I’m looking to purchase a 14.5" middy upper (w/ perm attached FH) from BCM but I can’t decide between the standard or the LW.
It will be my go-to rifle and will be used for a tactical carbine shoot that a friend’s gun club is having in a few weeks. If I have fun, I’m looking to do more of that kind of thing.
Should I worry about heating up the LW faster than the standard at a shoot or in a class(if I ever get the chance…). Is the balance better on either one?? This will be my only short(er) barreled AR, so I want to make a good choice.
First off, enjoy your great upper! I just got my 14.5 middy (standard) from BCM, and I could not be happier. It is as soft, comfortable, and reliable a shooter as everyone has been saying. A great product. While I can’t discuss with certainty or experience about the standard vs. lightweight barrel types, I can say that I don’t think the weight reduction is great enough to really warrant the lighter barrel. Mine balances fine with a VFG and a light and doesn’t feel front heavy in the least. I would also suspect that, yes, the light weight barrel will heat up faster and I would assume that as this happens your groupings should open up.
Whether the benefits of the marginally lighter barrel are worth that to you, is your decision.
I have both. I would say that the LW does balance and handle better, and is easier to manage, when on the range for extended periods of time, and doing lots of drills. I wouldn’t put much weight (pun intended) on the concern about a LW barrel heating faster, and causing accuracy issues…you’re just not going to realize that, on a short range defensive carbine. I will say, the standard weight profile does seem to shoot a tiny bit softer.
Consider what is important to you, and either way, I think you will be happy.
