Barrel lengths on AR15
- Thread starter bacardi
- Start date
Short barrels lose velocity and are louder. Can also be picky about ammo due the gas flow dynamics. The closer the gas hole is to the chamber the more reliability comes into question. The only good reason for a short barrel is to make cqb and vehicle manoeuvring easier. It also looks more tacti-cool.
Two different beasts. The main difference in terms of shooting is muzzle velocity, you'll get significantly more velocity at 16" long. The other difference will be recoil impulse and muzzle blast. With a short barrel, there is a sharper recoil impulse and less weight out front to keep the muzzle down. There is also more muzzle blast as the powder hasn't had time to fully expend its energy in the barrel. The longer sight radius on a longer barrel also provides more accuracy over longer ranges if you are using iron sights.
The advantages of a shorter barrel are in weight and maneuverability. If you are doing short range work and will be in and out of doorways and vehicles, then a shorter barrel is a huge advantage. If you are just going to the range and shooting from a bench, then a longer barrel is likely for you. There are also in between lengths of 11.5-14.5" that can give you advantages of both with less disadvantages.
The advantages of a shorter barrel are in weight and maneuverability. If you are doing short range work and will be in and out of doorways and vehicles, then a shorter barrel is a huge advantage. If you are just going to the range and shooting from a bench, then a longer barrel is likely for you. There are also in between lengths of 11.5-14.5" that can give you advantages of both with less disadvantages.
sithinside
Regular
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
Get both
Yup, only solution.
Get a good solid lower and get two different uppers. One under 10 inches and one over 14.5 inches.
I have one in 16" but it is a 22LR though. I am now interested in getting a 223.
I can't afford two new purchases right now, so I need more info to decide. They 10" look more tactical but I read they are low in velocity compare to longer barrel. Should I get the 14.5 then?
I can't afford two new purchases right now, so I need more info to decide. They 10" look more tactical but I read they are low in velocity compare to longer barrel. Should I get the 14.5 then?
sithinside
Regular
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
Everyone has an opinion about it, but from my research the most popular length seems to be 14.5 or 16 inches.
Now mainly that has to to with the fact of the tax stamp stuff in the US, they can get a 14.5" barrel and a permanently pinned muzzle break to get around the tax stamp and paperwork.
I still think most of the big boys run 14.5" barrels for 5.56, and 9" barrels for .300BLK.
Now mainly that has to to with the fact of the tax stamp stuff in the US, they can get a 14.5" barrel and a permanently pinned muzzle break to get around the tax stamp and paperwork.
I still think most of the big boys run 14.5" barrels for 5.56, and 9" barrels for .300BLK.
The first time I took my 7.5" AR to the range I was surprised that the recoil was so light. I have a KX3 on it, so no brake, and muzzle flip wasn't that bad, seemed to be more of a rearward push. Also if you have a device made to push the blast forward it isn't an issue, or at least wasn't for me on mine. I feel like my 14.5" AR recoils at least twice as sharply as my PDW.
The one I'm building now has a 10.5" barrel and I'm planning to put on an ATRS linear compensator (all ports forward). When I tried that same compensator on my 14.5 my shooting buddies could barely register it.
Athrun[Zaft
CGN Regular
- Location
- Oakville, Ontario
Less lethal for sure, shorter barrels mean less muzzle velocity, and a high projectile velocity is very important for .223/5.56 lethality. As for accuracy, a good rifle with either barrel will likely outperform it's shooter, so it's a bit of a moot point.
It's not like we will be using it to climb in and out of vehicels with it, or needing the lethal velocities. Shorties are cool!! But just because you don't need it for getting in an out of vehicels or for lethal velocities doesn't mean you can't want it or have it!! Get whatever you want!!
I don't think so - every single piece of paper I've shot at 200m or less with a 10 or less inch barrel has died a gruesome death.
If you're only going to run a single AR, 14.5-16" is definitely the sweet spot.
Having said that....I much prefer my 7.5".....just the most fun and ultra-badass plus the weight-distribution feels stellar.
Reliability is 100% and it rings the gong at 200 all day long.
Having said that....I much prefer my 7.5".....just the most fun and ultra-badass plus the weight-distribution feels stellar.
Reliability is 100% and it rings the gong at 200 all day long.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I want as short a barrel as is reasonably possible, and IMHO, 14.5" is about as short as is reasonable. My criteria is that I don't want to be able to move my support hand in front of the muzzle during any normal shooting exercise. With my rifle shouldered and squarely facing forward, my support hand comes about even with the muzzle, but it requires some minor contortions on my part to get it ahead of the muzzle. A handgun is a different proposition because both hands grip the gun in the same place, rather than one on the pistol grip and the other on the forend.
CBMS, because all ARs are resigtered, it makes no difference what the length of barrel is. My registration certificate says that my 14.5" AR is a rifle.
CBMS, because all ARs are resigtered, it makes no difference what the length of barrel is. My registration certificate says that my 14.5" AR is a rifle.
