Why do mfgs still make carbine length gas systems vs. mid-length?
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Why do mfgs still make carbine length gas systems vs. mid-length?
Cost? They are already tooled up for carbine system.
Imagine because there are a lot of manufactures who will tell you that it is just as good, and lets be honest how many manufactures out there make a mid length system that you would trust? Well that and the fact that most shooters out there don't know that middy length even exists should say a lot. Also, when you are looking at a short carbine for many SBR lengths carbine gas system seems to be the way to go. And then you have the guys who want something close to what they carried in the service.
I will say that I prefer my middy, but carbine still has a place depending on the mission and what you want and the pros and cons of what you are looking at.
Two words: Mil Spec.
That is the military spec gas length, and only somewhat recently it seems middy gas systems have become the go-to choice, at least for barrel lengths from 14.5" and up. 14.5" and down, a carbine is a better choice for obvious reasons.
I imagine as long as the .mil continues to use the carbine gas system that manufacturers will continue to make it. It's also the standard for SBRs as I understand it. Plus there's no standard spec out for mid-length gas systems. With all the companies out there who can't make a carbine length gun right when there is a spec for it, do you really want them to start making midlength guns for which there is no spec at all?
I'm curious as to why you would feel they shouldn't make them?
Carbine length gas systems will run pretty much any ammo you throw at them, and with the right buffer and spring combo will cycle smoothly while doing so.
Because carbine-length gas systems on ARs are a proven system.
The reason mid-lengths originally came about is because carbine-length gas systems weren't designed for 16" barrels, and some engineers found that moving the gas port closer to the muzzle than the carbine-length allowed on those 16" barrels was more optimal. Thus, the mid-length gas system.
P.S.
Just to clarify...Is a carbine length gas system ok on a 14.5" barreled rifle?