14.5 inch or 16.5 inch ???? Size matters and advice needed.

I'm not an expert in the differences in barrel length's when it comes to AR's, but it seems to have been narrowed down somewhere between 14.5" and 18". Personally I would say 16", just seems to be a more common barrel size and leaves a lot more options open, as well as things like hand guards and such, although I can't comment on the ups or downs of certain gas systems. Some other tips I would offer though it looking at things like brand, price point, twist rate and what he plans to use it for.

Of course, as it has already been mentioned, Plan B can always simply just to have the lower registered and get two or three separate uppers that he can switch out.
 
greentips said:
The difference between 14.5" and 20" is 50m according to the US army, using M855. M855 is fast and the trajectory is relatively flat, so all is good.

With rounds like 77 SMK, a 18 to 20" rifle can be used out to 600m. Since 77SMK is slow to start with, it is better to have more MV to start with. Otherwise, it will shoot like a rainbow and become a 200m weapon for all practicality. Essentially, it behaves like shooting 17Xgr out of a short barrelled 308.
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We don't know what the owner is intending to do with the rifle so we really can't offer a solid recommendation. If the owner is NOT looking for a precision/distance rifle then the use of 77gr ammo makes no difference. Even if the owner uses 77gr ammo and decides to shoot long range he will still be dialing or holding over. How many of us have access to 77gr ammo(outside or reloaders) and actually shoot it????
 
If he likes em, he'll end up with more than one... The 14.5" looks better in a fixed stock with a carry handle imo. Regardless of the two stated barrel lengths, I would go for a .223 Wylde chamber with a 1 in 8 twist if it's an option...
 
Go 14.5" and if you ever want to take it to the US you can pin and weld or silver solder on a muzzle device to bring it up to 16". A lot of the common muzzle brakes and flash hiders are 1.5" or more so with a 16" gun with a brake or flash hider on it it's closer to 18"+ actual length.
 
No one has asked what maximum range he'll be shooting at. Anything under 200m I wouldn't consider anything longer than 14.5", heck a 10.5 would work just fine.
 
I'm kinda thinking this guy probably doesn't know. And assuming the buyer wants the one AR that will do it all?..

New AR owners seem to focus on one particular thing on the rifle & base their purchase on that. If I was wrong in this case we would not be discussing the merits of 2 inches on a barrel; rifle barrel that is...
 
bkelly4790 said:
Go 14.5" and if you ever want to take it to the US you can pin and weld or silver solder on a muzzle device to bring it up to 16". A lot of the common muzzle brakes and flash hiders are 1.5" or more so with a 16" gun with a brake or flash hider on it it's closer to 18"+ actual length.
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Flash hiders are not part of the barrel length in Canada. Your registration will still indicate a barrel length less than 16" when crossing the border.
 
Kidd X said:
Flash hiders are not part of the barrel length in Canada. Your registration will still indicate a barrel length less than 16" when crossing the border.
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Doesn't matter. US does not care about your Canadian registration or what it says for length. They only care about the length according to their laws so a pin and weld would work.

Only issue with this is the OP's friend would have to find someone in Canada to do a pin and weld plus it might reduce the resale value.

Kidd X said:
Not sure where you're finding 16.5" barrels? All I've ever seen are 14.5" or 16.0" offerings.
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since OP mentioned "high end AR" I'm guessing OP and Ebola are probably talking about the HK MR223 which is available in 14.5" and 16.5"
 
I've had both 14.5 and 16 inch. Currently own a 14.5 mid length enhanced light weight.

It is pinned and welded in case I take it with me south. I won't ever own another 16. I use it for just general use and cqb type courses. If I was doing something where I thought I needed more barrel I would go 18. Just my opinion.
 
If I could only have one: 16 inch with midlength gas. I run one in CQB and it's smooth, plus I can (and have) take her to the USA.

My second was a 10.5. It's fun for the flash and bang, and more accurate than you'd think.
 
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