16'' 18'' and 20'' barreled ar-15

[sprice]

What balances the best out of the carbine and midlength forearm ar's? I want to get a midlength ar with 18'' barrel and collapsable stock, or should I get the full length one with 18'' barrel but while i'm there I might as well look into the 20'' inch one. Or should I just scrap it all and get a 16'' carbine length or midlength. I'm mostly concerned with what will be the most accurate but also handle well with a collapsable ctr stock. This will be an all around rifle. Used in this order: 1. plinking/ tactical training (just for fun, not serious tactical) 2. rabbits/ small game. 3. shtfk I guess, There is really only two reasons.


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[Mags]

Get a mid length gas system and 16 inch barrel and mount a low pro gas block with rifle length free float. I can hit 500 yards out without magnification with my 16 inch carbine gas system, rumor has it the mid length system will increase accuracy.

 

[sprice]

Does it handle better than the other lengths though? Is it the best compromise for accuracy for how it handles?

 

[DougW]

The bad part about your question is that you will eventually end up with all three! Ask me how I know!

I really like my 20"A2, but I compete with a 20" A3 with a 1.5X6 scope (old eyes). But, I relly like my M4'gery with the Aimpoint, CAS-V, tac light and tac sling, but then there is the 20" A3 with the TA31F ACOG......................

I can't descide. WAY TOO MANY CHOICES!!!!

And to top it off, there are 2 more stripped lowers in the safe. Maybe a SBR, or pistol, or....................

 

[Coronach]

Balance is very subjective, and barrel profile will matter as much as barrel length. A 20" pencil barrel will handle better (to me) better than a 16" HBAR. Handguard/gas system length doesn't matter as much as far as balance is concerned.

What I would do is decide what you want the rifle to do. Is this a close-in, stand-up fighting rifle? A moderate to long range tack-driver? A jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none do everything rifle?

To me, and this is just personal opinion, the AR in practical use shines as a carbine, and to me this means 16" and light. That's just me. If I were to go with a 16" barrel, I would absolutely go with a midlength gas system. It is an upside without a downside. Unless you go 14.5" SBR (or fixed FH) I see no point to building a rifle with carbine gas.

Mike

 

[Mags]

Welll once you add a flash hider your length will be increased by 1.5 to 2 inches depending on your flash hider model. I definetly find the 16 inch with a 2 inch flash hider and collapsible stock easier to maneuver than a 20 inch plus flash hider with or without a collapsible stock. The mid length gas system on the 16 inch model will help accuracy from a recoil standpoint. I have no experience with 18 inch barrels and don't know why any one would get an 18 inch barrel over a 20 inch if accuracy is your main goal.