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Thread: Carbine vs. Middy: Real world use

  1. #11
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    I wouldn't give any thought to excess wear. That's mostly theoretical rather than a broadly observed fact. As to recoil impulse...I would hardly call a 5.56 carbine recoil "violent". However, the recoil impulse is a little softer with a mid-length IMHO, so other than a shorter hand guard, I see no reason to go with a carbine over a middie on a 16 inch barrel.

  2. #12
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    I have a high round count carbine length gas 16" AR (17,000 rounds or so). No problems with it at all; as the others are stating above, I think the wear argument is pretty moot.

    Similarly with the "violent" operation of the carbine system....when you put it like that it sounds like it is chambered in 30-06 or something. It's a 5.56.....they are not "violent" by any stretch of the imagination. That said, however - when I shoot two rifles back to back (carbine and middie), there is absolutely a difference, and for 3 gunning, it does noticeably affect my speed of follow up shots and thus my times. As such, I completely agree with what Hmac said above, i.e. I see no reasons at all to choose a carbine gas system over a middie in a 16" barrel.
    Dan

  3. #13
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    If I were buying a 16" bbl/upper I would go with a Middy. I like the extra length of the handguards.
    "Real men have always needed to know what time it is so they are at the airfield on time, pumping rounds into savages at the right time, etc. Being able to see such in the dark while light weights were comfy in bed without using a light required luminous material." -Originally Posted by ramairthree

  4. #14
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    I doubt you would wear out a carbine faster, but I see no reason not to get a middy, especially with the options from quality makers now. Unless of course you want a Colt.

  5. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by usmcvet View Post
    If I were buying a 16" bbl/upper I would go with a Middy. I like the extra length of the handguards.
    Since he's using a FF tube that covers the FSB I don't see this as an issue. I don't have experience with the improved LMT BCG. but from what I udnerstand it has an extra gas port to help bleed off excessive gas as the carbine is essentially overgassed. If I were concerned about wear, as you are, I'd consider that as an option. Standard carbine barrels are more plentiful and cheaper, as well as available in more profiles, which I would consider more important, especially if you are doing any selective fire work.

    FF tubes are available with lots of real estate for either length. A heavier buffer of course makes a difference - I'm going to be running an A1 fixed stock on my M4 which should make it a little softer, but that's the only thing I'm changing. Most of the 'M4 maintenance' stories you hear about are from hard use - such as SOF personnel ruining barrels doing break contact drills. They have a need for a SOCOM barrel, I doubt you would, even with a Class III lower. Just my .02 - I'm sure someone more knowledgable than me will have more specifics as far as middy vs. carbine. FWIW I would like to build a middy someday, but it has nothing to do with excessive wear on parts.

  6. #16
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    18in + barrel - Rifle Gas
    14.5 - 16in barrel - Midlength
    10.5 - 12.5in barrel - Carbine

    Have always been told the longer the gas system you can go with, the better all around.

  7. #17
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    I would like to try a midlength for my next AR, however my carbine will work just fine til then. Also if I have the money to burn enough ammo thru it to wear it out I would think I could afford another upper or at least the parts to replace it.

    Don't assume that all LEO shoot a ton of ammo also. Was talking to a friend who is in law enforcement and I told him that I have just over a 1000 rounds thru my carbine and he looked at me and said "Wow that's alot of rounds". It might not be a lot of rounds but I'm working on it.

  8. #18
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    I prefer the midlength even if the functional improvement is absolutely zero just for the extra room on the forearm/rail (assuming a standard FSP).
    Last edited by strambo; 03-26-11 at 15:14.
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  9. #19
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    I've had a 16" carbine (sold) and now have BCM 16" and 14." mid-length. I much prefer the mid-length and while I haven't shot them back to back, I prefer the 14.5 over the 16 at this point. Maybe that's cause it's the newest and the honeymoon phase hasn't ended yet.

    I wouldn't buy another carbine AR as long as the mid-length is available.

    ....
    Last edited by number9xd; 03-26-11 at 15:20.

  10. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hmac View Post
    I wouldn't give any thought to excess wear. That's mostly theoretical rather than a broadly observed fact. As to recoil impulse...I would hardly call a 5.56 carbine recoil "violent". However, the recoil impulse is a little softer with a mid-length IMHO, so other than a shorter hand guard, I see no reason to go with a carbine over a middie on a 16 inch barrel.
    I agree. There has been no documentation to date that I've seen on anything relating to even so much as the recoil impulse between carbine- and mid-length. I think there *may* be some theoretical calculated numbers re: pressure but even then I don't recall seeing any actual measurements.

    The advantage of the mid-length that CAN be quantified are blatantly obvious:
    • longer handguard gives you more room for your support hand
    • longer handguard gives you more room to mount shit
    • longer handguard gives you more barrel coverage (barrels get hot)
    • longer sight-radius makes precision shooting easier


    I was very resistant to the mid-length for a very long time, but even I have come around now thanks to the above.

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