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Posted: 12/7/2003 5:42:49 PM EDT
Which do you prefer?
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Posted: 12/7/2003 5:54:02 PM EDT
[#1]
16" is hands down better for ballistics but 14.5" looks better [:D]
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Posted: 12/7/2003 5:57:28 PM EDT
[#2]
I like the lookof the 14.5 better - seems more balanced. But if you are shooting M193, you need all the barrel you can get, so I'd go 16" if I though I might need it for more than range duty and didn't want to shoot the 75 gr+ loads.
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Posted: 12/7/2003 6:01:27 PM EDT
[#3]
If it is clearing rooms or something similar, I want as short a possible, and the couple inches does matter to me. If it is not for CQB type work, the 16" is what I would want.
Much like everything else, the mission dictates the equipment. |
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Posted: 12/7/2003 6:05:40 PM EDT
[#4]
Does [i]anyone[/i] like the way the 16" barrel looks?
Is the slightly longer length THAT much of a ballistic improvement over the 14.5" Is the handling characteristics of 14.5" THAT much better than 16"? [:)] |
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Posted: 12/7/2003 6:22:52 PM EDT
[#5]
It all depends what you really want to do with the rifle and what the terrain is like in your AO.
If you are going to use your rifle for TSHTF use, but lived in a city or other area with dense veritation or obstructions that inhibit shots past 100 meters, than the 14.5" barrel will be fine. But if you live on a ranch or places with lots of open area and at ranges beyond150 meters, stick with the 16" or even better yet, a 20"er. the rifle that I am going to build soon (pre-ban) will have a 14.5" barrel with affixed phantom flash hider. I picked the 14.5" barrel over longer lengths under the premise that even though my area has lots of open space and farm lands with many fields, if I find myself ever needing to use the rifle, I will be doing so at ranges much less than 100 meters. I would be taking an defensive role and would not be out to pop every target between myself and the range of my weapon. My main goal will be to survive as long as I can, and picking fights will probably lessen the probibility of my being able to survive. becides, if you really want to shoot that far, get a .308 [;)] |
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Posted: 12/7/2003 6:40:25 PM EDT
[#6]
Wipeout.
Well Put !! |
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Posted: 12/7/2003 6:46:51 PM EDT
[#7]
Does greater velocity mean more energy to target? If so, then the little gain the 16" barrel makes would deliver that more energy. Even at ranges of 100 meters or less.
I agree, .308 would be better for long range. |
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Posted: 12/7/2003 7:04:36 PM EDT
[#8]
Quoted: Does [i]anyone[/i] like the way the 16" barrel looks? Is the slightly longer length THAT much of a ballistic improvement over the 14.5" Is the handling characteristics of 14.5" THAT much better than 16"? [:)] If you'll read the Ammo Oracle, or check Bushmaster's website, you'll see that yes, the 1.5" of barrel length difference is significant. Check this out: [url]http://www.bushmaster.com/faqnew/content_by_cat.asp?contentid=205&catid=103[/url] Looking at the numbers at the Ammo Oracle, you'll see that the difference in probable fragmentation range between 14.5" and 16" barrel is also significant. 14.5" max distance to likely fragmentation: M193 ammo: 95-100m M855 ammo: 40-50m 16" max distance to likely fragmentation: M193 ammo: 140-150m M855 ammo: 90-95m So you can see that the small change in barrel length does make a large difference. |
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Posted: 12/7/2003 7:17:40 PM EDT
[#9]
as I said before, the 1.5" difference only matters if you plan on using your rifle beyond 100 meters. Since I don't, then the 1.5" makes no difference to me.
like i said in my earlier post, configure your rifle to suit YOUR needs. if you are going to be shooting past 100 meters, then all the more power to you and the 16" is a good choice. But if your going to be shooting that far, why not go with a 20"er or a FAL or M1A? As you see, this can be debated to death. As long as your rifle is configured in a way the is best for you, then your good to go. |
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Posted: 12/7/2003 7:21:16 PM EDT
[#10]
I have a Bushmaster upper with their 14.5" barrel and a Phantom flash suppressor.
