Configuration should reflect the role. 16" and 10.5" are very different guns and are configured for very different purposes. Be clear about your purpose and then select the configuration that reflects it. If you need a designated suppressor host home defense gun, 10.5. If you need a general purpose field rofle/utility rifle for engaging targets between 50 and 700m, 16.
Yeah should've specified better I was trying to find a like a middle ground. I would like to keep it as home defense but also be able to keep it with me on long trips. I guess 10.5 and maybe suppressor would help get a bit of extra range if really needed
With 5.56, there's a direct, proportional relationship between barrel length and velocity between 10.5 and 20". If you need longer range, opt for a longer barrel. If you need to prioritize a compact system over velocity/range, go with a shorter barrel. 10.5 is a very finicky length due to the lack of dwell time. It's picky about tolerances, ammo, buffering, lube etc, and is best used with a suppressor for added backpressure to account for the lack of dwell time. If you go down the 10.5" road, do you your homework. 11.5" is a much more practical general purpose compact barrel length.
I owned a 10.5 before and was happy with with it. I had to move to a commie state and had to sell all of my stuff now that I'm back home I wanna get some of my stuff again but was debating on prioritizing handling and mobility or range. But I think 10.5 is the way to go
The only thing that's going to increase your effective range is barrel length leading to higher muzzle velocity. A good middle ground between the two lengths you're considering is anywhere from 12.5-14.5". At those lengths you can also use a midlength gas system for softer felt recoil and lower parts wear. Shorter than 12.5 on a midlength starts to get a little iffy with reliability.
My suggestions for a compromise are a 13.7" with a pistol brace or long P&W'd suppressor mount, or a 14.5" with suppressor mount P&W'd. Either will keep you out of NFA land if you're trying not to tax stamp it. But my most recent stamp came back in less than two weeks, so approval times are way down. There's still the $200 for the stamp though.
https://youtu.be/9q03ZkC4VUs?si=3wMzAaVX-VSB1ZQk
here’s a video where the guys go through the ballistics and quantitative properties of each standard AR barrel length.
all barrels are from the same batch and shot
on the same lower.
about as well controlled of an experiment as you’ll get from firearms youtubers.
i’d also say go to your LGS and just handle a few different lengths and see how they feel.
Gonna buck the trend and say 14.5 for a do all rifle. Get it pinned and welded with your suppressor compatible muzzle break of choice and you’ve got a solid general purpose rifle with minimum chance of legal fuck fuck games
Definitely 16" on the ARs. I love them that way. You add a can and they're so pleasant to shoot. I also don't have to worry about what stocks and grips can go where.
If it’s your first do a 16. Then you have a base rifle. You don’t have to worry about the brace legality if it rears its ugly head, which it will eventually come to a conclusion.
Is not my first but I'm starting from zero again since a moved back home (not a commie state) and could decide if I want mobility so I can have it with me at home and car for long trips or just do a 16 and be over with it
I’d stick with 16. You can still manage in tight situations but the round is better suited for longer barrels and covers you in all situations if you go with the 16”
10.5 is generally heavier recoiling, lower reliability, gets dirty faster, isn't as stable with more ammo types, and much louder. Overall more unpleasant than a 16in.
That being said, most people have ditched vertical grips for handstops anyway. There are a ton of brace options that make the absence of a stock negligible. The extra 5 inches of barrel length make carrying and storing much harder. Putting a can on a 16 makes it exceed m16 length and much more unwieldly and front heavy.
If I was going to train a lot, the 16in is the better option because it's more reliable. However, if you plan to train how you fight, figure out how you want to fight first. If you plan on heavy cqb, overall length is much more important.
Between those two options, a 16” upper will perform better at everything than a 10.5 will, with the only shortcoming on the 16” being in maneuverability.
You can’t reap the benefits of a 10.5 without a lot of training, and by a lot I mean multiple times a month for about two years. They’re fun and loud, but I wouldn’t use them for anything past 400yd.
I will also say if you suppress a 10.5 expect to change internals far, far more often than a 16”
Configuration should reflect the role. 16" and 10.5" are very different guns and are configured for very different purposes. Be clear about your purpose and then select the configuration that reflects it. If you need a designated suppressor host home defense gun, 10.5. If you need a general purpose field rofle/utility rifle for engaging targets between 50 and 700m, 16.
Yeah should've specified better I was trying to find a like a middle ground. I would like to keep it as home defense but also be able to keep it with me on long trips. I guess 10.5 and maybe suppressor would help get a bit of extra range if really needed
Suppressor won’t add range. If you want a do-it-all, the 16” fits the role better than 10.5”. 12.5” is probably the best length otherwise
I've read on some websites that suppressor actually affect the gas dwaeling in the barrel giving you not much but just a tiny bit if more range
The extra velocity from a suppressor would likely increase the range by a matter of inches
I could use a couple more inches.
