Which AR-15 Barrel Length Is Best? (w/ Neil McLean)
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- Опубликовано: 26 сен 2024
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I like Neil's prospective "there is no right answer" shooter preference says it all.
I agree 100%, you are on 🎯
I’ve got a 16 and a 13.7. I like them both, but really love the weight and balance of the 13.7. Comfortable to hold and shoot. The 16 is set up with a FFP LPVO, 13.7 with red dot. Although I am currently running them like an uncivilized caveman as both are unsuppressed. 😂
Have you tried out both FFP and SFP? Is it just preference between the two? I've only tried SFP and not a fan but could see how it would be better for long range possibly.
Suppressors are gay
Finally someone who speaks realistically about 77gr 5.56.
77gr OTM is king for defensive round .
@@djreese1885 By what standard? For some, yes. Others, no.
@@djreese1885 If 77gr is King, does that mean 300 Blackout is God?
@Way2Evl 300blk is just 7.62x39mm with 100 less fps. This debate could go forever lol.
@@djreese1885the 62 and 64 gr bullets like Barnes are maybe even more effective. I mean, that's what CAG is using. A form of it anyway
Great video! Neil's insights on AR-15 barrel lengths are spot on.
Forward assist to Eugene Stoner was another point of egress to the upper receiver, complicated manufacturing, and increased the complexity of the rifle thus increasing the possibility of failure.
20" is 👑 that's all you need to know.
Yes
good luck doing CQB with an 20" 😅😅😅
@@carlsaracini1246 if our boys used to cqb in the tunnels and mud huts of Iraq with full length A2s, we can cqb in our home with 20" barrels and collapsible stocks.
@@carlsaracini1246Don't let equipment dictate the mission. Be a man.
@carlsaracini1246 im with you ideally my fighting rifle lengths are 10.5-14.5. Having said that I do have a 16 inch BCM and Im toying with the idea of selling that upper and just buying a 14.5 BCM upper to slap on it.
The thi g about 18s and 20s is that sweet rifle length gas system. My SPR feels like shooting a pellet gun and follow up shots are a breeze
Forward assist was originally came about because of the problems during Vietnam. But it has also been shown if you can keep your rifle clean it isn't needed.
The forward assist was not in the original design it was added in later versions
That’s true. Not sure why we’re bringing that up but you are correct. 👍
For the forward assists. Very necessary in a jam, no pun intended
Every boot grunt marine or soldier knows it’s used to call in air strikes. Duhhh!
20" is always the answer for 5.56
Anything shorter is a compromise based on necessity of different environments
Spot on 👍
Why not a 40"? Lol...
@@deusvult6632 Velocity loss.
Unless you're training with your rifle outside of a flat range more than once a month I wouldn't get too excited about barrel lengths and velocities if you don't know how to fight with your rifle and pistol. Spend your money on training above everything else.
Sure if ur fighting in a open field only lol
16 is the best short and long distance simple like that
16 is all you can afford, or allowed by the atf just say that and be honest.
Until you start going suppressed. I thought the same with my 16". Was better GPR than my 12.5 cuz it could handle the range better and the 3.5 inches was negligible in terms of handling. Once I got a can on it...that weight on the end of a 16" rifle was so unwieldy.
Military did tests.
14.5 was the sweet spot for maximum velocity at atypical ranges.
With that said, 16 is my personal
I run a 14.5 and think it's the do all imo.
10.3” - 11.5” - CQB
12.5” - 16” - general purpose
16” - 20” - longer range application.
Forward assists are good for people that actually use their guns on harsh schedules and don't have time to give it a thorough cleaning very often
I gotta say that on paper and in terms of simply holding the gun and looking at it, 12.5 seems really solid and the length of the barrel to the rest of the gun + the weight balance is really good to hold and to look at. And the performance seems adequate for what I'll need it for, which is for 400yds and in, mostly within 150yds.
The question for me is usually what gas system do I want for my rifle. Carbine, mid length or rifle? That narrows my choices down and I make my selection from there.
I think the best all-round performer would be a six-position collapsible stock on an 18" with a top mounted red dot over either an LPVO or an ACOG.
Setup 1: Full extension on stock, 18" barrel, LPVO/ACOG - Open field/extended range engagements. Allows adequate equipment for engaging at 250-400 yards, further with a good shot and practice if need be.
Setup 2: partial/full extension, LPVO/ACOG. Extra velocity at medium to standard engagement ranges for enhanced terminal ballistics and ease of leading moving targets.
Setup 3: collapsed stock, top dot. Barrel length gives enhanced ballistics still, but collapsed stock and higher head position helps mitigate overall size of rifle without major discomfort to user.
