3gun AR Barrel Length Choice

matteblack

matteblack

Member
Rating - 100%
9   0   0
Location
Abbotsford
Hey,

Building my first AR with the thoughts of competing in 3gun. Just wondering what the consensus is for barrel length. I dont feel that I want to go as long as 18", I like the look of 14.5" and I feel that is what I would want to build. I will not be top level competitve but just having fun.

The one consideration I am wondering about is travelling to the states to shoot. Is it worth going with a 16" barrel for the chance I go to the states to shoot? Or should I just build the 14.5" that I want.

And second part, is there a realistic different between a $150 barrel and a $400 barrel at this skill level?

Thanks in advance!

Matt
 
If you want a 14.5" then build it. Barrels are cheap enough you can swap one out to go the US if you want.

There's nothing uncompetitive about a 14.5" vs. an 18".
 
Is there a noticeable difference between 14.5" Carbine and 16" Mid when it comes to recoil?

I have no experience with this stuff so I can only go by misleading forum discussions lol and advice from people who have actually shot them.
 
Thanks for the input Jerry!

I have noticed a huge range of barrel pricing from several of our vendors. Some ranging from a $170 NEA barrel to a $419 DRD CHF FN made barrel.

Is it worth the extra money to pick up a higher priced, therefore presumably higher quality barrel?
 
I wouldn't spend the extra on a fancy barrel. I'd rather spend the difference on a case of ammo.

3 gun is a "good enough" game. You do not need a sub-MOA rifle, especially if you sacrifice reliability for accuracy. If you rifle shoots 2-3 MOA or better, you'll be fine.
 
Intending to shoot in states...either build 16.5 or 14.5 with a pinned muzzle brake.

Swapping to a 10.5, then sure, but swapping barrels for just those 2 inches, don't see the point.
 
If you have no ambition towards being competitive and are just in it for fun... It doesn't matter what you shoot.

If you intend to shoot in the US then you'll have to have something >16" in order to have it approved for temporary import.

That said... All the cool kids I know shoot 18".
 
TinkerBell said:
the lighter the gun the faster you can drive it.... i have used 10.3", 16" and 18"..... they all worked fine but man did that littlle ddmk18 really shread.
Click to expand...

I think there are diminishing returns as far as lightweight ar15s go. I am playing around with a 16" barrelled lightweight build at the moment, it comes in at 5.5 lbs...with red dot. I haven't been able to get a combo of muzzle brake/adjustable gas block/lightweight buffer combo that works to not make the muzzle jump around. I am going to add a pound or so of weight...to see if that helps.
 
Yeah, I'm leaning towards the 14.5" because its what I want and I dont know the likelihood of actually going to the states to shoot. Not to mention I would have to have a bunch of mags that I couldnt even own in canada for two of my guns to be competitive lol

I'm loving the input and discussion thus far. Thank you guys. I have read enough articles of the pros using 18-20" but I dont see them as practical in any sense for me.

Can anyone recommend a good barrel company or any to stay away from? So far it is

NEA 18" $229
Dlask 14.5 or 16" $168
CMMG 16" $240
LBE 16" $199
DRD 16" w/ gasblock and tube $419
Green Mountain 14.5" $209
Spikes 16" $307
Aero Precision 14.5" $260

If anyone has any other leads or ideas let me know! Or what are you using?
 
remember the pro's are in the usa where shoots out to 200 to as far as 700 are common, the "majority" of 3gun in canada is going to be cqb style with 90+% of the shots being under 50 yds..... long shots would only be 100-200 at the most and usually under 6 targets.
 
I like the gov profile 16 inch dd carbine with aimpoint and troy 13 inch rail. Very light and fast.dd barrels are great. Good trigger makes a big difference.
 
16 inch seems to be very common ,the 18 inch is too much unless your deep down south shooting 560 yard 10 second bonuses. I havent seen anything past 200 yards in canada, so a 10 inch would do that. Alot of 3 gunners have 2 rifles, i have 3 uppers an 18, 16 and 10.5.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom