So, Eurodriver's thread was the last straw.
I've decided to pull the trigger on an SBR build. It's been a long time coming.
Currently, I am looking at an 11.5 inch barrel, for the significant increase in dwell time over a 10.3-10.5 for the marginal increase in overall length. I am pretty sold on lengths over 10.5, but am curious if there is a significant case for going 11.5 vs a 12.5. Euro dropped a kino upper for an 11.5 barreled upper, and this shifted a great deal of the weight from the fore end towards the magazine well, producing much better balance. This seems to make a good deal of sense; every kitted up rifle, SBR or not, that I've handled suffers mightily from imbalance once you slap a PEQ and light and switch and grip etc. out near the muzzle.
I don't plan on having a fixed FSB on this, and will likely be running a quad rail (probably a Centurion) over a low-pro gas block. One of the nagging questions that I've had about this is whether or not I'll need to invest in a switchblock of some kind, as ideally this same rifle will carry a suppressor. Realistically, will an 11.5-12.5 cycle (depending on gas port, I guess) with just a change of buffer and no switchblock? Another alternative would be an 11.5 Faxon with the SLR switchblock. Really, I am just looking for something idiot-proof. Whatever the final solution, it will be run an A5 system.
Finally, I am looking for sources for the parts. I have nothing against starting with an assembled upper, and right now the two that are clear leaders are BCM and Sionics. Both offer 11.5s, and both have solid reputations for producing durable, combat grade kit, and offer turn-key products set up just about exactly as I want: Centurion rail over an 11.5 inch assembly. As far as barrels go, there's always Faxon / BA, but as far as I can tell, neither care chrome lined. There's always Noveske, but that is super spendy (on an already spendy project). Suggestions? Any glaring oversights that I'm missing?


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