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Thread: If you had only two 5.56 AR's? If you had only three? (what Barrel length)

  1. #41
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    Wow thanks for all the reply's guys keep them coming!

    I don't usually ask such "what if" questions but didn't find a previous thread like it here.

    Like many of us I have several Ar lowers and uppers and simply don't need some of them. So I was trying to decide what to narrow it down to so I could sell the rest of the parts and buy more ammo.

    And of course, magazines. Interestingly I know guys with several thousand rounds of ammo but only 4-8 magazines for two rifles! I also know of guys who have 75 magazines, but only 1500 rnds of ammo. Weird...

    Anyway, I think if you know how to use a rifle and consider the possibility of using it in earnest you should have one, a backup, and ideally a third. (Of course they don't have to be AR's but using the same weapon makes the most of training and practice) And should there be people around you who are also trained and prepared to use one, you should have something for them too. (spouses, children of age, etc)

    A general trend I noticed in ya'll's (yup, plural) responses is that the first rifle is often a 14.5 or 16 inch. After that it is tough to call as many of you chose another 14.5-16, many something shorter 10.3-12.5, and a few less went to 18's or 20's as the 2nd rifle.

    I'm definitely on board with mid-length gas systems and light weight barrels! My BCM 14.5 with pinned A2 and LW barrel is easily the AR I've most enjoyed! I found the standard weight 11.5 in handled no better compared to the LW 14.5. In addition the 11.5 had more recoil and muzzle blast with it's shorter barrel and carbine gas system.

    I don't plan on getting a suppressor so I think for me I can rule the 11.5 out. I already have the 14.5 LW and love it so for my otherh two I'm going to choose between 14.5's through 20's.

    I'm going to look into 18's vs 20's and see if I can rule one of those out next. Thanks for the help!
    Last edited by Ron3; 06-12-14 at 21:34.

  2. #42
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    Shortysuppressed002_zps602b8076.jpg

    11.5inch

    ARPwithCyclone_zps1af202eb.jpg

    11.5 inch

    RockPebble.jpg

    18 inch

    If only one it would be 11.5" if only 2 it would be 11.5" and the 18" assuming the need for the longer rifle. I really must build a lightweight 14.5" to satisfy my curiosity for fielding an UNSUPPRESSED but handy rifle.
    Last edited by 308sako; 06-14-14 at 16:36. Reason: later comments

  3. #43
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    if i had to choose it would be
    20 inch with high powered scope.
    16 inch with acog and 1 o'clock sights
    11.5 inch with aimpoint and buis.

  4. #44
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    Right now I have 16's and 18's.
    I'd keep the 18's and go for a 12 to 13 something barrel.

  5. #45
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    At this point, the only reason I own any 16" 5.56 guns is for ease of interstate travel.
    When it comes to the nuts and bolts of actual performance and the benefit of mobility, balanced against function, the 11.5 is a unique animal. Even more so with a suppressor thrown into the mix. 12.5 seems to be pretty good too, but if dropping the inch doesn't hurt anything, might as well take it.
    Of course, there is a performance loss by dropping from 16/14.5 to 11.5, but in the grand scheme of things, unless distances in excess of 300 meters is a common threat range, 11.5 is going to do just as well as the longer lengths, while being easier to get around with. True, fragmentation dependent ammo will probably be limited to a 50 meter range, but there are 2 things to think about with that:
    The distance at which one can precisely engage very small, or partially exposed target areas under duress matches pretty well with the envelope of 11.5 5.56 platforms; and most things that need to be immediately dealt with happen inside the 11.5 envelope.

    I understand the appeal of shooting small groups and pushing 5.56 out to distances that most folks consider to be the realm of larger calibers, but in practical application I don't find much edge in barrel length alone. Put the same glass on a decent 18" and a decent 11.5" and performance gets eerily similar with the same ammo.

    Realistically, I view 5.56 as a 200 meter solution, with the option to extend if needed, which is met with 11.5.
    Jack Leuba
    Director, Military and Government Sales
    Knight's Armament Company
    jleuba@knightarmco.com

  6. #46
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    Quote Originally Posted by Failure2Stop View Post
    Realistically, I view 5.56 as a 200 meter solution, with the option to extend if needed, which is met with 11.5.
    With a red dot optic, I completely concur that a 11.5 (give or take an inch) with a can is simply the tool of choice from 0-250yd, and still good past that. A slightly longer carbine with low powered variable glass would be my tool of choice for the next couple hundred meters, and then it becomes a question of caliber meeting needs more than barrel length.

    If travel to states where a brake has to be permanent is required, then there's little disadvantage in going with 14.5" (but permanently attaching muzzle devices isn't ideal - if that's not a requirement stick with 16"). For the SBR, 11.5" is still the best answer without amplifying information to clarity the question - 10.5" makes sense if compactness is more valuable, and 12.5" is the best 'One Rifle' type solution (or with reflex suppressors), but that mid-range answer is arguably the best [that said, my Suppressed SBR is a 10.5" with Reflex Suppressor]
    عندما تصبح الأسلحة محظورة, قد يملكون حظرون عندهم فقط
    کله چی سلاح منع شوی دی، یوازي غلوونکۍ یی به درلود
    Semper Fi
    "Being able to do the basics, on demand, takes practice. " - Sinister

  7. #47
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    Is this for the next panic, or are we talking SHTF? the former needs a stashed pile of receivers, mags and ammo to sell.
    The latter requires complete rifles ready to go, with extra receivers. because...

    if it's for panic, buy a bunch of regulated parts like PMAG's, Tula, and whatever stripped lowers you can get for under $100. Include several good stripped lowers that you wont sell.
    when the panic hits, sell the crap and buy whatever wet dream parts you want to build up.

    There will be another panic because there will be another mass shooting. and if the stars line up like they did over sandy hook, it will manifest.

    if it's SHTF or whatever would cause everyday joes to roll with rifles, then I vote for short and light. Pistol length so i can get home thru the cops and security, then 14.5 around the house, then 20 SDM-ish for farm/street/block overwatch.

    I would definitely be raising the bar on quality and spec'ing hard use parts like BCM, DD, Colt, LMT, etc. My personal choices would be BCM SS410 barrels or similar, or DD CHF, paired with Geissele triggers just to get an edge in accuracy and durability.

    Don't forget ammo, too - 2 AR's on the opposite ends of the spectrum are going to need different loads.

  8. #48
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    None NFA: 16.5 middy or carbine.
    NFA: 11.5 with short screw on can, and 14.5 middy with clip on can, just if want different lengths.
    Last edited by Todd00000; 06-13-14 at 07:58.

  9. #49
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    I am bout to go through my FFL to jump on this SBR awesomeness. As of right now 16 middy and 20 tack driver.

  10. #50
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    I am very much enjoying reading the collective wisdom found in this thread, especially as it pertains to the reality of the 5.56 cartridge and it's realistic capabilities.

    For me, I have made a 12.5" my GPR; topped with a 1-4 variable, it is a "mini-RECCE" of sorts. Beyond that I would probably go for a precision 16", stainless barrel and a higher variable, like something 2.5x10.

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