Suggestions for general purpose carbine build? (14.5" or 16") (BCM vs DD vs LWRC etc)

[ExplorinInTheWoods]

Exactly, I have a bcm with a 14.5" pinned with a surefire mb556k and I love the combination. My next rifle will be the ddm4v7 slw.

I have a 14.5 spike's/fn with a surefire brake and it's my favorite AR, super smooth and accurate.

[odugrad]

I've always been a fan of 14.5 carbines. My favorite rifles have 14.5 barrels. I generally get the BCM Comp mod 1 and I've been super happy. Even with the pinned flash hider the slightly shorter length does make a difference in my opinion. I've got 16" barrels for different reasons/uses/applications. But the 14.5s are my favorite.

[teksid]

I bought a LE6920CK from Armslist for a song. I then discovered it was 14.5".
I ended up free floating the barrel, and adding (pinned and welded) BCM Mod1 comp.
Now it has an SSA-E trigger and is my favorite rifle.

[johnofaustria]

I personally went with a BCM in the 14.5 pinned comp, I just liked the length in my issued rifle and went with what I was familiar and comfortable with. Damned nice weapon IMO. Standard trigger is definitely crunchy, but again, that's all I've ever shot with, so YMMV with upgrading that.

[Potss]

If you really dont want to build yourself, then CLE will build you a better upper than any ITT. Pop that on a KE Arms match lower and. Ow you have a better rifle cheaper with the upper built to your specs. I'd go 14.5in mid gas.

[1986s4]

If you really dont want to build yourself, then CLE will build you a better upper than any ITT. Pop that on a KE Arms match lower and. Ow you have a better rifle cheaper with the upper built to your specs. I'd go 14.5in mid gas.

I've been reading this thread with some parallel interest. So I have to ask; who is "CLT" and "ITT" ?

[Potss]

CLE are Compass Lake Engineering, widely regarded as making the most accurate barrels you can put on an AR: http://www.compasslake.com/index.php...41e932722893a8 They also make great uppers with AGBs.

ITT is a forum abbreviation meaning "In This Thread."

[pinzgauer]

Built a KISS upper using DD components and a 14.7" DD pencil barrel with FSB. Pinned A2.

One of my favorites, everyone who shoots it likes it.

Yes, it's only 1.5” difference, but combined with a light barrel profile and minimal accys it's a handy package.

[mx5rcr]

I have a pair of DD V7's. Excellent for what you are talking about.

I converted my v5 to a v7 by changing the rail. Also dropped in a Geisele SSA. Add a scope and offset red dot and it sounds like what you want. $1500 rifle. $220 trigger. Right at your budget.


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[jp0319]

I'm probably in the minority but I am a fan of the 14.5" pinned AR. I have two at this point. There is a difference between the 14.5 and 16 inch uppers (however slight that might be) in maneuverability etc. The down side is obviously if you are a gear switcher or muzzle device switcher the pinned break or hider is problematic. If you like to find a specific setup and stick with it, your good. I am going through that right now, I have an upper at Rainier Arms getting a pinned break unpinned and replaced to standardize with my other carbine.

On the question of weather to buy or build... I would advocate build. I have gone down too many rabbit holes buying an AR only to replace half of its parts (not out of necessity mind you, more my likes/dislikes). I have gotten to the point that I just buy everything I want from the start (barrel, rail, trigger, individual parts) and build it or have it built how I want it from the beginning so I don't have to screw with it. If you shop around and exploit sales or discounts you will come out cheaper overall. what this "usually" works out to for me is I can build a similar version of a carbine that I am interested in cheap enough that I am able to get a RDS on it for a similar price to the original carbine only. YMMV.

As to BCM vs. DD... If I had to choose, BCM. But again, I prefer piecemeal building a carbine. For example, I like short throw ambi safeties. Neither BCM or DD to my knowledge offer that option. So I usually use an Aero Precision STS lower or Rainier Arms STS lower as the base for a build, I think BCM and DD both have great barrels, I happen to have BCM BFH 14.5" mid length gas barrels in both of my 14.5 carbines and they have been amazing, I have also used DD CHF barrels in other carbines in the past with no issues.