Originally Posted by
Failure2Stop
I personally prefer a 14.5 over a 16 if both are using a CAR gas system. I can tell a difference in recoil impulse between the two, and prefer the way the 14.5 feels- however, I have about 50,000 more rounds through 14.5" barrels than 16" barrels and I may just be more familiar/comfortable with that feeling. I can also tell a difference in handling. People keep popping up pointing out that there is a 1.6" muzzle device stuck to the 14.5 barrel (if you are trying to avoid NFA hassle), which brings it up past 16"; well I have news, most 16" barrels have 1.5" (+/-) muzzle devices too, which bring them up to about 17.5". While you might not be saving much barrel length, you are saving some, and you are reducing weight at the muzzle end.
Having a permanently attached FH (once again, if running a 14.5 and circumventing NFA) can be a limiting factor as well. You lose the ability to readily change the barrel, FSB, some handguards, and (obviously) the muzzle device. Now, I really don't care about that due to my reason for having a 14.5 gun at all, but I can appreciate the issues for those that do.
You do gain some muzzle velocity by going with a 16" barrel, but not as much as if you go with a 16" mid-length. A 16" CAR gas system is a little more violent in extraction than a 14.5" CAR, but the mid-length is better than either in that regard.
One other thing to consider is that buying a 16" upper instead of a 14.5" non-pinned/welded puts you safely outside the possibility of some knuckle-head making legal trouble for you. I had this happen to me when I was trying to get someone to pin/weld my 14.5" upper. While I didn't do anything wrong, it could have become an issue if the dissenting opinion was down 7 more IQ points.
Personally I have no good reason to own a 16" CAR, not when the 16" middie is so good. Were it not for the mid-length gas system, I would have no personal interest in 16" guns at all. As far as applicable performance goes, there isn't anything a 16" CAR gun can do that a 14.5" CAR gun can't, and except for a bit more weight, nothing that a 16" middie can't do better. If it comes down to splitting hairs about muzzle velocity you might as well just step up to a 17"-18" barrel and decisively end the argument.
yeah you rule!
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Bookmarks