Short Barreled AR-15 (Not Really...just the type with Welded Flash Hider)

[AK Gun Man 88]

So I have been looking at barrels for my second AR-15. My first one is an early one (Triangular handguards, A1 buttstock w/o trapdoor, triangular charging handle, A1 slick side upper, and just waiting on chrome slick bolt carrier and Del-Ton 20" Lightweight barrel...then there will be pics). My next one I want to be a tacticool (not going to go NFA).

So the three barrels I've been eyeballing are XM177 clone (11.5 with perm welded 5.5 FH), 14.5 with perm welded Phanton Flash hider, or 16 " with slip over 5.5 FH.

I have seen some data where the FPS drops as barrel length decreases. I will probably only shoot 55 grainers.

Others have mentioned that the parts life decreases with shorter barrels.

Everyones' opinion please.

 

[Zerodefect]

I prefer 14.5" with a PWS 556 flash comp or a Troy battle comp pinned on.

Middy gas, for high performance use. Carbine gas, if you also want to use cheap ammo.

 

[madcratebuilder]

A pinned muzzle devise makes it difficult at best to change out hand guards, barrel nuts, front sight blocks. If you don't plan on changing any of these parts then pinned is fine, they can be removed but it requires machine tools. The 16" barrel with a threaded muzzle devise makes it easy to change configuration and you really don't notice the extra 1.5 inches.

I personally like short barrels, I have SBR and pistol lowers so I can play with barrels down to 6.5".

 

[gotigers]

Three are clamp on gas blockss that will work with a welded FH and most barrel nuts will slide over the FH. The YHM specter is a popular clamp on gas block for use with welded FHs.

I like the 14.5" and i like midlengths, but the 11.5 with a 5.5 FH is a very cool looking set up. Value down the road may not be worth it. A 14.5 will be easier to resale.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Velocity drops dramatically as barrels get shorter than 16". A short barrel with a perm'd muzzle device is basically advertising that you got it for looks and not to use. Maybe that's what you want, I dunno.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

Well he did say he wanted a tacticool gun so anything goes. IMO you would be better off with a 16" barrel with a removable flashhider so you aren't stuck with it in case you want to change it.

 

[AK Gun Man 88]

Any one have any experience with the slipover FH? How much additional weight are we talking? Is it noticeably different?

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

The XM177 clone looks cool! That's about it.
It's LOUD, it's got a short tube that doesn't develop great velocity, and the overall length is similar to a 14.5" or 16". It's also got a fair amount of flash despite that gargantuan flash hider.

 

[Dr.Rob]

You can get almost the same XM 177 look with the slipover flashhider and a 16 inch CAR barrel, without losing much velocity. (I run my 6920 with a slip-over for the XM look--the added weight up front is something I like.)

FYI the slipover made me have to re-adjust my sights a little.

 

[Autopistola]

How about a mid-length, 16" bbl plus a XM177 slip-over? That should get you close to that XM look with more velocity and less muzzle flash.

 

[wnycollector]

I prefer 14.5" with a PWS 556 flash comp...Middy gas, for high performance use.

+1 on this. I have a BCM 14.5 middy with a PWS FSC556. It is mated to a Cav Arms lower. This combo is super lightweight, accurate and just a really handy to shoot while on the move.

 

[jmorris]

If I am taking the speed hit that one gets with a SBR I expect it to be compact or at least the same length with a suppressor so I would give a thumbs down for a rifle that would add neither.