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Posted: 1/22/2007 11:48:33 AM EDT
| for those that have them what length barrels do you use and is thier a benefit of one length over another other than velocity and down range accuracy? I have seen 7.5 10.5 11.5 13.7 14.5 I know I could get one made in any length in between that I wanted. just curious as far as any reliabilty issues or anything elkse I should be aware of before deciding on an upper. |
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No trouble with my 10.5". I figured for $200 tax, it didn't seem worth it to go from 16" to 11.5". I wanted the barrel to end right after the gas block. 10.5" leaves enough length that I won't have clearance issues when I decide to mount a supressor. I've only seen 7.5" used in pistols and 9mm SBRs. |
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The SBR that I am waiting to build till my form1 gets approved is intended to serve as a home defense weapon. It's an 11.5" Bravo Co. upper with a DD rail, vortex FH, LMT b/bc, Crane O-ring, CS extractor spring, Tango Down VFG, Eotech 552F, and a PWA lower with a Tango Down battlegrip. I still have to put a SF scout torch on it to be complete after I get to bring it home. (my form went out today). The reason I went with 11.5" for home defense is that the shorter barrel is easier to maneuver in tight spaces. Also, the limited velocity isn't a problem in my house. It will fragment reliably out to 40 yards or so, and that exceeds my mission requirement. The extra velocity of a longer barrel isn't necessary in my house. The light weight and ease of use are stronger in the shorter rifles. I'm not going to be going outside to shoot at something from long range. There is no defensive reason for that capability while we live in a stable and functioning society. If they are that far out I will retreat. In my home however, once I have my kids in the bedroom, I am out of options to retreat, and that is where a rifle could possibly be needed. An 11.5" AR is way better than any defensive pistol. The other use for the SBR in places like Iraq is CQB like I mentioned above, and executive protection, MOUT, and vehicle ops. The 11.5 and 10.5 are great barrel lengths for vehicles I have been told. The 11.5" barrel was as short as I was comfortable going. YMMV. Obviously there are a ton of real deal operators out there with a million times my experience that carry shorter rifles, but that's just my opinion. |
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Most manufacturers will not warranty their suppressors on a 7.5" barrel. The shortest I have seen warranted was 10". The reason from what I understand is the potential for baffle strikes due to instability and the excessive damage caused by the incredible amount of burning powder. Mainly baffle strike issues. I am speaking about .223/5.56 suppressor not 9mm. My 5" 9mm is so much fun and very very accurate(almost as accurate as my MP5!) TS |
Ops. Inc. will be the only suppressor you will want to use, as they are the only suppressor company that allows/warranty use of their cans on 7.5" barrelled ARs. |
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I had reliability issues until I moved up to the 11.5" in 5.56 Oddly enough in 10.5" the gun would run reliably in Semi, and would bump fire, but when I hit the Happy Switch it would FTF/FTE. 11.5" works like a charm. In 9mm, I like the 5.5" suppressed option. I can not REALLY imagine the hearing damage you and your family would suffer from firing a 10.5" indoors, unsuppressed. The ball of flame, from even Wolf, is 12" in RADIUS in daylight..full sun from 10.5-11.5 barrel. The sound is deafening without hearing protection. TRG |
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