Newbie question about 11.5" ARs

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I have been thinking about getting an 11.5 inch AR, or a 10 inch if they are reliable enough. I own a 14.5" M4gery and have used a 20" AR. I had no problems maintaining these rifles when following directions.

But I have heard that the <14.5" AR designs add more problems once you get below M4-type lengths. I am a civilian user of this rifle and am familiar with basic procedures. What reliability and maintainance issues would I be facing if I bought a shorter length?

Also, where do people like to buy good reliable 10-11.5 inch AR uppers here in Canada?
 
Shorter gas systems can be problematic to adjust properly. Shorter stroke can be harder on the firearm. Failure to feed/eject can be common unless the shorty is properly regulated. Switching over to an M-16 bolt/carrier set up may help to slow the action cycle, leading to less stress on the firearm and make for more reliable feeding/cycling. A heavier H2 buffer, etc... may also help for the same reasons. The heavier tungsten weights slows the cycle down and requires a greater transfer of kinetic energy that makes for a more reliable & less stressed firearm. Don't drill out the barrel to enlarge the gas port!
 
It does sound like there are some issues. As someone who only gets to the range twice a month right now, a shorty sounds like it needs more care. I might be better off just sticking with my M4 configuration.
 
well i cant say much about the technical part of it, but i've got a few 11.5 inch ar's and they work fantastic, i got an 11.5" from dlask it works really well. my armalites preform really good though armalite doesnt make 11.5" anymore.

rock river arms 10.5" inch, apparently they work extremly well.

but everyone still says 16" is the way to go...

cheers
 
Unregistered said:
It does sound like there are some issues. As someone who only gets to the range twice a month right now, a shorty sounds like it needs more care. I might be better off just sticking with my M4 configuration.
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I wouldn't worry about it. Drop in an M16 bolt & H2 buffer and you've got no worries! Many good quality shorty AR's often do not even need those items to run well, so I'd only look at investing in those if you do run into problems. Love my shorty ARs! Just finishing up another 11.5" build right now. Just waiting on, of all things, a front sight post and a few other small springs/detents for the front sight.
 
I shot my Armalite 11.5" barreled Colt A2 upper for years with a regular AR-15 bolt, regular carbine buffer and stock extractor and never had a problem. With the flash suppressor removed it gave a nice fireball at dusk... but I sold it in a moment of stupidity. Guess I will have to get another one of these days.
 
Hmm. Well, I already have an Armalite "M15" M4 with an AR-15 bolt (I assume it is an AR-15 bolt). Is there anywhere where I can order a Dlask/Armalite/RRA shorty upper? Maybe upper only (no bolt) if I can use my Armalite bolt?
 
Dlask Arms is a sponsoring dealer of CGN, check out their listings in the Dealer Exchange...they have pictures posted of their products. Mark, at Questar International, another CGN supporting dealer, carries the full line of RRA, however, not sure if he has any left-over shorty uppers. Recent changes to US export laws has seen the prohibition of most ARs with barrels under 16". However, some do get out. IIRC, there is an 11.5" upper for sale in the EE right now. Worth a look.
 
I have an RRA 16" mid-length (longer gas tube), and bought a 11.5" upper (without bolt group) from a CGNer here.

Worried about cycling, buffer weight, bolt carrier and head space a lot before I received it, but later I just dropped a new ordinary bolt group inside and started shooting it. Haven't experienced any issues yet.

To my surprise, the 11.5" barrel shoots as accurate as the 16" barrel at 100 meters. No difference in grouping.
 
How does a 10.5/11.5 shoot compared to a 14.5, 16, or 20 inch AR? My 14.5" is a little more jumpy and loud than I'd like, and has some muzzle flash, so I'm wondering just how bad it would be with a 10.5.

It's just that a 10.5 probably maneuvers so much better than a 14.5. Is the increased noise and blast worth it?
 
Unregistered said:
How does a 10.5/11.5 shoot compared to a 14.5, 16, or 20 inch AR? My 14.5" is a little more jumpy and loud than I'd like, and has some muzzle flash, so I'm wondering just how bad it would be with a 10.5.

