BallisticHarmony
09-03-18, 02:05
Thought it would be interesting to just write down some attributes of both lengths and see which one comes out on top based purely on the number of positive and negative attributes. For the purpose of this comparison, each weapon's pros will be added to its total, and cons will be subtracted. This is looking through the perspective of a combat role. I went with 16" instead of 14.5" to create further distance from the shorty, though their performance is essentially the same.
11.5" 5.56 carbine length gas system
Pros
1. Weight
2. Maneuverability
Cons
1. Muzzle Report
2. Muzzle Flash
3. Recoil
4. Bullet Drop
5. Terminal Effective Range
Total: -3
16" 5.56 midlength gas system
Pros
1. Muzzle Report
2. Muzzle Flash
3. Recoil
4. Bullet Drop
5. Terminal Effective Range
Cons
1. Weight
2. Maneuverability
Total: +3
So far, looks like the middy's winning. However, when we throw in the suppressor monkey wrench, suddenly muzzle report and muzzle flash are now in the pro category for both and for the sake of argument are more or less equalized (for a combat environment). Additional suppressor-specific attributes can also be added to both pro categories. Finally, adding a suppressor to the weapon will subtract an additional .5 for both increased weight and decreased maneuverability.
11.5" 5.56 carbine length gas system, suppressed
Pros
1. Muzzle Report
2. Muzzle Flash
3. Weight (.5)
4. Maneuverability (.5)
5. Indoor Concussion
6. Team Communication
7. Situational Awareness
Cons
1. Recoil
2. Bullet Drop
3. Terminal Effective Range
Total: +3
16” 5.56 midlength gas system, suppressed
Pros
1. Muzzle Report
2. Muzzle Flash
3. Recoil
4. Bullet Drop
5. Terminal Effective Range
6. Indoor Concussion
7. Team Communication
8. Situational Awareness
Cons
1. Weight (-1.5)
2. Maneuverability (-1.5)
Total: +5
Wow! According to my completely non-scientific and non-peer-reviewed metrics, the shorty benefited much more from the can than the middy did, gaining 6 points as opposed to just 2. Interestingly, this is similar to what some folks have noticed in real-world situations: short rifles are great platforms for cans, whereas full-size carbines have enough on their plate already. In the end, though, it appears as though the 16" gun is still the better option, IMHO. I assume the 14.5" would be a good compromise between the two, while still leaning more towards the 16" attributes.
If you think I forgot about any pros or cons, lemme know so I can edit them in. Hope you enjoyed this little exercise and lemme know if you agree or disagree.
11.5" 5.56 carbine length gas system
Pros
1. Weight
2. Maneuverability
Cons
1. Muzzle Report
2. Muzzle Flash
3. Recoil
4. Bullet Drop
5. Terminal Effective Range
Total: -3
16" 5.56 midlength gas system
Pros
1. Muzzle Report
2. Muzzle Flash
3. Recoil
4. Bullet Drop
5. Terminal Effective Range
Cons
1. Weight
2. Maneuverability
Total: +3
So far, looks like the middy's winning. However, when we throw in the suppressor monkey wrench, suddenly muzzle report and muzzle flash are now in the pro category for both and for the sake of argument are more or less equalized (for a combat environment). Additional suppressor-specific attributes can also be added to both pro categories. Finally, adding a suppressor to the weapon will subtract an additional .5 for both increased weight and decreased maneuverability.
11.5" 5.56 carbine length gas system, suppressed
Pros
1. Muzzle Report
2. Muzzle Flash
3. Weight (.5)
4. Maneuverability (.5)
5. Indoor Concussion
6. Team Communication
7. Situational Awareness
Cons
1. Recoil
2. Bullet Drop
3. Terminal Effective Range
Total: +3
16” 5.56 midlength gas system, suppressed
Pros
1. Muzzle Report
2. Muzzle Flash
3. Recoil
4. Bullet Drop
5. Terminal Effective Range
6. Indoor Concussion
7. Team Communication
8. Situational Awareness
Cons
1. Weight (-1.5)
2. Maneuverability (-1.5)
Total: +5
Wow! According to my completely non-scientific and non-peer-reviewed metrics, the shorty benefited much more from the can than the middy did, gaining 6 points as opposed to just 2. Interestingly, this is similar to what some folks have noticed in real-world situations: short rifles are great platforms for cans, whereas full-size carbines have enough on their plate already. In the end, though, it appears as though the 16" gun is still the better option, IMHO. I assume the 14.5" would be a good compromise between the two, while still leaning more towards the 16" attributes.
If you think I forgot about any pros or cons, lemme know so I can edit them in. Hope you enjoyed this little exercise and lemme know if you agree or disagree.