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10/8/2008 9:25:19 AM EDT
OK, so I'm positive this has been posted before, but the search only goes back 30 days, so I can't find it...

I've already got a 24" 1:8 J&T Bull barrel AR match rifle, and am going to build a 16" version of some kind in the very near future, and have some questions.

1. I've heard that a midlength is more reliable and easier on parts than a carbine length gas system, even in the same length barrel, correct?

2. I see that I can get a midlength from Del-Ton, but can't find one from anywhere else in "kit" form. Specifically, is there anybody who makes a standard weight barrel in a midlength?

3. I saw a post that was asking for whatever mfg. makes a midlength barrel with M4 cuts in it. I see that I can get a flattop receiver with M4 cutouts for the midlength HBAR kit that Del-Ton sells. Surely they wouldn't put a standard barrel without the cutouts on a cutout upper?

4. Are parts in general any harder to come across for midlength than for CAR length?

Thanks,
Mike
10/8/2008 11:16:32 AM EDT
[#1]



Quoted:
1. I've heard that a midlength is more reliable and easier on parts than a carbine length gas system, even in the same length barrel, correct?


Yes


Quoted:
2. I see that I can get a midlength from Del-Ton, but can't find one from anywhere else in "kit" form. Specifically, is there anybody who makes a standard weight barrel in a midlength?


Bravo Company, Sabre Defense, RRA just started making a "lightweight" midlength which is really a standard/gov't profile midlength.


Quoted:
3. I saw a post that was asking for whatever mfg. makes a midlength barrel with M4 cuts in it. I see that I can get a flattop receiver with M4 cutouts for the midlength HBAR kit that Del-Ton sells. Surely they wouldn't put a standard barrel without the cutouts on a cutout upper?


I think that post was referring to the M4 grenade launcher cutout on the barrel itself, not the feed ramps.


Quoted:
4. Are parts in general any harder to come across for midlength than for CAR length?


Not really. The only unique parts besides the barrel are the gas tube and handguards.
10/8/2008 1:24:43 PM EDT
[#2]
Thanks!

Kindof sucks, though... It looks like I can get the CMMG complete middy upper for $525 from AIM, which is $10 less than I'd buy a kit from Del-Ton for with the Chrome lined barrel and the M4 cutouts added on, but then I'd still have to pop the extra $120 for a stock and LPK... so it appears that I'm either getting a carbine, getting a Hbar middy, or spending the extra $120 on the CMMG and adding a loaded lower to it...

Also, is the buffer different between a 16" carbine and middy gas system?

decisions...

Thanks,
Mike
10/8/2008 1:44:15 PM EDT
[#3]
They would use the same buffer.

I'd take CMMG over any of the kit companies.

And Bravo or Sabre over CMMG.

Stay away from HBAR midlengths.
10/8/2008 2:46:00 PM EDT
[#4]
The Sabre ML barrel in 1/7 is at Rainier Arms.  It is a gov't profile barrel.

http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=829

I assume the FSB is "F" marked.  I would call and ask first.
10/9/2008 3:46:48 AM EDT
[#5]
WOW... Sabre, who I'm sure makes awesome stuff, is horribly expensive!

About Bravo Company... You mean the LMT/BCM/Stag uppers that they carry?

Thanks,
Mike
10/9/2008 8:56:46 AM EDT
[#6]
height=8
Quoted:
WOW... Sabre, who I'm sure makes awesome stuff, is horribly expensive!

About Bravo Company... You mean the LMT/BCM/Stag uppers that they carry?

Thanks,
Mike


These:  www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-16-Mid-Length-Upper-Receiver-Group-p/bcm-urg-mid-16.htm

They're quite nice.
10/9/2008 9:40:42 AM EDT
[#7]

Stay away from HBAR midlengths.


QFT.  I made this mistake on my first one.  VERY front heavy.  The answer is to put a Magpul UBR stock on it, which make the rifle balance nicely.  It's quite heavy, tho.

Shane
10/9/2008 12:06:11 PM EDT
[#8]

Quoted:

Stay away from HBAR midlengths.


QFT.  I made this mistake on my first one.  VERY front heavy.  The answer is to put a Magpul UBR stock on it, which make the rifle balance nicely.  It's quite heavy, tho.

Shane


Thanks. This is my "lightweight" weapon... I've already got a 24" .910 stainless bull barrel, floated hand guard AR with the 3# weight in the stock to balance it... That's my match/varmant rifle... This is going to be my close range/defence/3-gun/whatever plinking weapon... Not nessicarily a KISS rifle because of the flat top, but definately my SHTF rifle...

Another question... In your opinion, is the lightweight midlength worth the extra $120 over a C.A.R.?

Thanks,
Mike
10/9/2008 12:58:20 PM EDT
[#9]

Quoted:

Quoted:

Stay away from HBAR midlengths.


QFT.  I made this mistake on my first one.  VERY front heavy.  The answer is to put a Magpul UBR stock on it, which make the rifle balance nicely.  It's quite heavy, tho.

Shane


Thanks. This is my "lightweight" weapon... I've already got a 24" .910 stainless bull barrel, floated hand guard AR with the 3# weight in the stock to balance it... That's my match/varmant rifle... This is going to be my close range/defence/3-gun/whatever plinking weapon... Not nessicarily a KISS rifle because of the flat top, but definately my SHTF rifle...

Another question... In your opinion, is the lightweight midlength worth the extra $120 over a C.A.R.?

Thanks,
Mike


Is the lightweight midlength chrome lined and the CAR not chrome lined?
10/9/2008 1:11:40 PM EDT
[#10]

Quoted:

Quoted:

Quoted:

Stay away from HBAR midlengths.


QFT.  I made this mistake on my first one.  VERY front heavy.  The answer is to put a Magpul UBR stock on it, which make the rifle balance nicely.  It's quite heavy, tho.

Shane


Thanks. This is my "lightweight" weapon... I've already got a 24" .910 stainless bull barrel, floated hand guard AR with the 3# weight in the stock to balance it... That's my match/varmant rifle... This is going to be my close range/defence/3-gun/whatever plinking weapon... Not nessicarily a KISS rifle because of the flat top, but definately my SHTF rifle...

Another question... In your opinion, is the lightweight midlength worth the extra $120 over a C.A.R.?

Thanks,
Mike


Is the lightweight midlength chrome lined and the CAR not chrome lined?


No, both chrome lined... CAR in the kits from whoever...  I think I answered my own question though... I think I'm going to get:

populated Mega lower W/O stock for $170
http://www.carricozarmory.com/lowers.htm

This guy's 6-position stock for $54
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=7&f=125&t=263404

The CMMG lightweight 1:7 middy from AIM for $525
http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/CMMG_.223_5.56x45_AR15_Mid_Length_16__Complete_Upper_Half.html

FFL fee for the lower is $0 because it's my dad, and I live a mile and a half from him.

That puts me at ~$750 for a functioning rifle, plus whatever sight I put on the rear... I can deal with that, and I suspect the CMMG is a much better upper than the kit ones, even after adding the M4 ramps and chrome lining... (plus it doesn't have the grenade launcher cutout, and it has a target crown, and it's 1:7, so I can accurately run the 75gr BTHP Hornady stuff that I reload, so I don't have to have 2 different kinds of ammo)

What say ye?

Thanks,
Mike


10/9/2008 1:29:03 PM EDT
[#11]
Well, comparing a parts kit to a quality upper like CMMG is a bit unfair to the CMMG if you're basing it solely on price.

That would be a good rifle.
10/9/2008 1:34:35 PM EDT
[#12]

Quoted:
Well, comparing a parts kit to a quality upper like CMMG is a bit unfair to the CMMG if you're basing it solely on price.

That would be a good rifle.


yeah, that's what I figured... I figured if it's only $100 more on a $750 weapon, I may as well get the MUCH better one... I was trying to weigh my options though... Knowing the CMMG was better, and there's a reason for the higher price, but also wanting to do a 16" AR about as innexpensively as I can put a reliable one together... My J&T 24" has been 100% reliable, but I also know the rifle gas system, being that it works things slower, tends to be more reliable than a carbine system, much like a 5" 1911 is generally more reliable than a 3"...

I'm also going to cheap out on the optic, as well... thinking this one...
http://www.opticsplanet.net/bushnell-trophy-1x32-riflescope-730132p.html
Seems to review well, and the Banner Dusk to dawn 4-12 on my other AR has done me well.

Also going with BUIS, but don't know which one... That's a whole other topic, though...

Thanks again,
Mike
10/9/2008 1:38:37 PM EDT
[#13]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Well, comparing a parts kit to a quality upper like CMMG is a bit unfair to the CMMG if you're basing it solely on price.

That would be a good rifle.


yeah, that's what I figured... I figured if it's only $100 more on a $750 weapon, I may as well get the MUCH better one... I was trying to weigh my options though... Knowing the CMMG was better, and there's a reason for the higher price, but also wanting to do a 16" AR about as innexpensively as I can put a reliable one together... My J&T 24" has been 100% reliable, but I also know the rifle gas system, being that it works things slower, tends to be more reliable than a carbine system, much like a 5" 1911 is generally more reliable than a 3"...

I'm also going to cheap out on the optic, as well... thinking this one...
http://www.opticsplanet.net/bushnell-trophy-1x32-riflescope-730132p.html
Seems to review well, and the Banner Dusk to dawn 4-12 on my other AR has done me well.

Also going with BUIS, but don't know which one... That's a whole other topic, though...

Thanks again,
Mike


I've had a couple kit guns...they functioned fine.

Bent charging handles and out of spec (or missing) lower parts soured my opinion of them though.

Lower incidence of issues with non-kit makers.
10/9/2008 1:44:51 PM EDT
[#14]

Quoted:
I've had a couple kit guns...they functioned fine.

Bent charging handles and out of spec (or missing) lower parts soured my opinion of them though.

Lower incidence of issues with non-kit makers.


I suspected as much about the kits... Mine was fine, but it's going to happen when trying to put something together for as close to bottom dollar as you can, like a lot of the kits are done...

Thank You for all of your help!

The ordering will commence tomorrow after I get my dad's FFL paperwork tonight...

Mike
10/9/2008 1:47:05 PM EDT
[#15]

Quoted:

Stay away from HBAR midlengths.


QFT.  I made this mistake on my first one.  VERY front heavy.  The answer is to put a Magpul UBR stock on it, which make the rifle balance nicely.  It's quite heavy, tho.

Shane


I have a Rock River mid length that I bought and it is a heavy sumbitch

A lightweight in a 16" or 14.5 with pinned hider is next for me
10/9/2008 5:31:44 PM EDT
[#16]
Sounds like a good plan.  I just got that exact upper two days ago.  AIM shipped within 24 hours of my order.  Quality on the upper looks great, hopefully I'll get to shoot it this weekend.
10/10/2008 3:34:37 AM EDT
[#17]

Quoted:
Sounds like a good plan.  I just got that exact upper two days ago.  AIM shipped within 24 hours of my order.  Quality on the upper looks great, hopefully I'll get to shoot it this weekend.


Cool! I ordered the (3) "gun" parts last night... still researching optics and sights...

Thanks for the help, guys!

Mike
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