Is there a study or something that says what the shortest or longest overall length of firearm would be acceptable for tight environments (dwellings & ships)?
Is there a study or something that says what the shortest or longest overall length of firearm would be acceptable for tight environments (dwellings & ships)?
Call me crazy, but it would be based on the width of your doorways and hallways. This is non scientific opinion but anything more than 4-6 inches longer than the width of your doorways are going to start to impare movement.
You haven't even mentioned getting in and out of vehicles, trust me it makes a difference.
This is my opinion based on personal experience, not fact based:
I been kicking in door for a pretty long time throughout my service in the Army. The M4 has a 14.5 barrel and I have had no issues ever clearing with it. So I guess for a CQB type weapon that is about as long a barrel as I would like. As for the shortest barrel length, I guess it depends on the ballistics you would like to get out of it. Personally, I wont go any shorter than 11.5 because I still want to be ablility to engage accurately out to 300m. However, you could go as short as a7.5, but I've heard there has been some reliability issues with that length. So it really all comes down to personal preference, but I think 10.5, 11.5, and 12.5 would all be outstanding choices for a CQB barrel length. Hope that answers your question.
Out of curiousity have you ever tried to use a short barrel to hit targets at long(er) ranges?
I personally know someone who was making hits at 800M with a 10.5 inch upper and Spectre Elcan.
I am routinely able to hit a 10"x14" steel plate at 300-400 yds. with my 11.5" SBR and ACOG using standard 55gr. ammo.
A man sized torso target is just as easy.
Match ammo enhances the accuracy.
Clearing a building slowly (like civilian or cop) is actually much more difficult and is easier with a shorter weapon.
Yes I have shot several SBRs, and yes like I said in my post 11.5 and 12.5 you can engage very accurate and effectively at 300meters. However, I do find it very interesting that your "friend" has the skill to accurately engage targets at 800m with a 10.5 SBR. So if you don't mind out of "curiousity", will you ask your friend what ammo, barrel and DOPE he has recorded that allows him to consistantly make these shots.... cause during my time going through LRM most of us were doing good to hit our targets at 7-800m with our M4s, so obviously we were missing some crucial bit of intel on how to engage our targets out that far. I understand match ammo can make a world of difference, but please don't think I'm being disrespectful I'm just skeptical.
I have used 10.5, 14.5 and 16" ARs for clearing houses, they all work fine but the 10.5 is definitely easier, however I would not go shorter than a 10.5 for reliability and velocity issues.
He's an 18B on active duty. I'll see if I can get the details. One thing I will say is that he was also very skeptical about being able to make hits at long(er) ranges with his AR until I convinced him to try it.
I should have mentioned that he was shooting a 55 gallon oil drum (not a steel plate). He reported back to me that he was shocked when he was able to do it.
I reported here last year about someone I know who smoked some Muj at 600 and 800M with an M4 using Mk 262 MOD 1 and an Elcan. They didn't get back back up.
People would be really surprised at what their "shorties" will do if they would actually take them out and try.