I already have a 14.5 midlength BCM upper with a midwest industries SSK12 rail that I mated with a BCM lower. I have a built aero lower looking for an upper. I figured for the sake of variety, I should get something with a FSB.
In NJ, no flash hiders are allowed and all muzzle devices have to be pinned and welded no matter what the length of barrel, so 14.5 is really all that makes sense.
My question is, would you get a 14.5 carbine with a FSB as a second setup, a 14.5 midlength with FSB, or should I go the “2 is 1 and 1 is none” route and get another 14.5 midlength upper but with a better MLOK rail instead of the keymod one I have now.
If I go midlength, BCM has these in stock with FSB. One with a quad rail and one with a MCMR mlok. Is it worth it to get the mlok over quad rail for same price? Any negatives to these smaller 9 inch rails with a FSB where I would regret not having a longer rail?
While all my most recent builds are full length MLOK rails w/ a mid-length gas system, I still have a 16” with a mid-length FSB that has run like a friggin’ sewing machine and that I’ll likely never get rid of. I think everybody should have at least one rifle with an FSB on it. They’re sturdier than a BUIS, cheaper, and I like the classic look. So I’d vote 14.5” with FSB. You can still find an MLOK rail of the proper length to stop right at the FSB and still make use of MLOK with the benefits of free floating.
I’ve always thought that Centurion Arms C4 rails with FSP cutout made a lot of sense. They’re a clamshell design that lets you remove the rail without removing the FSP and attaches to the M4 barrel but. The C4 comes in Mlok and would snap right on a Colt upper. As already mentioned, 14.5” mid-length can be ammo sensitive. The current climate is a reminder to have something that’ll eat steel case and whatever’s available.
Mid. Smoother functioning, easier on it’s own parts(even if it’s only by a little bit) and even at 5’10", I appreciate the extra 2" of rail space. I also appreciate the additional 2" of sight radius.
All of this. Outside of an SBR/pistol build, I don’t see me ever buying a carbine length setup again. Mid runs so much smoother that I don’t see the need, and if you’re going to run irons, additional sight radius is never a bad thing.
I’m going to third the motion, I’d get a mid-length with a FSB.
I like the Magpul SL hand guards, although the regular MOE’s aren’t really that much bulkier.
For the rear sight, if you are happy with fixed elevation, I’d get a Troy fixed Battlesight. If you want an elevation adjustable rear sight, this little thing has worked well for me:
Don’t let the UTG scare you away, it isn’t a bad little unit. I applied the Revised Improved Battlesight Zero (RIBZ) to the rear sight and found it to work at 25, 50, 100, and function as normal at 300 - haven’t shot further yet. Here is the best explanation I’ve found since Molon’s pictures dropped off his explanation on this site:
Just get a lower 1/3 riser if you want to run a one power dot.
Of course, you are going to have to pin the muzzle device, if you are willing to spend more than what the extended BCM A2 will cost, I’d go with one of these:
https://www.jprifles.com/buy.php?item=JPFH-556L - my JP has a ‘ping’ to it, not really bothersome; really easy to pin and weld as it has a shroud which foes over the barrel, so you aren’t drill into the thinnner threaded portion of the barrel - also bring’s a 13.7" to 16.1" once installed.
