14.5 vs 16” rifle

**Caballo** · 07-27-20, 23:20

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** · 07-28-20, 00:00

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

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**MontanaMarine** · 07-28-20, 00:26

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

In reality, they are far more alike than different.

**titsonritz** · 07-28-20, 00:32

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** · 07-28-20, 01:09

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

**ColtSeavers** · 07-28-20, 01:46

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.

**R0CKETMAN** · 07-28-20, 05:15

Not a fan of suppressors on 14.5-16 as opposed to 10.3-11”

That said sounds like you already have the intended suppressor so 14.5 with p/w makes the most sense as you won’t be swapping MD

Every inch counts..ask your wife

**AndyLate** · 07-28-20, 05:53

In my opinion, saving 1.25 inches is not worth the hassle of pinning and welding the muzzle device. I have a 14.5" barrel on a M4 build - having the current FH removed and replaced will add expense and hassle when I buy a supressor. I can just replace the FH on my 11.3, 16, or 18" guns and rock on.

Andy

P.S. it took me a moment or two to realize that the poll option does not show in the mobile view.

**VLODPG** · 07-28-20, 07:11

Now that we have the "other firearms" classification in CT, I prefer 14.5" or 12.5" due to the firearm being lighter and easier to maneuver. It gives up nothing for me where most of my shooting is >200 yards.