Ballistic Advantage Hanson Profile

There is considerable debate within the AR community in regards to barrel profiles.  Various factors such as barrel heating/cooling and rigidity combine to influence accuracy, both during slow fire and under the stresses of heavy fire.  The standard M4 profile barrel has been found in government after actions to be insufficient for sustained heavy fire, hence the transition by the military to the heavier M4A1 profile barrels.  In addition, the standard government profile (light under the handguards and heavier forward of the front sight) is a front-heavy design, which some users complain unbalances the barrel/gun and makes it harder to "drive" from target to target rapidly.

But what about for civilian or law enforcement users?  Most users will never attain the sustained rate of fire that military members will, but many still prefer a slightly heavier barrel for accuracy's sake.  Where does the balance lie between the (possibly slight) increase in accuracy, and the drag of having to carry a heavier gun?  Will a modified barrel profile make it easier to maneuver the gun?

I recently purchased a Ballistic Advantage 5.56 Performance 16" barrel in their Hanson profile to see if I could find that sweet spot.  I hope to have it installed and run in it some courses over the next few months.

Just to illustrate the differences between a Colt 6920 profile barrel (M4 profile) and the Ballistic Advantage Hanson profile:

The Colt barrel is ~.670" in front of the chamber and tapers to ~.600" behind the gas journal, which flares to .750", then drops to ~.740" for the remainder of the barrel. Lots of weight forward of the journal.

The Hanson barrel is a constant ~.700" under the handguard, with a .750" journal, then drops to ~.650" for the rest of the barrel. More weight is to the rear and it feels much more balanced.

Hope to have more information for you shortly!