Starter Kit Featuring: Mercury Precision 'Astroid' 16.25" 7.62x39, Carbine Gas, 1:9.45T Barrel + Gas Tube + Gas Block + 5/8X24 Nitride 4-SLOT Muzzle Device + w/ Crush Washer + Handguard

General Barrel Info: The barrel on an AR-15 originally operates under a 'gas impingement' system' by tapping gas off of the barrel and cycling it back through the gas system to assist the bolt carrier in unlocking and extracting the spent cartridge. AR-15 Barrels come in four different specifications for gas systems, Pistol, Carbine, Mid-Length, and Rifle. AR-15 Barrels vary between profiles as well as from Government, to Heavy, and Slim. Thanks to the modularity of AR-15, you can choose different calibers starting with the barrel, each with its specific twist rates. Choosing your barrel for your next AR-15 build has never been easier.

Brand Info: The scientists and engineers have been hard at work in the workshop and laboratory creating AR products that are out of this world. The result of this brain trust is a firearms brand simply known as Mercury Precision. The goal with Mercury Precision was to create high-end products that do not require a space travel budget to afford.

About This Barrel: This Mercury Precision 'Astroid' barrel is 16 inches long and operates on a carbine gas system. The combination of 4150 CMV with a nitride finish makes this barrel durable and reliable. It comes with a stainless steel extension and has a 1:9 twist rate which is good for stabilizing lighter and mid-weight bullets between 45 and 77 grains. This barrel has a classic design that works well with your next 7.62x39 build.

Barrel Classification: Rifle

Length: This Barrel is designated as a rifle barrel with an overall 16.25" length.

Caliber: 7.62x39 - 7.62x39 Is the most common AK platform caliber adapted for the AR-15 platform, this barrel will allow reliable feeding and operation with the 7.62x39 cartridge.

Material: 4150 CrMoV - Chrome-Moly Vanadium, or simply "CMV", is the official mil-spec gun steel developed by Colt Firearms for the military-issued M16 and M4. It contains the same elements as 4150 steel. It also contains Vanadium. Vanadium significantly increases the strength, hardness, and high-temperature stability of the steel.

Finish: Nitride - Nitriding is a process during manufacturing that diffuses nitrogen into the steel to make a case-hardened surface for improved resistance and strength. A Nitrided barrel typically has a gloss black texture.

Thread Pitch: 5/8x24 - 5/8x24 Threads are commonly found on barrels chambered in .30 Cal and up. Usually .308 Win, .300BLK, 6.5 Grendel, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 7.62x39. Muzzle Devices such as flash hiders, blast cans, and compensators will work with this barrel.

Barrel Extension Finish: Stainless - Stainless steel finishes come in high-luster finishes similar to nickel plating, but with the added benefit of increased strength and corrosion resistance. Stainless steel finishes do not experience the same wear that other metals may experience such as peeling, flaking, wear and rust from scratches where the oxidation protection layer may be removed.

The Gas Block on your AR-15 / AR-10 style rifle is an integral part of the gas system that allows your rifle to cycle. By tapping off gas from the barrel and diverting it back into the gas key of the bolt carrier group, there is enough inertial force to unlock the bolt carrier, send it rearward to the recoil assembly, and extract and pickup another cartridge to fire.

About this Gas Block: This gas block is machined with a .750 Gas Block Journal. .750 Gas Block Journals are standard for AR-15 barrels chambered in .223 Remington, 5.56 NATO, and .300 Blackout. This Gas Block Journal is known for its reliability it assists the rifle function in regular and adverse conditions. This gas block has a 'low-profile' design and is made to fit underneath a free-float handguard.

Gas Block Journal Size: This gas block is an average .750 size gas block.

Platform: This gas block will work on both AR-15 and AR-10 barrels, for .308 and 6.5 Creedmoor barrels, be mindful of possible tolerance issues in the barrel profile.

Profile: This Gas Block is 'low-profile' and designed to fit underneath freefloat handguards.

