If you need it, get it. if not dont - Criterion Barrels AR-15 HBAR Mid Length Gas System Barrel

This is a duty grade barrel. 

Think of it as a Socom concept barrel in 223 Wylde and not 1:7 twist. It's a true heavy barrel (thiccc). It's accurate and it feels a little overgassed based on my ejection patterns. I did run it with an H2, Super 42 H2 (no noticeable difference with a standard h2), and Vltor A5. This did soften it up a bit, with the A5 doing the best job, but ejection on full powered ammo is still a 2 o clock proposition with low powered ammo  like PMC ejecting around 3:30-4. I have not run steel through it.

It gives about 3 o clock ejection on PMC Bronze and 2 ish o clock on IMI 193 with a standard carbine buffer. Definitely MAO capable with the right ammo. BCM and Rosco barrels seem gassed better. In shooting a bunch of rifles I haven't ever had to consider an H2 buffer, even on some carbine length gas systems.  I'd probably actually buy a Socom barrel over this one if it were cheaper since this one seems potentially over-gassed, which defeats one benefit of the mid-length system and the Socom had a 1:7 twist. I have had no problems with headspacing this using a BCM BCM or Griffin Enhanced BCG.

If you don't need a heavy barrel, I wouldn't buy this one. I haven't really had an AR barrel that can't shoot MOA (and this one is no more accurate than other heavy barrels that ive shot, in fact it showed the least amount of accuracy potential of the heavy barrels I've shot when doing accuracy testing) with 75/77 grain ammo. I'd personally go stainless or maybe the Core profile from Criterion if you're seeking consistent accuracy, but not the weight. However, if you want to  shoot quick strings, like at a competition, and not get a lot of heat from the barrel, this one will do just fine, even with a low profile handguard. It heats up far slower than the hybrid profile barrels from Criterion.

Additionally, I haven't really had these 16 inch Wylde barrels be any more accurate than 1:7 twist barrels in 5.56.  I wouldn't be bending over backwards to try and find one. I will say that I am a bit of an accuracy snob and I also don't like 1:8 twist in 16 inch. I will say that every 18 inch 1:8 twist barrel I've shot has been lights out accurate and 223 Wylde, exceptionally so.  This is a good barrel, but the weight may not be worth it, if you don't need it. I'm going to shoot a ballistic advantage hbar and a stag have, they are far cheaper 1:7 twist and nitrided 4150 cmv. If they suck, I'll post a five star review. I'd post a three star review because I'm just not that impressed, but I saw someone gave this product a low rating because if OPs choice of packaging (it's standard) , so I'm giving it four stars.