16" or a 14.5" middy (I've tried to search for my question)

[CCFD1414]

I'm about to order my first middy but can't decide between the 16" and the 14.5" barrels, I've owned a few 16" carbines and currently a 20" A4 clone. I eventually want to get both but that will be awhile. I plan to use it for plinking and varmint hunting. I've tried to search for my question but I couldn't find what I was looking for (I'm a failure at searching)

[ucrt]

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What maker's middy are you looking at purchasing?

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[Cameron]

Get the 16" mid length for the ease of changing the muzzle device, and a touch more muzzle velocity for the varmints. If I just had one mid length (I have both a 16" and 14.5") it would certainly be the 16".

14.5" mid length by Bravo Company
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7273/7103251421_e649accf7d_c.jpg

16" mid length by Daniel Defense
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8167/6957180812_70a1603035_c.jpg

Cameron

[Packman73]

I prefer the 16" as well. :cool:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/gallery/data/500/medium/Tools_008.JPG (http://www.tacomaworld.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/241923/cat/500)

[eo500]

I prefer the flexibility that the 16" offers as far as eventually swapping out the flash hider. Unless you plan on using it indoors for CQB, or getting in and out of vehicles the extra 1.5" won't make that much difference. Even if you do plan on using it indoors, need to get in and out of a vehicle with it, or want to eventually add a suppressor, then you'd be better off with an SBR.

[Iraqgunz]

I would go with the 16" middy.

[CCFD1414]

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What maker's middy are you looking at purchasing?

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I'm looking at BCM and Daniel Defense, really the only reason I would want to switch or remove the FH would be for to add a Larue 9" rail and/or an AAC FH so I could use a can but that would be after I get the second gun. Also if I was to go the shorter route I was looking at the PSA 14.7" so I could use the standard A2 FH. Does the 1.5" make that much of a difference in the way the rifle handles?

[ucrt]

I'm looking at BCM and Daniel Defense, really the only reason I would want to switch or remove the FH would be for to add a Larue 9" rail and/or an AAC FH so I could use a can but that would be after I get the second gun. Also if I was to go the shorter route I was looking at the PSA 14.7" so I could use the standard A2 FH. Does the 1.5" make that much of a difference in the way the rifle handles?

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Good. Either of those rifles will be a properly built middy.

I have a 14.5" and a 16" and I prefer the option of being able to easily disassemble the 16". I don't feel any real difference between the two but I just like having the option.

If you had said you were interested in a lower tier maker's middy, I was going to advise you to move up to a company that properly ports their rifles. I have never had an issue with my 14.5" but I have read of issues with some 14.5" guns having problems cycling lower pressure ammo.
A 16" middy has a reputation of being a reliable solid soft-shooting gun and that is what I'd recommend.

But maybe it's just me...

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[rackham1]

Another voice in the chorus... I have a 14.5" middy but now would rather have gotten 16".

However, if all that's in stock right now is 14.5" then I say you should get it and not worry that you made a wrong choice. There's nothing really wrong with 14.5" (assuming you stick with those makes)... especially since you plan on getting both eventually... so just keep it simple and make it your truck gun or backup rifle later.

[BTL BRN]

I have both, a BCM 14.5 and DD 16; both are great and have their place but the 14.5 is much more sensitive to ammo choice. It won't reliably work with under-powered Russian cartridges (though I haven't tried recently, this was in the first few hundred rounds) even with a carbine buffer, so if I could only have one I would go 16". The 14.5 is dead nuts reliable with XM193, M855 and all mil-spec ammo, though so if you are going to feed it accordingly it is a contender as well.

[tonyxcom]

I've got two 16's and in the process of building my first 14.5. If I could only have one it would definitely be a 16 though.

For me, no other reason for the 14.5 other than the way it looks. Hopefully it's as reliable as my 16's.

[CCFD1414]

Thanks for the quick replies, looks like I'll be getting the 16 first

[JW1069]

I'm looking at BCM and Daniel Defense, really the only reason I would want to switch or remove the FH would be for to add a Larue 9" rail and/or an AAC FH so I could use a can but that would be after I get the second gun. Also if I was to go the shorter route I was looking at the PSA 14.7" so I could use the standard A2 FH. Does the 1.5" make that much of a difference in the way the rifle handles?

If you want a BCM 14.5" middy, just add the A2X perm attach option and you're GTG. I wouldn't buy the PSA upper just to use an A2 FH.

In your situation, I'd follow the advice of others here and take the 16" middy for now and leave your options open for easily changing the configuration later.

[CCFD1414]

Get the 16" mid length for the ease of changing the muzzle device, and a touch more muzzle velocity for the varmints. If I just had one mid length (I have both a 16" and 14.5") it would certainly be the 16".

14.5" mid length by Bravo Company
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7273/7103251421_e649accf7d_c.jpg

16" mid length by Daniel Defense
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8167/6957180812_70a1603035_c.jpg

Cameron

What optic is on your 16" Daniel Defense?

[CLJ94104]

I would go with the 16" middy.

This is what I did after weighing both options.

[ASH556]

What optic is on your 16" Daniel Defense?

Leupold MkIV MR/T 1.5-5x20