JustinJ
Member
The "Government Profile" barrel (A2) is actually only thicker from the gas block to the muzzle. It is still M16A1 diameter underneath the handguards, which means a 20" A2 profile barrel weighs about as much as a 16" HBAR. Government Profile is actually a pretty solid choice in ARs since you can still use parts that rely on a 0.750" barrel diameter, without carrying all that extra weight.
The ability to use .750 diamter gas blocks is a certain plus as options are limited in .625", which was a real pain the rear, but that's exactly my point about misguided AR community. If a barrel is going to be thicker anywhere it is far better served at it's base where heat is greater. Heavy weight at the front does nothing but make the gun front heavy but for the vast majority a complete A1 profile would serve best.