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Posted: 11/5/2020 12:11:16 AM EDT
[#1]
Quoted: I’ve been eyeing the popular PSA 10.5” 5.56 with the 3”+ flash can and 12” handguard. I really like the looks. With further research I’ve decided that building my own upper with a 11.5” barrel, shorter flash can, and 12” handguard will heck the boxes looks wise by having the flash can partly under the handguard and have the advantage of better ballistics from the 11.5 barrel with no or minimal addition to the OAL. My question is 10.5” AR in 5.56 are notoriously loud and to some uncomfortable to shoot. Will an 11.5” barrel make a noticeable difference in this regard ? Thanks You are probably wearing ear pro so who cares. There are some arguments to be made about 11.5" being a bit more reliable than 10.5" (I remember reading something I think from BCM about it, dwell time, etc.) As far as loud the muzzle device has more say on that than the length I would think. Put a battlecomp or a lantac and get ready for your teeth to rattle. But either way, with 5.56 you'll make it. |
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Posted: 11/5/2020 12:55:18 AM EDT
[#2]
Eh, personally not a fan of flash can/ linear comps. I"d suggest a better muzzle device, like a SF Warcomp for instance. If you're going to build you could start with a Daniel or Criterion 11.5 barrel. Enjoy!
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Posted: 11/5/2020 1:45:03 AM EDT
[#3]
Ive got a DD Mk18 with a surefire brake on it.
The gun is almost always suppressed with a socom 556rc2 but the other day I decided to check POI shift and pulled the can to get some groups. Indoor range. Im really glad I had my mouth open or I would have broken teeth. So damn loud it was insane. MSA sordins did nothing, so loud it felt like I had no ear protection at all. As for reliability I have never had any issues. Great guns and I love the 10.3 but if I didnt have a can I would go longer myself. |
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Posted: 11/5/2020 8:07:57 AM EDT
[#4]
I have both the 10.5 inch barrels and the 11.5 inch barrels and I can't tell any difference. I only went with the longer barrel for a little higher bullet velocity. To be honest I just don't see, feel or hear a difference with the two barrel lenghts.
Paul Harrel does a test on the different AR15 barrels with 16 and a 10.5 . The 10.5 did well enough that I wouldn't expect to notice any difference in performance. I would just buy the 10.5 and be happy. |
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Posted: 11/5/2020 10:21:01 AM EDT
[#5]
I had a 10.5" 5.56 on a 12" rail (long flash can).
I ended up going to a 12.5" 5.56 with an A2. Pretty much the same overall length...but the action is far less violent (plus more velocity). |
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Posted: 11/5/2020 7:48:41 PM EDT
[#6]
Quoted: My question is 10.5” AR in 5.56 are notoriously loud and to some uncomfortable to shoot. Will an 11.5” barrel make a noticeable difference in this regard ? Thanks No. IME that doesn't start to be noticable in 5.56 until 14.5". This is from shooting 10.3", 10.5", 12.5", 14.5", 16", 18" and 20" barreled 5.56 ARs. This is assuming regular old A2 as the muzzle device and outdoors. Alternate muzzle devices and the more enclosed the area you shoot within will alter this. For example, a linear comp does push concussion, blast and sound away from you and works well outdoors, but is useless indoors, I have an STD (Simple Threaded Device) that showed me that. |
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Posted: 11/6/2020 6:23:21 AM EDT
[#7]
Acoustic signature is largely dependent on pressure the shorter the barrel the higher the pressure - longer barrel larger volume, additionally ignition of residual unburned gasses adds to the signature so upon uncorking a short barrel the combustion and consequent shock waves add to the acoustic signature. read the excellent paper by Dater and Wong is it may help to answer your questions. http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/barrel-length-studies-in-5-56mm-nato-weapons/ Regards, PeterNNH |
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Posted: 11/6/2020 6:28:39 AM EDT
[#8]
I have a 10.3 and an 11.3. I can't tell a difference. If I were to pick today I would go with a 10.3 because it's shorter, it is just as reliable, and the velocity difference just doesn't really make a difference. I really don't see much difference in velocity until I get to a 14.5 or longer barrel.
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Posted: 11/6/2020 11:01:52 AM EDT
[#9]
Going 11.5" is really beneficial if you are looking to get over 26" OAL. Extra inch, so can get there with an A5 buffer setup. 12.5" allows for any buffer tube/brace setup (minus folders, which is a no across the board). I personally have no reason to run a vertical grip on an AR pistol, so not as much as a concern for me... but I know some look down that route.
