12.5” barrel experiences

[FoxAlpha]

12.5” barrel experiences

I’ve been tossing around the idea of pulling my 14.5” barrel and replacing it with a 12.5” barrel.
I’ve seen a lot of recommendations for the criterion CMV barrels, and their great performance shooting groups as low as .4 - .5 MOA but alas I can’t seem to source one in country.

What have your guys’ experiences been with the 12.5 barrels? What manufacturers do you recommend?
Hoping you guys can show off some impressive groups, along with some photos of your builds.

 

[greentips]

i used to have a noveske 12.5 SS years ago. The barrel delivers all the way to 500 yrds KD without any issues.

On the other hand, no one really makes a 11.5 or 12" handguard so it is not efficient in that area, if you want to make more room for your hand and BUIS/Laser.

My thought is that it is not worth the effort to go to 12.5 from 14.5, may as well do 11.5. The difference between 11.5 and 12.5 is almost non-existing for typical 556 works. Between 11.5 and 14.5 is really 450m vs 500m point target at KD. - but practically 5.56 with typical low power sights minus the help of LRF is a 250m point to shoot anyways.

 

[FoxAlpha]

A little added info, as I understand most will ask why or what’s the point.

I currently have 4 AR’s remaining. One is a dedicated 18” precision shooter, another a 16” recce build that I use for both close work and not as accurate distance shooting. From there I have a 14.5” and a 10.3” gun and I find I’m always struggling between the two, one always getting left at home. The plan is to split the difference between a 10.3 and a 14.5 a la 12.5”
I just can’t justify having 2 rifles that don’t do much different than the other and 12.5 fits into that perfect shorter do all spectrum.

I’m currently looking into one of the shops bringing in a criterion 12.5 but am curious to see what others have done. I’d like to see if anyone’s shot their 12.5” ballistic advantage barrel with match ammo, or other similar options as the info out there is limited. A whole lot of claims of sub MOA at 900 meters but not a lot of hard proof.

 

[JungerJager]

My 12.5" is a laser! DD barrel, but have only been running a single power, but still printing decent groups. Will swap optics this weekend and see what I can squeeze out of it off a bench and with some magnification. Sub MOA at beyond 500 Meters is doubtful, and that has nothing really do with the barrel, but more to do with the porojos. Unless you are shooting 75 GN the wind will have its way with all the smaller stuff.

 

[Onagoth]

I had an upper with a 12.5" barrel and I really liked it.

I ran a 13" handguard on it if I remember right and with the muzzle device it didn't look dumb or awkward.

The rifle just seemed to swing and point very nicely. Not sure why I ever got rid of it....probably lack of use.

 

[dacron]

V-seven makes great 11.1" hand guards, Seekins precision and SLR rifleworks both make 12". Brigand arms makes one in carbon fiber.

 

[Djb1]

Dont let the lack of barrels/handguards deter you as I personally believe you are on the right track. Got rid of my 7.5" and 10.5" barreled ARs in favor of an 11.5" barrel. It is by far the most fun while still being useful. Here it is next to my 16". Thinking of letting the 16" go once my Modern Sporter receivers come early fall.

 

[FoxAlpha]

My 12.5" is a laser! DD barrel, but have only been running a single power, but still printing decent groups. Will swap optics this weekend and see what I can squeeze out of it off a bench and with some magnification. Sub MOA at beyond 500 Meters is doubtful, and that has nothing really do with the barrel, but more to do with the porojos. Unless you are shooting 75 GN the wind will have its way with all the smaller stuff.

I’d love to see the results of that.
I’m not overly concerned about it maintaining sub MOA out past 2-300, that was more of a stab at humor.

My end goal is to shoot reliably with bulk ammo but under 1” at 100m with either factory match or my 77gr SMK reloads.

 

[FoxAlpha]

Dont let the lack of barrels/handguards deter you as I personally believe you are on the right track. Got rid of my 7.5" and 10.5" barreled ARs in favor of an 11.5" barrel. It is by far the most fun while still being useful. Here it is next to my 16". Thinking of letting the 16" go once my Modern Sporter receivers come early fall.

I’m not too concerned over rails. My current 14.5” hosts a Geissele mk8 and I’ll be staying within that family. Have a possible line on a Geissele federal rail, but if not I’ll likely go with the mk4 or mk8 9.5”. I wish they made a slightly longer option like an 11 or 12 but what do you do.

 

[r34skyline]

Both bcm and dd make a great 12.5 barrel. Probably the softest shooting of sbrs with carbine gas in my experiemnce. That being said overall I have trouble comparing 11.5 and 12.5 they are pretty close to each other.

 

[JungerJager]

I’d love to see the results of that.
I’m not overly concerned about it maintaining sub MOA out past 2-300, that was more of a stab at humor.

My end goal is to shoot reliably with bulk ammo but under 1” at 100m with either factory match or my 77gr SMK reloads.

It surely does, like I said, will be out this weekend, will print some groups and throw them up here.

 

[Djb1]

I’m not too concerned over rails. My current 14.5” hosts a Geissele mk8 and I’ll be staying within that family. Have a possible line on a Geissele federal rail, but if not I’ll likely go with the mk4 or mk8 9.5”. I wish they made a slightly longer option like an 11 or 12 but what do you do.

... you buy different rails. Lots of quality options out there.

 

[FoxAlpha]

... you buy different rails. Lots of quality options out there.

Ehhh yes and no. There are lots of good options but I’ve yet to use one that is as good as the SMR’s. Such a subjective statement though.

 

[Djb1]

Ehhh yes and no. There are lots of good options but I’ve yet to use one that is as good as the SMR’s. Such a subjective statement though.

Agreed. It falls on what features/look you ultimately want.

 

[Davy Crockett]

I have a build with a 12.5 DD barrel that I'm pretty happy with.

Don't shoot it for groups so I can't really provide any empirical evidence as to accuracy but by the seat of the pants reckoning I'd say it's a shooter.

 

[FoxAlpha]

Turns out RDSC is going to order me in a 12.5 criterion
I love it when things work out.

 

[GUNNZ]

12.5" 5.56 is a flamethrower man. Stick to 14.5" or go to 300 Blackout.

 

[chrisco]

I'm running a 12.5" Daniel Defense on my dedicated CQB rifle.
It does amazingly well for my purposes.
It is not nearly as loud and snappy as my buddies 10.5"
I am only running a standard A2 flash hider and have yet to see any flames.

Shoot straight - chrisco

 

[Djb1]

Just realized I have a brand new 11.5" barrel if you're interested.

 

[FoxAlpha]

Never mind