My first post, after many many hours of reading here.. thanks to all of you who have provided so much useful information.

I am looking for input on 16" midlength uppers/rifles.  Do they all have midlength gas systems, or do some possibly use a mid handgaurd with CAR gas?

Any recommondations for a 16"  chromed barrel with an A2 upper?  Something basic(affordable)..  RRA seems promising so far.

I just got a RRA CAR A4 midlength, chrome lined.  I like it a lot so far.  Just be careful cause they also offer the CAR A4 with the CAR gas/handguard.  They also have the Elite CAR A4, which is a midlength, but costs more for just a side mounted sling swivel.  Did you check out eaglefirearms.net yet?

CJ:  does your RRA have Mid Gas for sure?  RRA markets as "mid handgaurd", and I would like to be sure that they're mid gas.  Thanks

If a rifle has midlength handguards then it must have a mid gas system. UNLESS it has a midlength free float tube ( or rail system ) with a gas block under the tube. It is possible but not so common.  I just went through RRA's  Catalog and everthing I seen with mid handguards.... was a mid gas. Good luck!

Mid length refers to the gas system, not barrel length.  

RRA is the best bargin going right now. Check Eagle firearms, too.