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Short Barrel AR Advantages?

cdm85-251cdm85-251 Member Posts: 238 ✭✭✭
edited May 2007 in Ask the Experts
I have a friend that is looking at his first AR type weapon purchase and he is wondering about buying either a 16" barrel or one that has an 11.5" barrel with a fixed 5.5" flash supressor. I have seen these before, and have never asked what, if any, benefit you get out of the shorter barrel? I understand you will probably lose some velocity with the shorter barrel. Please let me know what advantages or disadvantages there are.

CDM
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Comments

  • haroldchrismeyerharoldchrismeyer Member Posts: 2,213 ✭
    edited November -1
    The 11.5 barrel with a 5.5 flash hider is 16 inches long. The 16 inch barrel with a flash hider is 18 inches long. Not too much loss of velocity, and accuracy is ok as far as I can tell(up to a hundred yards anyway). The short barrel with a flash hider balances differently, and I like that setup too.
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  • tsavo303tsavo303 Member Posts: 8,913 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You lose alot of velocity with that short bbl. not really as much accuracy. No reason not to have 16" bbl on a carbine that is required to be 16"
    no adavnatages
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  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,892 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The 11.5" barrel version was designed for use in the M4 by the US military; it allows the AR to be used in Close Quarters Combat, where size & quick handling are important. Velocity & accuracy are not a consideration at short distances. The greatest disadvantage is excessive muzzle blast.

    There is no point in buying a rifle with a short barrel with a long flash suppressor welded on it; it just looks silly. If your friend just wants an expensive toy, he should buy a registered Short Barrelled Rifle with the 11.5" barrel.

    But, if your friend wants a real rifle, then he should get a full size AR.

    Neal
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  • tsavo303tsavo303 Member Posts: 8,913 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    the point is OAL barrel length has to be 16" (unless SBR or full auto) there is no reason not to have that length in Barrel as opposed to flashider. you will lose 300 fps or more, losing 10% of velocity and over 20% KE
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  • TxsTxs Member Posts: 17,809 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by cdm85-251
    Please let me know what advantages or disadvantages there are.
    There are no advantages, other than thinking it looks cool.

    See above posts for the laundry list of disadvantages.
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  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Good for clearing out a room or maneuvering in a vehicle, otherwise
    too many negatives in 5.56. A 6.8mm or some of the bigger bore calibers might be better choices in a 11 1/2" barrel.
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  • Bill JordanBill Jordan Member Posts: 1,402 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    A real advantage to a 11.5" bbl is, after a big burst on full, you won't have to go to the tanning booth that week.


    "I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than to have a frontal lobotomy"
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  • Oklahoma223Oklahoma223 Member Posts: 2,648 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I would get the standard 16 inch barrell with a short flash supressor. Those 5 inch flash supressors are ridiculous. I would advise only to get a Colt, Armalite, Rock River, and maybe a Bushmaster.[;)]
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