Why stainless steel sbr (or in CA AR pistol) length AR barrels?

[EvolutionGSR]

I was just looking around and noticed that there are a few offerings of stainless steel 12.5 inch and under AR15 barrels. I have always had the understanding that when you choose stainless for an AR you do so for accuracy. I also have had the understanding that when you start going with a barrel that short you aren't going for accuracy.

So why a short stainless steel AR barrel?

[FMJBT]

The shorter barrel won't necessarily be less accurate, it just won't have the effective range of a longer barrel.

[EvolutionGSR]

I guess why I'm pondering this is, you don't hear often of wanting a short range accurate gun.

[G21Shooter]

Even a 11.5 inch tube is capable of decent accuracy. Good question though.

You could call up Noveske and ask them, as they have many short barrel stainless offerings.

[jasonnorcal]

Short range accurate barrel still has it's place. Think about it

[chicoredneck]

Theoretically, if you have two identical barrels except for length, the shorter barrel would be the more precise of the two. Shorter barrels are more rigid and they do not sag as much under their own weight.

Stainless barrels can be finely finished easier because the metal is softer (usually) than 4140 or 4150 barrels. Just because a barrel is stainless does not mean it will be more accurate though. There are pleanty of stainless barrels out there that are less precise than fine 4140 barrels.

How straight and true the dimensions of the barrel, chamber, and crown are, as well as it's rigidity, have far more to do with accuracy than the metal of the barrel. How fine the finish of the bore is also has some impact as well, but it usually has more of an impact on fouling than precision.

Many stainless production barrels, if not most, are no more precise or finely finished than 4140 and 4140 production barrels. However, they do offer greater rust resistance.