11.5 inch barreled AR-15

[Bill2e]

I just do not understand why someone would want an AR-15 with an 11.5" barrel & a 4 1/2 permanatly attached Flash Hider to get to the Legal 16"

Why not just get a 16 inch barrel

Don't you lose some performance with the shorter barrel???

 

[Maverick223]

Don't you lose some performance with the shorter barrel?

Absolutely, quite a bit in fact. Need picture or link...I wanna see the stupidity for myself. I can understand the desire to SBR one...but not with a 4.5in. permanent flash suppressor.

 

[Bill2e]

Saw one today at the fun store & I just don't get it.

Bushmaster : Product ID: 44250 : MFG# BCWA3F 11.5/5 5: Bushmaster, Model A3 11.5 inch Carbine, .223 Remington/5.56 NATO Caliber, Semi-Automatic, 6 Position Telestock, A2 Front Sight, A3 Rear Sight and Removable Carry Handle, 11.5 inch Heavy Barrel with 5.5 inch Flash Suppressor, Black, BCWA3F11555

 

[Maverick223]

I still don't "get it", I would...but it would have to be a helluva deal. It actually doesn't look as stupid as I thought...but still sacrifices too much for my taste...and for what?

 

[DougW]

Someone will buy it. If I were to do an 11.5, I would do it as an SBR or pistol myself.

 

[Coronach]

Concur. The 11.5" with 4.5" FH is a downside without an upside. The only ways I would get one are:

1. it's a heck of a deal

2. I'm intending to remove the FH and make a legal SBR.

Mike

 

[MrCleanOK]

Coronach's option #2 is the only sensible reason for getting that.

 

[PTK]

I got an 11.5" upper for a pistol a while back, it silenced well. Still need to buy another one day and SBR it... I hated having to sell the thing! BCM bolt/carrier, BCM upper, chrome lined barrel, etc. It was beautiful.

 

[Maverick223]

The only ways I would get one are:

1. it's a heck of a deal

2. I'm intending to remove the FH and make a legal SBR.

Agreed...if you SBR it, or intend to later, it is a pretty good platform.

 

[GunTech]

The downside to the 11.5 is they aren't as reliable as the 14 incher. Not much barrel between the port and muzzle. The ultra short rifle seem like the one really arguable reason for a piston AR. A while back we had to convert a bunch of State Police select fire guns from 11.5 to 14 inches because they weren't reliable unless a suppressor was used.

And if you really must have that look, you can get a flash suppressor for a 16 inch barrel that covers the first 5 inches of barrel so it looks like a stubby barrel without the velocity loss.

 

[Zak Smith]

I have a Noveske 12" SBR upper and it runs great, wet or dry silenced or "loud."

 

[MoDerN_WarRioR]

And if you really must have that look, you can get a flash suppressor for a 16 inch barrel that covers the first 5 inches of barrel so it looks like a stubby barrel without the velocity loss.

I Bought one of these from Spike's Tact. and i love it! It gives it that suppressed look but it is still a true 16" barrel so it literally did not change the performance what so ever. It simply replaces the muzzle break and adds a nice effect.

I recommend this highly if someone is looking for a "Fake" Suppressor but doesn't want to jeopardize the velocity or accuracy of their gun. Dont go with a 11.5"... Its not worth it. PLUS it can be very temporary if you want and u dont have to weld it on!!!

 

[Old Jimmy]

You can talk about how stupid it is all you want, I built one because Colt made some like that during Vietnam [ model xm 177 ]and I wanted some like the ones issued when I was in. There is nothing wrong with them and mine shoots just fine with the 11.5 barrel. You can nitpick ANY gun but if you dont own one or have shot one then keep your opinions to yourself. Mine shoots right up there with my 16 inch Stag.

 

[Maverick223]

Colt made some like that during Vietnam

Nobody here said that Colt wasn't stupid...I'm an equal opportunity nitpicker.

 

[nwilliams]

Why not?

Looks like a Colt XM-177E2 which had a 11.5in barrel with long flash hider. Old Jimmy pointed out this is almost identical to the version used in Vietnam. Personally I would choose an XM-177E2 copy over your typical M4gery as far as looks are concerned. However if I were only concerned about getting the most out of my AR then I would just stick with the full size models and avoid the M4gery completely. The way I see it, for plinking and fun give me an XM-177E2 copy, for range and accuracy I'll take a traditional full length AR with 20in barrel.

Here's the Colt XM-177E2 SBR


Here's Bushmaster's civilian legal version....


Here's your typical M4gery....

 

[Old Jimmy]

Thats what I am talking about. I build to suit me and can care less what other people think. I have the M4gery but I like this style better. The same reason I am looking for parts to build a SP1...

 

[Maverick223]

Probably shoot plastic pistols too...

Yep, but my plastic and stainless pistol will still be going strong when that old dogleg has rusted away.

 

[Old Jimmy]

You keep thinking that. I wouldnt take 3 of the plastic whiz bang flavors of the month for any of my 1911's.Oh yeah, it's hogleg your thinking of...

 

[Bill2e]

You can talk about how stupid it is all you want, I built one because Colt made some like that during Vietnam [ model xm 177 ]and I wanted some like the ones issued when I was in. There is nothing wrong with them and mine shoots just fine with the 11.5 barrel. You can nitpick ANY gun but if you dont own one or have shot one then keep your opinions to yourself. Mine shoots right up there with my 16 inch Stag.

Ok I see your reason to build one and glad you enjoy your gun, but that still does not mean that the gun does not lose performance by cutting out 4.5" of riffled barrel.

I am not nitpicking your gun, so please don't tell me to what to do with my opinions.

I asked a question as to why someone why buy that type of gun. Obviously you had a reason that makes sense.

 

[Gordon]

These are absolutely reliable in my experience, AND cute and handy!
http://www.armstechltd.com/products.php?id=compak16

 

[Old Jimmy]

I was not talking about you Bill, I was talking to the guy who said they were stupid...

As far as the issue with performance issues it will shoot minute of bad guy out to 200 yards and if I need more than that I go to the M1a or the HK 91...

It gets more positive comments at the range than the M4gery and I have a 12 year old niece and 7 year old nephew that love it because it handles better for them because its not as barrel heavy...

 

[jerkface11]

The flashhider weighs a lot less than the barrel it replaced.

 

[1KPerDay]

They sure look cool, IMO

 

[Old Jimmy]

My Stag on top and Doublestar on the bottom...

 

[ktd]

From what I understand, the original Colt Commando XM177E2 had a ten inch barrel, then lengthened to 11.5 inch. Even then this length was found to produce too much blast and not gas balance very well, so they added the 4.5 inch flash hider/moderator. I am guessing they did this because the spec probably called for the shorter barrel, and just using a 16 inch barrel would have made too much sense, military procurement being what it is. More of an issue of the mil being not too smart rather than Colt. Other variations typically had a 16 inch barrel, or a properly configured gas tube setup for the short barrels.

I think Choate made a slipover 4.5 flashhider, it went over a 16 inch barrel, but most of it extended back over the barrel rather than forward, making it look like a Commando, but still having the 16 inch rifling. I always meant to set one up like this to have the cool XM177E2 look.

When they did the M4, I am guessing the 14.25 in barrel is the correct length to be able to use the bayonet with carbine length handguards, but I have not got around to testing theory this out.