gentlemen I need your opinion 11.5" or 16"

[mg4201]

I am building an xm177e2 clone right now and I am up in the air about the barrel. My choices are 11.5 inch barrel with a copy of the moderator on the end or a 16 inch barrel with the same moderator modified to slip over the barrel for the same look. thanks in advance and Merry Christmas.

 

[Runningfool]

I didn't think NEA made barrels in those lengths! j/k. Hope you have a merry Christmas as well.

 

[mg4201]

I didn't think NEA made barrels in those lengths! j/k. Hope you have a merry Christmas as well.

Nice one, happy shooting. But I wanted your opinion on the barrels.

 

[mrsmitty]

11.5"

 

[foxbat]

If you're going to have, effectively, the same over all length, then you might as well get the 16".
If the question is between 11.5" and 16", then go with the 11.5".
I have AR's from 7.5" to 18", and 99% of the time....i.e. 'runnin' and gunnin', then the handier length of the shorter barrel always wins the contest as to 'who gets to come out of the safe and play today'.
The velocity advantage of the longer barrel isn't required as the terminal ballistical advantage conveyed is moot when shooting paper

 

[Jäger1]

11.5" is awesome. People several lanes away have complained about the noise. I offer them tissues from my car.

 

[DILLIGAF]

11.5" is awesome. People several lanes away have complained about the noise. I offer them tissues from my car.

I just tell them to take up knitting if loud noises make them uncomfortable...

11.5 Rocks

 

[fenceline]

11.5" is awesome. People several lanes away have complained about the noise. I offer them tissues from my car.

11.5 are annoying. The only appropriate reply is to shoot next to them with my 7.5 hahahaha. Loud is better! Those 11.5s aren't loud enough.

 

[chrisward3]

Throw a muzzle brake on there that directs the concussion to the side...for that added effect. I recommend the MB556k if you can find one!

 

[DILLIGAF]

My 5M1 comp sure does the trick....

 

[Conte]

Question on my mind is if you'll be reloading for economy.

I have both lengths. Like them both. The 16" is more forgiving and cheaper to load for as the 11.5 needs a hotter more gassy load to cycle properly.
The 16" cycled everything I've fed it so far and will obviously give you more FPS for grain of powder.

Otherwise, I really like my 11.5 for off hand iron sight shooting as it's lighter. With my ATRS break on it, certain positions at my ranges covered shooting deck will reflect the concussion around in such a way that it punches you in back of the head, hah.

 

[andrew3081]

11.5"

 

[GunfighterAlpha]

16 if you're shooting past 200 yards

 

[Madness]

i have a 11.5 real fun for shooting indoors