Just wondering what experience guys have had with shorter barrels in DI AR's. Ive had 20" barrels and currently running a 16" but have always hesitated to go shorter. Moslty because ive been told of reliability issues with anything shorter then 16". What have guys experienced ? Any thoughts appreciated...
Short barrel AR's
- Thread starter Red_Mist
- Start date
quinnjoblow
CGN Regular
- Location
- East of Toronto
I have a 11.5 inch I just put together. No issues with reliability even with steel cased ammo. Nothing but standard vanilla AR15 parts anyone can get. Standard M4 feedramp upper and barrel extension.I don't know if that really helps with reliability.
Most of the manufacturers began to figure out the gas port sizes and the additional tension needed in the extractor spring about 6 or 7 years ago, some years after LMT had started cranking out their 10.5" CQBR commercially around 2003 ish. Stay away from SBRs made before 2005 ( other than LMT and Colt ) and you will be fine.
A lot of people use 223 chamber back in the days to "increase accuracy" because that was what people only cared back in the days. Unfortunately, that churned out a lot of unreliable ARs. When the sport exploded and high round count sports shooting was becoming the norm, shooting surplus 5.56 became the major usage of these rifles. A .223 chamber, incorrect gas port size and extraction spring tension for the long dwell time rifle system create a lot of issue for the commercial SBR.
A lot of people use 223 chamber back in the days to "increase accuracy" because that was what people only cared back in the days. Unfortunately, that churned out a lot of unreliable ARs. When the sport exploded and high round count sports shooting was becoming the norm, shooting surplus 5.56 became the major usage of these rifles. A .223 chamber, incorrect gas port size and extraction spring tension for the long dwell time rifle system create a lot of issue for the commercial SBR.
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Same here... One of my best rifles.... I really like the 10.5 length.
I also have a Nork 10.5 and an NEA 7.5.. So far they have given me 0 issues..fun little rifles..
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Same thing here. I have an LMT 10.5 for 3 years and absolutely trouble free.
Any SBR from a reputable manufacturer will be trouble free.
Some manufactures fit tighter than others, you shouldn't have any problems. I have heard NEA lowers may not fit some uppers but lots of guys post pics of theirs and state no issues. You will have to register it with the new barrel length or transport it disassembled. I bought a DD MK 18 upper and used a existing lower without issue. That being said my lower had a buffer that was made for SBRs. Only one way to find out!
I had built a 11.5" with one of the Questar barrel, never had a hickup. Sold that to buy a MK18 and never had an issue with that one neither. Both ran with carbine, heavy and H2 buffer, they are a little smoother with the heavier buffer but won't fail anyhow. The only thing that are not ideal IMHO a with a SBR greatly depends on your choice of muzzle device, they can get too much flash, loud or councussion. But truth be told, everybody needs one.
onetwentyish
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East Central AB (AKA Northern Texas)
Same here... One of my best rifles.... I really like the 10.5 length.
I also have a Nork 10.5 and an NEA 7.5.. So far they have given me 0 issues..fun little rifles..
Damn IT. Why do you have 2 of everything! It makes me so JEALOUS!
As another poster said, you may run multiple uppers while having just the one lower. The only thing you might want to switch out if you start running into reliability issues is your buffer and spring. While the standard carbine buffer can work just fine for most, going to a heavier H, H2 or even H3 may aid in enhancing the reliability of SBR with their necessarily abbreviated gas system and violent cyclical action. That can be hard on guns and may cause premature wear and tear. The heavier buffer slows this cycle down, helps tame recoil and eliminates short stroking and other failures common to SB ARs.
