14.5" with perm FH suggestions

[teufeldog]

I'm thinking about building a 14.5" rifle but will have to have the flash hider permanently attached. From what I've read here I can use the Sabre Extended, Smith Vortex or YHM Phantom. I'd like to stay right at 16" for overall length and not really go over all that much. It looks like some flash hiders/compensators are longer and will extend overall length quite far. I assume these will also get me to 16":


AAC Blackout Flash Suppressor
PWS FSC556 Tactical Compensator
VLTOR VC-1


For those who have already done this, what FH did you choose -- or which do you recommend -- and what did you end up with for an overall length.

[spamsammich]

I never measured my OAL but my LMT 14.5" barrels have a Vortex and a Phantom. The upper I got from Grant had a really nice pin and weld job. I did the second upper with the help of a machinist friend at work and while it works just as well, the weld isn't as inconspicuous. But that's just as well, I want it to be plainly obvious to anyone that the flash hider has been permanently attached.

I wouldn't worry about the OAL too much at this point, just stick with the flash hiders that are known to bring 14.5" barrels into NFA compliance. Basically any FH on Noveske's page that he uses on his permed barrels is good to go. I have a spare Vortex around, at some point I'd also like to try an Blackout.

[markm]

That Sabre unit is about the least "lengthy" looking flash hider you can go with.

I saw some 14.5 perms in Cavalry Arms showroom that I had to double take on to determine that the FH was extended. They really looked professional.

[michealj]

My 14.5" Noveske barrel OAL is 15".
With AAC SPR/M4 Blackout OAL is 16.75".

Measured at the bolt face with the SPR/M4 mount it is 16.25".

[C-Fish]

I had a FSC556 perm'd to my 14.5


OAL is 16.25"

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g296/mseiferth/Guns/DSC_0140.jpg

Very nice shooter...

[CarlosDJackal]

I had a FSC556 perm'd to my 14.5

OAL is 16.25"...

You're refering to the barrel OAL, correct? Otherwise you have an SBR!! :eek:

[C-Fish]

You're refering to the barrel OAL, correct? Otherwise you have an SBR!! :eek:

I'm going to bite my tongue on my response...:rolleyes:


(biting tongue so as not to be TOO sarcastic)...YES, the barrel is 16.25" OAL with the permanently attached FSC556 making this a legal rifle.

Regards,

[mmike87]

My last upper from PK had a Sabre 14.5" barrel and the perm attached Sabre hider. Not a "fancy" flash hider, but it looks nice. I measured from where I thought I should to the end of the barrel and it's seems like exactly 16" OAL.

[USMC03]

I have used the 14.5" M4 + perminately attached muzzle device as my primary work gun for several years.

I generally use the Sabre Defense long A2 flash hiders, or the Gem-Tech Bi-Loc mount for my Gem-Tech G5 (converted M4-96D)

The top 3 pics are Colt LE6920's with Colt 14.5" M4 SOCOM barrels.....been their current configuration since late 2004. Bottom 2 pics are LMT 14.5" M4's:

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/Colt%206920%203x%20Magnifier/DPP_0016.jpg

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/Coyote%20Colt/DPP_0159.jpg

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/Colt%20with%20Short%20Dot/IMG_0745.jpg

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/LMT%20SWAT%20Gun/DPP_0268.jpg

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/LMT%20with%20Short%20Dot/DPP_0339.jpg

(same gun as above with G5)
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/LMT%20with%20Short%20Dot/DPP_0357.jpg



I have been using the FSC556 since early 2008 and have been extreemly impressed with it. If I were to do another 14.5" M4 project, I would go with either the Sabre or the FSC556.



S/F,
Jeff

[C-Fish]

My last upper from PK had a Sabre 14.5" barrel and the perm attached Sabre hider. Not a "fancy" flash hider, but it looks nice. I measured from where I thought I should to the end of the barrel and it's seems like exactly 16" OAL.

To properly measure;
Close the bolt
Shove (gingerly) a cleaning rod down the barrel from the muzzle end
Make a mark on the rod where the FH/Brake ends
Remove rod and measure from the tip to the mark

That is your barrel length...:)

[USMC03]

Forgot about this one....14.5" Noveske N4 with Surfire 556k muzzle brake perminately attached.


http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/Noveske%20N4/DPP_0250.jpg



S/F,
Jeff

[GaryXD]

I've had two Phantoms and two Sabres. The Sabres look like they would stand more abuse if that is ever an issue.

[User Name]

I had a 6920 barrel cut to 14.7 and just had the A2 permed on.

[thetallengineer]

I'm putting a Vortex on my LMT 14.5 upper. I was going to go with the AAC blackout but Adco charges a $70 premium for the AAC and Surefire flash hiders since they have a higher level of hardness. The AAC Blackout is slightly shorter than the Vortex but I think you would be content with either one.

[USMC03]

Another one I forgot about. This one has a Surefire 556k flash hider perminately attached (LMT14.5" M4).

If I didn't have a Gem-Tech G5 and a Surfire 556k, all or most of the flash hiders I would have used on my 14.5" barrels would have been the Sabre Defense long A2. If I would have wanted a muzzle device that would have given me some performance advantage, I would have gone with the FSC556.

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/FDE%20LMT/IMG_0038.jpg


S/F,
Jeff