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Posted: 5/25/2023 6:20:19 PM EST
All of my SBRs are 300blk, so for my next build I’m thinking about a 5.56. Decent barrel length for a 5.56 SBR?
Range toy, close qtr type |
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Posted: 5/25/2023 6:33:42 PM EST
[#1]
12.5"
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Posted: 5/25/2023 6:37:35 PM EST
[#2]
10.3 or 11.5 would be my vote
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Posted: 5/25/2023 6:45:26 PM EST
[#3]
I really enjoy my BRT 12.5. If I built another it would be with a criterion core
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Posted: 5/25/2023 6:45:34 PM EST
[#4]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Mb121: 10.3 or 11.5 mid-length would be my vote If you’re going to go short, go short. My only reason to go >10.3 is to go mid-length. |
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Posted: 5/25/2023 6:56:43 PM EST
[#5]
Anything shorter than 16" would require that it be a pistol, or registered as a short barreled rifle with all the BATFE paperwork that goes along with that. So I would go with a 16" or 18" barrel, with a rifle length gas system if possible.
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Posted: 5/25/2023 7:00:09 PM EST
[#6]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Genin: Anything shorter than 16" would require that it be a pistol, or registered as a short barreled rifle with all the BATFE paperwork that goes along with that. So I would go with a 16" or 18" barrel, with a rifle length gas system if possible. This is for an SBR build, so yes I’ll have to pay the 200. |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 5/25/2023 7:01:23 PM EST
[#7]
It's always a tough choice between 10.5 and 11.5. Can't go wrong either way. I'd probably go 10.5" if you run suppressors most the time.
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Posted: 5/25/2023 7:03:46 PM EST
[#8]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By GunDisaster: It's always a tough choice between 10.5 and 11.5. Can't go wrong either way. I'd probably go 10.5" if you run suppressors most the time. Well, that’s a good point. Hadn’t thought much about a suppressor, but yeah, I’d use my sandman s with it. |
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Posted: 5/25/2023 7:04:47 PM EST
[#9]
12.5" master race checking in
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Posted: 5/25/2023 7:33:18 PM EST
[#10]
11.5" best balance between weight, velocity, decibels and CQB-long range use
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OH, USA
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Posted: 5/25/2023 7:34:38 PM EST
[#11]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Genin: Anything shorter than 16" would require that it be a pistol, or registered as a short barreled rifle with all the BATFE paperwork that goes along with that. So I would go with a 16" or 18" barrel, with a rifle length gas system if possible.  I’m a fan of 11.5”. Seems to be the sweet spot for me. |
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NC, USA
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Posted: 5/25/2023 7:40:56 PM EST
[#12]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Tejas1836: 11.5" best balance between weight, velocity, decibels and CQB-long range use Yup, it works for me. My 11.5 (with AGB and silencer) is my go-to gun for most training inside say 75 yards and NODs shooting. I checks a lot of boxes. |
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Posted: 5/25/2023 9:45:30 PM EST
[#13]
I own a bunch of 10.3-10.5 guns. They are all fun to shoot and they are all shot mostly suppressed. A few of them are MK-18 style clones. I have two Aero based pistols in 5.56 and 300blk. My HD SBR is an 11.5 with a Saker 5.56. I don't really feel a difference between shooting the 10.3/5 and the 11.5, but that is a Colt Commando upper and it shoots great. I haven't messed with the 12.5s or 13.7/9s. I like the short small guns.
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Posted: 5/25/2023 10:34:36 PM EST
[#14]
10.5 if only one. 7.5 for grins.
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Posted: 5/26/2023 1:43:32 AM EST
[#15]
I vote 11.5”
Colt 6933 or DD RIII please |
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ME, USA
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Posted: 5/27/2023 7:15:46 PM EST
[Last Edit: Prominus]
[#16]
You dead set on the AR platform?
Tavor x95 sbr is absolutely ridiculous. 13” bbl 22” OAL You can convert a standard or buy a factory one. |
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Posted: 5/29/2023 8:04:03 AM EST
[#17]
Go Commando 11.5" the Original.
that said, I also have a 10.3 suppressed and is an accurate carbine. So, I shoot 'em all suppressed & not at all inclined to use an AR barrel shorter than 10.3. A 7.5" will be a very special one. |
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Posted: 5/29/2023 10:17:24 PM EST
[#18]
Im a 11.5” fan
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Posted: 5/31/2023 10:05:06 AM EST
[Last Edit: Deadsquiggles]
[#19]
Love my 11.5”. Although I’d maybe go 12.5” if an LPVO is gonna live on it. But you said close quarter, so my vote goes 11.5”
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Posted: 5/31/2023 2:50:48 PM EST
[#20]
hum...my next will be a 12.5 cause I dont own one. I own 11.5 the most. I have one 10.5. but for me with a can the sweet spot is a 11.5
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Posted: 5/31/2023 2:57:10 PM EST
[#21]
10.3 is a really nice package with a suppressor
11.5 and 12.5 are still good from my use , but I like the 10.3 setup best. |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 5/31/2023 7:36:57 PM EST
[Last Edit: JJL0325]
[#22]
10.3" is an awesome gun for running suppressed. Nice and tight package. But I'd I had to have just one, or even just have one first, is go with the 12.5". Still very manageable indoors and quite a bit of terminal ballistics gained over a 10.3"
(L-R) 13.9", 12.5", 10.3" 
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CO, USA
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Posted: 6/1/2023 1:31:30 PM EST
[#23]
I'd like to try a 12.5 and no doubt will build one eventually, but I'm a huge fan of my 11.5s. Really, I don't think you can go wrong with either. My main gun is an 11.5 with a 3x acog on it and it will do anything I need it to inside of a couple of hundred yards. Anything further than that and I'm reaching for something more appropriate anyway. So, I don't think an extra 1" is going to make much of a difference in my personal use.
