I’m looking to buy an SR-15 upper for my first AR. I’m really torn on deciding between an 11.5" or a 14.5" barrel. My reason for buying an SR-15 is really for the long-term reliability. While I intend on this project not being my last, I do want a rifle that I can build a solid foundation on while being a go to rifle for training, home defense, and if society goes to shits for a bit. Pretty much a go to rifle to carry out of the house. I live in a state that allows SBRs and since I planned on making a 11.5" way later down the road, I intended on SBR’ing my lower receiver anyways. So I’m just deciding on which barrel length I want to begin learning on and to maximize the reliability that KAC is known for.
Some considerations I had were that a 14.5" rifle would be more reliable, less concussive, and can be used at a longer range (even though there’s nothing but mountains & trees here). While an 11.5" rifle seems like it would have to be suppressed otherwise the flash and the noise would be too much. Unfortunately, with the ATF wait times and my budget being the way it is, I don’t see myself getting a suppressor for at least a year. Also saw something on InRangetv about how going below 14.5" does funny things to guns with DI. However, an 11.5" rifle would be considerably more maneuverable inside buildings and cars, and could be carried for much longer if I ever needed to.
Another option I had is going with a 16" upper but it seems like there would be no benefit other than not having to get an SBR stamp. But it doesn’t seem to be ideal since from what I read, it’s only a market that was created because of the NFA and not for technical reasons.
I plan on also purchasing a KAC lower as well. Purchasing them separate since a local dealer is giving a pretty significant discount on the uppers and complete rifles seem to be out of stock everywhere.
My vote is for legal purposes only. No matter what happens in the future, I just see a 14.5 being easier than an 11.5 so that’s always my recommendation for a first gun.
One thing to consider is if you are going to pin/weld the 14.5. I’m pretty sure that KAC does not do that on their 14.5 guns from the factory. That means either going with the KAC muzzle device and essentially committing to a KAC can in the future, or go out a buy something from Dead Air/Surefire/etc. and have it installed for you.
With the availability of the SBA3 pistol brace, and the fact that you are purchasing the upper and lower separate, you could pull the stock and use the brace on either an unpinned 14.5 or the 11.5 upper until your form 1 came back. Also consider the speed of the e-filed form 1s (I’ve seen many measured in weeks rather than months), and you could have a stamp back fairly soon, eliminating the need for the pin/weld job as well as making it easier to choose the 11.5 if that is really what you want.
I have a 13.7 upper, and I have an 11.5. Honestly I prefer shooting the longer gun more. It seems to cycle smoother, has less movement of the dot when shooting, and there is more forend to work with. If I could only have one AR, it would be something in the 12.5-14.5" range in 5.56.
I would take the next month or so to search your areas of interest on this forum. I’ll bet you will probably have an entirely different perspective on everything than you may have now.
If it was my money I would skip the KAC. For around the price of that upper you could get both a BCM rifle and pistol lower with a BA3 stock AND both a 11.5” and 16” BCM complete uppers without sacrificing any “long term reliability”.
I think $1900+ could be much better spent than on that KAC upper. Especially as your first rifle. Don’t forget a light, sling, and optic.
I have both length KAC’s. While they are one of the best all around values for a total package, IMO, I think OldState is offering some sage advice here. Not necessarily for the cost of the rifle but for the light, sling and optics as well. Plus the training and the rounds. Be sure it’s something you’re going to use and not just admire.
You can’t ever go wrong with a KAC, but you may not appreciate it as much unless you’ve had some time behind the triggers of other rifles. YMMV
Get a 16" BCM light weight mid-length and call it a day. IMHO, it’ll be a better all-around choice than either the 14.5 or the 11.5 and no NFA ass-aches to deal with (I have an several 16’s and an 11.5, FWIW).
Spent the extra money on a light, sling, quality optic, and ammo then shoot the piss out of it.
A light weight barrel is also an attractive option. Nothing wrong with KAC but I think that is a purchase better made after you have a solid base gun set up correctly with light, sling, and optic and a bunch of ammo mags. As stated before, that is more of an enthusiasts purchase…your “second car” in you will.
Do you have a lower already? If not, and you really want an SBR lower, you could get the BCM pistol lower, brace, and a BCM 11.5” upper. Then, if you want, form 1 the lower and shoot while you wait. That option would free up almost $1000 to put toward the other stuff.
With the latest ATF messaging and the release of some of these new braces, I’m starting to think having a pistol along with a SBR lower is a good option for many reasons.
Thanks all for the advice! I’ve budgeted in accessories other than a suppressor. I do plan on SBR’ing the lower and with how short Form 1 wait times are, it couldn’t hurt. I don’t travel outside the state much at all, and never with guns esp since my closest relatives are in CA.
I’ll think hard on the KAC upper and possibly reconsider since a lot of folks are telling me training + ammo > gun. But I’m still open to the question of 11.5" vs 14.5". Is it possible to use one lower for both those lengths?
To directly answer this last question: Yes, you can use both uppers on any standard AR15 lower receiver. That’s part of the beauty of AR’s. So, you could get one basic (Colt, BCM) or really nice lower (Radian ADAC, LMT MARS-L, CMT) receiver, then two different length upper receivers.
If I may add, I would encourage purchasing as a pistol first with an SBA3 brace, then see if you ever really want to file as an SBR. I have an SBR that is my “primary,” and it does limit my movement to training classes out of state. I end up dropping my upper onto my wife’s pistol lower for that and it’s annoying.
After some very confusing and contradictory messaging the ATF now says it’s ok to “occasionally” shoulder a brace. I would suggest reading up on that and pay attention to the date on the content.
And yes uppers are interchangeable. Just don’t put an unpinned 14.5” or 11.5” on a non SBR …only a pistol lower.
I always recommend a non-NFA item for your 1st AR. Of the two choices I would say 14.5", assuming that’s pinned and welded of course. However, I’m not a fan of pinned muzzle devices and for that reason I say go 16".