AR Sponsor
Posted: 5/9/2005 8:10:48 PM EDT
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I'm new at AR's but having fun learning. I've got it narrowed down to two rifles, but want some advice. Gun shop has M4 Bushmaster with perm. attached flash supressor in stock. I thought I wanted a 16" barrel with threaded removable FS. That is NOT in stock, and badly backordered. Should I wait 6-8 weeks for the AR I thought I wanted (removeable FS and legal 16" barrel), or just get the welded on FS (14.5" barrel with welded Izzy)? Is it a big deal? Any thoughts on that 1.5" actual barrel length difference and the perceived advantage of being able to easily swap out the FS? For those who've been through it, fill me in on: buyer's remorse (got a welded and regretted it), worries over nothing (worried about welded, got it, and found you wasted time thinking about it because you are still very happy), and learned preferences (what you ideally would want if both were in stock for the same price). In case it matters, my use is purely recreational, I won't be going to war, shooting amazingly long distances, hunting, or anything else useful. After playing around with the iron sights, I will probably put a scope on it and punch holes in paper at 100 yards (distance of my gun range). Not glamorous, but I'm realistic about this stuff! Thanks in advance! |
| The small variation in length and the effects it will have on your ballistic performance is not going to be a big deal with what you are stating you will use your carbine for. As far as making a choice, I personally went with the 16" models, because I really don't care for anything other than a mil spec. A2 FH, but that is a personal choice. 14.5" is more desireable to me, but not at the risk of mounting the other styles of FH permanently. Having a perm. attached FH will limit you in that you will have to stick with only the muzzle device you have attached, but if you don't plan on upgrading it or changing it in the future, it probably won't matter anyway. I really think it just falls to personal choice. |
| I second that.I have phantoms on my 14.5s and I dont plan on changing flash hiders or free floating any thing so permanent is not a problem.I have 4 carbines and keep 2 spare barrel assemblies that also have permanent phantoms.I like things simple.Even when I had a 16" with an A2 hider I wasnt looking to change out things on that one either.Like was said its a personal choice.I like my carbines simple and if I ever burn out a barrel how ever unlikely that is as I distribute my round counts between 5 rifles Im not piece mealing the rifle and Ill just end up switching out a whole assembly.On a shot out barrel Id probably just cut off the front and salvage the FSB and barrel nut/delta assembly anyway. |
I'd go for it. You can still change muzzle devices like stated but with more work. Just make sure you don't leave it at 14.5 or get caught with it at that length. Also make sure it's very well attached. But my number one reason for saying go for it, is that the 6-8 week wait will more than likely turn in to three to six months. 
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