Page 3 of 3 FirstFirst 123
Results 21 to 30 of 30

Thread: 16" or 14.5 + pinned muzzle device

  1. #21
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Posts
    2
    Feedback Score
    0
    I have mine at about 13.8” plus the pinned muzzle device to get to 16.1”. I love it but it’s a personal decision for sure. I picked a nice brake that I liked enough to live with for good.

  2. #22
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Just another filthy undesirable civilian "basement dweller"
    Posts
    4,398
    Feedback Score
    4 (100%)
    Quote Originally Posted by Stickman View Post
    ...and since I have slightly more than one AR15...
    And the award for "M4C Understatement of the Year" for 2018 goes to...
    You really have to ask why Conservatives have guns? Because Liberals block freeways, burn cities, throw Molotov cocktails, loot, turn over cop cars, and think this behavior is Socially Acceptable.
    --unknown, memed by user "KeepnitReel" at Northwest Firearms
    Joe Biden is not, nor will he EVER be, my President. #SauceForGooseSauceForGander

    LIFE MEMBER - NRA & SAF Not employed or sponsored by any manufacturer, distributor or retailer.

  3. #23
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Posts
    220
    Feedback Score
    0
    "slightly more than 1 AR-15" I like that turn of phrase. I have more lowers coming in; one existing pistol lower that I use as a host for an 11.5 BCM lower and a HK416 upper. I think I'll probably form 1 most of the new lowers I have coming in just so I can do whatever I choose with them. May even SBR most of the existing lowers.

  4. #24
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    North Carolina
    Posts
    127
    Feedback Score
    0
    I have used both, and I have a slight preference for 14.5" P&W.

  5. #25
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Central FL
    Posts
    273
    Feedback Score
    0
    All things being equal, shorter will always be lighter and handier. The question is, do you need that enough to justify the hassle of pinning and welding should you need/want to work on the carbine down the road? Otherwise, it's a matter of look, to which the same question applies. IMO, and for my uses, no, it's not worth it.

    Although I stick with 16 as to not hassle with pinning/welding, I would prefer shorter if not for NFA laws. The only way I would pin/weld is if I had the knowledge and equipment to do the work myself or immediate access to a buddy who does (aka no monetary and time loss).

  6. #26
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Posts
    7
    Feedback Score
    0
    Went 14.5, pinned and welded with a VG6 EX (longer than regular VG6) which gets me legal length. In my specific case, looking back & knowing what I know now, I think I would have gone with 16" w/ VG6, since the length difference is only just ~1" for both setups.

    Obviously, there were factors that pushed me towards a 14.5" build, and one of those factors was the length of the handguard(HG) that I was able to get for cheap; I felt it would have looked better with a 14.5 pinned to 16, vs a 16 w/ added length of the muzzle device(MD). The other factor was the fact that I already had an 18" build w/ MD adding about 2" to OAL, so I wanted the difference in length between my first and second build to be as great as possible without going SBR or pistol. Right now the difference in length past the front of the upper receiver(UR), between builds 1 and 2, is ~3.5". This would have been reduced to ~2.5" or less had I gone the 16" barrel + MD route. I say "or less," because the VG6 (not EX) is on the short end in terms of MD length.

    Here's how I think about it now. The HG is what your offhand will be interacting with, not the barrel. If you're going fsb, everything from the stock, in the rear, to the FSB, in the front, will be the same. Carbine length gas system with FSB = 7" HG regardless of barrel length. Same concept applies to mid length gas system with FSB. ie Either barrel length, with all other parts being equal will feel the same in hand. Question here is how much barrel do you want sticking out past the FSB? Personally, if the gas system is carbine w/ FSB, I like how a 16" barrel looks. If the gas system is mid length w/ FSB, I like how a 14.5 barrel looks. I'm not going to go into differences in felt recoil at this time.

    If you're going lo-pro gas block(GB) and longest possible HG, there's still not that much of a difference, and it pretty much just boils down to personal preference regarding "balance." How much barrel and HG do you want sticking out past the UR? Does it look cooler/more balanced/whatever with a 14.5" barrel or 16" barrel and respective HG?

    Regarding handling, virtually no diff. (again, for me). In a squared off stance, my offhand goes out to about 10" past the upper receiver. So for me, there will be no difference in a 14.5" barrel w/ 13" handguard and 16" barrel w/ 15" handguard, as I don't specifically need that extra 2" of rail for my offhand.

    If you wanna get really technical with the looks of the rifle, 14.5" barrel w/ 13" HG might have a little bit of exposed barrel between the HG and the MD. 16" barrel w/ 15" HG will pretty much only have the MD exposed. If you can find a 13.5" HG for a 14.5" barrel, then obviously both options will look all the more similar. Lastly, the 16" barrel w/ 15" HG will look more "lopsided" or "front heavy" than a 14.5" w/ 13" because proportions...

    $0.02

    EDIT: Haven't done a carbine class, and will never do two of the same carbine class with two rifles that are exactly identical except for barrel length, so I can't with any accuracy comment on how handling would be different between the two lengths. That, in addition to the whole philosophical you never step into the same river twice thing...
    Last edited by bakuon; 03-19-18 at 13:12.

  7. #27
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    185
    Feedback Score
    14 (100%)
    Quote Originally Posted by Iraqgunz View Post
    You get almost nothing when pinning a 14.5" compared to a 16" carbine. It doesn't convey magical ninja skills or make you more agile. There is an additional cost for the muzzle device compared to a standard A2 for example, the cost of the pin and weld and then you are essentially married to the rail and muzzle device. Should you decide to change rails, muzzle devices, etc.. you then bear the additional cost of removing the pin and weld and re-doing it.
    Exactly!! You mentioned this before but I didn't listen. Pinned & welded a14.5 & it's only "1 shorter than my "16 and out 100.00+

  8. #28
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Posts
    7
    Feedback Score
    0
    Not so much of an issue changing rails if your rail happens to use a standard barrel nut or the next rail uses the same barrel nut... Prolly more accurate to say one('s barrel) is married to the barrel nut and muzzle device. lol

  9. #29
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Posts
    64
    Feedback Score
    0
    I'm personally a fan of pinned 14.5s.

    Just use good components right out of the gate. I'm a huge fan of Geissele rails, and put the MK14 on everything. I will never change those handguards. I'm also not the guy who treats his gun like legos. I've recently become of a fan of the PA AFAB/EFAB. Use that or an extended A2 and call it a day.

    I also drill them myself, then cut the drill bit down for a hardened steel pin. A local welder here TIG welds over the hole for $10.00

    The biggest reason I don't send my barrels off to be pinned is I like my muzzle devices to not exceed 20-25ft lbs of torque, and I use shims to time it. I don't have to worry if it's done to that spec or not if I do it myself.

  10. #30
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Las Vegas
    Posts
    12
    Feedback Score
    0
    I prefer a 14.5-inch barrel with a pinned and welded muzzle device because I've found it to be just a little bit lighter than a full 1-inch barrel and a little bit handier because it's just a touch shorter.

    That said, there's nothing wrong with a 16-inch barrel, and it's easier to wap out muzzle devices if that's something you think you'll end up doing.
    - Michael C.
    (hotlinks in signature lines are prohibited - stop bumping old threads to promote your website)

Page 3 of 3 FirstFirst 123

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •