Hey guys, I’m looking at putting together another rifle. I want a 14.5" barrel w/ mid length gas system, and a long monorail from Troy. I will add optics to it later.
I recently found out SW makes one of their M&P rifles in pretty much the exact specification I am looking for.
Are the SW’s any good?
My initial plan was to start with a Colt LE6920, put a 14.5" mid length barrel and the troy alpha rail on it and go from there. This would be more costly, but I’m assuming Colt is doing a better job with their upper/lower/LPK than SW?
FYI the TS model does in fact have a carbine length gas system, not a mid length. I found this out the hard way when I purchased one, and after calling S&W about it they confirmed that the picture is not correct.
If I was you I would look at a bcm midlength upper and go from there. Or bag the 14.5 idea and just go with a 16 so you aren’t stuck with a certain muzzle device or limited to one hand guard.
You can’t go wrong with either one, however if I were you, I’d buy the Smith and Wesson. You won’t be able to tell the difference between a 14.5 and a 16, nor will you be able to tell the difference between the carbine and mid length gas system. If you can discern a difference, and you feel as though it affects your shooting abilities more than your level of training, I would love to buy you a beer and shoot the shit. Save your money, run the gun. FWIW, I do not own a single S&W product, but do own a 6920. That said, I will undoubtedly be the minority opinion on this forum regarding Colt vs. XXXX
Is the Colt a better rifle? Maybe. But is S&W a great rifle too? Yes absolutely.
I would hands down recommend that you get the S&W. They have excellent quality control and are very well made. You won’t be sorry.
In this case, there is little reason to buy the Colt.
Thanks for the input guys. I need the 14.5 because of the hallways in my place, shorter is definitely better in that regard. Who would you guys say has the better BCG?
You’d be better off buying a top tier rifle in a 14.5" pinned upper and lower to start with. Else budget in the added expense to have it done $100-$150+ depending on who does it and flashhider used. I personally don’t care for S&W but that really doesn’t matter as I’m not the one shooting them
No complaints on the Smith but the Colt is a great rifle. I love mine. Since you are changing out so much of it, you might be better served building from the bottom up versus buying a complete rifle and then removing parts. If you do decide to get the Colt with 16.1 inch barrel and then remove it, let me know how much you want for the 16.1 Colt barrel…
One inch is not going to make any difference in your house. If you truly believe that it will, then you’re better off buying a handgun, since it’s much shorter and far more maneuverable in your house.
I think you need competent professional training from someone who did it (CQB/CQC) for a living. People have been doing it with longer barrels for a long long time. Training trumps barrel length, however… a shorter barrel, although it does help for that particular function, doesn’t trump realistic competent training.
As both a S&W and Colt dealer, I will say that the S&W is very good for the money. The Colt is however superior for no other reason than having the TDP.
There are ways to make your rifle better for CQB. Grips that offer a different angle like the MOE K2 and BCM Gunfighter. The whole barrel thing, well I like the shorter barrel for feel/balance as well as every inch helps, as well as every ounce less of weight also helps. The proper tool for the job and proper training too. A BCM 14.5" upper on a quality lower will work well, the pistol grip and stock will go a long way to making the rifle/carbine better for CQB. Training trumps the weapon being used, that is 100% true. LWRC makes a very nice super short stock, I’m using a LWRC ultra short carbine stock, tube and buffer to make as short a weapon as possible without going to a SBR. You should add an optic and probably a light so make the weapon as light as possible as well as short. Since this is a dedicated gun think about what trigger you would want, type and weight of pull.
My setup is this, BCM upper, Daniel Defense M4 barrel 14.5", simple long pinned A2 flash hider, Troy bravo rail 11", BCM block, JoeBob M16 mil spec BCG. Seekins lower, Timney 4lbs trigger, Battle Arms ambi-selector, BCM gunfighter MOD3 grip, LWRC ultra compact stock(comes with extension tube, buffer, spring and stock). I should have it together in a month or so. Lucky I found a truly competent AR guy near me. All I need is a light and optic. I will decide on the best forward grip once it’s together. Many of the parts I was able to save money on due to sales, the DD barrel was $199, everybody seems to want mid-length gas not the carbine, this one is carbine. I’m not saying go the same rout, I’m saying there are ways to make the rifle more CQB friendly but nothing beats proper training.
It seems a lot of people are pushing me away from the 14.5" barrel. What are the advantages of the 16"? I have all the tools necessary to add/remove muzzle devices as needed, as someone mentioned up above.
My last gun I built from scratch. It was tough to get all of the parts I wanted, so the reason I am drawn to these two in particular is that I can get them with the stock/grip I want. I know the Colt is more or less the standard, which is why I was thinking it might be a good place to start. Maybe if I go that route I’ll just sell off the upper and build an upper to fit what I want.
14.5" vs 16" aside, you really should not be using an AR15 for home defense. Unless you don’t care about family/kids in other rooms, or have neighbors close by…