It's just that a 10.5 probably maneuvers so much better than a 14.5. Is the increased noise and blast worth it?
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Assuming weight is about the same by the time you deck it out, the 10.5 isn't that much "jumpy". Even with my scope turned up to 4 power the dot movement isn't bad

Having said that you can put a Enidine hydraulic buffer in it . Only caveat is bolt will not lock back on some short barrel guns . Does a good job reducing felt recoil .

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=22351&title=AR-RESTOR?

As far as muzzle blast I guess its all relative. I shoot a 338Lapua and 30-378Wby with a brake so the muzzle blast of a 5.56 under my nose is not irritating. Some guys put a Noveske KX-3 on the end . It helps redirect the blast downrange and apparently helps with cycling the shorty barrels. I am not 100% sold on that because my gun cycled just fine without it

A properly set up 10.5 is reliable . My advise is buy a good 10.5 like a LMT upper . I have seen some home made / chopped 10.5s that are not reliable mainly because gas port was not opened up to the proper dimensions

If you have a good barrel then accuracy is no worse with a 10.5. The LMT chrome lined a suprisingly accurate. I have also used Noveske ( Pac Nor ) and WOA stainless . These two would be my first choice if you don't care about chrome lined.

I have had 1000+ through my 10.5s without a booble ( that was not related to magazine problem )

Here is some shorty ####

CopyofMRP1.jpg
 
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Secondhand info from friends in the sandbox here. 14.5" is as shortest that is considered reliable. The shorter the gas system, the shorter the reliability of the rifle. It just depends on what you conside "reliability". For plinking at the range, go ahead, don't rust you life to a shorty though.

Caveat, I'm a little biased against AR's anyway, 60 years and the Ak is the most reliable rifle around!
 
That LMT looks GREAT!!! The thing about 10.5s in the field is that I have read posts from operators who do use them and are confident in them. Though I have also read posts on AR15.com of even LMT 10.5s screwing up. The 10.5s are probably less reliable than a 14.5, but how much less? Maybe you need more skill to keep one running successfully in field conditions.
 
rollie100 said:
well i cant say much about the technical part of it, but i've got a few 11.5 inch ar's and they work fantastic, i got an 11.5" from dlask it works really well. my armalites preform really good though armalite doesnt make 11.5" anymore.

rock river arms 10.5" inch, apparently they work extremly well.

but everyone still says 16" is the way to go...

cheers
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Exactly.
I had ordered an armalite 11.5" from wolverine in the summer and at the time they were assembling them, however it was a 5 month waiting period for shipment. I paid for it and decided to wait, but they called me the next day and asked me if they could assemble me one from parts, only using an eagle arms lower and all the rest would be armalite.
I agreed and got it in the mail a couple weeks later.

700 rounds later and NO problems, not with the RRA 10 round pistol magazines. The 30/5 round mags that came with it were problematic with feeding.
Point being, if anyone is trashing AR's with barrels shorter than 14" most likely have used an AR that was poorly made.

The only thing my 11.5" suffers from compared to longer barrel length AR's is muzzle velocity :D
 
Brentn said:
Exactly.
I had ordered an armalite 11.5" from wolverine in the summer and at the time they were assembling them, however it was a 5 month waiting period for shipment. I paid for it and decided to wait, but they called me the next day and asked me if they could assemble me one from parts, only using an eagle arms lower and all the rest would be armalite.
I agreed and got it in the mail a couple weeks later.

700 rounds later and NO problems, not with the RRA 10 round pistol magazines. The 30/5 round mags that came with it were problematic with feeding.
Point being, if anyone is trashing AR's with barrels shorter than 14" most likely have used an AR that was poorly made.

The only thing my 11.5" suffers from compared to longer barrel length AR's is muzzle velocity :D
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Sounds a lot like my 11.5" FrankenAR. Eagle Arms lower (Armalite by another name) and Cerro upper. The only problems I've ever had with it were all mag-related (one particular 20/5 rounder will feed reliably but won't lock into the well when the bolt is forward)
 
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