Best uses for the ar I'm building

J

jproaster

New member
Ok. This week I'm building my ar and the most pertitent stats pertaining to what the gun will be used for is that it's gonna have a 14.5 barrel (1 in 7) flattop. I've read many, many threads thinking that this would be the best barrel for intermediate effectiveness (close up to 200 or so yards). After reading more over the weekend, I'm wondering if Ibought the right barrel.

your thoughts are appreciated.

john
 
Should work just fine. With a 1:7 you can shoot anything from 55 gr and up, which gives you tone of bullet/ammo choices.

If you want 200 yard precision, get an appropriate scope, and shoot away.
 
Something to keep in mind with the 14.5 inch barrel length is that you will need to have a muzzle device (flash hider or compensator) permanently attached to bring the barrel length up to 16 inches.

The permanently attached muzzle device limits you from changing to a free float hand guard, (or trying a different flash hider or comp) without going to the trouble of removing the muzzle device (which usually destroys it).

For that reason, I go with 16 inch barrels. That way I'm not limited to a particular set up. The extra inch and a half isn't that noticeable, in all honesty. Of course, you could go the NFA route, and register the rifle as a SBR, which would allow you to legally have a barrel that is less than 16 inches in length. You would have to send $200 to the BATFE, and wait at least 3 months for the paperwork to be processed/approved, but a real deal SBR is quite handy.
 
You will probably not be able to shoot 55 gr bullets very well with 1-7". You might get lucky, but there's no doubt it'll do better with 62gr and up. This was the Mini-14's problem for years, mediocre accuracy, and the were all 1-7"

IMO you should have got 1-9" which does much better with 55's and still pretty darn good with the 69's.
 
use

It'd be handy in close quarters combat. If you are not going to do that, then it's not optimal for much else. No doubt it'll go bang and be fun but "use"?? What were your intentions?
Pete
 
Forget the twist rate for now, I would sell it and get something 16" or longer. If you aren't purpose building this thing to be a tactical CQB(Close Quarters Battle) Rifle then having anything less than 16" is stupid. Or if you have money falling out your a$$ if you dont clench then send in the $200 for the tax stamp. Again, if you are just using the gun to shoot for fun or plan to hunt coyotes or pigs or even deer with then get rid of the 14.5" barrel.

May I ask what drove you to buy a 14.5" barrel in the first place?
 
Thanks for the replys gentlemen. I learn something every time I pose an issue.

What was I thinking? One ar with two uppers:

5.56 for some plinking, learn to use an ar rifle well and if problems should arise here in hilly SE Tenn, I would have a rifle that should be spot on for up to 200 yards. My barrel has a permanently attached flash compensator.

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-M4-14-5-Upper-Receiver-Group-p/bcm-urg-m4-14.htm

For a free float handguard, I bought a DD omega 7. 'spensive :eek:

6.8 upper to be built over the next year- longer range and I think I'd like to shoot pigs since there seems to be a population problem.

I plan to reload the 5.56. So hopefully the heavier bullets won't be too much more in price.

And I will admit- I just wanted to find an upper from a reputable seller to get started. Maybe I jumped too soon.

john
 
I would have recommended the midlength gas system over the carbine length. Also, I don't think you will be able to get a free float on there as you wont be able to remove the gas block (comp is pinned in place). To get one of the DD rails on a 14.5inch barrel, you would have needed to get one of their uppers with the low profile gas blocks.
When you buy a pinned upper, you have to spend a long time making sure you have it exactly right, as there is no going back.
 
I could never understand why some one would give up 1 1/2" of rifled bore only to add at least that much trash on the muzzle to make it legal. My SIL didn't have much good to say about the 14.5" carbine barrel on his issued weapon in Iraq. If that 1 1/2" gets in the way, you're too close to start with.
 
ripnbst said:
Forget the twist rate for now, I would sell it and get something 16" or longer. If you aren't purpose building this thing to be a tactical CQB(Close Quarters Battle) Rifle then having anything less than 16" is stupid. Or if you have money falling out your a$$ if you dont clench then send in the $200 for the tax stamp. Again, if you are just using the gun to shoot for fun or plan to hunt coyotes or pigs or even deer with then get rid of the 14.5" barrel.

May I ask what drove you to buy a 14.5" barrel in the first place?
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Typical 14.5 barrels have a pinned 1.5" flash hider to make them 16" and you don't need a stamp. If your going to build a stamped sbr go at least 10" or less.




KLRANGL said:
I would have recommended the midlength gas system over the carbine length.
Click to expand...

A mid length carbine can be very finicky on what ammo it well take with any reliability. Cheap plinker stuff is out, you well need full power 5.56.
 