All I do know is that with Q3131 at 100 yards, that little gun will shred some pumpkins. Sunday, at my buddy's farm, the family and I shot up a flock of 8" pumpkins at that range. Little holes in the front, and no back at all! May not be a long range shooter, but within 100 yards, it will do the job. BTW, pumpkins are a lot more fun than ballistic gelatin. Kinda unscientific though.[:P] |
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Posted: 12/7/2003 7:22:28 PM EDT
[#11]
In a carbine, I prefer the 14.5"
In a rifle, I prefer the 20" |
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Posted: 12/7/2003 7:26:32 PM EDT
[#12]
Quoted: In a carbine, I prefer the 14.5" In a rifle, I prefer the 20" Yes, but if you could carry only one, would not the 16" be the best of both worlds? |
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Posted: 12/7/2003 8:00:30 PM EDT
[#13]
No it would not be the best of both worlds. Id pick the 14.5" over the 16" everytime as I can think of no situation in which Id have to shoot at a human over 100-150 yards. If I want a rifle with a 20" barrel its going to be 7.62
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Posted: 12/7/2003 8:08:38 PM EDT
[#14]
Get both!
Oh wait...he got both already! [:D] Ditto what _DR said...14.5" with Aimpoint and 20" with ACOG looks most effective to me. But if I'm only allowed one, I will have to compromise and get 16" with Compact ACOG. 20" with 77gr shouldn't be too bad...it should fragment out to around 300 yards. But then, .308 with 155 AMAX would be even better. AR10A4 with ACOG seems like fine choice for this job. |
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Posted: 12/7/2003 8:23:44 PM EDT
[#15]
hey,
I like the looks of the 16"er!! |
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Posted: 12/7/2003 8:40:22 PM EDT
[#16]
Now that I've seen them together... I got to say 14.5"
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Posted: 12/7/2003 8:53:25 PM EDT
[#17]
The only problem is that the 14.5" barrel is under the NFA.
16 inches is not. We need to get the NFA changed or eliminated. It's looks like you went through the BS to get a 14.5. 16 is WAY better because no NFA. That is why most LEO carbines are 16". CRC |
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Posted: 12/7/2003 8:54:28 PM EDT
[#18]
14.5"
I only like 16" if its a midlength. One of the few choices I can admit I make mostly on looks (shorter IS better IMHO). 16 inchers just look like too much barrel hanging out there. |
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Posted: 12/7/2003 8:58:11 PM EDT
[#19]
On looks, I dunno, the 16" + comp isn't bad - makes the 14.5" look stunted in comparison.
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Posted: 12/7/2003 9:01:45 PM EDT
[#20]
Quoted: The only problem is that the 14.5" barrel is under the NFA. |
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Posted: 12/7/2003 9:03:36 PM EDT
[#21]
I will add this:
The 16" disspators look cool IMHO. The Bushmaster one is pretty sharp. CRC |
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Posted: 12/7/2003 9:58:10 PM EDT
[#22]
Get both. Then get more.
[img]http://www.boomspeed.com/kisara/AirsoftCrap.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.boomspeed.com/kisara/MoreFakeCrap.jpg[/img] |
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Posted: 12/7/2003 10:01:09 PM EDT
[#23]
14.5 inch
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Posted: 12/7/2003 10:15:57 PM EDT
[#24]
I would switch the lowers and then stick with the 14.5"
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Posted: 12/7/2003 10:18:37 PM EDT
[#25]
Oh well, I like them both.
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Posted: 12/7/2003 11:37:11 PM EDT
[#26]
I own both in M4 configurations.
I honestly don't prefer one over the other, however I kinda dig the 16" slightly more due to the increased muzzle velocity. |
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Posted: 12/8/2003 12:20:38 AM EDT
[#27]
If I only had one - the 16" for increased performance and you don't have to have anything attached permanently to the end which limits other options. Then get a 14.5". I have both but only use the 14.5" on my NFA. Everything has it's place, including 18" and 20" barrels.
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Posted: 12/8/2003 5:26:00 AM EDT
[#28]
Kisara,
a Valmet M76 as well? Folder, wood or plastic stock? I like your taste. ;-) Mick |
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Posted: 12/8/2003 7:56:38 AM EDT
[#29]
14.5 inch LIGHT WEIGHT. So much so that I sent my Colt 16" barrel to KKF to have it cut down.
[img]http://www.hunt101.com/img/063156.jpg[/img] Here is the rifle that it went on. [img]http://www.hunt101.com/img/064256.jpg[/img] Here is my C8gery with an original Colt 14.5 1/7 barrel. [img]http://www.hunt101.com/img/063183.jpg[/img] |
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Posted: 12/8/2003 8:09:21 AM EDT
[#30]
Yah, there's something to be said for lightweight.
I'd like to get a BM superlight upper myself. |
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