Any regrets for going this route instead of 16" from the get go? Please give me your opinion. Thanks.

BTW, any recommendations on who to send the barrel to for pinning?

No.  Infact the only regret that I have regarding the 14.5/16 debate is not putting a 14.5 w/regular FH in a NFA Trust.  I keep saying that I want to do it, I just never get around to doing it.  For whatever reason, that pin is worth the hassle of the trust to me...



 

Nope love mine. Just make sure you get an extended muzzle break and not a regular. 14.5 requires an extended muzzle device to bring the OAL to 16".

Have this, works for me

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_124/631230_VooDoo_Innovations_Manimal_Flash_Hider.html&page=1

Send it to ADCO. I have 2 and thats enough for me. 16+ or SBR from here.

No regrets either.  I love it.  I know it's a minimal difference but compared to my 16" it feels more balanced.  I run a two piece Centurion Arms C4 free float rail so no issues with the pinned flash hider.  I sent mine to ADCO and went 14.7 so that they could use my standard A2 flash hider.

OP, I see you are in TX.. a Free state. Why not just spend a bit more and go the NFA route.

I shipped a barrel to get threaded to adco.. they do excellent work (and super quick compared to the bozo's in town - Austin, TX). Only issue was the shipping to adco (barrel only) was like $25 (insured). Then the return shipping was about the same.. Still cheaper in total then going local... But my point was I paid over 100 doing that.  

So, depending how much you are paying to pin this.. $200 is a small price to pay.

FYI, I went the Trust route with mine.. Used online documents to do it. Very cheap and easy to fill out. While I waited (and yes there is a long wait), I used a pistol buffer tube.

Anyway, figured I would give you that option. PM me if you have questions on the above (OR if you want Trust doc templates I used). If you are near Austin, TX... You can take the pistol buffer tube from me while you wait. I don't need it anymore.

Like mine. Used a pinned Smith Vortex to get over the 16" threshold.

Wow ours are very similar.
" />

choose your muzzle device wisely. I had a spikes dynacomp from another rifle so I took it off and had it pinned..... now I want a suppressor for it.... So Im going to have to ship it back out to ADCO (which is who you should send it to) and have it removed/ pin a new AAC brakeout onto it. Rifle shoots well, feels great.
its a midlength gas system by the way.
No regrets... except for that whole impatient thing and trying to save a dollar instead of planning ahead.