iamkris
Member
Need some opinions and rationale on barrel length.
Unfortunately my mom passed away about a month ago. Our family doesn't have much but she did name my brother and I as beneficiaries of her rather meager insurance. Rather than pay a few bills with it or make a very small contribution to my family's investments, I've decided to use the funds to buy something to both give myself pleasure as well as something that will reasonably hold its investment value. I've already purchased a Finnish Luger, now it is time to get the Para FAL I've been pining for.
I will call DSA and order a Para FAL tomorrow morning. However, I was all decided on a 16-1/4" bbl but in the last couple of weeks I've been waffling towards an 18" because I've heard so many people complain about muzzle blast. I also know people have "religious" opinions about them. I already have a full sized StG58A and a M1A National Match, so I'm not looking for a full sized rifle. In fact, one of the key reasons I'm buying this rifle is for a very compact .308 carbine (also, I have plenty of M4-geries and folding stock AKM's so please don't suggest those).
Here's the pro/cons of 18" vs. 16-1/4" as I see them
18" Barrel - Pros
18" Barrel - Cons
16" Barrel - Pros
16" Barrel - Cons
The issue is that this rifle is being purchased primarily for compactness...not for maximizing velocity. Maybe it comes down to the muzzle blast? So -- two questions -- in your experience 1) is the muzzle blast SIGNIFICANTLY worse in a 16" than a 18" (as compared to a full sized rifle?) 2) is the velocity drop off SIGNIFICANTLY more in a 16" than a 18"?
Thanks in advance.
Unfortunately my mom passed away about a month ago. Our family doesn't have much but she did name my brother and I as beneficiaries of her rather meager insurance. Rather than pay a few bills with it or make a very small contribution to my family's investments, I've decided to use the funds to buy something to both give myself pleasure as well as something that will reasonably hold its investment value. I've already purchased a Finnish Luger, now it is time to get the Para FAL I've been pining for.
I will call DSA and order a Para FAL tomorrow morning. However, I was all decided on a 16-1/4" bbl but in the last couple of weeks I've been waffling towards an 18" because I've heard so many people complain about muzzle blast. I also know people have "religious" opinions about them. I already have a full sized StG58A and a M1A National Match, so I'm not looking for a full sized rifle. In fact, one of the key reasons I'm buying this rifle is for a very compact .308 carbine (also, I have plenty of M4-geries and folding stock AKM's so please don't suggest those).
Here's the pro/cons of 18" vs. 16-1/4" as I see them
18" Barrel - Pros
- Less muzzle blast than a 16" bbl
- Slightly (~50-100 fps??) more velocity than 16"
18" Barrel - Cons
- Less handy than 16" bbl
16" Barrel - Pros
- Super compact for the rifle type
16" Barrel - Cons
- More muzzle blast than 18"
- Less velocity than 18"
The issue is that this rifle is being purchased primarily for compactness...not for maximizing velocity. Maybe it comes down to the muzzle blast? So -- two questions -- in your experience 1) is the muzzle blast SIGNIFICANTLY worse in a 16" than a 18" (as compared to a full sized rifle?) 2) is the velocity drop off SIGNIFICANTLY more in a 16" than a 18"?
Thanks in advance.
Last edited: