10.5 vs 11.5 vs 14.5 for general purpose?

[Iraqgunz]

If traveling is a consideration then I would stick with a properly built 16". A 14.5" offers no advantage when compared to a 16". The hassle and cost of pin and welding isn't worth it.

If you can don't mind the NFA game and cost then I would go with an 11.5" or 12.5". Or do like most people and acquire several uppers for one lower.

[MWT]

Solid advice from Iraqgunz.
Option B: Don't increase the barrel length, increase the caliber! Love my 12.5" 308 PWS Mk2, such an awesome monster.

[w3453l]

It's always interesting to hear the arguments between 16" and 14.5". I completely agree that the whole pin and weld is a hassle, and if going NFA might as well go shorter.

I've always been curious if, and how, people's opinions on 14.5" vs 16" would change if NFA was no longer an object to consider. Or say if NFA now only applied to barrels shorter than 13".

[Iraqgunz]

The only reason that 16" exists is due to NFA. If we didn't have it, I would guess that a 16" carbine wouldn't have happened since it offers little over the 14.5".

It's always interesting to hear the arguments between 16" and 14.5". I completely agree that the whole pin and weld is a hassle, and if going NFA might as well go shorter.

I've always been curious if, and how, people's opinions on 14.5" vs 16" would change if NFA was no longer an object to consider. Or say if NFA now only applied to barrels shorter than 13".

[n4p226r]

I'd get one of each. But I live in NJ so 14.5" with a pinned Surefire socom MB works for me.

[Col_Crocs]

I voted 11.5. My go to is a 12.5 and I like it but as of late, I've been contemplating a 10.5 build. If I had to pick a GP rifle for myself, it'd be a LW 11.5

[LoboTBL]

If it wasn't for NFA, the default barrel length for the AR platform would likely be 14.5" since that is what most of the military is issued. There is a reason the military specifies that length. Of course there would be those that would have or find a need for and would sing the praises of 11.5/12.5" such as those who choose to use a suppressor. That is where the 11.5 and 12.5 really shine. Loss of velocity is a benefit of the shorter barrel in that case and it makes handling and maneuvering with the suppressor much more manageable.

[bighawk]

I have a 10.3, 11.5 and a few 14.5 and a 16.

The 10.3 and 11.5 are fairly new to me as I just got my first SBR but I have a few hundred rounds through each and I have thousands of rounds through the 14.5's and 16.

I'd take my BCM 11.5 w/ the KMR rail over any of them with a can on it. Its an incredibly handy rifle that is about the same length as a 14.5 without a can, its lightweight and I can easily reach out to 200 with it.

[seb5]

I've had 10.5, 11.5, 12.5, and 14.5 and my current SBR is a 12.5. I personally think that 14.5 is one of a very few things that the US military got right. After 2 deployments, and 26 years as a LEO I would choose the 14.5. That may be why I have 3 14.5 pinned. It's m ypreferred lenght.

[mattpittinger]

11.5 or 12.5 with a can is hard to beat for an all around setup.


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