Theoretical AR-Upper question

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Eightball

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Lately, I've been thinking about possibly replacing my upper on my AR. I love it, don't get me wrong, but you know how ARs go. Anyhow, lately I was wondering about possible AR setups, and I realized that I really like a midlength gas system (in my experience, much better shooting and gentler than a CAR type), and a 16" barrel, but like a rifle-length sight radius. Now, this got me thinking "well, why not get a CMMG middy upper with a Dissipator-style location for the FSB?" Thought about it some more, and thought that it could be heavy and unweildy with that fixed FSB. So, I started to think "well, what if the 16" mid-length gas system bit could be done on an R4/Gov't Profile barrel to save some weight, and have a lightweight rifle-length quad rail (and flattop) so that I can pick my irons/BUIS, and still have them at the (IMO) better rifle-length sight radius?"

So, what does anyone else here think.....would the above amalgamation between a lightweight rifle-quad-rail-length, 16" middy gas system, "gov't" profile barrel be a good idea, or am I just looney? And does anyone make such a system?

(Intended use: most anything other than hunting, with possible hunting, maximum shooting distance being 300yds if I feel like going that far)

Thoughts?
 
I know you can get a 16" complete upper with rifle length quad rail handguards, from Larue Tactical, but they're pricey. Probably comes with carbine length gas system, though.

Del-ton might make something like what you describe, but dont know offhand.
 
CMMG makes a really nice lightweight barrel, but it doesn't come in a Dissy-style. You'd have to make that yourself, if you really wanted a fixed/pinned FSB.

Alternately, what I did was use the CMMG lightweight barrel coupled with a YHM rifle length float tube with a rail-mounted front BUIS. It worked REALLY well, and I love the look. It had all the practicality of a Dissy in an affordable and off-the-shelf float tube config.
 
Hey Rbernie, any chance you could post a picture of your rig?

And, where do you find the mid-length lightweight barrel on CMMG's site? Or did I just miss it?
 
You could order a mid length kit with a low profile gas block, then buy a rifle tube and install it. On second thought, I'm sure Del-ton or anyone else would assemble it for you, you'd just have to call them. M-aparts.com has a setup sort of similar, except they call theirs "the tube" and it has a 5.5" "reverse" flash hider and a full length tube, so the barrel looks fairly big in diameter. The whole idea of the "reverse" flash hider is pretty stupid in my opinion, as it adds weight and aesthetics, nothing else but it may be worth looking at for ideas.
 
Yeah, sounds like you want the following; rifle handguards or rails, midlength gas and a low-pro block, lightweight barrel. This is very doable.

My question is this: how much extra weight are you tacking on by making the rails go from midlength to rifle length? That is, literally, the only disadvantage I can see by going with a rifle-length rail and getting the rifle-length sight radius.

Mike
 
If it was a YHM lightweight rail, you'd gain 2.35 ounces going from the mid to the rifle length. The standard YHM forearms are 5 ounces difference.
 
If you have a generous budget, I'd also consider a 17" barrel with rifle-length gas system. For an inch more in barrel, you get the full rifle length gas system and full sight radius. Also since the only place I know to get these is from MSTN, you can be assured it will be a high-quality rifle in both the accuracy and reliability departments.

However, if I didn't have a $1500-$1700 budget, then the midlength gas with a lo-profile gas block, 13.2" rail* and rail-mounted front sight is the way I would go.

*Most rifle length rails are actually 12" and stop where the handguard caps would normally be on a rifle. So you get shorted a teensy-tiny bit on sight radius. A 13.2" rail gives you the exact same sight radius as the 20" barrel; and is already made by a couple of manufacturers.
 
Another thing about the CMMG barrel/any companies' barrel and my idea.....

....any of CMMG's barrels are only offered in a 1:7 twist. Does this midlength 16" gov't profile/lightweight/R4 style barrel exist in a 1:9?
 
i bought a 17" barrel with rifle-length gas on my super-light-weight AR build. it rocks. (1/7 twist, wylde chamber, 3" titanium compensator)
 
I'm not intending to constantly bump my own thread, but......

...was talking to a coworker earlier today, and he said "why not just ship out your upper and have a place turn your barrel for you (since it's a heavy profile barrel), rather than buy a barrel or an upper? All you'd have to do then is to get a different gas block and get the quad rail, and you'd be about there."

What would be the pros or cons of going about this with the method described above from my coworker, vs. just buying everything new?
 
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