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Posted: 6/1/2023 6:51:18 PM EST
[#24]
Been out on a lake with no service for a bit….I appreciate all the feedback. Waiting for funds to build back up, but this gives me a lot to consider
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CO, USA
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Posted: 6/1/2023 7:39:03 PM EST
[#25]
This whole thread is intersing. I expected a whole lot more 12.5 reccomendations. The fact that the largest percentage was pro 11.5 is surprising. I dont disagree, but I wouldn't have expected it to go that way.
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Posted: 6/3/2023 4:16:18 PM EST
[#26]
I have an 7.5, 10.5 and 11.5 and the 7.5 gets all the grins at the range. It's has a KAK flash can on it so it doubles as a flame thrower as well. It has a beeefy Phase 5 rail on it and could almost double as a breaching tool as well. Better have your earplugs close and it'll knock your teeth loose. The 11.5 is probably the more practical.... But all SBR's are a bonus! Build and shoot then repeat.
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Posted: 6/6/2023 10:57:26 PM EST
[#27]
11.5 is my current favorite.
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RUS
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Posted: 6/6/2023 10:59:13 PM EST
[#28]
11.5 or 12.5
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Posted: 6/7/2023 12:18:15 AM EST
[Last Edit: chevrofreak]
[#29]
I am another 11.5 fan (I built one for me, one for my girlfriend) but my 10.5 is fun, too. The 11.5 seems to get just enough extra velocity over the 10.5 to really make that extra inch worth it.
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Posted: 6/7/2023 9:34:45 AM EST
[#30]
I won’t go below 11.5” on 5.56 but a 12.5” mid-gas is my favorite suppressed. Unless you get a suppressor-ported barrel an AGB will likely be desirable.
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Posted: 6/7/2023 6:30:32 PM EST
[#31]
10.5 first. 11.5 second.
So, both. But 10.5 first. Always that ^^ |
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Posted: 6/7/2023 7:12:58 PM EST
[#32]
as long as you can live with is the only answer. even 16" is a compromise.
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FL, USA
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Posted: 6/8/2023 4:45:00 PM EST
[#33]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Mb121: 10.3 or 11.5 would be my vote This and 12.5 are ideal barrel lengths for SBRs. |
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Posted: 6/13/2023 2:52:44 PM EST
[#34]
The right answer here is to register a lower for a 7.5”, then get a 10.5, 11.5, and a 12.5 and have fun…. Or just get a lower for each!
My 11.5’s get the most exercise, but my 10.3” is my favorite and my 12.5 is the most practical, my 10.5’s just fall in there somewhere. |
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Posted: 6/13/2023 3:16:24 PM EST
[#35]
For 5.56mm I like 11.5" (especially if you're not going to suppress). 12ish mid-lengths are nice too.
If you're adding a suppressor then 10.3" or 10.5" because every extra inch sucks indoors. |
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Posted: 6/13/2023 5:55:09 PM EST
[#36]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By KitBuilder: For 5.56mm I like 11.5" (especially if you're not going to suppress). 12ish mid-lengths are nice too. If you're adding a suppressor then 10.3" or 10.5" because every extra inch sucks indoors. A few years back when I was getting my Obama panic stamps, 10.5" was the shortest a lot of cans would warranty. Now that we have bufferless uppers, what's a recommended defensive ammo from a 7.5"? 40 grn? Want to do a Han Solo build that isn't a .22. |
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Posted: 6/13/2023 6:01:17 PM EST
[Last Edit: Sputnik556]
[#37]
11.5” is my preference by far.
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WI, USA
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Posted: 6/13/2023 6:17:43 PM EST
[#38]
11.5
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MP, USA
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Posted: 6/15/2023 12:14:02 AM EST
[Last Edit: JoshNC]
[#39]
11.5 or 12.5. BRT chrome lined CHF extended gas 12.5” is very nice. 11.5 I’d go Colt, Criterion core, or centurion.
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Posted: 6/15/2023 7:54:40 AM EST
[Last Edit: MRTEX]
[#40]
I had an 11.5 (6933) and it was awesome.
