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tote412
01-25-15, 19:36
Why is it that some people will run shorter (10.5"-14.5") barrels with a permanently attached muzzle device?
It seems that any benifit of a short barrel is nullified, and it seems a longer barrel would be more accurate also.
I guess some people may like the look of certain muzzle devices, but I cant figure any practical benefits.
Mysteryman
01-25-15, 19:45
Why is it that some people will run shorter (10.5"-14.5") barrels with a permanently attached muzzle device?
It seems that any benifit of a short barrel is nullified, and it seems a longer barrel would be more accurate also.
I guess some people may like the look of certain muzzle devices, but I cant figure any practical benefits.

Barrel length has little to do with accuracy, velocity is far more important. In addition shorter barrels are stiffer than longer ones and thus inherently more accurate. A perm flash hider on anything less than 14.5" is an expensive waste of time. For those who wish to remain clear of an NFA rifle a perm flash hider on a 14.5" is the ticket. As far as permanently attaching the flash hider goes, it can be reversed, however some find a device that works and stick with it as opposed to chasing the latest and greatest for muzzle devices.

MM
JS-Maine
01-25-15, 19:51
Inside buildings they are much more handy. Indoor dimensions don't often lend themselves to ease of movement. An AR with a 16" bbl and fully extended stock measures approximately 36" and many hallways are only 36" wide. That doesn't leave much room for the loose nut behind the stock.
ggammell
01-25-15, 19:53
The reason for the 14.5 is easy. Permanently attach a specific length device and you're outside the NFA requirements.
tote412
01-25-15, 20:10
I dont understand how they are more handy if the muzzle device brings the length to 16" or more.
.46caliber
01-25-15, 20:16
I dont understand how they are more handy if the muzzle device brings the length to 16" or more.

They aren't. There is 0 practical gain for a 10.5 barrel with 5.5 inch permed flash hider.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
ggammell
01-25-15, 20:30
I dont understand how they are more handy if the muzzle device brings the length to 16" or more.

Saves you an inch, inch and a half from a 16" bbl to a 14.5" bible with permanent device. To some people that's important.

I think a 10.5 or even 12.5 bbl with a super longer muzzle device is rediculous.
samuse
01-25-15, 20:55
A 14.5" with an A2X is only about 3/4" shorter than a 16" with an A2.

Not much, but I'm just the right height that I can travel down most hallways at high port and not hit doors when I go through (as much).

I can definitely tell a difference in 3/4".
fdxpilot
01-25-15, 20:56
Having lots of 16" carbines and a BCM 14.5" pinned model, the 14.5 is 16.1" in finished form, while the 16" ones are all 17 1/4" at best. As long as you don't need to change out your hand guards or muzzle device, the shorter carbine is handy indoors.

As far as the shorter barrels with super long flash hiders, IMHO there's not a whole lot of point to them. Either go NFA or pistol for the shorter barrels. I also have a 10.5" pistol.
MistWolf
01-25-15, 22:08
Nobody has pinned muzzle devices on a barrels shorter than 14.5 inches since the Gay Nineties
Hemoglobin
01-25-15, 22:29
Nobody has pinned muzzle devices on a barrels shorter than 14.5 inches since the Gay Nineties


Except the 13.7 with BE meyers/pig
MegademiC
01-26-15, 07:02
My surefire silencer mount is pinned on a 14.5. It saved me 1.5" the weight and length differences are both noticeable with no drawbacks other than a few fps, which I couldn't care less about.

Short barrels with huge permed muzzle devices are not a good trade off. The car 15 clones are heavier than a straight bbl iirc.
Ryno12
01-26-15, 07:14
A 14.5" with an A2X is only about 3/4" shorter than a 16" with an A2.


My 14.5" (A2X) Colt vs 16" (A2) Colt is exactly 1.5".
My 14.5" BCM (GF Mod 1) vs 16" BCM (GF Mod 1) is 1.3".

My 14.5" BCM is actually longer than 14.5" and I'd venture a guess that it'd make it to 16" with a pinned standard length MD.
acjones20
01-26-15, 08:57
My AR is a 200 yard gun at best. I know that I CAN go longer, but it's set up w/ a FSB, non-floating handguards and 14.7" w/ permed flash hider and a RDS. This setup makes the most sense to me and any "gain" that I'd get from the extra inch of barrel really won't be utilized. For longer shots, I'd prefer a bolt-action. YMMV of course. Happy shooting.