Finish: Phosphate - This gas block uses a phosphate finish, making it have improved rust and corrosion resistance. Phosphate finishes typically make the part have a matte finish.

Attachment Style: Slide On - This gas block has a fixed size and must slide on from the front of the rifle and is secured in place with 2 set screws near the bottom.

Material: Steel - This gas block is made from hardened & tempered steel, providing the strength and rigidity to withstand forces of expanding gasses and vibration from the rifle or pistol under operation.

DISCLAIMER: **Before purchasing, please be mindful of possible tolerance differences resulting from your handguard profile, barrel profile, gas length, and barrel Gas Block Journal.**

Having a muzzle device on your gun makes it way more controllable! There are other key reasons to add certain devices to your gun. The recoil, muzzle rise, sound, flash, and the amount of the blast felt upon firing are all significantly reduced. In some cases, the right muzzle device can cut these in half. This can make larger calibers like the increasingly more popular .308 Winchester's recoil more manageable. With lower recoil and muzzle rise, you'll be able to make follow-up shots more quickly and precisely. If you shoot a weapon under 20 inches long, and you want to be able to see after firing at night. Then some type of flash hider is a must. Flash cans also come into play when trying to reduce the blast felt upon firing your weapon.

About This Muzzle Device: Flash Hider - A flash hider is exactly what it sounds like. This muzzle device is designed to hide the flash of your rifle. While modern-day ARs and ammo are designed to burn as much gunpowder as possible, it doesn't always happen that way. Sometimes, there is remaining powder burnt causing the visible flash out of the end of your weapon. A good flash hider, although not able to completely remove the flash effect. Can significantly remove the flash from the end of your barrel.

Threading: 5/8x24 Threads are common for muzzle devices made for .30 caliber projectiles and above, most commonly used on .308, 7.62 NATO, .300 Blackout, 7.62x39, 6.5 Creedmoor, & 6.5 Grendel.

Finish: Manganese Phosphate - Manganese Phosphate finishes are used on barrels to protect against corrosion and wear. Manganese Phosphate finish is considered for its toughness and is used in multiple different applications such as aerospace, ordnance, and other firearms-related parts.

The handguard is an essential piece to any AR-15 custom build. Some of the most popular types of handguards are the freefloat handguards. These types of handguards cover the barrel of the gun and attach to the upper receiver by a barrel nut. Handguards on an AR-15 build perform many crucial functions. One of these functions is that of protecting the shooter's hand from the heat of the barrel. The handguard also provides something to hold on to which gives increased stability to the shooter. Each handguard comes with attachment points for sights/optics while still saving space for additional accessories to be attached which can add to the aesthetic appeal of the build.

It is recommended that handguards cover completely the gas system of the AR-15 so when shopping for a handguard please keep in mind your gas system length. Please visit our AR-15 & LR-308 Upper Build Kits page if you want to purchase one of our pre-designed upper build kits equipped with a handguard.

About This Handguard: The DreadNought from Mercury Precision is an AR-15 Freefloat Handguard 15" long and machined with an M-Lok accessory mounting system.

Material Of Handguard: The Mercury Precision DreadNought AR-15 freefloat handguard is precision CNC machined from a high-quality 6061-T6 aircraft grade aluminum extrusion. This ensures that the handguard will be both extremely light and very strong.

Profile: The DreadNought freefloat handguard is made with a slim profile. This is a great design for shooters with smaller hands and creates a unique look for the entire AR-15 build.

Barrel Nut: The DreadNought Handguard has a steel barrel nut made of high-quality steel as well as the necessary mounting hardware.

Type Of Rail: This Handguard is CNC machined with an M-Lok cutout across the top handguard with picatinny rails machined at both ends.

Finish: To maintain corrosion resistance the Mercury Precision handguard is treated with a Type 3 hardcoat anodizing.

Included: Mounting System, Handguard, and Barrel Nut