Where o' where to make the cut?

[bruchi]

Gonna send my Spike's 223 cal. 16" barrel to ADCO to have it cut, wanted to go 10.5" but a buddy that has made a few builds and reads all kind of stuff tells me that because I have a Carbine Length "gas thing" I am better off cutting it to 11'5" or I will have cycling issues, another buddy that also has built a bunch of AR's and does a good share of reading tells me that 10.5" is fine, he will just have to enlarge the "gas thing" to the correct diameter from a a chart he has.

Thing is that neither of this 2 guys rifles has ever exploded, they run flawlessly and look very cool so I need help making my mind here!

Notice that I use the term "gas thing" for those a bit slow that means I got no experience with this.

[spring1271]

My first question to you would be: Do you have an SBR'd lower before you cut anything?? Just asking since you seem a bit new to this game.

[LowSpeed_HighDrag]

You do have an SBR'd lower right? Or at least have one waiting?

eta: damn, my question was 1min too slow lol

[BCmJUnKie]

My first question to you would be: Do you have an SBR'd lower before you cut anything?? Just asking since you seem a bit new to this game.

+1 on that. Sounds like you need to study a bit before you go cutting your "Gas Thing"

[markm]

for those a bit slow that means I got no experience with this.

More reading and less thread starting would help. I'm not trying to "Rob_s" in your thread.... just saying...

[ALCOAR]

More reading and less thread starting would help. I'm not trying to "Rob_s" in your thread.... just saying...

Best one liner Ive read in awhile

[bruchi]

I read a lot, just not firearms related and I am no looking for a lazy on my part "just do this" response, I am looking for knowledge, perhaps not to the level many here have accomplished on this subject but I do believe that "understanding" stuff is paramount. How hard it is to teach for you guys?

The best way to learn anything is to teach others, you guys would be doibng yourselves a service while helping others instead of telling those in need to "go and read a book"!

If i wanted to learn about car engines not so I could show off how much I knew or where able to talk "shop" with others, reading would be the thing but I am not interested that much in talk, at least not on a higher level on certain things, I would want to be able to fix simple things on my car's engine and not be taken for a ride if I must take it to a mechanic.

I am 52, been around guns for a decade, a newbie, more os on the rifle front, my profession is that of a photographer:

www.franklinmiranda.com

for about 3 decades, if anyone here asked about photography my reply would not be "go read a book" not only is rude but it will take me no energy to educate someone about photography as about that one subject I know a lot, it is what I do. Also I love photography so any chance to share is welcomed.

Again, it probably would not take you guys a lot of energy educating me about the "gas thing" seems to me that this is of the greatest points of surfing a subject related forum and you guys are here becuase you like what the forum is about?

There are other gun forums out there and I frequent a few, those that I consider to be great, lot's are "mall ninja" heavens and I make a point to stay out of those, this is the only one where I have been told to "go a read a book" instead of being helped, I wonder if now I an going to be told to "go ask elsewhere"?

Why the attitude, I am just asking for help, is there a secret handshake i am still to learn?

[bruchi]

More reading and less thread starting would help. I'm not trying to "Rob_s" in your thread.... just saying...

Guess I struck a cord, sorry not familiar with the "Rob_s" deal?

Maybe you can explain instead of directing me to some book?

[Cincinnatus]

Welcome aboard.
What is meant here is that there are some stickies in the technical and general discussion forums that will give you the background information to answer most of your question for you. Keep in mind, many of us on this forum have seen similar questions hundreds of times. Forum members here are expected to do a little research on their own rather than expecting others to do that research for them. In other words, learn more and post less at first, then start posting after you have some of the basics nailed down. This not meant to be unfriendly, but to be no-nonsense, and avoid coddling or hand-holding for new members; new members are expected to follow the masculine ethic of self-reliance.
As to cutting your barrel, the short answer is, yes there will be some issues arising out of cutting down a barrel that is likely already overgassed at 16" down to 10.5". Your friend recommending 11.5 or more, is closer to right than your other friend. Yes, it may run at 10.5". But to avoid being overgassed and tearing things up, you may need a heavier buffer, etc.
The "gas thingy" you reference" is a gas port, and Spike's barrels are probably already overgassed and do not need a port enlargement.
You might be wise to ask ADCO what they would recommend before you start them sawing away, and the question remians: do you have an SBR lower for this?

[bruchi]

My first question to you would be: Do you have an SBR'd lower before you cut anything?? Just asking since you seem a bit new to this game.

In my utter ignorance I am gonna take a stab at this, I gather this is a "legal" question.

I live in Puerto Rico, gun laws here are tough and ridiculous but there are no regulations/restrictions regarding SBR's here, no need for a stamp or anything, just the $$$ to buy one and stick it on a lower.