Dedicated AR upper for CQB and 3gun

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Salibas007

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Im looking to build a dedicated CQB upper for my AR and was trying to pick a barrel length to go with.

There are 2 schools of thought at works here. Short barrel that allows for better maneuvering and faster pistol/Rifle transition, while a longer barrel will allow for less felt recoil and a better long range accuracy.

I know most shooting is under 100 yards. So long range isn’t as much as issue. And recoil of a 223 is very manageable. So normally I’d lean towards a 10.5”. But my experience shooting a short barrel AR is limited to NEA. So not much to go by and definitely not as fun to shoot as my Colt 14.5” AR.

So there lies the question. Would a quality 10.5” upper build be enjoyable to shoot or will it always feel and thump like the NEA one ?
 
I don't think 10" ARs are a good answer.

I think the answer is a 16" AR with a nice barrel, short dwell time (long gas system for barrel length), good brake, lightweight BCG, and full length handguard. Or if any other length, I'd rather go longer (18") than shorter.

And I happen to have one of each, dedicated AR upper, very nice parts, for sale in the EE.
 
On a dedicated 3gun AR, I'd stick with 18". If you are looking for a 1 gun do all for both then a 16" would be where I would go. 10.5" are nice in a tactical room clearing course, but in CQB matches there are no walls as all movement on the range is straight forward and not side to side. On another note, if you ever plan on heading to the US for a match or course, the 10.5" barrelled guns will be a no no at the border .
 
rifleman338 said:
On a dedicated 3gun AR, I'd stick with 18". If you are looking for a 1 gun do all for both then a 16" would be where I would go. 10.5" are nice in a tactical room clearing course, but in CQB matches there are no walls as all movement on the range is straight forward and not side to side. On another note, if you ever plan on heading to the US for a match or course, the 10.5" barrelled guns will be a no no at the border .
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^^^ Exactly what he said.

16” or 14.5” with a pinned muzzle device would be the shortest I would go for 2/3 Gun also.

The 10.5 or 11” guns are fun toys for a while. I had one but sold it for a longer barreled rifle. A properly built 16” gun handles just as easy as a shortie for the games we play.
 
I like my 16" bbl'd AR for this game. It has a 12" forend which is just perfect for me when holding and positioning the rifle quickly from target to target. Also, the weight distribution works out just about perfect.
 
If you think you'll ever go to the USA to shoot a match... Keep it over 16"
Anything shorter you won't be allowed to bring across the border.
 
667 said:
If you think you'll ever go to the USA to shoot a match... Keep it over 16"
Anything shorter you won't be allowed to bring across the border.
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You're nowhere close to 16 inches and they still let you across!
;)
 
pauls said:
You're nowhere close to 16 inches and they still let you across!
;)
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How many times do I have to tell you...?

14o8u53.jpg
 
As the others have said 16" is a good compromise between maneuverable and ballistic retention. I was out shooting my 16" and 11.5" 223 ARs today. Both have lightweight parts and are tuned to be as soft as possible. The 16" shoots perfectly flat, like a 22lr. The 11.5, while I've done all I can, still has some muzzle climb, extra recoil from the extra gas exiting the barrel. If you are trying to prioritize short, go for 12.5-14.5", somewhere in there. If that's not an absolute need. Just go with 16".
 
More than anything else;
I think the ridiculous muzzle blast makes it a bit more difficult to shoot a shorty vs a normal 16" barrel.

The excessive noise and flames are something you need to get used to.
 
A lot of people in the US are going to 12.5 for 3 gun matches all the way out to 500 with palmetto state brace so they don't have to pay tax stamp. Others are running longer comps on 13.7s and shorter comps on 14.5 pinned and welded. Long barrels are slow and heavy, 6 pound ar 15's with 1 oz buffers,low mass bcg's and light optics are in. I've seen a lot of guys hit 500 yards with red dots 1 to 1 shots. If you plan on going down south, you will have to pin and weld to 16.1 inches. 14.5's with midlength gas systems are very soft shooting.
 
I am running a 14.5” now. And I like the length. I was just thinking a shorter barrel will be earlier to transition between a pistol and AR. I do plan on going stateside, and I guess ideally I should train and use a single upper and not have to change when I go to the states.

I guess I’ll pin and weld a flash hider to make the barrel 16.1” and go with it from there.

I’m presently running close to 7lbs with an eotech and a 3x magnifier. If I take off the magnifier (which I think I will do) I’ll be close to 6lbs 4oz. So I think maneuvering will not be a problem. Just have to work on my form
 
Ctscan said:
A lot of people in the US are going to 12.5 for 3 gun matches all the way out to 500 with palmetto state brace so they don't have to pay tax stamp. Others are running longer comps on 13.7s and shorter comps on 14.5 pinned and welded. Long barrels are slow and heavy, 6 pound ar 15's with 1 oz buffers,low mass bcg's and light optics are in. I've seen a lot of guys hit 500 yards with red dots 1 to 1 shots. If you plan on going down south, you will have to pin and weld to 16.1 inches. 14.5's with midlength gas systems are very soft shooting.
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I remember when Horner ran a 12" AR a few years back and everyone thought it was the end of the 18" AR barrel.

At last years Blue Ridge match, it was still all 18" guns.
 
A properly built lightweight 10.5 (or other shorty) has no equivalent (mine is 4lbs). I hit 4 pie plate targets at ~7ish yards so fast with mine (not using sights,point shooting) it takes me longer to verify the hits than it did to shoot them.

That being said, my 10.5 doesn't offer much in the way of benefit over my lightweight 14.5 (or a lightweight 16") unless you have arm mobility issues. The only real reason (IMO) to drop below a pinned/welded 14.5 or a 16" barrel is due to need. If you find the longer rifles too heavy to hold after a day, get the 10.5, otherwise get a lighter 14.5/16 and enjoy it.

* My 10.5 is as accurate as my 14.5 at 300 yards, but was 3x the cost (super light weight). Unless you have a need, the 14.5/16 will work as well.
 
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