14.5 vs 16” rifle

**markm** · 08-01-20, 14:00

Originally Posted by Straight Shooter

Or, pay $200 for an inch and a half's worth of barrel?

I look at it like the $200 makes the lower eligible for any length of barrel, including 14.5"

I would never take a perfectly good 14.5 and pin it. That's a crime.

**Straight Shooter** · 08-01-20, 14:06

Originally Posted by markm

I look at it like the $200 makes the lower eligible for any length of barrel, including 14.5"

I would never take a perfectly good 14.5 and pin it. That's a crime.

I agree with 100%...a 11.5"-13.7" I get....for some reason, and I FULLY admit I might be wrong, I just aint getting 14.5".

**JediGuy** · 08-01-20, 14:22

I see the point of an 18”, but only when compared to a 14.5 or 12.5, not a 16.” That said, it was the choice for SPR’s.

**Disciple** · 08-01-20, 16:27

Originally Posted by Straight Shooter

Barely better than a 16"...less than a 20". Would/would not a person wanting an 18" be looking for a velocity gain? Get a 20" for the win.

I thought 18" was the shortest recommended barrel for a rifle-length gas system and its benefits.

**AndyLate** · 08-01-20, 19:00

A 20" AR gains less than 100 fps over an 18". The 18" barrel is a little lighter and a little handier, and mine runs 100% with the rifle length gas system.

Andy

**Straight Shooter** · 08-01-20, 20:52

Originally Posted by Disciple

I thought 18" was the shortest recommended barrel for a rifle-length gas system and its benefits.

Originally Posted by AndyLate

A 20" AR gains less than 100 fps over an 18". The 18" barrel is a little lighter and a little handier, and mine runs 100% with the rifle length gas system.

Andy

I dont know the minimun length... [I] coulda sworn I ve seen a 16" with rifle gas..but I cant remember where/when.
And your right AL...BUt when I spec'ed out my spr I wanted max velocity & at 600yrds plus...every bit helps. I aint AGAINST an 18", it aint like theyre junk or something...but for me if all there were left were 16" & 18"'s Id be ok with it.

**AndyLate** · 08-01-20, 22:02

To be honest, I wonder why I went with an 18" barrel when I have 16" ARs, even though I like the way it turned out. There just isn't a huge difference between them.

Andy

**Straight Shooter** · 08-02-20, 02:01

Originally Posted by AndyLate

To be honest, I wonder why I went with an 18" barrel when I have 16" ARs, even though I like the way it turned out. There just isn't a huge difference between them.

Andy

Cause, a man likes, what a man likes. My thoughts on the subject could well be wrong to most here..but they are mine, and come after a lifetime of a considerable amount of shooting and love of weapons, as I know your thoughts have too.
As long as we are proficient..we are fine.

**MistWolf** · 08-02-20, 06:22

Originally Posted by Leonidas24

Not quite, but going from 16" to 14.5" shows the most dramatic decrease in velocity when compared against other lengths.

223 Remington/ 5.56mm NATO barrel length and velocity: 26 inches to 6 inches

They didn't test 16 & 14.5 inch lengths. They tested 16.5 & 14 inch lengths.