I am looking at starting my first build from a kit.  What's your opinion on a 16" CAR vs. a 16" Mid-Length CAR?

I am going to get a kit and I notice the mid-lenths aren't as as plentiful, as kits anyway.

It's said that a mid-length gas system doesn't send as much of a gas pulse back to the bolt carrier. Thus it is supposed to be less wear on the bolt buffer, spring, and butt stock tube.  A mid length may offer better accuracy with iron sights as the front site is a bit further down the barrel.  

I have a CAR and to tell you the truth I can't tell the difference in recoil or parts wear.  As for accuracy I can still get nice groups with iron sites at 200yds with the CAR setup.  I say get the CAR gas system as it's just as reliable as the Mid-length IMHO.  If wear or recoil is a consideration, you can always put a 9mm weighted buffer in your CAR stock in place of the standard CAR recoil buffer (that is if you're running a CAR/M4 stock and not a Rifle length stock/buffer).

The extra money you would spend on a mid-length bbl would be better spent on a free float tube for a CAR barrel.

Thanks.



As far as the "wear"- how many rounds are we talking before this would be a factor?

i'm a midlenght fan now...it just looks better than the 16in carbine

Midlenght here.  I think the short car stock just looks goofy on a 16" rifle.   I also like the larger sight radius.

I have both 16" CAR and a 16" mid-length CAR and I prefer my mid-length.

I like the more rail real estate of the mid-length which have more room for my tactical light and hand if I decide to grab the handguard.

The mid-length is also more reliable in cold weather conditions.

If you're building from a kit, you might want to go for the CAR for now and do the mid-length later on.

Good luck on your build.


I have the Operator Mid-Length barrel - thread link

The mid-length looks more balanced.

+1 Midlength

Midlength positives:  Looks better, longer sight radius

CAR positives:  cheaper

Midlength negatives:  Expensive

Car negatives:  ?

Get BOTH...

Now that its out of the way...

Midlength here.

After researching and comparing prices for months I found that the cost difference between the two is rather small given similar quality.

RRA midlength upper (chrome lined) $429-$449
M4 Stock $59-$62
Lower parts kit $49-$59

Total midlength "kit" cost $537-$570



Del-ton M4 Kit with chrome lining, M4 stock and lower parts kit $530

Del-ton Carbine Kit with chrome lining, M4 and lower parts kit $520

Not much of a difference for what (at least to me) feels like a smoother cycling system (midlength).

Quoted: As far as the "wear"- how many rounds are we talking before this would be a factor?

I'm not sure as I've never heard of anyone wearing out a bolt carrier tube or a bolt buffer on a CAR. My guess would be 8,000 to 10,000 rounds or more.  

If I were to get a CAR I would get a 14.5" barrel. If I wanted a 16" barrel I would get a mid-length. I just got a mid-length Sabre two days ago. Longer sight radius, longer gas system, more room to pile junk on the forend. I can't think of a good reason to not get a mid-length if you want a 16" barrel.

Quoted: I can't think of a good reason to not get a mid-length if you want a 16" barrel.

One reason would be weight. If you get a 16" Superlight weight CAR barrel your not luging around the extra weight of a HBAR, which most affordable Mid-length's BBL's are.  

Second why cut your feet-per-second with a 14.5" CAR BBL? Unless you pay the $200 Tax stamp the 14.5" BBL needs a perm flash hidder attached to bring it out to the legal 16". At least with a 16" CAR BBL you can change the flash hidder to any sytle you want any time you want + gain a few ft-per-sec.

I really think the Mid-length's and 14.5" CAR BBL's are really form/looks over function.

What is the midlength gas port size? CAR is smaller than rifle to reduce gas in the system. If midlength is in between, I don't see why CAR would be less reliable than midlength. While our soliders use short barrel CARs in the battle field, we sure can live with 16" CAR in the range.

Middy