It depends on your use and how many other uppers you have. I have 20 and 16 inch rifles right now. My fiancé has a 12.5. I believe 12.5 is a great do it all length. It is very comfortable to maneuver. Throwing a suppressor on the end is still shorter than the 16”. Significant velocity increases In the 12.5 over the 11.5 and 10” variants. |
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Posted: 6/15/2023 8:07:10 AM EST
[#41]
I've got 10.3, 10.5, 11.3, and 12.5 barrels, all suppressed. 10.3 or 11.3 IMO. 12.5 gets long with a can. 11.3 is softer shooting than my 10" ones.
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Posted: 6/15/2023 5:17:31 PM EST
[Last Edit: 1168RGR]
[#42]
Originally Posted By Yumago: I really enjoy my BRT 12.5. If I built another it would be with a criterion core Originally Posted By grayman89: 12.5" master race checking in Originally Posted By MRTEX: I had an 11.5 (6933) and it was awesome. It depends on your use and how many other uppers you have. I have 20 and 16 inch rifles right now. My fiancé has a 12.5. I believe 12.5 is a great do it all length. It is very comfortable to maneuver. Throwing a suppressor on the end is still shorter than the 16”. Significant velocity increases In the 12.5 over the 11.5 and 10” variants. Precisely. The velocity gain is right at the edge of decreasing benefits vs unwieldiness of 10.3” vs 14.5”, and they sound good with a can. And they don’t beat up the can as hard as a 10.3”. I don’t really notice the length over a Mk18 unsuppressed, and I have a little more rail estate. Criterion makes a good barrel, and as the owner of a handful of 12.5s (and everything from 10.3” to 18”), I would have zero concerns about going with carbine gas. The size of the hole in the bbl seems to matter more than location. |
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Posted: 6/17/2023 6:35:58 PM EST
[#43]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By 1168RGR: Precisely. The velocity gain is right at the edge of decreasing benefits vs unwieldiness of 10.3” vs 14.5”, and they sound good with a can. And they don’t beat up the can as hard as a 10.3”. I don’t really notice the length over a Mk18 unsuppressed, and I have a little more rail estate. Criterion makes a good barrel, and as the owner of a handful of 12.5s (and everything from 10.3” to 18”), I would have zero concerns about going with carbine gas. The size of the hole in the bbl seems to matter more than location. very good point it's nice that some of the barrel manufacturers are starting to make appropriate port sizes for suppressed use or at least making them somewhat smaller even if not small enough still other companies like bcm have massive gas ports that are awful to shoot unsuppressed without an agb i do think the diameter or the gas port is a bigger factor in having a well tuned rifle compared to the length of the gas system |
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Posted: 6/17/2023 6:45:29 PM EST
[#44]
12”
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Posted: 6/17/2023 6:52:36 PM EST
[#45]
I would go 12.5, with 11.5 being the absolute shortest I’d go for a serious use rifle. I’m just not comfortable giving up too much velocity and I’m not quite at the point where I buy guns that aren’t for a purpose.
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Posted: 6/17/2023 11:58:20 PM EST
[#46]
11.5" or 12.5"
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Posted: 6/19/2023 12:01:28 AM EST
[#47]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By grayman89: very good point it's nice that some of the barrel manufacturers are starting to make appropriate port sizes for suppressed use or at least making them somewhat smaller even if not small enough still other companies like bcm have massive gas ports that are awful to shoot unsuppressed without an agb i do think the diameter or the gas port is a bigger factor in having a well tuned rifle compared to the length of the gas system Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By grayman89: Originally Posted By 1168RGR: Precisely. The velocity gain is right at the edge of decreasing benefits vs unwieldiness of 10.3” vs 14.5”, and they sound good with a can. And they don’t beat up the can as hard as a 10.3”. I don’t really notice the length over a Mk18 unsuppressed, and I have a little more rail estate. Criterion makes a good barrel, and as the owner of a handful of 12.5s (and everything from 10.3” to 18”), I would have zero concerns about going with carbine gas. The size of the hole in the bbl seems to matter more than location. very good point it's nice that some of the barrel manufacturers are starting to make appropriate port sizes for suppressed use or at least making them somewhat smaller even if not small enough still other companies like bcm have massive gas ports that are awful to shoot unsuppressed without an agb i do think the diameter or the gas port is a bigger factor in having a well tuned rifle compared to the length of the gas system Depends on how far past rifle gas you go... |
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Posted: 6/19/2023 8:03:34 PM EST
[Last Edit: STJ]
[#48]
On paper, 12.5 ML
That being said, my Suppressed 10.5 is the most fun AR to shoot. |
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Posted: 6/19/2023 8:15:24 PM EST
[#49]
12.5
My criterion is pushing about 2625 with black hills 77's without the can and closer to 2650 with a can. Now with pictures  Attached File |
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Posted: 6/20/2023 7:22:01 AM EST
[#50]
12.5” is the new hotness. I’m trying out one of the Roscoe/ Sage Dynamics 12.5” with “patrol” length gas system. So far a like it.
That said, I’m still very fond of my 10.5” and shoot it a lot. |
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