10.5" vs 11.5" Barrels

[CaptainDooley]

I noticed @ Bravo Company that they have both 10.5" uppers and then their own BCM 11.5" uppers - is there a practical difference in that 1 inch? I guess what I'm asking is if the standard seems to be 10.5", did Bravo have some kind of reasoning behind making their shorty 11.5"?

Also, as I'm building my first AR (intended for HD), would the 10.5" be a good choice? For now I'd have to pin and weld some kind of FH on until I could talk the wife into the extra $200 to SBR it, but it seems to me that a 10.5" barrelled rifle would be pretty handy indoors... or would I get more versatility out of a 16" or 14.5" rifle?

[Dave L.]

Just hold out for a legal length barrel of you don't have a registered SBR or an AR lower marked "Pistol".

BTW, I believe the 11.5" does make some difference, extra barrel past the gas port allows a little more gas to run the system. Someone else may be better to explain the science of it.

[dcmdon]

a 10.5 with a 5.5 inch flash suppressor welded on is the worst of all worlds.

You get the velocity of a 10.5" without the additional muzzle velocity and stability of a 16" bbl.

Its a pointless combination. Either wait until you have the extra $200 to SBR it, or just get a 16" bbl.

Don

[CaptainDooley]

I did... I just got a BCM M4 upper today.

[Cameron]

I don't know about the 11.5" but I have a 10.5" from LMT that has run like a champ with all different ammo, suppressed or not, during the day or at night...

For your first AR get a 16" then don't tell the wife about the extra cost or "her" SBR and get her a 10.5"

[CarlosDJackal]

In some cases an 11.5-inch upper may be better suited for use with Suppressors because of the way these may be attached. Depending on the muzzle device that must be used, there are some models of cans that will not clear the FSB.

This is especially true for rifles that are piston operated and have adjustable and/or removable pistons (for cleaning). The muzzle device may not allow the user to remove the piston for cleaning.

[markm]

11.5 is as short as I'm willing to go. LMT 10.5s have a great reputation, but I still prefer the 11.5 for a touch more velocity and dwell time, and a touch less muzzle BLAST!

[caporider]

11.5 is as short as I'm willing to go. LMT 10.5s have a great reputation, but I still prefer the 11.5 for a touch more velocity and dwell time, and a touch less muzzle BLAST!

Same here. All my SBRs are 11.5 or 12.5, with the 12.5s set up for a Surefire full sized can.

[KevinB]

I vastly prefer the 11.5" barrel to the 10.5

C4IGrant with KAC SR16E3CQB


I prefer the Costa version though

[Iraqgunz]

Who makes a barrel that is either 11.5" up to say 12.5" in length that is good quality and in stock? I am looking for one for my SBR build and want to exhaust options before I pull the trigger on a BCM 10.5".