Help me make a decision

[Walker_Texasranger]

I’ve got a BCM 14.5 with an aimpoint T2 and I love it. I also have a 6920 that I don’t use much because I don’t like FSBs and short rails but always want to keep a Colt around.

I want another AR to put an LPVO on. I’m thinking about Knights and could get a 16” SR15 now or I could get a KAC lower and 14.5 upper. I’d then have to have the upper pinned.

The complete 16” would be a couple hundred cheaper plus the pinning. Wondering if it’s worth double the price over just doing another BCM?

[Eurodriver]

I feel a decade of being all-in with this hobby has given me at least some legitimacy in sharing two of my AR15 rules.

1) Buying a KAC is almost always “worth it”
2) Pinning a flash hider never is.

You have good taste. Get the KAC.

[6933]

1) Buying a KAC is almost always “worth it”
2) Pinning a flash hider never is.

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

[MistWolf]

I feel a decade of being all-in with this hobby has given me at least some legitimacy in sharing two of my AR15 rules.

1) Buying a KAC is almost always “worth it”
2) Pinning a flash hider never is.

You have good taste. Get the KAC.

I'd rather have a pinned 14 5" carbine gas upper than a 16" middy. There is a subtle but noticeable improvement in handling that I prefer.

[1986s4]

I'd rather have a pinned 14 5" carbine gas upper than a 16" middy. There is a subtle but noticeable improvement in handling that I prefer.

I have a 16" Colt M4 profile upper and a 14.5 pinned SOCOM profile. The 14.5 just looks and handles slightly better. Maybe it's the M4 profile vs. SOCOM profile, not sure but the 14.5 gets used and the 16" stays home.
My last 2 gun match featured several USPSA style stages with barricades, walls, barrels, etc., close confines and the 14.5 just felt natural in this environment.

[Sry0fcr]

I'd rather have a pinned 14 5" carbine gas upper than a 16" middy. There is a subtle but noticeable improvement in handling that I prefer.

It may have been mentioned here but 1.5” of barrel may not seem like a lot but combined with a 13” rail vs 15” rail, it makes a noticeable difference in overall handling. I think a 14.5” barrel/13” rail is the GOAT overall combo.

I have a 16" Colt M4 profile upper and a 14.5 pinned SOCOM profile. The 14.5 just looks and handles slightly better. Maybe it's the M4 profile vs. SOCOM profile, not sure but the 14.5 gets used and the 16" stays home.
My last 2 gun match featured several USPSA style stages with barricades, walls, barrels, etc., close confines and the 14.5 just felt natural in this environment.

Agreed, the difference is subtle; bit it's there. My wife's 14.5 SOCOM under 13" URX4 is probably the best handling gun we have when it doesn't have 3LBS glass + mount perched on top of it...

[1986s4]

Agreed, the difference is subtle; bit it's there. My wife's 14.5 SOCOM under 13" URX4 is probably the best handling gun we have when it doesn't have 3LBS glass + mount perched on top of it...

I shoot iron sights so mine stays light, DD A1 rear with traditional front sight GB. I do use a KNS pin head front sight post, I paint the little globe on the top gold. Works for me.

[Walker_Texasranger]

I feel a decade of being all-in with this hobby has given me at least some legitimacy in sharing two of my AR15 rules.

1) Buying a KAC is almost always “worth it”
2) Pinning a flash hider never is.

You have good taste. Get the KAC.

I just really like the balance of 14.5s and think that would easily be the standard if we didn’t have these asinine laws. But I hear you. So far, my pinned BCM hasn’t caused any issues but the 16” KAC would lend better to a scope anyway I suppose.

[Stickman]

I just really like the balance of 14.5s and think that would easily be the standard if we didn’t have these asinine laws. But I hear you. So far, my pinned BCM hasn’t caused any issues but the 16” KAC would lend better to a scope anyway I suppose.

There is nothing wrong with pinning a 14.5" barrel unless you feel the need to swap muzzle devices around on a regular basis. If you buy a can down the road, you can always send the upper out to have the new mount swapped over. Sure its a couple more bucks, but it isn't like drilling or grinding a pin head is hard work for semi decent smiths.

I have huge doubts that you would see a difference between the 14.5" and 16" barrels in terms of accuracy, but going with an 18" KAC Precision upper is always another option if its going to live with a scope.

[Zane1844]

I have a KAC upper that I put a 1-6x on. It's an awesome setup. Capable of 1MOA. I'd say go for the 16".