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Posted: 1/20/2015 12:23:45 AM EDT
[#1]
when 95% of armed engagements take place at well under 50yds 16" to 10.5 will do for sure, I dont have an SBR so I just go as short as legally possible 14.5/phantom and 14.7/A2 hider will both give a leagl 16" overall.
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Posted: 1/20/2015 12:24:29 AM EDT
[#2]
I'd say a 14.5 for that purpose but if you're not going the NFA route the permanently attached flash hider presents its own challenges if you ever want to say change the gas block. If you want a low profile block make sure you buy it installed.
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Posted: 1/20/2015 12:30:41 AM EDT
[#3]
Sorry ... I should have mentioned that I will probably never build anything shorter. I do not have a desire for a SBR and doubt that will change.
I may, however, be caught with an 18" barrel something or other somewhere down the road. 
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Posted: 1/20/2015 12:54:13 AM EDT
[#4]
Just a thought: a 16" barrel with a target crown (i.e. no muzzle device) will be the same length as a 14.5" barrel with a pinned-on flash hider. At least then, you'll still be able to swap out gas blocks, fore-ends, etc.
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Posted: 1/20/2015 1:10:01 AM EDT
[#5]
Go with a 16", because chances are at some point you will want to change the rail, gas block, or muzzle device. The extra 1.5" really isn't that bad.
My first AR was a pinned 14.5" and I quickly came to the realization that I wanted to make changes and try other things. Now all my rifles are SBRs so I don't have to worry about pinning. |
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Posted: 1/20/2015 2:04:40 AM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Go with a 16", because chances are at some point you will want to change the rail, gas block, or muzzle device. The extra 1.5" really isn't that bad. My first AR was a pinned 14.5" and I quickly came to the realization that I wanted to make changes and try other things. Now all my rifles are SBRs so I don't have to worry about pinning. Absolutely true. 16 inches is a great general purpose length and you likely won't notice a difference in maneuverability. |
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Posted: 1/20/2015 2:34:50 AM EDT
[#7]
If I had to do it over again, I would have gone with a pinned 14.7". Mine is a 16" middy, and it's fine. For mostly outdoor usage, 16" has the advantage of longer range while maintaining fragmentation velocity. But the point of an M4 is to be handy and a light weight 14.7" with a skinny barrel and carbine gas system would do that well. Don't worry about not being able to change the FH or gas block - who cares.
But if you want an 18" BBL in a <14.5" bbl sized package, might I suggest the awesomeness of the: 
Which is what I eventually ended up graduating to. |
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Posted: 1/20/2015 2:44:08 AM EDT
[#8]
Voodoo Manimal is an extended birdcage type FH that will get a 14.5 to 16 and still allow changing gas blocks, barrel nuts, and rails on .750 barrels. An option to keep in mind.
Personally I'd get the 16, then when I have had enough play time to figure out what I like and get something a bit longer for another option I'd cut and pin it to 14.5 That's really how my collection has ended up. It's all 14.5 or less SBRs and some 18s and 20s. I've only got one true blue 16 left sitting around, and that's what it mostly does. |
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Posted: 1/20/2015 8:12:42 AM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Absolutely true. 16 inches is a great general purpose length and you likely won't notice a difference in maneuverability. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Go with a 16", because chances are at some point you will want to change the rail, gas block, or muzzle device. The extra 1.5" really isn't that bad. My first AR was a pinned 14.5" and I quickly came to the realization that I wanted to make changes and try other things. Now all my rifles are SBRs so I don't have to worry about pinning. Absolutely true. 16 inches is a great general purpose length and you likely won't notice a difference in maneuverability. Agree 100%. PITA to change out the FH on a 14.5 that is pinned. |
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Posted: 1/20/2015 9:17:26 AM EDT
[#10]
Well, I can't imagine the average 'AR for HD' user noticing a difference between 14.5" and 16" (or rather 16.5" vs 17.5 or vs a 16.5" SBR (lol)).
The turn on to 14.5" to me is that it's closer to the original design (gas system length, buffer set up, etc). I won't gain anything in a go-to with a 1x optic with the added velocity from 1.5", so why bother with the added length? Just my .02, but go 14.5 pinned. And even a rifle has far fewer restrictions than an NFA gun. A pistol, even fewer. (In the Free States) |
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Posted: 1/20/2015 11:27:51 AM EDT
[#11]
10.5" SBR
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