Company offers light carbon fiber gun barrels.

• Author: Torres, Kristen
• Position: Global Defensse

* As carbon fiber technology becomes increasingly popular for the construction of small arms, industry executives continue to push the envelope when using the material for weapon development.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Proof Research, a firearm developer based in Columbia Falls, Montana, has produced carbon fiber-wrapped barrels to improve accuracy, durability and barrel-longevity. The switch from traditional steel barrels to the carbon fiber-wrapped version reduces the weight of the rifle, allowing soldiers to hit targets with more precision for a longer period, according to Chad VanBrunt, a weapons engineer at the company.

The design is 64 percent lighter than traditional steel barrels, and has improved heat dissipation for cooler and longer lasting barrels and reduced vibration, according to the company's website.

"Our design methodology ensures the stress state of the barrel is consistent through varying temperature ranges," VanBrunt said. "With the carbon fiber technology you get weight savings without losing performance."

The company used customer research to determine what type of barrel development would interest users.

"Carbon fiber technology has been around for a while ... but we feel we have a real differentiator and advantage over other products in the...