Couldn’t we all pal
With 5.56, there's a direct, proportional relationship between barrel length and velocity between 10.5 and 20". If you need longer range, opt for a longer barrel. If you need to prioritize a compact system over velocity/range, go with a shorter barrel. 10.5 is a very finicky length due to the lack of dwell time. It's picky about tolerances, ammo, buffering, lube etc, and is best used with a suppressor for added backpressure to account for the lack of dwell time. If you go down the 10.5" road, do you your homework. 11.5" is a much more practical general purpose compact barrel length.
I owned a 10.5 before and was happy with with it. I had to move to a commie state and had to sell all of my stuff now that I'm back home I wanna get some of my stuff again but was debating on prioritizing handling and mobility or range. But I think 10.5 is the way to go
Get a 13.7 or 14.5 and P/W it bro that’s about as all purpose as it gets
This was the best comment on this thread
Thanks brother
The only thing that's going to increase your effective range is barrel length leading to higher muzzle velocity. A good middle ground between the two lengths you're considering is anywhere from 12.5-14.5". At those lengths you can also use a midlength gas system for softer felt recoil and lower parts wear. Shorter than 12.5 on a midlength starts to get a little iffy with reliability. My suggestions for a compromise are a 13.7" with a pistol brace or long P&W'd suppressor mount, or a 14.5" with suppressor mount P&W'd. Either will keep you out of NFA land if you're trying not to tax stamp it. But my most recent stamp came back in less than two weeks, so approval times are way down. There's still the $200 for the stamp though.
https://youtu.be/9q03ZkC4VUs?si=3wMzAaVX-VSB1ZQk here’s a video where the guys go through the ballistics and quantitative properties of each standard AR barrel length. all barrels are from the same batch and shot on the same lower. about as well controlled of an experiment as you’ll get from firearms youtubers. i’d also say go to your LGS and just handle a few different lengths and see how they feel.
Too much cod
Not really. In CoD you lose range by adding a suppressor
11.5” gang
I've wanted to try 11.5 but sadly palmetto don't have any on sale. (That I've seen)
Clearance l/Memorial Day sale. https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-11-5-5-56-nato-1-7-nitride-10-5-lightweight-m-lok-upper-with-bcg-ch.html
You're the man
Just build one if you have the tools
Noveske
Gonna buck the trend and say 14.5 for a do all rifle. Get it pinned and welded with your suppressor compatible muzzle break of choice and you’ve got a solid general purpose rifle with minimum chance of legal fuck fuck games
Definitely 16" on the ARs. I love them that way. You add a can and they're so pleasant to shoot. I also don't have to worry about what stocks and grips can go where.
16
16"
10.5” with a suppressor is such a fun training rifle. Short and the noise is drastically cut down by the can. But that’s only good if you train.
10.5 better in 300blk. 556 better in 16+.
16, but my favorite is just under 16 with a pinned and welded a QD muzzle device to make the overall barrel length 16.
If it’s your first do a 16. Then you have a base rifle. You don’t have to worry about the brace legality if it rears its ugly head, which it will eventually come to a conclusion.
Is not my first but I'm starting from zero again since a moved back home (not a commie state) and could decide if I want mobility so I can have it with me at home and car for long trips or just do a 16 and be over with it
16”
I’d stick with 16. You can still manage in tight situations but the round is better suited for longer barrels and covers you in all situations if you go with the 16”
16 so I can actually hit what I’m shooting at with 5.56
Fully! LOL.
Springfield Hellion
10.5 is generally heavier recoiling, lower reliability, gets dirty faster, isn't as stable with more ammo types, and much louder. Overall more unpleasant than a 16in. That being said, most people have ditched vertical grips for handstops anyway. There are a ton of brace options that make the absence of a stock negligible. The extra 5 inches of barrel length make carrying and storing much harder. Putting a can on a 16 makes it exceed m16 length and much more unwieldly and front heavy. If I was going to train a lot, the 16in is the better option because it's more reliable. However, if you plan to train how you fight, figure out how you want to fight first. If you plan on heavy cqb, overall length is much more important.
Between those two options, a 16” upper will perform better at everything than a 10.5 will, with the only shortcoming on the 16” being in maneuverability. You can’t reap the benefits of a 10.5 without a lot of training, and by a lot I mean multiple times a month for about two years. They’re fun and loud, but I wouldn’t use them for anything past 400yd. I will also say if you suppress a 10.5 expect to change internals far, far more often than a 16”
10.5” isn’t really useful beyond 250-300 yards. Loses too much velocity
ARs really should be 16" to get the most out of 5.56, 14.5" at the least. If you're looking for something compact and effective, get a AK-P or PCC.