Another good thing to keep in mind about SOME permanently attached muzzle devices (not all):
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=12&t=295343
You're not really trying to use an example of a hack job to somehow make a point that a 16" barrel is the better choice are you?
14.5 and 16 are just compromises.
Life is full of compromises. Hell many would argue the AR itself is a compromise but if you don't want to compromise, why set the limits at 11.5" and 20"? LMT makes a 10.5" upper that runs as well as any of the 11.5" uppers and if you truly want the most MV go all the way to a 24" barrel!
Saw no advantage to the 14.5 at all, especially vs the 16.
I have to tell you, I find that statement a little hard to believe. Not that I know that many people but I don't know of anybody who has handled and shot both and still feels there is no noticeable difference between the two. The 14.5" handles and balances much better. That's important to me but I can acknowledge that some people don't find that as important just as I don't find the MV difference between the 2 very important.
Had one, moved on down to 11.5. That way I can have a can on and still not be overly long.
I think we can bot agree that is not an option for everybody. Some simply can't because of legal issues in their state. Others do not want to have their lowers registered with the federal gov. and have to get permission to take them out of state. Others simply don't want to have to pay $200 tax for the "privilege" (+ another $200 if they get a suppressor too).
Honestly, I have given serious thought to getting an 11.5 AR. In fact, I'm on a waiting list for the Colt LE1033 (11.5" piston driven upper) but for the sake of this discussion I think we should stick to 14.5" vs. 16" as that is what the original poster asked about. As far as I see it, there are 3 main differences between them...
1. MV
2. OAL, balance and handling
3. The 14.5's legal need for a permanent muzzle attachment
For me and my purposes, the difference between the 2 for #1 is close enough to be meaningless AFAIC. #2 however is very important and I think #3 is not near as big of an issue as some make it out to be. Add that to the fact that the 14.5" is as short as I can go without a tax stamp or ridiculously long muzzle device and for me, that makes it a winner. YMMV