Question on LE/Mil/Preban 14.5 and 20" AR-15 barrels

[BerettaNut92]

Are the military 14.5 and 20" barrels the length of the actual barrel before or after the flash hider? In other words, is the LE/mil 20" barrel on an M-16A2 the same as a post-ban or does it have an extra inch for the hider? Likewise are the military 14.5" M4 barrels really end up at 15.5"?

 

[Hkmp5sd]

The threaded barrels are measured to the end of the barrel/threads w/o the flash suppressor attached. The standard A1/A2s have 20" barrels. The M4 has a 14.5" barrel, at least the Bushmaster upper I have does. The post-bans are measured the same way, to the end of the physical barrel.

On some guns, they add a permanently attached flash suppressor or muzzle break to get the barrel to the 16" length required for non-NFA firearms.

 

[j.wise]

In other words, my LE AR-15 has a longer OAL than my post-ban AR with a permanent AK brake. My postban's barrel is only 14.5" without the AK brake, whereas the LE AR's barrel is a full 16" without the birdcage.

Of course, with the collapsable stock, the OAL on the LE carbine is a lot shorter at times. But that's a different issue all-together.

 

[Harry Tuttle]

civilians get their barrels measured via a stick down the bore clear to the boltface

a permanently afixed muzzel device is included in the measurement

 

[QuarterBoreGunner]

a permanently afixed muzzel device is included in the measurement

Yup. My preban Bushy has their 14.5" M4 profile barrel with a permanently attached A2 type flash suppressor, for a total of 16"... barely. The post-ban 16" barrels I have seen are a true 16" from muzzle to bolt face. So adding a muzzle brake would get you something like 17" or so.

I could have gone for one of their 11" barrels with the 5.5" perm flash suppressor, but couldn't see the point of only having 11" of rifling.

 

[Schiessuebung]

I could have gone for one of their 11" barrels with the 5.5" perm flash suppressor, but couldn't see the point of only having 11" of rifling.

It's louder