My 16" LMT with the Steiner PXi 1X4 & Inforce 800 lumen light fills the bill for me.
I am going to switch to 69gr. IMI for standard HD/SHTF soon as I can get stocked up enough.
I have only limited experience with the shorty AR's, and Lord knows Im no "pipehitter" either..but to me, FOR me, I love a 16" gun.