AR short barrel advantages?

[Nikola]

I'm planning an AR carbine build in 5.56mm. Is there any advantage to the 14.5 or 14.7 inch barrels with welded flash hiders and CAR gas systems over a 16 inch barrel with a midlength gas system? I plan to shoot 55gr ammo, if that makes a difference.

[aplinker]

it's 1.5" shorter than a 16" barrel with the same FH.

That gives better handling and makes it lighter.

It takes away flexibility (you can't switch muzzle devices, gas blocks, etc)

It also adds cost (permanently installing a muzzle device).

[Patriot]

A 14.x" barrel will also result in reduced muzzle velocity.

[OCArmory]

I would recommend sticking with the 16" barrel. But I have no real science behind it.
Mike

[Pryde]

16" barrels are overgassed.
14.5 will be more reliable.
With a 16" barrel you have like 8 inches of barrel past the gas port which greatly increases operating pressures.

16" is ideal for midlength gas system but not very good for carbine gas system.

[NRAhighpowershooter]

or even a shorter barrel..one of my most favorite OLL's has a 11.5" with
a 5.5" FS on it and it is a DREAM to shoot!! 100% reliable, light weight (flat top with a eotech 552, lighter recoil than my 18" middy.

[elsolo]

You are going to have 16" anyway, do you want to get something for that length or just have a useless flash hider taking up that real estate?

That 2" is going to be there anyways, might as well be improving muzzle velocity.

[-hanko]

You are going to have 16" anyway, do you want to get something for that length or just have a useless flash hider taking up that real estate?

That 2" is going to be there anyways, might as well be improving muzzle velocity.

The FH weighs less than the equivalent length of barrel...if you can live with ~2700fps, they're very handy and sweet to shoot.

-hanko

[CHS]

You are going to have 16" anyway, do you want to get something for that length or just have a useless flash hider taking up that real estate?

That 2" is going to be there anyways, might as well be improving muzzle velocity.

That's not exactly true.

With a 14.X" barrel, you have a permanently attached hider/brake which brings the barrel up to EXACTLY 16".

With a 16" barrel, you have a true 16" barrel that ends in a threaded crown. You then install a brake/hider on that which brings it to 17-18" in total length.

If length is the most important, stick with the 14.X length barrel, but realize that you are losing some velocity and the ability to play with muzzle devices (including silencers if you take your gun to a free state).

Personally, an extra inch or so isn't that big of a deal to me, and I'd much rather have the flexibility of a threaded barrel.