SBR or 16"??

[rugger1015]

If there is a thread out there, please direct me to it so I don't waste anyones time...I am looking at buying one of two AR's that are almost identical. One is a 16" and the other is basically an SBR version.

What are the advantages/disadvantages to buying the SBR?

[Deadcenter]

$200 tax stamp and the months long waiting period to get it for the SBR ... unless you were thinking SPR which is a precision rifle typically 18" barrel free floated ...

It all comes down to your intended uses for the rifle.

[GeneticsDave]

Long barrel: better powder burn, more velocity and accuracy, not as loud

Short barrel: lower powder burn, less velocity and accuracy, louder, easier to maneuver

In my opinion, I would go with a 16" if this is an all-purpose rifle. If you are planning on doing a lot of CQB, then I might consider a SBR. The registration, paperwork and tax stamp really turn me off though.

[MagicPie]

I've done a lot research for my SBR project, and it's best not to go less then 11.5"-12", unless you have no desire to maintain 5.56 fragmentation at 100 yards.

Personally, I find little point for a AR SBR unless you're going to suppress, so that with the reflex suppressor you hang around the length of that of a 16".
This is my plan, 12" Larue upper with Surefire reflex suppress, should put me a bit less in total length as that of a 16" barrel gun. A suppressor on a 16" is just too cumbersome.

Of course you can go much shorter then 12" but you really got to think of the gun as nothing more then close quarters, as in 50 yards are less to maintain fragmentation abilities.

[Polymerhead]

Originally Posted by MagicPie

I've done a lot research for my SBR project, and it's best not to go less then 11.5"-12", unless you have no desire to maintain 5.56 fragmentation at 100 yards...

...Of course you can go much shorter then 12" but you really got to think of the gun as nothing more then close quarters, as in 50 yards are less to maintain fragmentation abilities.

If for some reason you are mandated to use FMJs, such as military use or as perscribed by your job, this may be applicable. Otherwise it's a moot point. If you came on here and said you use FMJs in your XD for home defense, you'd be berated. I don't see why ARs are different, except that people tend to rely only on velocity instead of bullet construction to do the job.

If you're worried about the loss of a couple hundred fps, then run soft points, or poly-tipped bullets.

I'm not saying 12" SBRs aren't cool and effective - they definitely are - but it really bugs me when people talk about how anything under 11.5" is just a completely useless gun. I can do standing head shots at 50 yards with my EOTech and 7.5" SBR all day. I can put rounds on torso at 100 yards all day. V-max, TAP, soft points, etc, still blow up really well at those ranges. That's good enough for me.

Oh - to the OP - my advice is to buy the 16" gun. You can always apply for an NFA tax stamp at a later date and cut the barrel down. It's a $200 stamp either way, except you can walk in and leave with the 16" gun. Buying a pre-made SBR usually means you pay today and get to take it home in a few months after the Feds decide to approve your Form 4.

[ForTehNguyen]

according to AR15.com ammo oracle, 11.5" fragments reliably up to 45m

[joshua79109]

I like the sbrs and I think the idea is fun. I don't have one and don't have plans to buy one. If I worked in an environment that put me in close quarters combat then I would consider the sbr.

For me and my uses the 16" is plenty short.

I have started in 3gun - many of those folks opt for the 18" - 20" barrels.

Good luck

[Apdl]

SBR would be nice if you have the time and money

[nateroach]

Well you can start with the 16". I say start, cause once you get that 16" done the BRD will have fully set in, and then the question is just "how long until i build up that SBR"

[Fish609]

I was considering doing SBR, but in 9mm version.