Reviews & Ratings for Ballistic Advantage 5.56x45mm NATO Hanson Cold Hammer Forged Threaded Barrel w/ Lo Pro — 2 reviews — Page 1

The Hanson profile is much better than the government profile. It balances very well, it seems to resist stringing well enough when it heats up, and it seems more logically designed (leaving more mass at the chamber where it’s needed and then tapering down to the muzzle to reduce front heaviness.) I don’t know about long-term durability since I’ve only put a few hundred rounds through it. But, I also have a nitrided Hanson that has been 100% reliable, accurate, and durable enough for my purposes. This CHF, chrome-lined barrel seems just as good as the nitrided one. It installed perfectly and has been 100% reliable as well. Hanson barrels also seem to be perfectly gassed, which is a real plus. I also like the pre-drilled gas block and a roll pin design, which makes it very secure. In general, I’ve had good experiences with Ballistic Advantage barrels, and this one has been no different. BA barrels seem to be high quality, reasonably priced, and widely available. They’re like the Toyotas of AR15 barrels. They are well made, nice looking, durable, innovative, and fairly priced for what you get. I don’t see any reason to buy another brand so long as BA keeps making good stuff and keeps its prices fair.

I've ordered two for these new Hanson CHF Chrome-Lined barrels now - one direct from BA and the other via OP, and nI've returned BOTH of them.
The barrel extension is ~.015 shorter on these than their standard Hanson barrels, that or the indexing pin at 12 o'clock is further out. Either way, the barrel does not seat fully into the receiver extension so that the feedramps line up. I verified this with a regular Hanson (fit was ideal and I know that rifle runs because I had shot it plenty before considering switching to the CHF), unlike the new CHF Hanson. Same receiver, different fitment. I contacted BA with pictures and measurements and they just gave me a RMA with no explanation for their lack of QC and measurement differences. That was in Spring when they first released these barrels. My feeling is now that they've pushed these barrels to their retailers and will let them deal with the fall-out of a barrel that is not up to spec!! Shame on you BA - and at the same time, par for the course with a lot of manufacturers today, unfortunately. Am going to pay more $ for piece of mind and a known track record of QC; I ordered a Criterion Core barrel instead.

Bottom line, I can't recommend this barrel. Though, if you plan to true your upper receiver face, then maybe you can line up feedramps and verify head-space is correct. Either way be warned!