AR Pistol barrel length

[pterrell]

Alright, so I've been searching for a couple days now on information about pistol barrel length and a lot of what I've found so far has been "X worked for me so it's the best" followed by "x sucks, y is best"

I have narrowed it down to wanting between 10.5 and 12.5 inches, but that still leaves me with 3 choices. I'm not likely to suppress it in the near future (which seems to be a factor but not for us) and I'm looking for versatility. I know I'd like to find one in .223 Wylde, but it isn't a must.

[edgerly779]

I have an hbar stainless .223 wilde barrel 16" you can have cut down to any pistol length you wish. PM me

[bushido4]

What are you using the pistol for? Practically speaking, ones builds an AR pistol for manuverability for doing things such as clearing building and easy transport ect. Having this in mind, why wouldnt you go with the shorter barrel?

My 7.5" pistol shoots within an MOA at 200 yards with plain white box FMJ Winchester 55 grain bullets. If you plan on using your rilfe for distances longer than that, Id just go with a standard 14.5 or 16" rifle.

[BOOST3D]

What are you using the pistol for? Practically speaking, ones builds an AR pistol for manuverability for doing things such as clearing building and easy transport ect. Having this in mind, why wouldnt you go with the shorter barrel?

My 7.5" pistol shoots within an MOA at 200 yards with plain white box FMJ Winchester 55 grain bullets. If you plan on using your rilfe for distances longer than that, Id just go with a standard 14.5 or 16" rifle.

7.5" has reduced velocities and is more prone to cycling issues, most say that 10.5" seems to be the sweet spot.

[mnichols]

What are you using the pistol for? Practically speaking, ones builds an AR pistol for manuverability for doing things such as clearing building and easy transport ect. Having this in mind, why wouldnt you go with the shorter barrel?

My 7.5" pistol shoots within an MOA at 200 yards with plain white box FMJ Winchester 55 grain bullets. If you plan on using your rilfe for distances longer than that, Id just go with a standard 14.5 or 16" rifle.

^^^agree.
that was my thinking when I went 7.5"

[pterrell]

7.5" has reduced velocities and is more prone to cycling issues, most say that 10.5" seems to be the sweet spot.

That's what I was noticing was the difference in muzzle velocity. It seems to drop off sharply after 10 inches. I also had read that because if that drop off, the lethality of the projectile also diminishes.

[Repr762]

I have a 7.5in adams arms pistol that i consistently hit 200 yd steel with. With 62 grain m855 it cycles all day long. Adams arms does not overgas their rifles from the factory so to avoid cycling issues with weaker .223 loads i use a Wolf reduced power buffer spring when shooting those loads and have zero problems. I love my little 7.5 in blaster. I highly recommend the Shockwave Blade stabilizing brace over the Sig brace by the way.

[bigdawg86]

I am in the 10.5" barrel club... My pistol eats all ammo and locks back every time on an empty magazine.

[bigdawg86]

[CK_32]

10.5 is my prefered length.

Just like a mullet, it's says I came to party, But handle my business all at the same time.

[adrenaline]

My AR pistol to me is more than a plinker....I wanted it lethal if I need to use it at the ranges I plan to use it. (50 yards or less)

I'm in the 10.5 club....



Instead of trying to put it in my own words, here is a copy and paste of 5.56 from Wikipedia:

RE: 5.56.....at impact velocities above roughly 762 m/s (2,500 ft/s), it may yaw and then fragment at the cannelure (the crimping groove around the cylinder of the bullet). These fragments can disperse through flesh and bone, inflicting additional internal injuries.

Fragmentation, if and when it occurs, imparts much greater damage to human tissue than bullet dimensions and velocities would suggest. This fragmentation effect is highly dependent on velocity, and therefore barrel length: short-barreled carbines generate less muzzle velocity and therefore lose wounding effectiveness at much shorter ranges than longer-barreled rifles.

[Paperchasin]

Another vote for 10.5" barrel length

[bohoki]

both of mine are 7.5 cause i wanted to fire them one handed and i get fatigued

but if you want long i would go for the longest also you want to ask which brake you are going to use cause they can add inches

[customiiguy]

I picked up a psa 10.5 for 200. Their 10.5 chf was 279

[adrenaline]

Barrel Length Studies