Both of my AR pistols are 11.5". I wanted a piston upper for my first pistol setup (eventually will be suppressed), and Adams Arms only did 11.5" uppers in their P1 line (was available, decent price, and didn't have their forend that I am not a fan of). Have no real reason against the 10.5", other than looks. My PSA Classic build is a 11.5", but more because I wanted a specific look. The guys in Heat didn't run 10.5" guns...  Main reason for that build, and just because.Sub-10.5", that is where you can run into more reliability issues. |
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Posted: 11/7/2020 1:49:54 AM EDT
[#10]
Thank you all for your input. I appreciate the time and effort.
Anyone have experience with the faxton Gunner 11.5 mid gas? |
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Posted: 11/8/2020 10:28:59 AM EDT
[#11]
The only difference I notice from my 10.3's vs. 11.5's is the little extra length on the handguard.
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Posted: 11/9/2020 8:02:07 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Thank you all for your input. I appreciate the time and effort. Anyone have experience with the faxton Gunner 11.5 mid gas? That’s the only barrel I’ve ever used that required an adjustable gas block to run suppressed |
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Posted: 11/9/2020 10:18:44 PM EDT
[#13]
I bought the exact item 3 weeks ago (PSA 10.5 with Flash Can). It kicks arse! I love it! To my senses, it's no louder than my former 16" AR15, very similar recoil, very similar consussive effect, it's an absolute pleasure to shoot! I in fact, sold my 16 inch AR15 after this purchase with zero regret.
 Attached File Attached File |
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Posted: 11/10/2020 10:33:33 AM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I had a 10.5" 5.56 on a 12" rail (long flash can). I ended up going to a 12.5" 5.56 with an A2. Pretty much the same overall length...but the action is far less violent (plus more velocity). Exactly what I was going to suggest. |
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Posted: 11/13/2020 4:22:28 PM EDT
[#15]
10.5 versus 11.5 is the same pointless argument as 14.5 versus 16". Some will mention the extra pressure, length, velocity, and make claims to reliability. In the real world it's not going to make or break anything. Buy the barrel that you want.
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Posted: 11/13/2020 6:32:50 PM EDT
[#16]
Reliability of the 10.5":
I have built 5 PSA 10.5" barreled pistol including the one you're looking at. I have never had an 11.5". My 10.5"s have been built and shot with carbine buffers, H1 buffers, and H2 buffers. All have worked flawlessly with 5.56 55 grain, 62 grain, and 77 grain loads. Whatever size PSA drills their gas hole, it just works. |
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Posted: 11/15/2020 10:51:14 AM EDT
[#17]
I went with 11.5" barrels on my two pistol ARs. To me, that extra length satisfies the 26" AOW issue and provides a little more velocity (RANGE).
Side benefit was that FN made a nice CHF 11.5" patrol upper that is fairly inexpensive (~$600). YMMV |
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Posted: 11/18/2020 5:30:42 PM EDT
[#18]
I would go with the 11.5 if you can find one. You will get a slight increase in velocity over a 10.5. You will actually have a little shorter OAL with the 11.5 vs the 10.5 with the setup you want to go with. The sound difference will be slight at best. The flash can will direct the blast forward that helps a little in reducing the sound to the shooter or anyone to either side of you. Either will recoil lightly as long as the parts are matched well.
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Posted: 11/18/2020 5:44:26 PM EDT
[#19]
In today's environment, get the one that's in stock.
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Posted: 11/19/2020 12:55:56 PM EDT
[#20]
11.3 because I can use my OPS AEM5 on it.
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Posted: 11/23/2020 8:08:07 AM EDT
[#21]
The 10.5 withe the flash can is a stupid setup. I sold mine and got an 11.5. Much better.
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Posted: 11/23/2020 9:47:44 AM EDT
[#22]
My BCM 11.5” is my favorite. I just have a birdcage on it for now and it’s no big deal to shoot indoors, I don’t really notice a difference between it and a 16”.
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Posted: 11/23/2020 10:10:11 AM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted: My BCM 11.5” is my favorite. I just have a birdcage on it for now and it’s no big deal to shoot indoors, I don’t really notice a difference between it and a 16”. I went with Smith Vortex FHs over the birdcage and it makes a big difference, well worth the $60. |
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Posted: 11/24/2020 8:30:04 PM EDT
[#24]
The only benefit of the 10.5" would be that it's shorter - if you're putting a 3" flash can on it, you lose the compact benefit. Go with a longer barrel if you want a 12" rail: either an 11.5" with mini linear comp, or a 12.5" with an A2 flash hider and call it good. I went with an 11.5" barrel and 10" handguard, and it's a lightweight & handy setup, even with a rail mounted light.
