14.5" precision uppers?

[wild_wild_wes]

Right now I have a 16" midlength built around a Denny's "Operator" barrel; it has a TA-31F with it, so it does not really fall into the "precision" rifle catagory, given the chrome-lined barrrel and the ACOG. I also have an 18" SPR-type build almost completed; it will have a Nightforce 2.5-10x32. My next project was going to be a Recce, but this now seems redundant, since I already have a 16" rifle, and I know of no scope in between the capability of the Nightforce and the ACOG that would be appropriate.

But the idea of a 14.5" precision build is intriguing. From searching through the threads here, I found old posts from 2006 and 2007 discussing such uppers, but nothing very recent. They were called "Recon Scouts" and Noveske "Afghans"; the best optic fits for these were considered to be the low-power 1-4x variables.

Are any of you guys running such rigs? Do you find them to be worthwhile?

[M4Fundi]

I would be interested to know if the Noveske Afghan is considered a precision rifle...

... and capable of what the average Colt 16in BBL can do...

[Sone]

I have the 14.5 Noveske with a 13.2 rail on it. I have a loopy 3.5x10 on it and have used it out to 300 yards. The barrel is capable of MOA shooting with no problems. I built this gun at the time as a close range urban sniper setup for the dept I worked for at the time, and it filled that role nicely.

[Molon]

http://www.box.net/shared/static/l4ir0loulo.jpg

[edwin907]

This WOA Recon Scout 14.5" 1/7 barrel was profiled and fluted by Compass Lake from a Wilson match blank. With 77gr ammo it's very accurate, has no significant POI shift when warmed up, and could certainly fill the role of a mid range sniper weapon.
I use a variety of optics on it, M4S/3X/PVS-14, TA55A ACOG, TA31F ACOG, as well as the SpecWar2 suppressor and have never found accuracy to be lacking.

It fills a nice gap between the 10.5" SBR and the 16" Recon.
As a rule, and I do have one under 14.5" barrel, the 10.5" MRP, I don't like shorter barrel lengths due to the lack of frag range.
With MK262 or 5.56 TAP, you are still good out to something like 150 yards with the 14.5".

http://bellsouthpwp.net/e/d/edwin907/_A216552.jpg

[Belmont31R]

I had something similar. A 16" LaRue Stealth upper with a Short-Dot.


In my opinion this setup is more of a niche item, and I would not consider it for general purpose or a "fighting gun". It can be used for that...however...


These barrels are very accurate (also owned a Noveske Afghan upper) but the barrels are heavy, and that does not make for a good fighting gun in my opinion.

Then you add a heavier optic, and the weight gets worse. Add a light, VFG, et cetera.... I would pick a barrel like this if I wanted a very accurate shooter to have fun with but if I was looking to take classes Id go with something more like a BCM middy upper, Noveske "lite", or SR15. Much easier to point, still have good accuracy, and the barrels will last longer than SS.

Overall I think this type of gun fills the gap between a true precision upper like a MK12, and something like the SR15 or Noveske lite middy. Recently I looked at everything I had, and decided I want one or the other not a mixture of both. So I sold the Short-Dot, and LaRue upper. Bought an SR15 which has a T1, and my next build is going to be a Mk12 clone.

But it depends on your wants and needs. I liked trying to shoot good groups with the LaRue and Afghan but then I was limited by the optics I had. If I wanted to do some drills with them I was hampered by the weight and bulk.

[M16MANIAC]

I have a 14.5" SS Afghan barrel on this gun and it is capable of sub MOA. From what I understand you get higher velocities with the Noveske SS barrels as you would with a CL barrel in the same length(I read this some where but can't remember where)
I want a different optic most likely a NF 1-4 power or similar.
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq212/KAB12869/BoggyHead018.jpg

[hossb7]

I have a CMMG 14.5" SOCOM profile barrel (~4oz heavier than gov't profile) with an ACOG on it and I've had a lot of fun hitting 10" plates at 200 yards.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i231/hossb7/9027_514267438825_205400086_3095032.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i231/hossb7/9027_514267448805_205400086_3095032.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i231/hossb7/PracticalRifle7-11-09128.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i231/hossb7/AR1501.jpg

Note: I've only shot this gun past 100 yards 3 times :D

[Cameron]

The right barrel (and ammo) regardless of length will certainly be able to produce accurate shots. In fact the shorter the barrel the easier it is to get better accuracy. However you run into the problems of reduced velocity. Therefore trajectories become steeper and effect on external ballistics are increased. Most decent 14.5" barrels should be able to group well and a match barrel maker will be able to produce a 14.5" that is sub half MOA just like a longer barrel. There is no reason that you cannot make hits out to 800M with a mil spec 14.5". Add a match barrel and a decent optics and it would be well within the capabilities of the carbine.

So, what you would really have to consider would be the effect of the reduced velocity does to your trajectory with you particular round.

My thoughts are that a 16" barrel with be the shortest I would personally go to get the best compromise in velocities from a "precision" carbine. Personally I would actually opt an 18". I have a 16" Daniel Defense SPR with an LW50 barrel, if I ever shoot it out I will re-barrel it with an 18" barrel.

Like you I have a couple different rifles for different roles, currently a 16" SPR with variable optic, a 16" general purpose with an RDS, and a 10.5" SBR with a RDS. If I was doing it again I would simply have got the 18" barrel for the precision rifle. I just don't see how the 14.5" offers an advantage over a comparable 16". Having said that, I will probably own one eventually to round out the collection. :)

Cameron

Ps. I shot my 10.5" from groups on the 200yard line with just an EOTech, and was able to get a 5" group with 3 rounds within 3".

[wild_wild_wes]

Here is my plan:

14.5" CMMG lightweight barrel with RDS; a "basic rifle":
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/pseudonominus/006.jpg

14.5" CMMG lightweight barrel with Compact ACOG; also a "basic rifle":
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/pseudonominus/008.jpg
(mostly duplicates my M4ish build, but I wanted a monolith! and a lightweight rifle with rails. and the 3X optic offers longer range)

16" Denny's Operator barrel with ACOG....not quite a Recce; but still more capable than the ones above:
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/pseudonominus/010.jpg

Coming soon!
18" Noveske SPR barrel; Nightforce 2.510x32 as my medium range precision rifle.

Coming soon!
14.5" match barrel with Nightforce 1-4x24 as a close-in precision rifle.


....that should cover things!

[benthughes]

" Beware the man with one gun - he knows how to use it"

That being said:
Larue Stealth 16" upper on LMT Lower with AA trigger and ACOG
LWRC 16" with JP Trigger and Eotech
Noveske 10.5" N4 Light with Aimpoint M2
WOA/Larue 16" 6.8 SPC with AA trigger and Nightforce NXS 2.5-10.

I think if you're gonna go shorter than 16" just suck it up and go 10.5". I see no point in a 14.5" barrel that's pinned to 16", not that it's necessarily what you're doing.

My 2 go to guns are My Larue and my Noveske, everything else is just does essentially the same thing but maybe not as well. My LWRC is my "run the piss out of it" gun. I'm planning on either a Noveske upper (chrome lined) 16" or a 10.5" gas piston deal to run supressed.

See if you can find one to shoot and see if it floats your boat. Unlike dating, I don't think the extra 1.5" is a big deal :D

[wild_wild_wes]

I wish! California inmates are not allowed SBRs.