Need input on AR barrel length

Which short AR barrel do you prefer?

  • 10.5"

    Votes: 41 49.4%
  • 11.5"

    Votes: 20 24.1%
  • 12.5"

    Votes: 22 26.5%

  • Total voters
    83

Davy Crockett

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I'm planning a shorty build and I'm having some trouble deciding which barrel length to run. The three options I'm considering are 10.5, 11.5 and 12.5.


From what I gather 10.5's seem to have more reliability issues than the 11.5, 12.5 will hold on to a bit more velocity.


What else is there to consider? Max range will be 200 yards, general range plinking and hopefully someday some carbine courses.


Hoping to get input from guys who have tried various uppers and which they preferred.
 
Twist rate would be a bigger concern instead of barrel length in those sizes.
 
You are splitting hairs. Not that that is bad, of course! I would be more concerned about the quality of the barrel than an inch or 2 here or there. As far as reliability goes, I run them all, from 7'' to 18'' on 14 different guns. My 7'' Rock River is as reliable as any of my longer guns, have put over 2000 rounds through it in one afternoon with no cleaning with zero stoppages. Have fun with the build.
 
since it gong to primarily for the more fun stuff and maxing out at 200yds, why not opt for a shorter barrel. get some good information and have fun.
 
I've got a 10.5 " and love it. I heard that it(may) have reiability issues when i bought it, but have had it to the range regularly and have had no issues at all. i Clean and lube it with Mpro7 and use graphite in the -20 to -30celcius temperatures... Been firing the factory remington 55 gr ammo mostly, so not sure how it would handle the reloads? I still want to buy one of the Norinco CqS BECAUSE IT JUST SEEMS LIKE SUCH A GOOD VALUE FOR THE PRICE.
 
I voted for 11.5" purely because I have one and I like the aesthetics. You'll hear about 10-10.5" guns not running well because of a lack of dwell time but I think this stigma exists because of poor quality barrels in the past or someone cutting down a longer barrel and not opening up the gas port. People who have well made 10.5" barrels such as LMT don't seem to suffer these same problems.
 
I run a few different lengths of barrels on my AR's and since acquiring a 10.5 for my MRP it hasn't left that upper except for cleaning, I really like that balance and compactability not that an inch or two would make that much of a difference at the range shooting paper
 
If you're shooting it as a fun gun in 5.56 NATO then it really doesn't matter. Buy yourself a reliable one from someone who knows what they're doing for reliability. IMHO if you're doing some serious work with a black rifle in 5.56 NATO then 16 or 20 inch works with that chambering. Anything shorter loses too much velocity to be effective. You'd be better off with something in a bigger heavier bullet with a short barrel. I'd like to try something in a .300 Whisper with a can. :D
 
Getting down to these lengths, I also think you are splitting hairs. Anyway, I have a 10.5” LMT, it has been perfectly reliable and is a blast to shoot. I believe quality of the build is important at this length…
 
Getting down to these lengths, I also think you are splitting hairs. Anyway, I have a 10.5” LMT, it has been perfectly reliable and is a blast to shoot. I believe quality of the build is important at this length…


Regardless of length it will be an NEA rifle, hopefully the quality is as good as expected.
 
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