Criterion CORE 13.9″ Barrel
$313.99
Engineered for the perfect “pin and weld” build, the Criterion CORE 13.9″ Midlength Barrel allows you to create the shortest and most maneuverable non-NFA rifle possible. By pairing this barrel with a wide variety of standard-length muzzle devices, you can achieve a legal 16″ overall length, giving you a compact carbine without SBR paperwork. Combined with the smooth-shooting midlength gas system and the impeccable balance of the CORE profile, this is the ultimate foundation for a modern, do-it-all rifle.
Criterion CORE 13.9″ Barrel
The Criterion CORE profile is a fundamental rethinking of how a barrel should feel and perform. By using a continuous taper to shift weight rearward, we’ve created a barrel that feels lighter, balances better, and points faster than any traditional profile.
- Lightning-Fast Handling: The rearward weight bias makes the rifle feel exceptionally nimble, allowing for rapid transitions between targets and reduced fatigue.
- Ideal for Modern Accessories: The CORE profile is designed to perfectly offset the weight of suppressors, lights, and optics, keeping your rifle from becoming “front-heavy” and unwieldy.
- Superior Harmonics for Accuracy: The rigid, continuous taper promotes consistent barrel harmonics and heat dissipation, which are critical for maintaining accuracy and a minimal point-of-impact shift during sustained fire.
Key Features
Every feature of a Criterion CORE barrel is chosen to maximize performance, reliability, and barrel life.
- Optimized Midlength Gas System: Enjoy a noticeably smoother recoil impulse and reduced wear on internal components. The midlength system on the 13.9″ barrel is expertly tuned by Criterion for flawless reliability, both suppressed and unsuppressed.
- Versatile .223 Wylde Chamber: This precision-machined hybrid chamber is designed to safely fire both 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington ammunition while delivering the match-grade accuracy potential of a tighter chamber.
- Legendary Chrome Lining: Our industry-leading chrome lining process provides unmatched durability, corrosion resistance, and extended barrel life without compromising the barrel’s inherent accuracy.
- Hand-Lapped for Flawless Precision: Each barrel bore is honed and hand-lapped to a mirror-like finish. This meticulous process ensures perfect bore uniformity, which is the foundation of world-class accuracy and makes cleaning significantly easier.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
| Length | 13.9 Inches |
| Chamber | .223 Wylde |
| Profile | CORE Series (Continuous Taper) |
| Gas System | Midlength |
| Gas Block Journal | 0.625″ |
| Twist Rate | 1:8 RH |
| Material | 4150 CrMoV (Chrome Moly Vanadium) |
| Lining | Chrome Lined |
| Finish | Manganese Phosphate |
| Muzzle Threads | 1/2×28 TPI |
| Feed Ramps | M4 |
| Weight | 1.60 lbs (25.6 oz) |
Note: This barrel has a length of 13.9″. To be installed on a standard rifle lower without being classified as a Short-Barreled Rifle (SBR), it must have a muzzle device permanently attached (pinned and welded) that brings the total barrel length to 16″ or greater. Always verify the length of your chosen muzzle device before installation. All NFA rules apply.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why should I choose a 13.9″ barrel over a 14.5″?
A: The 13.9″ length is specifically designed to reach the 16″ legal minimum with a wider variety of standard, non-extended muzzle devices (such as a SureFire WARCOMP, Forward Controls 6315, etc.). This allows you to build the shortest possible non-NFA rifle without being limited to a smaller selection of longer muzzle devices often required for a 14.5″ barrel.
Q: Is a 13.9″ barrel reliable with a midlength gas system?
A: Yes. While it’s a demanding combination, Criterion has expertly engineered the gas port size on this barrel to ensure outstanding reliability across a wide range of ammunition, both with and without a suppressor. It provides a much smoother recoil impulse than a comparable carbine-length gas system.
Q: Is this a good “one size fits all” barrel length?
A: For many, the 13.9″ is the perfect “do-it-all” length. It’s compact enough for close-quarters work while retaining enough velocity for effective engagements at medium distances, all in a non-NFA package (once pinned and welded).
Q: What gas block do I need for this barrel?
A: This barrel has a 0.625″ gas block journal and requires a gas block of the same size, along with a midlength gas tube.
| LENGTH | 13.9 |
|---|