With both having 16 inch barrels, what are the advantages/disadvantages? In precision/velocity/recoil?
Thanks,
Roger
Middy gas systems shoot softer, offer less wear on parts and allow for faster follow up shots. IMHO, the ONLY reason to go with a carbine gas system is if you are using a 7.5-12.5 barrel.
C4
+1
The middy also have more handguard real estate than the CAR system for your hand, VFG, light, etc, longer sight radius, less barrel exposed in front of the handguard, and you could mount a standard bayonet if you wish.
The only slight negative about the middy is that local gun shops don’t usually stock parts for it but they could be ordered from a lot of internet dealers.
I’ve got both mid and CAR gas system carbines and my favorite is my middy, I’m thinking of having my 16" CAR gas system shortened to 14.5" with permanent long FS or maybe go with the 12.5" SBR later on.
Having recently built my first middy after many years of using the standard CAR setup, I feel that the middy balances much better as well.
So, where’s the best place to get said mid-length barrel? BCM is out, I can’t find any Sabre Defence; what about Denny’s “Operator” barrel?
Denny’s website also shows the Operator barrels are out of stock, I don’t know if he will make another batch, if he does make them again they might be available around fall season.
Take a look at CMMG (cmmginc.com), I’m not sure they have them in stock you’ll have to check with them.
Also ask Grant (C4IGrant) of G&R Tactical if he could find one for you.
RRA and Armalite have middy barrels but they’re heavy profile under the handguards.
Good luck.
hmmm… the one Armalite midlength (A2 configuration with pinned front sight base) that I have seen at a local dealer appeared to be a government profile under the railed handguard.
Armalite middy are a bit thinner than HBAR profile but thicker than Govt. profile (.625" DIA slightly tapered) under the handguards.
I don’t have an Armalite midlength but my cousin have one and I usually rework what he screwed up with his carbine.
Talon Arms might have some Sabre barrels. They probably have barreled uppers in stock at least.
SD has not been shipping ANY barrel or uppers out in the last 3-4 months so I don’t think anyone has any.
I do have Noveske 16" and Loather Walther 16" SS barrels (both have middy gas systems in them).
C4
RRA has a new lighter contour middy coming out soon. It will be similar to the lighter R-4 barrel on thier web site. Not sure how soon it will be available, maybe someone else can chime in with that info. And not sure if it will be offered in the 1:7 twist like the R-4 is.
-RD62
I would actually love to use a mid-length gas system on my 16" guns, but nobody that I’m aware of makes Colt-quality “pencil” barrels with the midlength gas system. As it is both of my 6520s run more than fine with the carbine gas system and I see no reason to fix what ain’t broken.
I bought a 16 inch (Gov’t Tapered) SDI barrel with Daniel Defense 9 inch rail with BUIS from talon arms. Very good quality workmanship and quality. A bit pricey at 1100.00 bucks, but its very accurate with all ammo even wolf, but they are constantly sold out. One of the most mildest shooting AR’s I’ve fired. They do have less expensive models (M4 setup) for less.
I know I’m the lone voice in the wilderness when it comes to Middies…
But I don’t see any of the Theoretical pluses as that big of a whoop that would make me switch both my 16" carbines over to a Mid length.
Maybe I’ve been living in ignorant bliss all these years and all those thousands and thousands of free rds…
I mean after all… we are talking 5.56MM here. not a 416 Rigby…
OK… the rest of you… start posting all your technical data…
I actually agree. I don’t think that the advantages are significant enough that anyone should dump all their carbine-length rifles to mid-length.
With that said, if I was buying new, and the same barrel profile and length I wanted was available mid-length and carbine-length, I’d pick the mid.
FWIW, I have been very happy with my 14.5" middy CMMG barrel. It has been very accurate, and the felt recoil seems softer than any of my carbines. I am definitely sold on the midlength gas system…
I’m interested in purchasing a 7.5" barrel with a carbine gas system.
What do you have available?
LOL, will send you one.
C4
FWIW, I have come to the same conclusion. As others have said, I’m not ready to rebarrel my Government Carbine, but if I buy another upper, I think that it will be a Mid-length.
John
Remember the little foomanchu guy in Indiana Jones and the last crusade?
You chose wiiiiiiiisely.