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Posted: 11/25/2020 2:08:36 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Thank you all for your input. I appreciate the time and effort. Anyone have experience with the faxton Gunner 11.5 mid gas? I just built a pistol (which may soon be a SBR depending on the ATF) with that barrel. I did go with an Adjustable Gas Block because I'm going to suppress it. Do not go with the Superlative Arms Gas Block because the adjustment screw will hit what ever muzzle device you use (ask me how I know). I like the barrel it is actually a very smooth shooter because of the mid-length gas tube. I bought DeadAirs three prong flash hider for three of my guns 14.7in 5.56 and a 16in 223Wylde plus the pistol because they will share the Nomad 30. I liked the Faxon barrel so much I bought one of their 16in 233Wylde ones for my next build. |
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Posted: 11/26/2020 11:04:42 AM EDT
[#26]
I have both 10.5 and 11.5. Don’t use the 10.5 much. It actually has a 22 kit in it right now.
The sound is the same basically with both but the 11.5 is a smoother operation and just seems to run better. Both are loud so I have a can in jail that will live on the 11.5 mainly |
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Posted: 11/30/2020 12:53:50 AM EDT
[#27]
As someone who’s used both barrel lengths extensively, go 12.5. It’s got great external performance the difference between 10.5 and 12.5 isn’t a whole lot size wise, but with a good 12.5 and a H1 or H2 buffer, you’d be hard pressed to find a nicer shooting gun.
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Posted: 12/2/2020 11:35:28 AM EDT
[#28]
I have the Faxon 11.5 gunner with a spikes barking spider 2 on it with an adjustable gas block.
Love it and the spider does a great job at directing the sound and concussion down range. I don't shoot indoors, but will shoot under cover and when shooting this and then my 14.5 criterion with a vg6 epsilon the difference is significant. |
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Posted: 12/2/2020 8:30:18 PM EDT
[#29]
The only tangible difference IMO (other then the obvious length difference), is the 11.5” provides 40% more dwell time than a 10.5” for a carbine length gas system, making the proper gas port size for the 11.5” less important from a reliability standpoint.
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Posted: 12/4/2020 10:16:53 AM EDT
[#30]
I've run 10.5, 11.5, and 12.5
Between them all I prefer the 12.5 the most for smoothness, less pressure, less noise, and velocity advantage (even if only a small amount). But they are in all realty very close in actual performance. With current availability being the biggest factor, get what ever you can and muzzle device it to the length you need. I like the 12.5 with a mini linear comp, but a 10.5 with a MI blast can like mine below works as well and still looks good. 
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Posted: 12/4/2020 10:37:05 AM EDT
[#31]
BTDT.
The flash cans are heavy. You'll build it, shoot it and then rebuild it to something without the flash can. Short rifles are loud. There's only one way to make them quieter. 
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Posted: 12/15/2020 4:26:47 PM EDT
[#32]
Form 1 a solvent trap. That's what I'm doing while I have a YHM Turbo 2 in jail for my 10.3 an 11.5 ARs. Wait times are supposed to be a lot shorter (I'll find out) than Form 4. Both 10.3 and 11.5 will be obnoxious. lol
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Posted: 12/16/2020 12:16:11 AM EDT
[#33]
My 12.5 SBR runs a Griffin Paladin brake, definitely loud. But I also have a Form 1 silencer that goes on it nicely. But that's not really what this thread is about. This is a pistol build and he's trying to figure out what will work well with that. I'm against doing anything longer than about a 11.5 on a pistol, past that goes firmly into SBR type builds which is a whole other subject (which I frankly love).
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Posted: 12/17/2020 3:05:59 AM EDT
[#34]
11.5 or 12.5 barrel is the way to go. 10.5 and 11.5 are the same when it comes to being insanely loud with a brake. Once you get to a 12.5 it seems to be less loud with a brake but still a bit miserable. I think a 12.5 with a BCM Compensator is the best you can get with anything in the 10.5-12.5 range if you aren't going to run a standard A2 type setup, 3-prong or something like a Warcomp.
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Posted: 12/19/2020 12:06:15 PM EDT
[#35]
10.5 or 11.5 is fine with a flash hider.
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Posted: 12/24/2020 2:35:38 PM EDT
[#36]
I went a different route because I had a pistol upper with a comp on it that was terribly loud. I picked up one of the KAK micro flash cans to try on a 10" barrel. Yes, 10" because I was trying to meet a length requirement. These cans are aluminum, so I don't expect much of it, but it really does help push the concussion and noise downrange when compared to a flash hider.
KAK Micro Flash Can |
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