The science behind barrel heat

It really is simple to understand why your barrel gets hot. And if you know why, then understanding the cooling methods will be a lot easier as well. When you fire your AR-15 the hammer strikes a firing pin, which in turn stries the percussion cap. The percussion cap then ignites the gunpowder in the casing causing a rapid expansion of gas within the barrel, which propels the projectile forward and out. The AR-15’s standard barrel length is generally 16” which is the perfect length for the gunpowder in the bore to burn up inside. The gunpowder is capable of reaching temperatures of up to 5000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Metal is extremely conductive of heat, meaning heat can easily be transmitted through it. With high conductivity and high fire rate, barrels can heat up very rapidly.

Can it affect my AR-15?

AR-15 barrels are usually made to be a lot more heat tolerant. However, that doesn’t mean you can't take it seriously. High heat can seriously affect the performance and durability of your firearm. Your AR-15 can get away with it a little more than others, but heat is not something you generally want, especially if you can’t hold your barrel.

Barrel cooling tips.

If you have more than one AR-15 that you want to take out, then alternating between the two is a good way to relieve them of some heat. While you are not using one, it will get cooler, unless it is in the sun.

Leave your gun out of the sun. Especially if you are in hot areas, your gun can become very hot without even having fired a round. Leave your action open. Now that is safety 101, but allowing the access of air through the bore can actually help cool it more effectively.

Shooting a barrel that is too hot is dangerous, and if it's too hot to touch, then don’t shoot it. Now that you know a little more about how to handle a barrel, why not buy one! Visit Thunder Tactical for your AR-15 80 lower build it today!