newbie needs help. 14.5 or 16

[Zerodefect]

if you're putting a muzzle device on to make it 16", then just give it 16" of rifling and not waste the length. anything not rifled is just garbage

Because then with a A2 FH you end up with a 17" barrel. Who runs a plain barrel on a little carbine? There is definately a reason people spend $150 on a PWS 556. And it isn't (just) the cool factor.

The 14.5 with a perm FH is based on the idea that you are absolutely going to run a PWS556, Troy Battle comp, or similar anyways.

 

[boricua9mm]

I have a 16" and a 14.5 + pinned Phantom. I notice absolutely no difference in "noise" between the two. To think that would be discernible seems a little silly to me. When you get down to 11.5 they can be downright blasty and concussive even to the shooter, but 14.5 isn't what I would call "noisy." Even though it is only a 1.5 inch difference. I do notice a difference in how it handles and maneuvers in tighter spaces. Make it a lightweight barrel profile while you're at it and you'll notice a significant difference over a 16" Gov't profiled barrel.

The biggest and most often overlooked drawback of a pinned muzzle device is that eventually you will get enough carbon buildup to cause keyholing. When this happens, properly cleaning it up is going to require either removing the pinned device or using some very clever alchemy to get the carbon fouling out of it. It may take several thousand rounds before this becomes an issue, but it is something to consider nonetheless. Some muzzle devices will give you enough access to the crown to take care of fouling without removing it. Others will not.

 

[SlvrS3]

ideally i would make a 11.5 inch setup. Be able to stand by the river and unload rounds into empty beer bottles, then turn around and hit a quarter at 200 yards. Doesn't seem like THAT'S going to happen, so i thought a 14.5 inch setup was the closest thing.

and Brian, my 308 is more of a bench gun. its heavy as hell. almost too heavy to carry through the woods in any other way than on my back

 

[Sergeant Sabre]

Anybody who is saying a 14.5" barrel pinned to 16" doesn't make any sense when you can just have a full 16" barrel doesn't understand the question. My RRA LAR-15 with a supposed 16" barrel actually measures 17.25", measured from the bolt face to the end of the A2 flash hider. So having a 14.5" barrel pinned to 16" actually saves 1.25" of barrel.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Anybody who is saying a 14.5" barrel pinned to 16" doesn't make any sense when you can just have a full 16" barrel doesn't understand the question. My RRA LAR-15 with a supposed 16" barrel actually measures 17.25", measured from the bolt face to the end of the A2 flash hider. So having a 14.5" barrel pinned to 16" actually saves 1.25" of barrel.

What they're telling you is to run a 16" tube with NO FLASH HIDER, rather than a 14.5" with flash hider, because you'll have the same OAL with more barrel, hence higher velocity.

I don't think it's them not understanding the question so much as you not understanding the answer.

Unless you're really dead set on having a flash hider, it makes more sense to run 16" of actual barrel.

 

[-v-]

Honestly, for walking around in the woods, I doubt you will see or feel much difference between a 14.5 or 16" barrel. If you want a lighter rifle, look for pencil profile barrels, and see if you can snag a polymer lowers from Cav Arms. Otherwise, that 1.5" of steel isn't going to make a big enough weight saving to matter.

Conversely, 16" AR15's are a bit easier to find then 14.5 or 14.7" models, and should be a hair cheaper.

 

[Sergeant Sabre]

What they're telling you is to run a 16" tube with NO FLASH HIDER, rather than a 14.5" with flash hider, because you'll have the same OAL with more barrel, hence higher velocity.

For some reason, I never considered an AR with no flash-hider. Seems so "PC"...

 

[Sky]

I use a 14.5 with a big night scope; they were made for each other. As mentioned by others a 16" gives you a few more options with regards to muzzle devices and silencers.

 

[Zerodefect]

What they're telling you is to run a 16" tube with NO FLASH HIDER, rather than a 14.5" with flash hider, because you'll have the same OAL with more barrel, hence higher velocity.

I don't think it's them not understanding the question so much as you not understanding the answer.

Unless you're really dead set on having a flash hider, it makes more sense to run 16" of actual barrel.

No thanks. My carbines barrel hits the deck often. I like the extra inch and a half of flash hider that protects my crown. Not to mention the flash and extra recoil a bare barrel would have.

Also a 14.5 with a FH has less swing weight than a 16" with an A2 or even bare with no FH.

 

[RSVP2RIP]

As mentioned by others a 16" gives you a few more options with regards to muzzle devices and silencers.

Well chuck that right out the window, Illinois doesn't alllow silencers either. I have a 14.5 inch rifle with a Smith Vortex hider pinned and welded. There is no difference in noise or accuracy. And if you are using a BDC reticle in an optic, make sure it is for a 14.5 or 16 inch barrel. The Trijicon TA01NSN is designed for the M4 14.5 inch barrel and M855 ammunition only. Also, I think though you're gonna have a problem finding one that will do 1/2" groups at 200 yards. I not saying impossible, just improbable.

 

[SlvrS3]

i still have a little bit of time, i just got my lower today http://www.rguns.net/rifles/rifles-semiauto-ar15-lowers-556rguns-stripped.shtml
(Delaware Machinery Stripped Forged Lowers)

forged or billet, $65 bucks was a no brainer i got 3 LOL
and yes RSVP, damn state wont let us have any fun

 

[FMJMIKE]

I do not like the muzzle blast and flash of a 14.5" barrel. All of of my AR-15s have 16" barrels.

 

[BrokenSailor]

Ditto on 451's post. You will want a flash hider if you are shooting yotes at night. It will help keep your night vision intact.

 

[KW]

If you are planning on hiking around with a lot of weight (308 on your back) I'd make the gun as small and light as possible. That means 14.5" with a permed muzzle device to me. A 16" bare muzzle is a no-go IMO. The one I used to have back in the dark ages of the ban produced large 8" fireballs during the day, never mind in the dark. A good flash hider like a phantom or vortex will eliminate that, without the excessive noise and concussion that you get with most muzzle brakes. Also, the slight recoil reduction of a brake isn't going to be a factor in a hunting type situation. If the laws in your area don't allow for a flash hider, look at something like the Battle Comp as a less obnoxious muzzle brake option.

 

[TonyAngel]

It also depends on whether you're going to need to work on it. If this is going to be a build that you are going to put together and be done with it, then I'd go with the 14.5. The 1.5" of barrel won't make any difference at practical ranges and it makes the rifle a lot handier.

The one drawback, only in my mind, is that with a 14.5" barrel, you can't go with a rifle length handguard, unless you go free float. With a 16" barrel, you can put rifle length MOEs on the rifle by using a clamp on gas block.

In any case, I'd stay way from pencil barrels. There isn't much weight savings, because the only difference between a pencil and M4 is from the gas block forward and the pencil barrel will require the appropriate gas block. I think they look funny too.

 

[Sky]

I think they look funny too.[/QUOTE]

hahahahah vain today are we??!!! But alas I agree!