Gentlemen,
I realize that this might have been covered before so I tried to search for a similar thread. However, I was not able to find anything directly on point after my brief search.
My question is whether 14.5 inch mid length ARs are ammo sensitive. That is, would I be able to run full 5.56 NATO ammo as well as quality .223 ammo (PMC and Federal)?
Thank you.
Mine has not been ammo sensitive at all. I have a DD 14.5 midlength, with H buffer, that has been 100% with everything from M855 to Tula.
First problem with the middy gas system: No standard gas port size
Second problem: Dwell time is less with a 14.5" barrel
So to answer your question, yes SOME middy gassed 14.5" barrels CAN be ammo sensitive. I am of the opinion that many companies over gas these barrels so that they don’t have any short stroking problems. Then you are basically shooting a carbine gas system (which would actually be softer shooting).
Personally, I would go with a 16" Middy gassed barrel (from BCM, Noveske, etc) and so that I could shoot whatever ammo I want.
C4
I just got back from shooting a brand new BCM 14.5" mid that i just got together last friday. I shot about 100 rnds of mixed ammo, fed .223 55gr/62gr reloads/win5.56 and didn’t have any malfunctions… Using a carbine buffer as well, only because it came with the daniel defense tube. I plan on buying an H buffer, because its what bcm recommends for NATO stuff.
Biggest issue I have seen is people trying to run 14.5" Middys with H1-H3 buffers and weak ammo.
I haven’t had any issues with my Noveske 14.5. It has happily eaten every brand of .223 and 5.56mm I have fed it.
From what company? Its like asking if sports cars are reliable…
No concern at all with any of mine, but I don’t have any “budget” or junk carbines either.
Grant and Stickman nailed it. It depends on the company. If you get a reputable barrel then you are good to go.
I’ve run over 5K rounds of Hornady TAP .223 in 75 gr. and 55 gr. as well as Federal M855 and M193 through my Centurion Arms C4 14.5" middy with no issues whatsoever running an H2 buffer and blue Sprinco spring.
I have 2,14.5 Inch BBL/setups and both have run great !!! One is a Daniel Defense 14.5 Government Profile BBL and the other is a Centurion LTW BBL,both run Low Pro Gas blocks with battle Comps !! I have thousands of Rd’s down the DD BBL and it has been near perfect,any issue was mag related ! I have shot reloads,Wolf/Tula Golden Tiger,(:rolleyes:) XM193 & just about every other type/kind of 223/556 ammo and it has been great !!! I only have about 1200 rds down the Centurion BBL,put it together and the Golden Tiger would Not lock the bolt back for the 1st 100rds or so,but after 150/200 rds it started running great with that and every other type I have put through it,great setups in my eyes !! Also my DD has a Standard buffer. My centurion setup has a A1 Buffer & Stock !!
I have 2 bcm 14.5 mids. They have run from day one with low powered pmc. They both have not had a single malfunction, and lock back on empty. I put an h2 in one and it ran fine, but would occasionally not lock back on an empty mag. I also have a 16 inch midlength it will run with the h2, and never fail to lock the bolt back on an empty mag.
Like stickman, and iraqgunz said if you buy one buy it from a company that is known to produce reliable 14.5 mid lengths. From what i have read i believe bcm has done the most work to get there mid length system just right. I have shot some of my friends mid lengths and they just do not feel the same.
I do not know if it is just me, but the first time i shot my bcms the recoil impulse was so smooth. To me it was like the difference with 9 & 45. The carbine system was more of a jab, and the mid was more like a gentle push to the shoulder.
I have 2 14.5" middy’s; one by BCM and one by DD. Both eat anything and have been perfectly reliable with carbine, H1, H2 and A5 buffers.
I own a BCM 14.5 mid-length and have experienced no ammo-related failures. I have only fired about 5000 rounds through it, though.
Mine used too- then I got retarded and started trying to adapt the A5 with enhanced carriers, every A5 buffer I could buy, etc. And now it will not cycle one round of anything “cheap.” Like others have said- buy from a reputable company and shoot it in the configuration it arrives in. Have fun!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk; coherency may be in jeopardy.
Stick with an H buffer or a Vltor A5 system with a standard Colt or Brownells CS rifle spring and you’ll be fine.
I always advocate upgrading to a MacFarland single piece gas ring due to the better gas seal.
I have a thread in the technical forum that is exploring the limit of functionality with a BCM 14.5" middy.
I’m running an LMT enhanced carrier, MacFarland ring, Springco Extractor spring, and Vltor A5 system with the A5H3 (6.1 oz buffer) and the Springco Green spring (which is stronger than the std rifle spring).
I run Tula .223 55gr fmj even when dirty and it locks back on empty. Though I’ve eliminated a LOT of the internal friction of the gun by hand-polishing the bearing surfaces on the outside of the bolt carrier and the sides of the gas key. I also use liberal amounts of Slip 2K EWL.
There is no standard, but BCM pioneered the mass production of the format and is the only manufacturer to do cyclic rate tests on full-auto lowers that I know of. Noveske has also been building in much smaller numbers the Afghan 14.5" middy but they use a larger gas port than BCM.
If you stick with BCM, you’ll be fine with an H buffer and plenty of good lube.
I feel partially responsible for the bullshit. :sad:
In fiddling some more, the polishing of the BC is VITAL to getting this craziness to work.
Hey guys I have just ordered a dd mk18 in a 10.3 " barrel. Should I be concerned with the performance of this rig. When I served the shortest barrelled version we shot was a 16 " carbine version. So am I gonna have issues with performance on this rig. I bought it strictly as a cqb rig with shots limited to 300 yards with a red dot.
I have a 14.5" Midlength that I had assembled using a DD CHF barrel and Noveske BCG.
When I first took it out for function testing, I started with a carbine buffer and ran 100 rounds with no issues. Then, I tested it with a H buffer, ran 100 rounds and no issues there. Followed that up with a H2 and ran another 100 rounds no issues. Figured that set up was good to go and have left it that way for the past two years.
This rifle has been my primary rifle for the past two years and I’ve taken 3 carbine classes with it and haven’t had a malfunction to date.
I mainly use PMC Bronze 55gr FMJ, Federal 5.56, 55gr FJM, and AE .223 55gr FMJ cause I typically buy in bulk and that’s what I usually find deals on.
My next 14.5" Middy is going to be a BCM LW and I’m pretty confident it will treat me as good as the DD barreled Middy has this past two years.
Please post in the NFA area as this has nothing to do with this subject.
What is the gas port size BCM or DD is using on the middy 14.5’s