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Posted: 12/23/2014 10:46:29 AM EDT
| I see all this craze on the midlength AR's, and have been wondering if they are that much better? On a colt 6920, would you rather have the barrel cut down to 14.5 and pin a flash hider, or have a bcm upper with a 16" mid length LW barrel on it? Thanks for the opinions. |
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IMO you can tune a midlength easier than a carbine. When I say tune I mean run a h2 or h3 with a blue Springco spring and a FA BCG produces a smoother recoil.
Carbine gas can be tuned with same setup, but the carbine gas is (for lack of a better term) more violent. Hell, the over all weight of the rifle helps with recoil as well. I have two midlength rifles with the above setup that weight close to 10lbs and they are the soft shooting rifles. A lot also depends on the barrel maker and the gas port size they use. Bigger port means more recoil. I have two 14.5" pinned rifles and they are kinda handy compared to my 16" rifles, but the extra 1.5" is NOT a deal breaker. I would personally go with the midlength. |
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Quoted:
I see all this craze on the midlength AR's, and have been wondering if they are that much better? On a colt 6920, would you rather have the barrel cut down to 14.5 and pin a flash hider, or have a bcm upper with a 16" mid length LW barrel on it? Thanks for the opinions. First, I would never cut down the barrel on a 6920 or any other AR with a M4 profile barrel. I would much prefer going with the BCM 16" mid-length lightweight barrel (BCM 16" mid-length) or even a BCM 14.5" mid-length barrel and have a muzzle device pinned and welded (BCM 14.5" mid-length). I used a BCM Standard 14.5" Mid Length Barrel (Stripped) with a pinned and welded muzzle device on this build. It is extremely smooth shooting. 
I used a 16" SOCOM mid-length barrel on this one. I wanted it a little heavier profile since it is being set up as a Recce type AR. 
The biggest advantage that a mid-length gas system has over a carbine gas system is that it does run a bit smoother. I also run a M16 BCG in my mid-lengths (and carbines) with a standard carbine buffer. With a carbine, you typically want a H1 or H2 buffer. Both my mid-lengths (14.5" and 16") run smooth. |
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Quoted:
Had lots of carbines. I'll take a mid-length any day. http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z96/M4builder/ARFCOM/10601209_1466980710237163_825946347_n_zpsd5b31ed0.jpg Thank you for your service. My son is in the USAF and I have a lot of respect for all military members, especially our snipers!!!! I also have both and I agree in not cutting a 16" fdown to 14.5" on any barrel, especially not a Colt barrel. The mid length does shoot softer, but just buy a complete mid length upper, prices are super low so don't wait to long. 
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| I'd rather be slightly overgassed and know that the rifle will cycle any ammo I put in it, even if it is a tiny bit more "snappy." But, in this scenario, the deal killer for me would be having to pin the flash hider. I like to modify my rifles. Changing a barrel or free float rail, gas block or flash hider becomes a major undertaking once the FH is pinned. I'll take the slightly longer barrel in exchange for the ease of modification. |
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My rifle is a simple Colt LE6920, and my wife has a 16 inch mid-length built on a Spikes lower with a bunch of premium parts to complete the package. I think her rifle is more refined than mine, yet I stick to my carbine. My reasons are because my Colt is configured exactly the same as my issued rifle, and because I love and trust Colt. I don't think you'd be going wrong with either setup, but I have always wondered why there is such a draw toward a pinned 14.5 inch M4 except for the guys who just want to own as close to a military issue configuration as they can.
I own an SBR'ed Arsenal AK on a Form 1 that has a 12.5 inch barreland side folding stock. I don't find it to be all that more handy than my 16 inch Colt. The Colt stands duty at bedside while the SBR is for fun only at this point. Decide based on what you want/need/are comfortable with. Neither of the options you asked about are poor choices by any means. |
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