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?
14.5" or 16" barrel AR-15?
- Thread starter TacticalSpeed
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Corpral_Agarn
Member
16 for general use, 14.5 if you have something specific in mind
I 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.
bassjam
Member
I have a build with a 14.5", was looking to do a lightweight build for a HD gun without going the NFA route. I really like it, plus the 16" .22lr upper I built to match is nearly the same length.
I used a Faxon barrel, they have a small diameter flash hider pinned and welded on so you're not married to one gas block and it's NFA compliant.
https://www.righttobear.com/faxon-14-5-pencil-5-56-nato-mid-length-4150-qp-15a58m14npq-pfh3/
I used a Faxon barrel, they have a small diameter flash hider pinned and welded on so you're not married to one gas block and it's NFA compliant.
https://www.righttobear.com/faxon-14-5-pencil-5-56-nato-mid-length-4150-qp-15a58m14npq-pfh3/
Varminterror
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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.
If SBR is on the table, then 10.5” SBR is where I land.
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 14.5
That’s funny! With shorties, I prefer 11.5 over the 10.5 because I feel they do better at 300 yards.
I don’t find maneuvering in tight spaces with a 16 inch more difficult than with a 14.5.
All personal preference, of course.
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TacticalSpeed
member
SBR. 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
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TacticalSpeed
member
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 lol
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TacticalSpeed
member
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 lol
Riomouse911
Member
I 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.
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.
OP
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TacticalSpeed
member
Won't be pinning the FH regardless of what I go withI 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.
Don't want to deal w/the hassleherrwalther
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If 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.
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.
SBRs have stocks, so any length bbl will work as a pistol
sarduy
Member
If you have a 16” the 14.5” doesn’t offer much. However if you want to go shorter than 16”, I’ll recommend a 11.5” with a brace.
Take a look at the Aero Precision 11.5 and the 14.5 mid length. Both sweet sweet shooters. This is a side by side comparison
Top: CMMG 16.5 Carbine length
Middle: Aero Precision 14.5 Mid length
Bottom: Aero Precision 11.5 Carbine length
i find myself picking the 11.5 more often for carbine classes, cqb training and stuff, it’s easier to maneuver in and out of cars and door ways.
Take a look at the Aero Precision 11.5 and the 14.5 mid length. Both sweet sweet shooters. This is a side by side comparison
Top: CMMG 16.5 Carbine length
Middle: Aero Precision 14.5 Mid length
Bottom: Aero Precision 11.5 Carbine length
i find myself picking the 11.5 more often for carbine classes, cqb training and stuff, it’s easier to maneuver in and out of cars and door ways.
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Riomouse911
Member
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
. Stay safe.
Skylerbone
Member
There are a lot of ways to build with any barrel length to keep it compact. The world is your oyster, build something fun.
My 10 1/2” braced (SBM) build (was in progress) and daughter’s 16” with mini fixed stock.
My 10 1/2” braced (SBM) build (was in progress) and daughter’s 16” with mini fixed stock.
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TacticalSpeed
member
I could always slap a Sylvan folding adapter on it. Always looking for cool ways to waste money lol
herrwalther
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Hell if that is your goal, slap a DOLOS on it too. Make the thing really compact by taking the barrel out.
https://www.pantheonarms.com/
Zerodefect
member
14.5 and 16 are the same.
Build an 18, rifle gas, this time.
Build an 18, rifle gas, this time.
jmorris
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And with a can, it winds up being like the 16” again, just quieter and slower.
Varminterror
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Not if there’s a muzzle device on the 16, and not in muzzle velocity.
C-grunt
Member
Since you already have a 16 and several shorter ones why not try a 20 inch rifle? They are a smooth shooting gun. I dont think you will notice much difference between the 16 inch and a 14.5 inch. To me, any advantage a non pinned 14.5 has over a 16 inch is negated by the brace. I know the braces work well, but they arent as good as a stock.
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