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Posted: 3/14/2012 12:18:22 PM EDT
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I am researching my first purchase of an AR and I was curious about the gas systems and which length is the most popular. It appears it might be Carbine but I am not sure.
I am figuring something like a Spikes or Colt. I will probably stay in the $1000-1300 range. Nothing too fancy but I have not decided between regular Double heat shield hand guards or a free floating option. This will be 99% range shooting a handful of times a year and maybe just maybe some varmint hunting. Still, I want to buy decent middle road quality as I don't buy many guns, but when I do I want them to be a solid choice. Thanks for your responses and I really like looking through all these forums checking out the various opinions and their reasoning. |
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Carbine length is by far the most common. Rifle-length is probably second. The others, even mid-length are kind of oddballs that aren't very common outside of niche groups like Arfcom.
If you are looking at any of the 14.5"-18" guns, either carbine or mid-length gas will be fine. Don't get hung up on the gas system, and focus on what features you want in the rifle. |
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Quoted: I apologize, yes, I am pretty much on the 16" barrels. Open sights. probably going mil-spec vs. commercial spec Mid length will giver you a longer (better) sight radius with iron sights. Although to my knowledge there is no such thing as a true "mil-spec" 16inch barrel very good mil-spec quality barrels are available in just about every length. For example FN cold hammer forged chrome lined 1in7 twist mid length barrels are available. |
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Quoted:
Carbine length is by far the most common. Rifle-length is probably second. The others, even mid-length are kind of oddballs that aren't very common outside of niche groups like Arfcom. If you are looking at any of the 14.5"-18" guns, either carbine or mid-length gas will be fine. Don't get hung up on the gas system, and focus on what features you want in the rifle. Carbine systems work well for sbrs, but the 16 guns are not carbines, and should run with a mid length gas system. There is a thread in tech that shows the pressure profile vs time and dicusses bullet position in light of that timing. The right choice can maximize your reliability and durability. |
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Quoted:
Carbine systems work well for sbrs, but the 16 guns are not carbines, and should run with a mid length gas system. There is a thread in tech that shows the pressure profile vs time and dicusses bullet position in light of that timing. The right choice can maximize your reliability and durability. I've seen all the midlength vs carbine threads. The difference is negligable for real-world use. A mid-length may theoretically look better on paper, but in a 16" gun, it doesn't really matter. The fact that there are probably 10 times the number of 16" carbines out there vs 16" midlengths shows that there's no major benefit to going with a mid-length for a 16" barrel. And for the OP looking to buy his first AR, it's not worth confusing yourself by trying to pick between the two. Find a rifle that has the features you want regardless of gas length. And that's coming from someone who owns both. I like my mid-length better, but there's no difference in reliability and durability. |
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I agree there isn't much point in stressing over a carbine vs a midlength gas system...
However, having owned both I will point out to areas where the mid-length excels over the carbine length system. 1. Sight radius. The further the distance between the front and rear sight, the more precise you can be with them. 2. Grip. It's pretty much impossible to do a thumb-over grip with a carbine length handguard. If you don't know what that is, look it up. It will improve your ability to control the rifle, especially during rapid firing courses. The longer length of the mid-length systems makes it a LOT more comfortable to thumb-over. I find my carbine length systems sitting while I shoot the midlengths. Both seem very reliable. Recoil seems the same. Brass ejects and appears the same from both rifles. I just prefer the hold and sight radius of the midlength. I do agree the carbine length seems prevalent...HOWEVER, the midlength systems are becoming VERY common and many major manufacturers are offering 16" midlength systems now. Give it a little more time and you'll probably find mid-length is starting to win out the majority on new rifle sales. |
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Quoted:
I agree there isn't much point in stressing over a carbine vs a midlength gas system... However, having owned both I will point out to areas where the mid-length excels over the carbine length system. 1. Sight radius. The further the distance between the front and rear sight, the more precise you can be with them. 2. Grip. It's pretty much impossible to do a thumb-over grip with a carbine length handguard. If you don't know what that is, look it up. It will improve your ability to control the rifle, especially during rapid firing courses. The longer length of the mid-length systems makes it a LOT more comfortable to thumb-over. I find my carbine length systems sitting while I shoot the midlengths. Both seem very reliable. Recoil seems the same. Brass ejects and appears the same from both rifles. I just prefer the hold and sight radius of the midlength. I do agree the carbine length seems prevalent...HOWEVER, the midlength systems are becoming VERY common and many major manufacturers are offering 16" midlength systems now. Give it a little more time and you'll probably find mid-length is starting to win out the majority on new rifle sales. Free float, low pro. |
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