AR 14.5" w/Fixed or 16" w/Threaded - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Fish609 · 07-07-2008, 04:42 PM

What is everyone's opinion on barrel length for an AR?

1> 14.5" with fixed flash hider for legal 16" OAL
2> 16" with threaded end

Which do you prefer and why? Are there any disadvantages between these?

My goal: Light combat rifle with no BS.

So far it consists of:

DPMS Lower
DPMS Parts Kit
FDE Magpul Grip
FDE Magpul CTR Stock
FDE Magpul PMAG's

Oops. Mods please move to polling place, my bad.

EricCartmann · 07-07-2008, 04:44 PM

the 14.5" barrels to me look the best, even with a pinned FH.

for HD, i like my guns to be as light as possible. i would go with a 14.5" pencil barrel if you can find it, if not a standard M4 14.5" would do.

Palmguy · 07-07-2008, 04:49 PM

I like the 14.5 + pinned FH...

**mvician** · 07-07-2008, 04:52 PM

where is the "I like pie" choice

Six of one, half dozen of another to me. I did vote 14.5"+ P/W FH especially if it is a M4 type barrel.

IBTM

**SVThuh** · 07-07-2008, 05:07 PM

I dont like the idea of a permantly affixed anything on the end of my barrel. I went with the 16" and the threaded barrel. I swapped from the A2 birdcage style to the YHM Phantom 2, looks a lot better, less muzzle climb and less flash at night. 1' OAL is not going to make that much of a difference when it comes to room clearing or anything along those lines and the longer barrel should add up to negledgably better accuracy.

RobFMJ · 07-07-2008, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVThuh

I dont like the idea of a permantly affixed anything on the end of my barrel.

Same here.

If you dont plan on changing anything, get the pinned 14.5 and dont look back... Pinned (or soldered) flash hiders are a pain in the ass to take off and put back on when it comes time to put that fancy rail or gas block on tho...

Polymerhead · 07-07-2008, 05:19 PM

The FH is one of the cheapest ways to give your gun a unique look. If you're going with 14.5" already, I wouldn't give up the versatility for an inch and a half. Who knows what you'll want on the end of that thing in a year? What if you decide to suppress it? What if someone comes out with a wicked FH that you just have to have? What if you want to change out the gas block for a low profile one, or maybe it cracks or something - can you change the GB without cutting off the FH?

Fish609 · 07-07-2008, 05:24 PM

Crap. I just read about how difficult/impossible it is to toy with the FSB.

I guess I just made up my mind on a 16" threaded. I really had my heart set on the 14.5" though, but my intentions were to go with a light weight hand guard and a small flip up gas block sight so it looks like my choice is really limited unless I can deal with the setup of the 14.5".

Thanks for your thoughts guys.

JBHorne · 07-08-2008, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polymerhead

The FH is one of the cheapest ways to give your gun a unique look. If you're going with 14.5" already, I wouldn't give up the versatility for an inch and a half. Who knows what you'll want on the end of that thing in a year? What if you decide to suppress it? What if someone comes out with a wicked FH that you just have to have? What if you want to change out the gas block for a low profile one, or maybe it cracks or something - can you change the GB without cutting off the FH?

Agreed. You make a very valid point. It's only 1.5", but a headache if you go under 16".

**tracker366** · 07-08-2008, 08:31 AM

I agree with SVThuh and RobFMJ.I I dont like the idea of it being permantly affixed.
My Cetme's flash hider is permantly affixed changing it would be a pain so it will stay the way it came

View Poll Results: Which size AR barrel for the new build?
14.5" Barrel with Fixed Flash Hider	16	32.00%
16" Barrel with Threaded End	33	66.00%
What's an AR?	1	2.00%
Voters: 50. You may not vote on this poll

07-07-2008, 04:42 PM	#1
Fish609 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 1,266	AR 14.5" w/Fixed or 16" w/Threaded What is everyone's opinion on barrel length for an AR? 1> 14.5" with fixed flash hider for legal 16" OAL 2> 16" with threaded end Which do you prefer and why? Are there any disadvantages between these? My goal: Light combat rifle with no BS. So far it consists of: DPMS Lower DPMS Parts Kit FDE Magpul Grip FDE Magpul CTR Stock FDE Magpul PMAG's Oops. Mods please move to polling place, my bad. Last edited by Fish609; 07-07-2008 at 04:44 PM. Reason: Polling Place

07-07-2008, 04:49 PM	#3
Palmguy XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lower Alabama Posts: 1,660	I like the 14.5 + pinned FH... __________________

07-07-2008, 04:52 PM	#4
mvician XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 3,355	where is the "I like pie" choice Six of one, half dozen of another to me. I did vote 14.5"+ P/W FH especially if it is a M4 type barrel. IBTM __________________ AR15s...ya I've built more than a few http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/ar-talk...ar-family.html ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

07-07-2008, 05:07 PM	#5
SVThuh XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,122	I dont like the idea of a permantly affixed anything on the end of my barrel. I went with the 16" and the threaded barrel. I swapped from the A2 birdcage style to the YHM Phantom 2, looks a lot better, less muzzle climb and less flash at night. 1' OAL is not going to make that much of a difference when it comes to room clearing or anything along those lines and the longer barrel should add up to negledgably better accuracy. __________________ http://www.zenithmotorsports.com/funnypics/Bama.gif Springfield : XD40SC, TRP Operator, M1A National Match HS2000 : 9mm Service Sig Sauer : P228, P220, P239 S&W : Mod.39 J frame, S&W99/40 Ruger : P89D, 10/22 Glock : 33 (baby .357SIG) Remington : 870 Express Super Magnum Home Built : AR15 A2, M4gery, VZ24 (fully tacticooled out)

07-07-2008, 04:44 PM	#2
EricCartmann XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: My Mom's Basement Posts: 1,398	the 14.5" barrels to me look the best, even with a pinned FH. for HD, i like my guns to be as light as possible. i would go with a 14.5" pencil barrel if you can find it, if not a standard M4 14.5" would do.

07-07-2008, 05:19 PM	#7
Polymerhead XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: MO, USA Posts: 1,536	The FH is one of the cheapest ways to give your gun a unique look. If you're going with 14.5" already, I wouldn't give up the versatility for an inch and a half. Who knows what you'll want on the end of that thing in a year? What if you decide to suppress it? What if someone comes out with a wicked FH that you just have to have? What if you want to change out the gas block for a low profile one, or maybe it cracks or something - can you change the GB without cutting off the FH? __________________ No alarms and no surprises, please.

07-07-2008, 05:24 PM	#8
Fish609 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 1,266	Crap. I just read about how difficult/impossible it is to toy with the FSB. I guess I just made up my mind on a 16" threaded. I really had my heart set on the 14.5" though, but my intentions were to go with a light weight hand guard and a small flip up gas block sight so it looks like my choice is really limited unless I can deal with the setup of the 14.5". Thanks for your thoughts guys.

07-08-2008, 08:31 AM	#10
tracker366 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: kankakee county Illinois Posts: 345	I agree with SVThuh and RobFMJ.I I dont like the idea of it being permantly affixed. My Cetme's flash hider is permantly affixed changing it would be a pain so it will stay the way it came __________________ SPRINGFIELD ARMORY XD-9x19 Tactical Born 7/18/07 2750 Rounds as of 9/6/08

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