I have been reading all the tacked threads, viewing the picture threads, reading any other threads I could find on this subject via search, trying to finalize my next rifle, and now I've got a sever case of information overload. I'm stuck on the fence on a decision for the next rifle, thought I'd post for more info, maybe get some pictures and input to help get me off dead center.

Background:
I have an RRA 16" 1/9 hbar A2 midlength plain jane (std stock etc) that I'd like to keep as my iron sight A2 simple rifle.

I will be ordering an RRA national match rifle (20" 1/10) to use in cmp competition at my club. This will be the long range iron sight weapon.

I'd like to build two more
1. One "shorter looking", "carbine like" flattop weapon, magpul stock, buis, possible rail and vfg, aimpoint type or eotech etc. This rifle will be used for 3-gun, occasional carbine type rifle classes, and recreational range work.

2. One 20", bipod, adjustable target stock, obnoxiously long scope, to be used for highpower benchrest type stuff and practical rifle matches (longer range) etc.

I have a stag arms lower and a mega lower sitting in the safe awaiting a configuration decision.

I'm not interested in going shorter than 16" overall barrel length, tax stamp etc.

My question centers around better defining #1. I'm considering either putting the stag arms 2h upper for $485 from Kiser munitions on my stag lower, or putting the cmmg 14.5 lightweight on my mega lower (heard they color match pretty well?)
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=7&f=22&t=335496
http://cmmginc.secure-mall.com/shop/?shop=1&cart=534181&cat=27&

Scattered thoughts in no particular order:
- I'd like a shorter looking and handling rifle, thus the consideration of the the cmmg 14.5 w/perm hider, bringing oa barrel length to 16".
- I'm not overly concerned with being able to change out the hider itself.
- I am concerned with the perm hider not allowing some flexibility in changing forearm configurations as I get more experience with the rifle in competition etc.
- I am concerned with the 1/7 rate requiring different ammo than my 1/9 RRA. I'd like to keep ammo selection as common as possible.
- I'd like a lighter rifle than my RRA hbar, particularly in the nose end.

- The Kiser munitions Stag A3 upper is a good price and would mate well with my stag lower of course.
- My understand of the stag A3 is the overall barrel length is 17" or more? given the 16" barrel and the whatever the hider adds.
- The stag A3 is the carbine gas system? Thus the short handguards and seemingly too long (visually to some) looking barrel?
- The stag A3 would be lighter than my RRA hbar, but not as light as the ccmg?
- I don't understand the 14.7 cmmg length offered? What is the thought behind this?

So, I guess it comes down to the benefits of the 14.5 shorter length vs the drawbacks?
And, carbine looking vs. mid length gas block/handguards...?

I know I'm probably missing some stuff here, so lay it on me. I've tried to define the application for the rifle and how it fits into the overall family as best I can. Any thoughts recommendations, pictures etc would be much appreciated.

Thanks

i have a 16" rra hbar but the 14.5 cmmg middy lightweight barrel assembly on my slick-side mutt is everything i could want. it weighs less than 6lbs and hits my 4" square target center at 100 yds with the irons. the magpul ctr is great.

i ordered it with the perm phantom 5c1 since i won't be changing anything on this car so the only disadvantage to a pinned flash suppressor is if you want to change it, the fsb or handguards.

the stag will be just as long as your rra, will weigh less, but not as lite as the cmmg. the stag bbl will look extremely long with car hgs.

you have more options with cmmg, at least half a dozen 14.5's to choose from in car & middy.

  Just got with a Mid-Length upper, flat-top, then upgrade to the rails and stuff later.  I loved the longer sight radius of the middie, and I'va always though the long azz barrel sticking out past the FSB looked ridiculous.  And you can't fix Bayonets!  lol And the middie looks more proportional.  
  Due to my medical condition, I'm building a custom, lightweight middie by having an Armatite M4 ramped middie barrel turned to A1 contour with a 0.625" FSB installed.  Compared to an HBAR, metal is lost but lighter plastic is gained.  

Thanks for the input.

What is the idea behind cmmg's 14.7" offering?

How about the issue of having a cmmg 1/7 twist vs my rra 1/9 twist with regards to ammo? Will I need to stock two different kinds of 223?

Thanks

Quoted: Thanks for the input. What is the idea behind cmmg's 14.7" offering? How about the issue of having a cmmg 1/7 twist vs my rra 1/9 twist with regards to ammo? Will I need to stock two different kinds of 223? Thanks

The idea is you can permanently attach a standard A2 flash hider to make it the legal length of 16".

heavier bullets require a tighter twist so 1/7 works for bullet weights above 69g. mine shot great with 55g winchester & remington. i won't be shooting too much of the heavier stuff due to cost so my ammo stash runs 55g & 69g. both shoot fine out of my rra too.

Quoted: i have a 16" rra hbar but the 14.5 cmmg middy lightweight barrel assembly on my slick-side mutt is everything i could want. it weighs less than 6lbs and hits my 4" square target center at 100 yds with the irons. the magpul ctr is great. i ordered it with the perm phantom 5c1 since i won't be changing anything on this car so the only disadvantage to a pinned flash suppressor is if you want to change it, the fsb or handguards.

What handguards did you go with?

i got the standard middy handguard cmmg offers but they wobble a bit unlike my rra which is very solid. i don't know who makes the hg's offered by cmmg but they don't seem to be as well-made as the rra stuff so i bought the rra hg's but haven't put 'em on yet.

i don't have a need for rails on this weapon but if i did, i'd order them with the bbl/upper or send them to be installed to your order. cmmg offers several configs of rails and most here seem to think the dd's are the best. that's alot of $ but cheaper than trying to remove the perm' fh and add a rail later.