Edward429451 said:
You will probably not be able to shoot 55 gr bullets very well with 1-7". You might get lucky, but there's no doubt it'll do better with 62gr and up. This was the Mini-14's problem for years, mediocre accuracy, and the were all 1-7"

IMO you should have got 1-9" which does much better with 55's and still pretty darn good with the 69's.
Click to expand...

A 1/7" barrel will shoot 55gr bullets JUST FINE. That is an old rumor that needs to die. I shoot 55gr bullets (XM193 ammo) out of my ARs (both 1/7 barrels) with 2-4" groups at 100 yards, which is more than acceptable for combat accuracy.

madcratebuilder said:
A mid length carbine can be very finicky on what ammo it well take with any reliability. Cheap plinker stuff is out, you well need full power 5.56.
Click to expand...

A midlength is just as reliable as a carbine, provided that the gun has a proper buffer and recoil spring. It's when people put crap in their guns (like low mass bolt carriers and "special" springs) that things start acting up. I will agree that *some* steel cased ammo won't cycle the gun, but it isn't the guns fault it won't feed junk ammo.
 
So from what's been said before, this rifle doesn't fit a niche real well. Probably better with a different barrel.

But it is, what it is. So, assuming a 60+grain bullet, what is the best use for this barrel?

john
 
I have a BCM 14.5 Mid length gas system upper. 14.5 to ME is actually better than the 16 barrel. The extra inch and a half because uncle Sam says so is not needed, and doesn't benefit much of anything.

On the Plus side of things, more and more optics are being devolved, and loads, that are specifically spec'd to a 14.5 inch barrel. A lot of ballistic optics and loads are being specifically tailored for the 14.5 inch barrel.

Another Myth internet lore brings up is that 1:7 is not good for 55 grain. This has not been my experience. My 14.5 upper gets the same size groupings off the bench at 100 and 200 yards that my 16 inch upper with 1:9 did with American Eagle .223 55grain brass cased target ammo. If you plan on using the gun as a self defense or duty gun, is where the 1:7 really shines as it will handle the heavier loads better.

Then there's also the other internet lore of the mid length gas system not shooting the lower quality ammo. Like others have said it really starts when people start messing with it. BCM makes a note that is you are using an H-buffer and spring, that it may not cycle the cheaper stuff... if you want to shoot the cheaper stuff, just leave the normal carbine buffer in there. I have a standard carbine buffer and mine shoots anything.

Also you CAN buy free floated 14.5 inch uppers with the pinned flash hider.


I wouldn't say a 14.5 upper is for everyone or for every need, but I love mine. However that's the beauty of the AR design.... two quick pin pops.... and I can be running a different upper. I sold my 16 inch upper in favor of my 14.5. Now I am either going to build my own 1911.... or build a long barreled upper for my AR.... I can't decide yet, but it would be nice to have both the 14.5 and the longer barreled.;)
 
Glad someone else reps the BCM 14.5inch midlength. I've had zero issue running any of the cheaper/low powered ammo, but I manly stick to Lake City 5.56.

Another Myth internet lore brings up is that 1:7 is not good for 55 grain.
Click to expand...
Agreed, Lake City 55grain does just fine in mine. It wasn't built to be a tack driver though.

Also you CAN buy free floated 14.5 inch uppers with the pinned flash hider.
Click to expand...
Yes, you can buy it that way (mine is), but you can't change to a free float after it has already been built. As far as I am aware, the low profile gas block needs to be on the barrel prior to pinning.
 
krangl,
The DD omega 7 fits perfectly. I put mine on today.

Soon as my tools to assemble the lower, etc arrive, I'll finish and post pics.

john
 
Please do. How are you getting the rail over the gas block? Is it a two piece rail? If it is, that would make sense. I keep thinking DD Lite rail like mine (one piece). Or maybe I'm missing something. Not familiar with the DD omega.
 
Just enjoy it. When it comes to AR15 options it is easy to get into analysis paralysis and buyers' remorse. 14.5" is fine for target shooting, SD, varmints etc. at least to 200 yds. You lose about 50-100 fps compared to a 16" depending on ammo.

You can definiteyl shoot 55 gr ammo and up to 77 gr r more.
 
klrangl,
Yep. It's a two piece. Really solid attachment in less than 10 minutes; it's the first part I've ever put on an ar; heck, practically any gun.

like i said before though- 'spensive :eek:

nwpilgrim,
That's the way I look at it too. I'm gonna have a good time with this gun. Need to get some reloading dies, etc. I'll definitely need to reload.

john
 
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