That's my thoughts on it though
Neil your slings rock. I love mine. Gonna pick up the multicam version next. I would like to see a padded version and then some built in straps so you can fold up the part of the sling that is bigger and goes around your body to the smaller fixed section that attaches the 2 sling points. I just put Velcro cord ties for wrapping up small usb cards and such on mine, works great and makes storage really nice and clean, when you want to deploy, just rip it open.
7:43 hey that’s my 16” AR. The first gun I bought when they only offered their proprietary rail, but mine is burnt bronze. I put a SOLGW NOX-SC single port muzzle brake/device to get keymo attachment. I also have a 13.9” pin & weld with a NOX 3-prong lightweight build with a Ballistic Advantage barrel.
I have had to use my FA several times. They don't stick out more than your charging handle, they add a benefit and have no downside. Then again, I put light weight BCG's in most of my AR's and the don't have a section of the bolt you engage the FA. It is like an optic cut on a pistol, just put it on, if you don't like it, don't use it.
Not having a forward assist makes it easier to rack an ambi charging handle with your right hand.
Who needs Clint when these guys are here
16 in .556 and 77gr perfect
Twenty inches for the win.
its better to have it & not need it, than to need it & not have it! forward assist all day everyday!
I think it is very important to note that not all barrels are the same. When talking about barrel length, it’s important to note that we are really only talking about what barrel length is the most efficient without sacrificing too much on length. There’s barrels out there that fit this role substantially better than other barrels at the same length.
I would say 16 in. 5. 56 x45 wit 62 gr that's it
12.5" and 16".
12.5"5.56 suppressed is king unless you're going full 20"5.56
Super underrated ppl never speak ab it when it can do the same as 14.5(with exceptions)with less length
I'm with you. 12.5 is the sweet spot.
Yeah my 12.5 shoots fantastic I'm pretty sure I am gonna build another
12.5 is an extremely underrated barrel length. 2800fps with m855a1 2730 with m855, and 2450 with razorcore/mk262. There's only like a 50fps difference between 12.5 and 14.5
20” barrel gives better velocity and accuracy to the 5.56 round. Today’s combat scenario happens mostly in urban areas from ranges. From 4 to 500 yards instead of 800. Although, at that point I’ll prefer the AK in 7.62 instead of the M4. For 700 to 800 yards 308 or 6.8 is best although, that means heavier ammo and you will carry less of it. Let’s not forget Vietnam, when fire fights happened in ranges of 3 to 400 yards. Those heavy caliber rounds were not effective as we hoped. It was about who can put out the most rounds quicker while the rest of the group can out maneuver the other and shoot them up. One reason why it is a mistake for the military to switch from 5.56 to 6.8.
I run unsupressed because if my rifle ever goes off.. it's a distress call, and I need fire, police, and ambulance.
My take on the barrel length:
16+ for regular use beyond 100m, otherwise 12,5.
Anything less than 12,5 could be replaced by a .300Blk rifle and would probably be better suited
14.5 to 20 is the correct answer. Ain't no reason to limit yourself to 50-80 meters of consistent wounding.
Not only was the original designed without a forward assist, the bolt has a flat cutout in it for you to be able to push the bolt forward with your thumb!
The forward assist was a product of the .gov messing with the powder used in the 5.56 in Vietnam to save money and it caused the fouling issues!
Wasn't the original AR-15 designed without a forward assist? Like the original Eugene Stoner blueprint?
Yes, Eugene didn't want it but the military did. The military was right it turned out.
I prefer 16 inches as it offers both long and short distance accuracy. 💯💯😬😬😁😁
At 556
11.5 v 12.5 is less than 100 fps difference so I’d say they’re pretty comparable. I’d probably only consider a change in length if it’s netting 150-200 FPS per inch or so.
At 11.5/12.5 to 14.5 it’s probably 100-150FPS at most.
10.3 is really the minimum you should go but you gain a lot at 11.5/12.5.
13.7/13.9 is just for pin and weld purposes primarily.
16 is just for NFA purposes but I’ll always choose 14.5. 100 fps or less difference? Probably not worth it when ammo can play a bigger factor.
the easiest answer... it depends
first off is what ammo are you using.
for 9mm i would say a 10.5" barrel is most ideal.
for 556, if youre looking for CQB i would say 14.5. for longer range i would go with 18. i dont believe 20 is worth the extra few FPS for 2 inches.
for 300 blackout i would go with 12.5-13.5
forward assist is not meant for obstructions in front of the bolt face. anyone who says that youre jamming it further by using it, doesnt know when to use it.
Suppressed bullpup feels like it solves all this. Something like a IWI Tavor or DT Wolverine both seem to be good options. You get the shorter overall length for CQB work and then at the end of the day can reach out and touch someone for a longer shot. Get those rifles in 308 suppressed with a 16" or 20" barrel and you get probablt the closest you will get to an all around performer.
