I attended a high volume fire training event prior to the pandemic and there were guys with $10,000 worth of kit and they couldn’t shoot worth bubblegum. Their carbines were not the practical weakness: they were.
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I would say the 12.5” is too short for a one carbine solution. I would lean towards 14.5-16” up to 18”. How far would you engage a threat with the 12.5” with MK262? How far would you engage a threat with 55g cartridges if that’s all you had access to? You would be better served with a 14.5-18” barrel.
The reality is we do not have the luxury to predict when, where, and at what distance a threat may present itself. The 10-12.5” is versatile but not ideal upper for a one carbine solution. That’s my point.
If we’re talking practical use, then throw a suppressor on the end of that 14.5 and tell me how practical that is inside a structure. With a 6” suppressor on a 12.5”, it’s about an inch longer than an unsuppressed 16”. It’s finding the right balance of a short barrel + suppressor that still offers acceptable external/terminal ballistics AND can be used effectively indoors and out, day or night.
Based on your posts, I can tell you missed the parameters I listed in the OP on the first post:
Parameters for this carbine:
1) 0-400 capable
2) Day and Night capable
3) Stay light enough to be easily carried in the field
This whole quest really began with Kyle Defoor several years ago talking about his opinion of the capability of the 5.56 AR platform. Which he says is 0-400. Past that range, he said he wants a bigger caliber. 11.5” or 12.5” both fit this role pretty well. I happen to like the 12.5” better based on data and personal experience shooting this type of platform for the last 3-4 years.
For you to make the 800 “yard” argument is just asinine for this discussion. There’s nothing reliable about 5.56 at 800 yds whether you’re talking 12.5, 14.5, or 18 when it comes to external or terminal ballistics, regardless of cartridge used. Nothing expands or fragments at that range and hit percentage is WAY down compared to 400yds.