TacticalSpeed
member
I already have a 16" barrel AR-15, but want to build another. However, now I am thinking maybe I should do 14.5" barrel instead.
Pros? Cons?
Pros? Cons?
I find the difference in velocity not enough to make a difference out to 300 or 400 yards. But I prefer the balance & handling of the pinned 14.5If comparing 16” barrel muzzle versus the same length as 14.5” P&W.... Strong favor to the 16”. If you’re carrying the length and weight, having the extra ~50-65fps makes more sense than having nothing.
If SBR is on the table, then 10.5” SBR is where I land.
SBR. Pistol brace will be on it so it'll be a pistol I suppose.SBR or pinned brake?
But I already have an 11.5" build coming up, a 10.5" 9mm AR that I love, a 7.5" barrel AR9 that, once back from FM, will hopefully be fixed & I plan to build a 7.5/8" barrel 5.56 and a 16" barrel 9mm lolI think 16" is the best balance between maneuverability, ballistic performance and lack of legal/NFA issues for most purposes. I personally wouldn't go shorter than that even for a dedicated home defense type setup because I just like the clarity of it being a rifle, but I understand why others choose to do so. I would have no qualms about going longer, though. I've been toying with a 6.5 Grendel build and I'll probably use a 20" barrel if I do it.
Already have an 11.5" build coming with a brace & plan to do a 7.5/8" barrel with a brace as well. Sucks I cannot put a stock on a 14.5", but at least I can have it. I will likely go with another 16" so I can put a stock on it, but 14.5" is tempting just b/c I have an addiction & don't have one lolNot worth jumping through the legal hoops for 1.5" less barrel. If I were going shorter than 16" I'd go with a 10" pistol AR and use an arm brace.
Won't be pinning the FH regardless of what I go with Don't want to deal w/the hassleI have each.
My 16” is a pencil barrel, the 14.5” has a phantom pinned on it and is an M4 profile.
In all honesty I really can’t tell much of a difference between them handling or shooting-wise.
If you don’t have a 14.5”, pin on a flash hider and give it a whirl.
Stay safe.
SBRs have stocks, so any length bbl will work as a pistolSBR. Pistol brace will be on it so it'll be a pistol I suppose.
I have an 11.5" upper already that is next up to build so 10.5" or 11.5" suggestions fall on deaf ears lol
I pinned it to stay away from the NFA rules on SBR’s, they’re a no go in Ca. .Won't be pinning the FH regardless of what I go with Don't want to deal w/the hassle
I could always slap a Sylvan folding adapter on it. Always looking for cool ways to waste money lolIf you already have a 16" you won't see much benefit building one in 14.5". Ballistics wise you are losing about 100FPS. At 5.56/.223 speeds that isn't very much. 14.5" as a build has legal loopholes around the SBR law that you have to contend with. Either by adding a brace for a pistol build or by going through the long form as a registered SBR and a stock. Length, weight, and balance you won't see much of an advantage with 1.5" less compared to a 16" build.
The long and short of it is, if you want another 5.56 but in a more compact form, just build an AR pistol while they are still legal. You have the weight and length savings you are looking for. No added SBR laws (right now) to contend with. FWIW I have a 16" and a 10.5" build. If I started another one it would be a long barrel over 20" for the velocity and range.
I could always slap a Sylvan folding adapter on it. Always looking for cool ways to waste money lol
If comparing 16” barrel muzzle versus the same length as 14.5” P&W.... Strong favor to the 16”. If you’re carrying the length and weight, having the extra ~50-65fps makes more sense than having nothing.
If SBR is on the table, then 10.5” SBR is where I land.
14.5 and 16 are the same.