Barrel Length

10.5 vs 11.5

  • 10.5"

    Votes: 29 46.8%

  • 11.5"

    Votes: 33 53.2%
  • Total voters
    62
twistedbrilliance

twistedbrilliance

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So I have been wanting to build a compact AR. I wanted to go with the 7.5" barrel to keep it as short as possible, but I have heard they have a lot of reliability issues and can be super finicky. So I figured I would go with a 10.5 to sort of split the difference.
I have read lots that the 11.5 is a lot more reliable because of the longer dwell time. But thats getting longer than i had planned on going as I already have a 16"...
So whats the thoughts from you guys on 10.5 vs 11.5?

For barrels I was thinking either:
-Rainier Arms Select 10.5"
-BCM 11.5"
 
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Built a 10.5" myself. Heard of all kinds of reliability issues for anything under 11"... so I used nothing but quality components.
Zero problems, lots of fun to shoot on the move!

I'm running a f/a bcg, and spikes t3 buffer, but it worked just fine with a s/a bcg and H buffer.
 
twistedbrilliance said:
So I have been wanting to build a compact AR. I wanted to go with the 7.5" barrel to keep it as short as possible, but I have heard they have a lot of reliability issues and can be super finicky. So I figured I would go with a 10.5 to sort of split the difference.
I have read lots that the 11.5 is a lot more reliable because of the longer dwell time. But thats getting longer than i had planned on going as I already have a 16"...
So whats the thoughts from you guys on 10.5 vs 11.5?

For barrels I was thinking either:


-Rainier Arms Select 10.5"
-BCM 11.5"
Click to expand...

Funny, we have built a great many 7.5" to 11.5" barrels over the last several years and have not encountered any problems with reliability. Some of our 7.5s, 9.3's and 11.5s are running around over in the big sandbox and the operators have had NO problems at all. We must be doing something different.
 
Between the 2 the OP lists...11.5" BCM BFH...I had one but went with my PSA 10.5 CHF made by FN...
 
rivetc78 said:
I just opened the box of my first BCM purchase.

2 DVDs
A Hat
7 Stickers
5 Posters
Small bottle of Slip 2000

I rest my case.............
Click to expand...


What else was in the box? Rifle? upper?

Really sucks getting a few free extras with a rifle purchase doesn't it?

I'm definitely not going to argue that Stag is quality stuff as I run a Stag lower on one of my AR's and have no complaints but there is nothing wrong with BCM, they have been in the AR game for a while and are milspec so while you may pay a little extra due to the marketing and "in vogue" status they do make high end AR's as well.

I like the little extra's, I was a little disappointed when I bought my Desert Tactical 338 Lapua and spent over $7000 for the deployment kit and didn't even get a hat. My CF sniper trainer buddy gave me one a few months later but I though it would have been nice for it to have been included in the package. Maybe it was and the retailer snagged it prior to sale.


twistedbrilliance,
Just buy whatever you like the best, all barrel lengths can be made to run well if set up correctly.
There is a lot of info available to help you pick the right barrel, BCG, buffer and spring combo and if you do the research before you start buying parts you will end up with a reliable rifle no matter if you go with 7.5, 10.5 or 11.5 inch.
If you really want it done right call up ATRS and have them build you one or at least source the parts for you. They are very helpful and build really nice rifles. I have one of their barrels and it's very well done and very accurate.

Good luck
 
Velocity for me isn't important because it's a range gun. I bought a complete LMT 10.5" upper and the gun is 100% reliable. I like the SBR look

I think reliability problems in short AR is more a myth......if you buy from a reputable maker, the gun will work even if it's 7.5". The only down side is the noise and bast from short barrels AR.
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I bought an LMT complete rifle @ 10.5 five or six years ago, and have never had a single issue with it and I shoot almost exclusively reloads
 
I shoot a 20", 14.5", 10.5" and a 7.5". Have not found any reliability issues. But there are differences.

Both the 14.5 Norinco and the 7.5" NEA will cycle perfectly with grossly downloaded ammo. In my mind I am thinking they have larger gas ports.

I use this fact to make CQB ammo for them that is mild. Saves wear and tear on the guns and makes them a little more pleasant to shoot.

The converse of this is that full power ammo seems to slam the action around. If I was going to shoot a steady diet of factor ammo, I would look for a heavier buffer and or spring.

The 10.5 and 7.5 have a very loud bark that is bad for anyone shooting beside you.

Of the various lengths, I think the 10.5" is the best short one.
 
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