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replacement barrel for M&P15

Dilligaf1369Dilligaf1369 Member Posts: 2 ✭✭
edited November 2013 in Ask the Experts
I have a 300 whisper by S&W it's a M&P 15 I would like to get a barrel to change it over to .223/5.56, Since the 300 Whisper, uses the same bolt, upper receiver and magazines, I'd like to swap the barrel over to shoot the .223/5.56 since they are much cheaper. Any Ideas or links to where I can find just the barrel for a decent price? Thank you.

Comments

  • Mark GMark G Member Posts: 1,678 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You would be better off just buying a barreled upper or a complete upper so you can switch at will. To replace just the barrel requires special tools and some skill. Check out the auction side. Lots of uppers over there.

    http://www.GunBroker.com/AR15-Parts/BI.aspx?Keywords=5.56+upper
  • TxsTxs Member Posts: 17,809 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I agree with getting a 5.56 upper rather than rebarreling, but if you're not interested in being able switch between these rounds you'd be better off selling your .300 Whisper barreled upper and turning that cash into a 5.56 assembly.
  • MobuckMobuck Member Posts: 14,124 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    "if you're not interested in being able switch between these rounds"
    While some people do this, I don't really consider the AR platform to be a "switch barrel" comparable design.
    I'd be interested in buying your 300 barrel if you do decide to swap.
  • tsr1965tsr1965 Member Posts: 8,682 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Mobuck
    "if you're not interested in being able switch between these rounds"
    While some people do this, I don't really consider the AR platform to be a "switch barrel" comparable design.
    I'd be interested in buying your 300 barrel if you do decide to swap.


    Txs, said nothing of switching barrels. He did say of switching between caliber's. It is far easier to switch between most chamberings, on and AR-15, than any Thompson Center Encore, or Contender.

    That said, Txs, was also correct, that if he is not interested in this, then he would be better selling off the 300 Whisper. I would use the auction side to get rid of it, and get the new 5.56 or 223 Wylde chambered upper, as we are not supposed make ANY offer's to buy, sell, or trade in these forum's.

    Personally, I would keep both!

    Best
  • beantownshootahbeantownshootah Member Posts: 12,776 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Echoing what's already been said, decide if you want JUST .223, or .223 AND .300 Whisper.

    While its certainly possible to swap barrels from one caliber to the other it takes some special tools, some knowledge, and is actual work. This isn't as simple as "unscrew the old barrel, screw-in the new one". Its simply not really practical to go back and forth between calibers by switching BARRELS. . .you really want to switch entire uppers for that for a practical caliber conversion.

    If you don't want to shoot .300 Whisper, the simplest thing to do is sell that upper and buy one in a configuration you like. Do this, and (unlike buying a replacement barrel and installing it) you'll probably end up with extra cash in your pocket. IMO its just not worth the time, effort, and expense in new barrel and necessary jig/tooling to swap barrels if you only intend to do it once.

    If you want both calibers, the thing to do is to just buy a separate .223 upper. Swapping uppers is trivial, and only takes about 20 seconds with no tools.

    Edit:
    Thinking about this a bit more, I bet you wouldn't have a hard time at all finding someone willing to just do a direct swap of their .223 upper for your .300 Whisper upper. . .and depending on what they were offering you, it might not be unreasonable for you to ask for a bit extra to sweeten the deal.
  • MobuckMobuck Member Posts: 14,124 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    "Txs, said nothing of switching barrels. He did say of switching between caliber's. It is far easier to switch between most chamberings, on and AR-15, than any Thompson Center Encore, or Contender."
    I'm not sure where you're getting your info. How do you switch calibers w/o switching barrels?
    What I was referring to is the possibility of causing wear/damage to the threads on the upper by frequent barrel changes.
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