16" vs 14.5" AR Barrels

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J-Dog

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I am about to purchase my first M4 type AR and am looking at the LMT Defender with a 16" barrel and a 14.5" CMMG upper with DPMS lower. I have looked all over the threads at ar15.com and was unable to find info on the pros and cons of the two barrel lengths. Anyone know what the major differences are between the two?
 
1.5"? ;)

OK, seriously? There's not much of a difference. The 14.5" requires a SBR tax stamp OR a permanently-attached muzzle device to take it up to 16". That will make it the same length as a naked 16", or about 1.5" shorter than a 16" with a muzzle device. The 16" will have a bit more velocity than a 14.5".

That's about it.

Mike
 
Oh, and if I had the choice between a 16" and a true SBR'ed 14.5" rifle, I would only get the true 14.5"-er if I had $100 bills coming out of my butt. If you're going to go SBR, you may as well go really short. If I was choosing between a 14.5" with permanent device or a 16" rifle, I would probably go 16"...you just have more flexibility in reference to muzzle devices.

Mike
 
I'm building a 14.5" SBR, but it won't be Form 1 length (going to have a much shorter upper that I am going to file with). I want to build a M-4 Clone with a M203. :D

But unless you plan to go whole hog I honestly don't suggest it.

Not me shooting, but this is my main SBR gun:
AR_Shooting_Med.jpg
 
I really can't see the need unless the cost is identical.
I would go for the midlength gas system no matter which barrel.
 
One can be bought in 5 minutes and the other takes weeks and tons of paperwork and red tape. Plus a small diff in velocity but not enough to matter.
-
 
Is the fact that the LMT has a CAR gas system going to be an issue down the road on the 16" barrel? Oh and the cost of the two rifles is exactly the same price, it's a deal at a shop here in Canada.
 
A mid length is more tollerant for ammo and more reliable for a broader ammo selection.
Unless the goal is to have something that looks identical to an M4 I really lean towards the mid lengths.
 
I recommend against the 14.5 because if you go SBR, you might as well go down to 12.5, and if you don't go SBR, the 16" is a lot more flexible since you can disassemble it later.
 
The difference (assuming you are not NFA papered/taxed) is the 14.5" has a welded on flash hider and the 16" is threaded so you can upgrade or swap it. Also, I don;t believe the 14.5" has enough room for the mid-length gas system.

I wouldn't worry about the CAR length system. That is what the M4 is designed with and used in full auto, so in semi-auto mode I can't see how that would be a problem. My first AR15 was a CAR and I never had any problems with the extraction or feeding . I only had a couple of thousand rounds through it, but it worked just fine.

For my next AR I am going to get another 16", and in mid-length if I can find a good deal. It is supposed to smooth out the bolt reciprocating, but I am not going to pay any sort of premium for it. You can also get heavier buffers to dampen the bolt, and get the slightly heavier full auto or M16 bolt.

If the best deal I can find is on a CAR then I will get that. If I can find a deal on both CAR and Middie then I will get the middie.
 
One can be bought in 5 minutes and the other takes weeks and tons of paperwork and red tape.
Click to expand...

Title II isn't no where nearly as hard to purchase as many people think. At least after the first one, all I have to do is submit two copies of form 1/4, and a copy of my Trust.
 
I wouldn't worry about the CAR length system. That is what the M4 is designed with and used in full auto, so in semi-auto mode I can't see how that would be a problem
Click to expand...

The M4 was also designed to fire a specific round. For someone looking to a wider variety of ammo type/loads I would recommend the middie.

As far as a deal, you can get a 16" carbine or middie for the exact same price.
 
The middie is practically an upside without a downside, btw. Assuming you're going 16", which is more practical, you may as well get a midlength. You get gentler cycling (less wear and tear on the gun), longer sight radius, and the absolutely crucial ability to mount a bayonet (har har), all for the cost of a smidge of weight.

Personally, I don't know why the CAR configuration remains as popular as it is, given the limitation of complying with the 16" limitation.

Mike
 
Guys, if you're shooting a .223, WHY?

Only way I'd go serious shorty would be with a 9mm or .45 barrel.
Click to expand...
Because a short .223 still beats the pants off of a pistol-caliber carbine. Especially if you slap a can on it.

Mike
 
If not for SBR laws, I would prefer the 14.5". But because of the money and work you'd have to spend to make it comparable, 16" is a better overall compromise, since you don't have to permanently attach the muzzle device on them.

My favorite AR15 (shhhh, don't tell the others) is a 14.5" barrel with a 1.5" phantom flash hider. I love the shorter length and maneuverability.

The 14.5" is obviously 1.5" shorter, and so you lose some velocity between the two.

Here is some velocity info for you to consider:

BallisticsAB.gif

Like others have said, if you are gonna SBR, might as well go a bit shorter than 14.5" though.
 
I got a 14.5" LMT and had a phantom pinned and welded on. I also have a mid-length Sabre 16". I like the 14.5" just because it is a bit shorter but noticeable. I never would change the flash hider so welding it isnt a problem for me.
 
Well, even with a can, they're noisy...

I _like_ pistol calibre shorty carbines... They're cuddly... Stick a big fat 8-10 MOA red dot on there, and you're good...

If something's 300 yards away, I wanna real rifle.
 
I recommend against the 14.5 because if you go SBR, you might as well go down to 12.5, and if you don't go SBR, the 16" is a lot more flexible since you can disassemble it later.
Click to expand...
I couldn't be more concise than that.

I got a 14.5" LMT and had a phantom pinned and welded on. I also have a mid-length Sabre 16". I like the 14.5" just because it is a bit shorter but noticeable. I never would change the flash hider so welding it isnt a problem for me.
Click to expand...
Its not the flash hider as much as when someone decides they want to change handguards or something down the road I think.
 
RockyMtnTactical If not for SBR laws, I would prefer the 14.5". But because of the money and work you'd have to spend to make it comparable, 16" is a better overall compromise, since you don't have to permanently attach the muzzle device on them.

My favorite AR15 (shhhh, don't tell the others) is a 14.5" barrel with a 1.5" phantom flash hider. I love the shorter length and maneuverability.

The 14.5" is obviously 1.5" shorter, and so you lose some velocity between the two.
Click to expand...

Wow, we agree on something, almost. Should read "14.5" barrel with a Vortex flash hider."

Anyway, the loss of velocity between a 14.5" and 16" barrel is negligible. I shoot my M4orgery for fun, and semi serious target work to 200 yards. I like the ergonomics/handling/ and yes, the appearance of the 14.5" over the 16".
 
I think we agree on more than either of us realize... Most of our arguments in the past have seemed to be more like misunderstandings than straight up disagreements from what I recall of them... but that's the past.
 
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