AR Build -- 18" vs 16" barrel

[Darryl Licht]

All right let the opinions and hopefully facts fly...

I've read that the 18" AR barrel is the best compromise between accuracy and mobility. Am I right here?

I'm looking at getting a nice cash settlement soon, and would like info here on building an AR. I want a gun that I can use primarily as a range/SHTF gun, hopefully get into 3 gun competition later, and perhaps a lil pig hunting too.

I want 5.56 so I can share ammo cases with my brother who has a DDM4 in 5.56. I wont budge on the caliber, so please don't try and dissuade me. I've spent a lot of time shooting his rifle, so I'm spoiled and have to have an accurate gun. The upper is the most important piece of the puzzle, so let the advice flow here...

What 18" barrel do you suggest, DD is very nice, but pricey... Matter of fact all the 18" uppers I can find are right about a grand. I think a full upper will be easiest as I wont have any head space issues. Got to have M4 feed ramps and nice bolt... HELP...

[gun toting monkeyboy]

Truthfully, the difference in performance between an 18" and a 16" barrel in 5.56 isn't that much. But I have found that the difference between a 16" and 18" barrel is significant if you need to get the rifle in and out of places, or move through brush. Once you add a muzzle device to the end of it, you basically have a full-sized rifle, without the added benefit of the extra 4" of velocity. I went with 18" once, and I will never do it again. Either go with the full 20", or go with the 16". The 18" is the worst of both worlds, not the best.

-Mb