I know this has been talked about over and over, but I wanted to discuss this again .  And, I need some input.  I have been going back and forth on what length barrel to get for my SBR upper.  A little background first…

I will mostly be running this one suppressed
I have 2 SBR lowers and another on the way
I am having my SCAR16 cut down to 10.5"

I was debating between a 10.5 and a 12.5.  I really like the 10.5 suppressed, but the 12.5 gives me a little more velocity.  Or, I have access to a 13" barrel.  I could even go to 14.5" I guess??  The argument that is made against not going through the headache of SBR process for 1.5" doesn't really apply here since I already have the SBR lowers.  I really wish I could shoot them both to know, but I don't have access to both.  This particular upper will be Noveske and I plan on using the Govanah on it.

Any ideas?  Suggestions?

ETA:  I think what I'm asking, is the 13" barrel a good option to throw on an SBR lower?

Check here for the latest discussion on your topic.

I say if you're going to go short, go short (10.3").

Others say go longer...since 14.5"/pinned doesn't cost you $200, I don't see the point in going short unless you're going all the way (10.3").

Choice is up to you.

Maybe I didn't explain it very well, but it's not going to cost me $200.  I already have a few SBR lowers.

I think I'm just trying to figure out if there is any downside to a 13" barrel with midlength gas system that I'm going to run suppressed.  Why do so many say they like the 12.5" length?

I decided to go ahead and get the 13".  I hope to try it out this weekend.  It has a midlength gas system so I'll compare it to my 10.3" upper.

Had a chance to shoot the two side-by-side?  I have an SBR in 300 Blackout, but I'm thinking about doing another SBR in 5.56 and am torn about what barrel length to go with.

I wrote up an article about SBRs in 5.56, talks about different barrel lengths from 10-13", feel free to check it out:

http://fortheloveofthegun.wordpress.com/

I was hoping to before shoulder surgery, but unfortunately I won't be shooting either for a while

Hey, that was a really good article.  If you don't mind, I would like to share that link.

Go for it. There are hours and hours of additional reading linked in there too.

14.5? Why bother? My fav is 11.5.

Isn't m855 a 62gr bullet?

Why bother with what?  Wouldn't it be handier than a 16"?

Yes, you found my 1 typo after I proof read it like 8 times...