I am building another ar but do not know what length I want to build. This is going to be a duty rifle for work. I am looking at a 12.5,14.5 or 16 inch. I already have a m16 but it is too long to fit in the car so I want a shorter rifle. What are your thoughts on these lengths for a duty rifle and why would you go with any certain size over the others.
What length for next AR
- Thread starter bigtommy
- Start date
Plant.One
Well-known member
i will preface this by saying i am not a law enforcement officer, so i have no idea how my thoughts will integrate with what your department allows and necessity demands.
that said, i'd like to offer the following thoughts.
are you restricted on caliber?
if you're not and you want to go short for handleability / maneuverability with a cartridge that shines in shorter barrels have you considered a 300 blk? Ive been reading quite a bit more recently about its acceptance into military and LE roles.
at close in distances you get a nice extra bit of punch over a short 5.56/223 due to weight pickup and there are company's offering AP rounds for govt use
the barnes Tac-TX 110 grainers are (mostly) barrier blind and capable of defeating Level IIIA body armor even when fired from an 8" SBR at around 2050 fps (mv) retaining 784 ft/lbs at 100 yds
compare that to the new hornady 5.56 "sbr" 75 grainers fired out of an 11.5" barrel @ 2321 fps (MV) retaining 649 ft/lbs at the same distance.
i have a 9" 300blk ar pistol thats just a smidge over 25" in its current configuration. Its handled a variety of factory offerings and a selection of handloads as well in both super and subsonic variety with and without the suppressor attached. even without the can, shooting it (and being around someone shooting it) is a whole lot nicer than being up close and personal with a short 5.56. if you've ever been next to a 11.5" 5.56 with a brake on it on the range you know what i'm talking about.
a sbr built to a similar design would give you a firearm the length of a MP5, carries a ballistic capability similar to an ak47, while still capable of utilizing most standard ar15 magazines & accessories.
that said, i'd like to offer the following thoughts.
are you restricted on caliber?
if you're not and you want to go short for handleability / maneuverability with a cartridge that shines in shorter barrels have you considered a 300 blk? Ive been reading quite a bit more recently about its acceptance into military and LE roles.
at close in distances you get a nice extra bit of punch over a short 5.56/223 due to weight pickup and there are company's offering AP rounds for govt use
the barnes Tac-TX 110 grainers are (mostly) barrier blind and capable of defeating Level IIIA body armor even when fired from an 8" SBR at around 2050 fps (mv) retaining 784 ft/lbs at 100 yds
compare that to the new hornady 5.56 "sbr" 75 grainers fired out of an 11.5" barrel @ 2321 fps (MV) retaining 649 ft/lbs at the same distance.
i have a 9" 300blk ar pistol thats just a smidge over 25" in its current configuration. Its handled a variety of factory offerings and a selection of handloads as well in both super and subsonic variety with and without the suppressor attached. even without the can, shooting it (and being around someone shooting it) is a whole lot nicer than being up close and personal with a short 5.56. if you've ever been next to a 11.5" 5.56 with a brake on it on the range you know what i'm talking about.
a sbr built to a similar design would give you a firearm the length of a MP5, carries a ballistic capability similar to an ak47, while still capable of utilizing most standard ar15 magazines & accessories.
gary paugh
New member
I built one with a 12.5" ARP barrel that shoots really well and is very light and easy to get in and out of the truck.
AdamT
Well-known member
12.5. I had one and loved it. I worked at a dept that issued Colt Commandos and they are stupid easy to deploy from the car from overhead racks. So much easier than 16" barrels. Plus they're a little lighter and nice and tight for clearing buildings and makes a noticeable difference even when slung. I had zero function issues with my 12.5" or the dept Commando.
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: AdamT12.5. I had one and loved it. I worked at a dept that issued Colt Commandos and they are stupid easy to deploy from the car from overhead racks. So much easier than 16" barrels. Plus they're a little lighter and nice and tight for clearing buildings and makes a noticeable difference even when slung.
Thank you just the info I was looking for. I was wondering how easy the 16 was to deploy but I think I will look for 12.5
Thank you just the info I was looking for. I was wondering how easy the 16 was to deploy but I think I will look for 12.5
AdamT
Well-known member
Originally Posted By: bigtommyOriginally Posted By: AdamT12.5. I had one and loved it. I worked at a dept that issued Colt Commandos and they are stupid easy to deploy from the car from overhead racks. So much easier than 16" barrels. Plus they're a little lighter and nice and tight for clearing buildings and makes a noticeable difference even when slung.
Thank you just the info I was looking for. I was wondering how easy the 16 was to deploy but I think I will look for 12.5
Our dept wanted the overhead locks mounted so the muzzle was pointed to the passenger side to keep it from being over top of your head. It was redundant safety since they were carried with no rounds in the chamber. It made it a PITA to deploy the rifle from over head and try to come out of the car muzzle first with the 16" barrels. Always seemed to whack the windshield, steering wheel, dash cam, MDT, or something. Too much equipment to navigate around in a hurry. The Commandos and even my 12.5 was much easier to spin around and come out with. We had a couple guys try to argue accuracy loss with the SBRs when we made the switch but it's plenty accurate enough for a patrol rifle where most likely engagements are closer than at distance. Just remind brass if it comes up its a "patrol" rifle not a sniper rifle. We had M14s in the trunk for the long shots but never really used them.
Thank you just the info I was looking for. I was wondering how easy the 16 was to deploy but I think I will look for 12.5
Our dept wanted the overhead locks mounted so the muzzle was pointed to the passenger side to keep it from being over top of your head. It was redundant safety since they were carried with no rounds in the chamber. It made it a PITA to deploy the rifle from over head and try to come out of the car muzzle first with the 16" barrels. Always seemed to whack the windshield, steering wheel, dash cam, MDT, or something. Too much equipment to navigate around in a hurry. The Commandos and even my 12.5 was much easier to spin around and come out with. We had a couple guys try to argue accuracy loss with the SBRs when we made the switch but it's plenty accurate enough for a patrol rifle where most likely engagements are closer than at distance. Just remind brass if it comes up its a "patrol" rifle not a sniper rifle. We had M14s in the trunk for the long shots but never really used them.