Ar oal

[kel226]

What is the shortest version one can legally own in Canada under the restricted category? I'm not talking about sawing down the barrel or any mods, just from the factory upper.


Any preferences taking into account reliability:

 

[Suputin]

What is the shortest version one can legally own in Canada under the restricted category? I'm not talking about sawing down the barrel or any mods, just from the factory upper.

The following pertains to rifle caliber AR's, which are different from pistol caliber AR's cause they use a gas system.

I have seen a 5" AR run reasonably reliably. I have a 6.5" AR that runs very nicely.

When you get into pistol caliber AR's, any barrel length will run reliably because the gun operates on a blowback principle.

There is no minimum length for an AR barrel in the law. If you can get it to run, a 2" barrel would be legal. An AR is a rifle and not a pistol and so the 105mm law does not apply. Even in a pistol caliber, an AR is still classed as a rifle, although at that point it would be more correctly termed as a subgun.

You poll asks about the OAL of an AR. I think you will find it may be fairly difficult to get an entire AR rifle down to the limits you have listed. You question really pertains to the barrel length. Maybe you could correct the question to specify "AR Barrel Length".

 

[TDC]

Mid length or rifle length gas system for reliability. The 16" barrel produces velocities that are 94% that of a 20". To the best of my knowledge barrels 20" and more have a negative effect on accuracy. KevinB has the details on that one.

TDC

 

[P90Puma]

Some AR15 lowers are registered as pistols, so you have the same minimum length as regular pistols.

I like my 10.5, an 8" that I shot in the USA was MUCH MUCH MUCH louder.

 

[blaxsun]

There is no minimum length for an AR barrel in the law. If you can get it to run, a 2" barrel would be legal. An AR is a rifle and not a pistol and so the 105mm law does not apply. Even in a pistol caliber, an AR is still classed as a rifle, although at that point it would be more correctly termed as a subgun.

Regardless of barrel length, does the overall length still not need to be a minimum of 660mm though?
"Prohibited...rifles and shotguns that have been altered so that their barrel length is less than 457 mm (about 18 inches) or their overall length is less than 660 mm (about 26 inches); or

 

[Gothmog]

Regardless of barrel length, does the overall length still not need to be a minimum of 660mm though?
"Prohibited...rifles and shotguns that have been altered so that their barrel length is less than 457 mm (about 18 inches) or their overall length is less than 660 mm (about 26 inches); or

No, these guns have not been altered to achieve that barrel length. And I believe that the language used in that quote has be simplified from the original.

 

[blaxsun]

No, these guns have not been altered to achieve that barrel length. And I believe that the language used in that quote has be simplified from the original.

Yes, I am aware that there is a difference between a factory barrel less than 18" and modifying one to less than 18". I'm referring to overall length, which the CFC seems to indicate is a minimum of 660mm with any alteration (regardless of barrel length).

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/fs-fd/prohibited-prohibe-eng.htm

What firearms are prohibited?
The Criminal Code defines the following firearms as prohibited:
• rifles and shotguns that have been altered so that their barrel length is less than 457 mm (about 18 inches) or their overall length is less than 660 mm (about 26 inches); or

So my question is this: you take a 10.5" restricted AR that is longer than 660mm, replace the barrel with a 2" (legal) factory barrel - and the overall length drops below 660mm. Or you change the stock and it drops below 660mm. Is it still restricted or has it become prohibited?

 

[OZZ]

My two cents but I think a AR 15 or any gun for that matter cannot have a barrel length of less than 105mm without going into the prohib status.

AR 15 regardless if its a AR 15 pistol the minimum barrel length is 105mm, OAL means nothing to restricted and prohib guns.

 

[ESQ]

16in midlength or a rifle length gas system of appropriate barrel length.

 

[D_]

Lets keep this on track with what the OP wants. I believe you are curious on barrel length dependability? You should research different gas sytems. Rifle length is generally more dependable than shorter. Then you have piston types. Google it up.

 

[ESQ]

Yes. You can't talk about barrel length as the only variable. Gas system, port size, and barrel length must be matched to one another.

 

[jamiejaf]

For best performance with a .223 i'd go for a 16" with a regular carbine length gas system.
For a 9mm the shorter barrels work well with a blowback system.
The 16 " .223 carbines are better overall for accuracy.
The 9mm blowback pistols work flawlessly but is limited for range.

 

[smak_daddy]

I've always liked the balance of the 14.5" barrel.

 

[foxbat]

Performance becomes a bit of a moot point, as ARs in Canada are 'range only'.
I can see the point of a longer barrel on a unit used in Service Rifle, but as has been aptly demonstrated, even there, 'shorties' can still deliver the goods.

For 'runnin' and gunnin'...nothing beats the 10.5" barrel unit...love mine!
As far as reliability goes, as long as the the appropriate gas port size, buffer weight, etc., is used, there should be no significant differences either....
No question that the shorter gas systems are harder on the mechanical parts,but I can accept a 20% reduction in longevity of my bolt (cheap and easy to replace) for the (perceived) handling advantages of a shorter barrel.

Having said that, I would have no issue with being limited to a 14.5" or 16" unit ( I have and utilize both...I just prefer the 10.5")...
Just my $0.02 worth....

 

[NeitArms]

10.5" is by far my favorite.. Mine is chambered in .223 Wylde son you get and a chamber meant for .223/5.56 with increased pressure and velocity it really makes for a very accurate and dependable rifle. Excellent setup.