User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
|
Posted: 8/24/2004 8:19:42 AM EDT
[#1]
That would be 14.5".
Mike |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/24/2004 8:20:12 AM EDT
[#2]
same as any other rifle. 16".
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/24/2004 8:21:48 AM EDT
[#3]
actual m4 14.5
legal you can have 16" unless you go the SBR route. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/24/2004 8:22:30 AM EDT
[#4]
Bushmaster says 16 in is the legal length, but i thought 14.5 was, but i really didnt know.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/24/2004 8:24:57 AM EDT
[#5]
when the ban sunsets will this change?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/24/2004 8:26:51 AM EDT
[#6]
No, legal (non-SBR) length will remain 16".
Mike added: best you'll be able to do is the 14.5" barrel w/ permanent mounted Vortex or Phantom, which will meet the BATF required legal length |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/24/2004 8:28:35 AM EDT
[#7]
The militarys Real M4 is 14.5 with a A2 flash suspressor. Civies can't just have a 14.5" barrel unless you sbr it. Now you can have a 14.5 as long as it has a ak muzzle brake, vortex fs, phantom fs, or some other variation of brake/fs as long it brings the oal to 16". |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/24/2004 8:36:54 AM EDT
[#8]
Don't confuse "legal" with "specification".
An M4 barrel as contracted by the US Government is 14.5". That is the "specification" (spec). However, you or I cannot install one on our AR15s because is is not legal. Under NFA regulations minimum barrel length for a rifle is 16". You can if you register it as a SBR or if you permanently attach a flash hider (pre 1994) or a muzzle brake so that the overall length exceeds 16". An M4 barrel with a permanently attached "birdcage" flash hider is illegal, as the flash hider is not long enough to bring the OAL to 16". A Phantom on the other hand is OK, as it is much longer. Due to this little quirk some manufacturers are making M4 type uppers and selling them with muzzle brakes permanently attached. I do not know if anyone makes a 16" threaded barrel (1.5" longer than spec) with M4 barrel contours so it can be used with a removable brake/flash hider. I would guess there would be a market for such an abomination, just have not looked for it. Still confused? Blame the BATF. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/24/2004 8:40:03 AM EDT
[#9]
16" total or SBR application.
16" 14.5 + 1.5 permanent attach 11.5 + 5.5 permanent attach ... so long as it meets or exceeds 16" Some manufacturers make 16" barrels in M4 profile and call them Patrolman Carbine, or similar terms. You can also have a 16" (any barrel over 16" really) turned down to M4 profile. Registered SBRs are LEGAL, they just require additional administrative and tax hassles. Unregistered SBRs, just like every other NFA item (MGs, DIAS, LLs, etc) are not legal. There may be additional restrictions at the state level, but the Federal regulations boil down to this distinction. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/24/2004 8:45:53 AM EDT
[#10]
The other option I've seen is a 15" "M4 profile" barrel (i.e., one with the cutout for mounting an M203). If you permenantly attach an A1 or A2 flash suppressor it comes up to the legal 16".
Also Kurt @ KKF makes a flash suppressor that looks like a long A2 - I think he calls it an A3. If that is perm attached to a "true" 14.5" M4 barrel, you are legal. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/24/2004 8:57:21 AM EDT
[#11]
All righty then here is a question, does anyone have a list of flash hiders that are over 1.5" taht would be legal, i.e. bring the over all lengh to 16"? Or perhapse a link to a resource for flash hiders? Thanks :)
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/24/2004 9:00:57 AM EDT
[#12]
From Forest; Muzzle Devices |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/24/2004 11:06:27 AM EDT
[#13]
bushmaster makes a m-4 profile barrel thats 16''. it has the groove for mounting the m203 but their website says its ''stretched'' 1.5''. so thats an option. i say go with a perm. attached vortex.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/24/2004 1:39:44 PM EDT
[#14]
I agonized over this myself, and chose the 16" M4 profile with screw-on A2 FS. You never know when you might want to remove that front site, buy a suppressor, or whatever else. Of course now that I've got it (or will shortly) I'll probably never take the damn thing apart.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/25/2004 7:25:28 AM EDT
[#15]
I went the same route, Norman. I figured the extra 1.5 inches might also provide a little more muzzle velocity downrange (however small). I am still trying to decide whether to mount a Phantom that I have on the end. I am just not sure if it will look too long. |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/25/2004 7:50:04 AM EDT
[#16]
Having the ability to screw off the flash supressor is a big plus. You can build up a lot of crud down there that is hard to clean if it is permanent. |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/25/2004 7:53:32 AM EDT
[#17]
for ANY semiautomatic or manual action rifle according to the BATF: MINIMUM BARREL LENGTH: 16 inches for barrel - tip of muzzle or muzzle device to breech- permanent. MINIMUM OVERALL LENGTH: 26 inches from end of stock to end of muzzle or muzzle device. If folding stock, this is measured with folding stock fully extended. Anything less is an SBR (short barrelled rifle), is an NFA item, and needs written approval from the BATF. Registered machineguns are exempt from this rule as they are not considered "rifles" by the BATF. |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/26/2004 10:45:56 AM EDT
[#18]
I had Bushy perm-pin a Phantom on to a 14.5 to make it legal 16+ inches. Phantom functions great at supressing flash, even with PMC & PMP ammo.
"We the Willing, Lead by the Unknowing, Do what is Necessary, For the Ungrateful" |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/28/2004 7:36:25 PM EDT
[#19]
Silly question here, but does the rifle have to meet both of those requirements, or as long as the overall length is 26 or more with the stock extended, its okay? IE have a little bit shorter barrel, but a little bit longer stock, or something along those lines... |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/28/2004 7:42:26 PM EDT
[#20]
Has to be both. 16" barrel is a minimum. |
||
|
|
|
Posted: 8/28/2004 8:25:52 PM EDT
[#21]
I think you mean fully closed, otherwise people would be building 16 inch rifles with 10 inch stock that they wouldn't bother opening. |
|
|
|
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.
