20'' AR15: Advantages and Manufacturers?

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HGM22 said:
Fre 400-600 yard shots do-able with irons?
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FWIW, my standard range shooting is with a 14.5" barrel, A2 carry handle iron sights, and carbine gas at 400 yards.

My simple setup is very capable at that intermediate range, so a rifle-gas 20" barrel should only perform better at those ranges.
 
Quote:
Thanks for the replies guys. I'd like the rifle as a home defense/range gun. I'd stress reliability over accuracy.



You'll be wanting a Mini-14 if that's the case.

And yes, I also own a AR.
 
So, you need an HD AR15?

Easy. Go for a 14.5 (Middy or carbine, no matter) with a pinned compensator. Or, pay the tax and get the SBR.

I have two 20 inch Frankenguns, and I love them to death.
 
WinThePennant said:
So, you need an HD AR15?

Easy. Go for a 14.5 (Middy or carbine, no matter) with a pinned compensator. Or, pay the tax and get the SBR.

I have two 20 inch Frankenguns, and I love them to death.
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Or, if not a pinned compensator, get a pinned extended A2 flash suppressor.
 
I'm not sure if they are currently available, but I have an Armalite A2 National Match rifle, which is a stainless barreled 20" variant. Haven't seen Armalite mentioned yet.
 
There is definitely a lot of demand in my circles for 20 inchers. Both of my friends who are building ARs right now are wanting to build 20s. I think them shooting my PSA 20" gov't profile had something to do with it. :D
 
Leaving aside all the CQB urban terror stacked dynamic entry team rapid APC egress HALO waterborne assault stuff the 20 inch DI just shoots sublimely sweet. It really does make you think that if you can see it you can hit it, and do it again and again very very PDQ.
 
Just keep watching PSA. Stuff comes in and out of stock there and you just have to be there with money when it's in stock.
 
A 20 inch rifle is great. Its a bit more cumbersome than a carbine indoors but its certainly doable. Also the rifle tends to be more reliable than the carbine. On another website there is a guy who works for USMC command and stated that when they tested the A4 vs M4 the A4 proved to be the more reliable system.
 
HGM22 said:
From reading about the 20'' barrel vs. the 16'', it appears the main advantages are increased sight radius and velocity. Velocity, in turn, increases long distance accuracy by giving the bullet less time to get blown around. Are there any other advantages? Are 400-600 yard shots do-able with irons? Doesn't the Marine Corps qualify at 500 yards (if so, are they using 62gr ammo?)?

I like the Colt A4 but it is a little pricey. Stag makes an A2 but I'd really prefer a 1:7 twist. Anyone else make a 20'' A2 or A4 AR, preferably with 1:7 twist (uppers ok; I can always build the lower)?

Finally, what are the differences between the A2 and A4?
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Unless you plan on running 80gr VLD's, there's no real advantage to a 1 in 7 over 1 in 9 twist. 68-69gr HPBT match bullets stabilize fine out of 20" 1 in 9 barrels, and do quite well out to 500-600 yards.
 
That is if it is a true 1 in 9 twist. My Colt HBAR was marked 1in 9, but was really a 1 in 9.5 which didn't handle the 69 grain very well. 64 grain was about the limit. You just don't know unless you test when you buy, or get lucky and get a 1 to 8.5 or 1 in 9.
You really should have a 1 in 8 or faster for 69 gr and above. If I was to buy a 20" again which I will, it will be a 1 in 9, and I will stick with 55 grain bullets. Which in hind sight was my best AR15 experience as far as accuracy and effectiveness on game. If I wanted to shoot 69 or above the I would go 1 in 8 twist in a 20 inch barrel as a good compromise.
The 1 in 7 I have now shoots 55 grain bullets good, but shoots 65 to 77 grain better.
My point being just because it is marked 1 in 9 doesn't mean it is spot non a 1 in 9 twist. Expect a .5" +/- variance which will make a difference in what bullet it likes.
 
Eb1 said:
That is if it is a true 1 in 9 twist. My Colt HBAR was marked 1in 9, but was really a 1 in 9.5 which didn't handle the 69 grain very well. 64 grain was about the limit. You just don't know unless you test when you buy, or get lucky and get a 1 to 8.5 or 1 in 9.
You really should have a 1 in 8 or faster for 69 gr and above. If I was to buy a 20" again which I will, it will be a 1 in 9, and I will stick with 55 grain bullets. Which in hind sight was my best AR15 experience as far as accuracy and effectiveness on game. If I wanted to shoot 69 or above the I would go 1 in 8 twist in a 20 inch barrel as a good compromise.
The 1 in 7 I have now shoots 55 grain bullets good, but shoots 65 to 77 grain better.
My point being just because it is marked 1 in 9 doesn't mean it is spot non a 1 in 9 twist. Expect a .5" +/- variance which will make a difference in what bullet it likes.
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That is also true, each rifle is slightly different.

I have a rifle that is supposed to be a 1 in 10 twist, but it stabilizes 68 grainers quite well, so I suspect it is slightly faster than 1 in 10. It all depends on what you plan on doing with it.

All I'm saying is don't turn down a rifle just because it doesn't have a 1 in 7 twist. Think of that specific twist rate as a feature that you may or may not find useful. Determine if you will need that certain feature and base your purchase off that. Also keep in mind that it is easy to change out an AR barrel down the road.
 
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