I have both the Colt AR-15 HBAR Sporter 20 barrel and Norinco M4, I had the Colt for more than 15 years, still as good as new (Brand new for less than $1000 in the good old days), Norinco I picked up recently is OK (just over $1000 with tax), but when you compare the finish, material and craftsmanship on both, COLT will always come out as the winner. Norinco has cheap finish, rough low quality parts, cheap MAGs sometime won't lock action open after the last round, I use LAR-15 MAGs and MAGs from my COLT. (small little things here and here), but it shoots fine for now. IMO, I will keep the COLT forever, and Norinco is just my fun gun which I can use it, abuse it and I will not cry over if it breaks.
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14.5" or 16" AR
- Thread starter lazedout
- Start date
I have both the Colt AR-15 HBAR Sporter 20 barrel and Norinco M4, I had the Colt for more than 15 years, still as good as new (Brand new for less than $1000 in the good old days), Norinco I picked up recently is OK (just over $1000 with tax), but when you compare the finish, material and craftsmanship on both, COLT will always come out as the winner. Norinco has cheap finish, rough low quality parts, cheap MAGs sometime won't lock action open after the last round, I use LAR-15 MAGs and MAGs from my COLT. (small little things here and here), but it shoots fine for now. IMO, I will keep the COLT forever, and Norinco is just my fun gun which I can use it, abuse it and I will not cry over if it breaks.
Seeing how this rifle will be your "go to" as well as your fun gun. Do not run anything shorter than 14.5 if you expect a high level of reliability. Shorter barrels have cycling issues, they rob the 223 cartridge of its ballistic and terminal performance and are ideally suited for confine space work. Unless you intend to do all your shooting indoors I would pass on the short barrels. The 14.5 is a rare beast these days and does not offer any significant advantages over the 16 when it comes to handling. The 2 inches of additional barrel and the additional 3 ounces of weight(I believe?) is a non issue. However, the 16 barrel will produce 94% of the velocity one would obtain with a 20 barrel. The increased ballistic/terminal performance, the fact that you COULD take it to the US and the increased availability make the 16 the choice to go with.
TDC
TDC
