Criterion CORE 12.5″ Barrel
$313.99 Original price was: $330.99.$313.99Current price is: $313.99.
Often hailed as the ideal “do-it-all” length, the Criterion CORE 12.5″ Barrel strikes the perfect balance between the compactness of an SBR and the ballistic advantages of a longer barrel. This is the ultimate choice for a versatile carbine build that excels in any scenario, from close quarters to medium-range engagements. Paired with the revolutionary CORE profile, this barrel delivers a rifle that is impeccably balanced, incredibly accurate, and built to withstand the test of time.
Criterion CORE 12.5″ Barrel
Criterion’s CORE Series was designed to solve the inherent balance issues of traditional barrel profiles, especially on modern, accessory-rich firearms. By employing a continuous taper, we move mass from the muzzle to the area surrounding the chamber. This fundamental shift in weight distribution transforms the way your rifle feels and performs.
- Superior Maneuverability: The rifle feels lighter in the hands and drives between targets effortlessly, giving you a critical speed advantage.
- Optimized for Suppressors & More: The rearward weight bias counteracts the front-heavy effect of suppressors, weapon lights, and optics, keeping your rifle nimble and perfectly balanced.
- Consistent Harmonics: The continuous taper profile promotes uniform heat dissipation and consistent barrel harmonics, resulting in enhanced accuracy and minimal point-of-impact shift during sustained firing.
Key Features
Every Criterion CORE barrel is meticulously crafted for shooters who demand peak performance and unwavering reliability.
- Versatile .223 Wylde Chamber: Expertly machined to safely and reliably fire both 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington ammunition, this chamber offers match-grade accuracy potential with a wide variety of loads.
- Legendary Chrome Lining: Our industry-leading chrome lining process ensures superior corrosion resistance and an exceptionally long barrel life, all without compromising the barrel’s inherent precision.
- Hand-Lapped for Precision: Each bore is honed and hand-lapped to achieve a mirror-like finish. This painstaking process guarantees bore uniformity, which is the bedrock of world-class accuracy, and simplifies cleaning.
- Tuned for Reliability: The carbine-length gas port is carefully sized to ensure smooth and reliable cycling across a broad spectrum of ammunition, both suppressed and unsuppressed.
- Flawless Machining: From the polished M4 feed ramps to the precision-machined barrel extension, every component is manufactured to the highest standards for flawless feeding and extraction.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
| Length | 12.5 Inches |
| Chamber | .223 Wylde |
| Profile | CORE Series (Continuous Taper) |
| Gas System | Carbine-Length |
| 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 | 1.45 lbs (23.2 oz) |
Note: This is a 12.5″ barrel. All NFA rules and regulations apply.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why choose a 12.5″ barrel over an 11.5″?
A: The 12.5″ length is often considered a “sweet spot” because the extra inch provides a significant boost in muzzle velocity and ballistic performance over 10.5″ and 11.5″ barrels. This improves terminal effectiveness at range while remaining significantly more compact and maneuverable than a 14.5″ or 16″ barrel.
Q: Is this barrel a good choice for shooting with a suppressor?
A: Absolutely. The CORE profile’s outstanding balance helps mitigate the added weight of a suppressor, and the tuned gas system is designed from the outset for reliable function, whether with or without a can.
Q: What gas block do I need for this 12.5″ barrel?
A: This barrel uses a standard carbine-length gas tube and requires a low-profile gas block with a 0.625″ journal diameter.
| LENGTH | 12.5 |
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