What barrel length do you feel is the best all-around?

[BoltActionAssault]

M4 is 14.5", and the x95/MTAR is 15" for the 5.56... I think this is probably the sweet spot for this cartridge for general use.

[docsherm]

12.5", if I could only have one. That would be it. Period.

[bignc]

12.5", if I could only have one. That would be it. Period.

So far, I have to agree! My middy BCMs have always been soft shooting but the 12.5 is HANDY too!

[ABNAK]

Can someone elaborate on the fondness for the 12.5" barrel? I get the less weight, more compact aspects. However, ballistically it gives less performance than the 14.5" and a little more than the 11.5".

Could there be a "novelty" component to this attraction? i.e. it's not seen as much compared to the others.

[matemike]

16" right off the shelf. learn to do everything with that length, any other length is an upgrade.

I love my 11.5" suppressed though.

[Biggy]

Can someone elaborate on the fondness for the 12.5" barrel? I get the less weight, more compact aspects. However, ballistically it gives less performance than the 14.5" and a little more than the 11.5".

Could there be a "novelty" component to this attraction? i.e. it's not seen as much compared to the others.

IMHO, every barrel length is a compromise in one way or another, so get one, or better yet get *two* that best fits their task at hand. Room clearing mostly ? Maybe a 9" inch or shorter suppressed 300 blackout would work best for the short distances and tight places. Ammo type is another part of the equation, but overall I think maybe a 14.5 or 16 inch would be best * compromise*

[MountainRaven]

Can someone elaborate on the fondness for the 12.5" barrel? I get the less weight, more compact aspects. However, ballistically it gives less performance than the 14.5" and a little more than the 11.5".

Could there be a "novelty" component to this attraction? i.e. it's not seen as much compared to the others.

It's only a novelty in the US. Internationally, most 5.56mm carbines tend to have barrels 12-13 inches long: G36K, Galil SAR and Denel R5, Tavor X-95, ACE 22, HK33K, AK-102, &c.

[panzerr]

Can someone elaborate on the fondness for the 12.5" barrel? I get the less weight, more compact aspects. However, ballistically it gives less performance than the 14.5" and a little more than the 11.5".

Could there be a "novelty" component to this attraction? i.e. it's not seen as much compared to the others.

12.5 is the perfect compromise of velocity, reliability, muzzle blast and handiness.

10.5 has terrible muzzle blast/concussion

14.5 is fine, until you get a 12.5 in your hands and realize it is....handy as hell. Those 2" make a yuuuuge difference.

[docsherm]

Can someone elaborate on the fondness for the 12.5" barrel? I get the less weight, more compact aspects. However, ballistically it gives less performance than the 14.5" and a little more than the 11.5".

Could there be a "novelty" component to this attraction? i.e. it's not seen as much compared to the others.

It is the shortest barrel lenght that will allow for PROPER use of the MK262. There is no novelty in this. It was created for a purpose and that was a SBR that could utilize that round.

**** I do not care if you have shot 1,000,000 MK262 out if your 11.5". That is why PROPER is in all caps.

[slowrx]

10/11.5 is what I voted on because that's all I own, shoot, train and work with anymore. I suppose my second choice would be 16 because of availability.