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Posted: 2/10/2005 8:46:56 PM EDT
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I handled a Rock River Arms mid-length carbine last weekend at a local show, and then at one of my local stores I handled Armalite's mid-length carbine. I have to say I am now a big fan! The sight picture was so much better than the carbine-length sight picture. Is there any other manufacturer making these? Any drawbacks? |
| Armalite is the other big one and a bunch of other smaller manufacturers have jumped on the midlength bandwagon. It's definately a great way to go versus a carbine system due to the lower gas pressure and therefore extended recoil pulse (longer and steadier recoil vs. a short jab). From my as well as almost everyone else on this site who has tried a midlength system, there is no drawback except for the minor increase in weight due to the longer forearm. If you really want go go for sight picture, you can get a PRI flip up sight or a rifle length forearm with a flip up or FSB at the end (aka dissipator). |
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I agree about the mid length. I kind of ignored them for a few years but now that I bought one I am very happy with it. RRA and Armalite are the only companies making complete rifles. Some custom and semi custom barrels are available. There is a great selection of aftermarket handgaurds available for them. The only drawback is a little more weight (still less than a rifle length has system) and the fact that it may be a little harder to find a replacement gas tube in a local shop. Those are both very small potential issues for a system that offers many advantages. |
M&A sales has mid legnth uppers |
| My dad has a complete RRA middy upper, and I have an upper that I built on all RRA middy components except for the handguards, and the receiver is a CMT. I love the softer recoil impulse, and the longer sight radius is a BIG plus when shooting at ranges past 75yds when using irons. IMHO, the middy is the best compromise for a carbine if you want to have longer range capability with your irons. YMMV. |
| I have a midlength too and i like that i can add a bipod on it and still have the float tube useable to hold onto with nothing or a vertical grip. Things seem like they would be very tight on a carbine length. Again i like the look of the midlength as well. There are allot of little benifits that have already been mentioned. |
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It's a middie love fest! And I'm definitely a part of it! Mine is also RRA. The sight radius is great, and as noted by Gimme_A_Caarbine, the lower recoil impulse helps improve my accuracy. It also doesn't throw my brass downrange the way some carbine length rifles will do-this is also because of the lower recoil impulse. They're just great! Now I have to decide if my next rifle will be a 20" or 16" middie. What a hard decision! |
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