06-16-2011, 03:46 PM
Bjorn, if you have the coin, there's certainly no reason to pass up either Spartan barrel. If my budget barrel is any indication, the Spartans should be tack drivers. I brought up the $260 16" barrel only as less expensive alternative that's completely satisfactory for me.
To answer your question from earlier in the thread (and if my memory doesn't fail me), the AA 16" stainless is an ER Shaw barrel. The 16" chrome-lined barrels of the AA tactical model were made by Sabre, and AA might still have a supply of those. No idea who the new contractor will be for the chrome-lined tube when the Sabre supplies run out.
I wonder about the weight of the mega monolithic upper. There's only the single barrel nut holding the barrel in place instead of a barrel nut/lock ring combination, so does that buy one any reduction in total weight compared to a standard upper with a FF tube like the Vtac? Just wondering out loud. Five or more Benjamins for an upper is a tad steep for my pocketbook, so I won't have an answer until my money tree bears fruit.
To answer your question from earlier in the thread (and if my memory doesn't fail me), the AA 16" stainless is an ER Shaw barrel. The 16" chrome-lined barrels of the AA tactical model were made by Sabre, and AA might still have a supply of those. No idea who the new contractor will be for the chrome-lined tube when the Sabre supplies run out.
I wonder about the weight of the mega monolithic upper. There's only the single barrel nut holding the barrel in place instead of a barrel nut/lock ring combination, so does that buy one any reduction in total weight compared to a standard upper with a FF tube like the Vtac? Just wondering out loud. Five or more Benjamins for an upper is a tad steep for my pocketbook, so I won't have an answer until my money tree bears fruit.