Someone's been hanging out with them Q folks too much 🤣
I personally like 16". I find that is the best compromise between barrel length and ballistic performance, and is the minimum non NFA barrel length. I never cared for short barrels on any rifle. It's way too loud if you don't shoot suppressed and it's wasted performance. They are mostly good for making a big muzzle flash and lots of noise. I also have a BCM 20" upper in my collection.
20” AR is king. For CQB I fix bayonet.
20 inch fpr cq?
You can just use your thumb to push the carrier forward instead of a forward assist.
20” suppressed ? Musket, velocity king, smoothest shooter. Also heavy af tho 😅
I lean towards a shorter barrel for its agility in close quarters, but it's good to weigh the trade-offs carefully.
5:03 What the heck is the terminal ballistics like out of an 14.5 at 1200 yards?!
a pin hole
You think silencers are selling like crazy now? Take them off the NFA and hold everyone’s beer!
The shortest barrel that can get the job done _!_
( also considering the type of ammo ).
Ultimately the longer the barrel the better the ballistics. 5.56 is not the cartridge to go with if you are trying to build a super compact rifle. Something that chucks a heavier bullet works better out of a short barrel.
Originally designed without the fa.... was an army thing
The only time I have needed a forward assist was on an AR that didn’t have one.
16in is my goto. I've never used my forward assist, however it's there if I ever need it. I'm not going to buy or not buy a firearm based on it having forward assist.
Ok ok serious question and no judgment. For someone that has a physical disability that prevents the individual from carrying a heavy rifle. What’s some opinions on a PSA 556 AR-15 pistol with 8.5 barrel? I understand that some disagree with this as a viable option. However, surely this will do the job in a home defense scenario…? Thoughts?
I live in the desert where is wide open and flat, so I prefer to run an 18" on my 5.56.
I'm gonna try something short for my 8.6 b/o build though.
20" was standard in the Army in the 90's
12.5 and 16
run two uppers a 10.3 with suppressor then 18 inch with suppressor take 5 seconds to swap.
I have built two different 10.5 inch with different optics
1 16in
18in dmr 223 wylde
The forward assist was implemented by government contracts. Was not part of stoners original design.
Well..... before I watch this I would say:
It depends on the job.
Earliest I have been to a CF video!
I’m a simple man, Glock 19 & DDM4v7
I wish 6.5 grendel was cheaper more range then 556
Even stoner was wrong on forward assist. We don't all live in a world of full battle and racking slides load and proud some like slow and forward assit especially with wildcat calibers and handloads hunting and home defense.
If I have to have 1AR15 it'll have a 16 inch barrel with a 1to 8 twist
11.5 or 16 babeeee
You gain 50FPS from 11.5 to 12.5 and 200 going 13.7/13.9
Ask Kyle if you need a forward assist.
You guys got to give me at least a week of prep before you got daddy MC on because my balls get tired fast
I just came here to say.... Girth>Length.....LOL
Another Great Show guys 💯💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥
Kyle Rittenhouse had to use his forward assist.
M-14 has a fixed to the bolt carrier charging handle that can be used as a forward assist & many others can be used that way too.
build or buy all different lengths 😎💪🏽
Go buy an Armalite M153GN18 you won't be disappointed
How does that mk18 have zero recoil what is it tuned with????
You can tune it with an adjustable gas block or custom gas port/gas tube sizing to choke some of the gas. Next you can play with the buffer weights & springs to get a more pleasurable shooting experience.
We’ll have a video up next week about tuning your AR.
😂 "what about twist rate"
1-7 for the win
I have 10.3 , 14.5, and 16.. 14.5 all day for me..
Does barrel length matter?... Ask Gunvira 😂
16 inch with a K can
AIN'T NO METRIC SYSTEM IN HERE YA HEARD?
Why not choose one (or more) of each?
Was Neil eating hot cheetos before the shoot?
20” is the best,it’s a long range
Forward assist? I don’t care either
No forward assist for lefties
Over 17 minutes of talk as informative as a weapons selector on a video game. Not one mention of ballistics, grain weight, twist rate, dwell time, gas systems, buffer weights; in other words NOTHING about what barrel length actually means.
You just saved me 17 minutes thank you sir
I choose all of them.
OK Jason, a M# Grease Gun has a dust cover who cares!
16 is king
I have two theories on this, 5.56 was designed for a 20" barrel so honestly 10.3" to 18" is all the same, and I run dedicated suppressors on all my SBR's, so I don't want to be welding a firearm as long as a Civil War musket, so I prefer 10.5" with a suppressor.
1000 other videos state that 10.5 is just fine. 14.5-16 is just fine. Move on and punt Kaya.
37"
Rittenhouse used his forward assist. Just sayin'.
This is a huge gun channel and these guys talk guns for a living. They don’t know the history of the forward assist on a ar 15.
Lmao i stopped watching when jason started talking
Forward assist sucks for lefties
😅