AR-15 barrel length

[ryan9991]

Looking into a NEA-15 rifle, just consider what barrel length I should go for.

I like going the distance and reaching out to targets at longer ranges, so I want a long barrel. I would also like to carry, and preform drills with it, so I want a short barrel.

I was looking at their 10.5" CQB, 14.5" patrol (shorter rail), and 18" DMR

Not sure if I would want the 18" because of its weight and length, but I'm not sure about accuracy of a semi auto with a 10.5 or 14.5" barrel...
Only reason besides accuracy for a long barrel would be NR status, but that might be a few years away

Can you guys sound off? Maybe share what ranges you shoot at, and how accurate, with your barrel length.
R

 

[blaxsun]

I like lighter and shorter ARs, so for me 10.5-12.5" would be about it.

 

[TDC]

Looking into a NEA-15 rifle, just consider what barrel length I should go for.

I like going the distance and reaching out to targets at longer ranges, so I want a long barrel. I would also like to carry, and preform drills with it, so I want a short barrel.

I was looking at their 10.5" CQB, 14.5" patrol (shorter rail), and 18" DMR

Not sure if I would want the 18" because of its weight and length, but I'm not sure about accuracy of a semi auto with a 10.5 or 14.5" barrel...
Only reason besides accuracy for a long barrel would be NR status, but that might be a few years away

Can you guys sound off? Maybe share what ranges you shoot at, and how accurate, with your barrel length.
R

If you're interested in precision shooting with an AR rifle you will need to invest a significant amount of money, and build it from scratch. If you want a reasonably "precision" rifle that you can run and gun with in close as well, anything 16" or less will work. A 10/11/12" gun is more than capable of getting you out there accurately, shorter barrels are inherently more accurate due to rigidity. The ballistics won't be stellar but it can be done. I would suggest a 14.5" or 16" barrel. Short enough to swing with speed in close, and long enough to keep velocities high for those distance shots. What you need to realize is there is no "holy grail" perfect option. Everything is a compromise. Pick your length based on what type of shooting you will do the MOST.

As for NR status, don't hold your breathe...

TDC

 

[justinchow]

If you're interested in precision shooting with an AR rifle you will need to invest a significant amount of money, and build it from scratch. If you want a reasonably "precision" rifle that you can run and gun with in close as well, anything 16" or less will work. A 10/11/12" gun is more than capable of getting you out there accurately, shorter barrels are inherently more accurate due to rigidity. The ballistics won't be stellar but it can be done. I would suggest a 14.5" or 16" barrel. Short enough to swing with speed in close, and long enough to keep velocities high for those distance shots. What you need to realize is there is no "holy grail" perfect option. Everything is a compromise. Pick your length based on what type of shooting you will do the MOST.

As for NR status, don't hold your breathe...

TDC

Get a rifle that'll suit your needs/shooting style, if you don't know what you're going to use the rifle for, then 14.5"/16" would be the safest, since you can use it for CQB and SR Matches, of course at 400+ yrds you really need to have your shooting fundamentals down... but that goes with any length really.

Once you figure out what you want to do with your rifle, you can either mod it, sell it and get a new one, or just build another upper (or complete build). You have lots of options with ARs.

And yea, I wouldn't hold your breath on the NR status.... it's too scary looking of a rifle

 

[ShrtRnd]

12.5"-14.5" length is where I'm bouncing around in thought with my current build. Problem is blaxsun keeps posting that sweet LWRC of his & I want to mimic it in 300 AAC

 

[Bolivar]

If you are primarily going to be 300 yards or longer I would say go for the longer barrel to get more velocity and better wind drift characteristics. Other than than, go with the 14.5.

I really like my 20 inch barrel that I use for SR. I shoot it from 10 to 500 yards. I also would not hesitate to use my 14.5 in the same type of event of my 20 was not available.

Shorter barrels are stiffer compared to longer, given the same diameter. It is really a ration of length to diameter that determines the stiffness. You can have a long barrel that is just as stiff as a short one, but it has to be much thicker and consequently becomes too heavy to use eventually.