14.5 vs 16” rifle

[Caballo]

After doing some initial research, I wanted to see what the current consensus was for which barrel length is superior for a general purpose rifle - 14.5 pinned and welded or 16”. Does the increased maneuverability and weight savings outweigh the hassle of pinning and welding a 14.5 barrel, or is the 16” still a good choice?

[Josefius]

I believe 14.5” had more to do with the bayonet.


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[MontanaMarine]

I have both and prefer the 14.5". More personal preference than anything else.

In reality, they are far more alike than different.

[Wake27]

I have both and prefer the 14.5". More personal preference than anything else.

In reality, they are far more alike than different.

Don’t think I could agree more. You’ll find intense debates over this but at the end of the day it comes down to which is less of an annoyance to you: pinned MD or longer barrel and possibly handguard?

I vote 14.5 pinned all day.


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[Caballo]

Thanks for the info. Since I am going with just an A2 flash hider for both, no suppressors (will get a shorty pistol for suppressor host down the road), I’m probably gonna go with 16”.

[MistWolf]

I've owned a few ARs in different lengths from 10.5 inches to 20 inches, including a 16 inch middy. I currently own two 14.5 inch SOCOM barreled ARs, a couple of 11.5 inch ARs and a 20 inch ARs. I traded off the 16 inch middy and have no desire for another.

The 14.5 inch ARs have pinned A2 birdcage style muzzle devices. I prefer how they shoot and their balance over 16 inch ARs. The difference is subtle but noticeable.

[fledge]

Thanks for the info. Since I am going with just an A2 flash hider for both, no suppressors (will get a shorty pistol for suppressor host down the road), I’m probably gonna go with 16”.

Now you’re changing the criteria, OP.

If you have a shorty, get a 16” or longer for the other rifle. I just wouldn’t call it “general purpose” if that propose includes home defense with standard 30” doorways.

[titsonritz]

My personal thoughts and what I generally recommend to people starting out is to stick with a 16" barrel with a mid length gas system. It gives the opportunity to experiment with with different handguards/barrel nuts, muzzle devices and gas blocks. That said, 14.5" middy is a sweet machine if you know what you want and the reality is a 14.5" w/ an A2X in only 1" shorter than a 16" with a standard A2, in other word the difference between the two is not earth shattering, using something like a B.E. MEYERS 249F is more apparent.


ETA:
BTW, I voted 16".

[Zane1844]

16" all the way. There's virtually no difference in handling, to me, and you don't have a welded FH.

[ColtSeavers]

Voted 16" as it gives you freedom to change.

14.5" p/w requires you to know what you want and/or be able to live with it. Kind of like a tattoo. If you're good with that, go mid length gas.

For the record, I have both.