The Ballistic Advantage 5.56 NATO 13.7-inch Government Profile Mid-Length barrel (brand part no. BABL556033M) is built for AR-15 owners who want a pinned-and-welded 16in-equivalent setup or a registered short-barrel build. Part of the Modern Series line, it’s machined from Chrome Moly Vanadium steel for durability under hard use. A QPQ corrosion-resistant finish and QPQ-coated M4 feed ramp extension round out a barrel built to run reliably, whether on a range gun or a home-defense carbine.

Key Specifications

• Chambered in .223 Rem/5.56 NATO, the standard AR-15 chambering for range and duty use.
• Barrel length of 13.7 inches, a popular length for pinned-and-welded muzzle device builds.
• Machined in the Government profile, the classic heavier contour under the handguard.
• Built with a mid-length gas system for smoother cycling and reduced felt recoil.
• Constructed from CrMoV (Chrome Moly Vanadium) steel for strength and heat resistance.
• Finished with a QPQ corrosion-resistant coating.
• Includes a QPQ-coated M4 feed ramp extension for reliable feeding.
• Part of Ballistic Advantage’s Modern Series barrel line.
• Rifling twist rate: 1:7 inch, stabilizing the full range of common 5.56/.223 bullet weights.

Frequently Asked Questions

What gas system does this barrel use? A mid-length gas system, matched to the 13.7in barrel for smoother cycling.

What profile is this barrel cut to? The Government profile, a heavier contour than a pencil barrel for added rigidity.

Is this barrel itself an NFA item? No. This is a bare 13.7in barrel under the 16in federal rifle minimum with no lower included, so it is not itself a regulated Short-Barreled Rifle. Federal SBR rules only apply once it’s assembled onto a complete, shouldered rifle lower without a prior approved ATF Form 1 (or a legal pinned-and-welded muzzle device bringing overall length to 16in+) — confirm your configuration before assembly.

Buy the Ballistic Advantage 5.56 NATO 13.7in Government Mid-Length Barrel

Order this barrel from Ballistic Advantage, or browse our complete AR barrels selection for more lengths and profiles. Ships fast from our Lubbock, Texas gun shop.