made. NOTE: We dimple, properly seal, and torque set screws used in our builds to provide a lifetime of worry-free service. We have also performed numerous torture tests on uppers with properly installed, set-screw-equipped gas blocks with no issues during continuous full auto fire to the point of gas tube or barrel failure.
When will my order ship?
"Built to order" firearms will be shipped in the order that they were received within the lead times listed on the appropriate product page. In stock, non-FFL items will typically ship the next business day. In-stock firearms will ship the next business day unless delays in processing occur.