So I've been looking for ar 11" or 12" midlength barrel for my used 7.5" Pistol but I can't find any anywhere.
Some one locally offered me a 10.5" midlength he says,, but thats not what I wanted. From my understanding a 12", even 11.5" is softer shooting than carbine length 10.5 and I've never heard 10.5 midlength at that. I'm running unsuppressed
shoot steel case alot&brass for hunts & never had issues so should I keep looking or go for this so called 10.5 midlength barrel. (Most likely it's carbine length so idk if I want that)

The whole purpose was to stay compact get a little better velocity and accuracy and replace the flashcan with a compensator& shroud combo that I already purchased.
My current setup is factory. 750 gas block and is probly over gassed. Should I stay away from xts gas block from academy  and go adjustable with odinworks or will it be fine for another harsh 3 years of shooting and hunting.

Thanks alot just joined and this is the first post so I hope I included everything ypu need to know. Have a great day.

I've got 2 identical uppers except one is 10.3 and one is 11.5 (DDM4V7S and DDM4V7P) and honestly I don't notice a shred of difference between them.

If I had to pick 1 I'd stick with 10.3 simply because it's just a hair shorter and with a suppressor maybe a little more handy.

Supposedly the ballistics from an 11.5 are better so if you're hunting or trying to reach out a little further that might be better but for me shooting steel generally all within 200 yards I notice no difference between them.

I could be wrong about this too but I believe the shortest barrel length for midlength gas would be 14.5 (or maybe 13.7?) So if you're looking at 10.3 and 11.5 I suspect those would be carbine gas.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong on that.

11.5 mid is good for 100% suppressed guns and 12.5 mid is great in general as long as you don’t want to shoot steel cases ammo—and you shouldn’t.

I find a carbine plus one gas system on an 11.5 to be a good setup.

I have a 12.5 mid gas complete upper from Micro MOA.

Wow ok cool.
Well this is the current situation.
Had cycling issues just recently and turns out the gas tube is broke and it's stuck in the gas block.
I really wanted add this muzzle break but it would disperse right at my c-grip area under the mlok so I wanted a little bit longer barrel.

So now my question Is? Is worth going from the 5.56 7.5" Pistol to 10.5  barrel &carbine gas system. Will it be a little bit softer shooting with the new muzzle break. Or should I just get the $20 gas block at academy and put it back together as is and call it a day. I've run into a group of hogs about 40 yards away and behind some trees but didn't ever consider rapid fire because the way it vertically recoils with the flashcan. So is it really an upgrade or will it be the same thing and just cost unnecessary money. I already bought the muzzle device and idk how to post pictures without that link.

Thanks again .

Well, your bullets will be much faster, so there is that. And the gun somewhat quieter.

Do it. BTDT with 7.5" - never again. Absolutely only advantage to a 7.5" .223/5.56 - is bag carry, or stowage on aircraft/boats. If you want short, go .300BLK (probably $4 a round by now, LOL). 100% - going to an 11.3" with an EFAB, was night and day compared to the 7.5" with a PWS CQB556 muzzle device (only one I've found to actually tame 7.5's *somewhat*). I'm actually in the process of re-barreling to 12.3". Never shot a 10.x", but it can't be too much different than an 11.x"

I've built and own a 7.5, 10.3, 10.5, 11.5, 14.5(pinned).  No way I'd shoot my 7.5 unsuppressed, the whole point of building it that short is to suppress it.  My 10.3 is my "go-to" rifle, suppressed of course.

BUT 300blk 10.5 suppressed w/220gr is what wet dreams are made of...

I have a 10.5" 5.56 pistol that I run suppressed with a Rarebreed FRT and it functions quite well. I don't think you'll notice much difference between how the two shoot.  I would go with the 10.5 for a more compact overall platform.






W/ Silencerco Omega 300

I shot a 7.5" one time. I hated it. Obnoxiously loud, huge flash, concussion bothered everyone with 20 feet. When I built my first 10.5" I went with the PWS CQB abd it was fantastic. It was just a bit MORE pleasant than my 16" 556 with VG6 brake. Shortest I would go with a 556 is 10.5" with some kind of effective blast reducing device. Anything shorter I really like 300blk out. I'm building an 8" one. The 10.5" suppressed is a very viable platform. Id pick just about anything over a 7.5" 556 gun.

Another possible issue with a 7.5" 5.56 is whether or not a suppressor manufacturer will warranty their cans on a barrel that short. YHM states not to use my M2 Phantom on anything shorter than 10.5".

I own two DD Mk18's and would be perfectly happy with another 2" in barrel length. I feel 10.3" is an absolute minimum barrel length. I built a 13.7" with a pinned and welded Surefire brake to reach 16" and I'm happy with it. It has the "look" of an SBR without the $200 tax and bureaucratic hoops.

If you can't negotiate your home using a 16" OAL you need more practice. Over 90% of our soldiers are using M4's and they measure just under 16" with the flash hider attached and they do just fine going house to house.

(Current pistol setup, new barrel, muzzle break, SRS)

I tried to order the 11.x" by faxxon with mid length gas but I couldn't find one any where, or the kak value line 12.5 mid length. So I ordered this cool looking tin plated spiral fluted 10.3 with carbine length gas port $199. Went to the gun show and picked these up, Armspec srs for $60 and this muzzle break and shroud for $50. Hopefully the srs works out well since im now seeing bad reviews of it breaking and jamming.

If you're going to go sbort, go short.

10.5" or 10.3" works just fine and is proven.

I would highly advise a suppressor or linear comp though.

As much as I like a 10.3" MK18 set up,  my 11.5" DD is smooth as butter, I really like it.....If I were to do another SBR, I would either go with the same length or a 12.5".....

As a side note, I think the nicest looking SBR is a KAC SR15 in 14.5" barrel length, there is just something about that URX4 handguard that has my attention.   If I knew I would not get roasted by the KAC gods, I would cut my Mod 2 down to 14.5" and P/W a FH.

Bronc

The URX4 is my favorite rail but don’t pin stuff to Mod 2s, you can’t get to the gas system.