Rail length most often used on a middie?

AR/M4 AR Technical Discussion
1

Which rail length is most often used on a middie set up? I might build a SBR with a 12.5" (Noveske tube), but if the SBR process is too much of a PIA then I will build a 14.5" (Noveske tube) or 16" middie. The idea is that I am going to buy a rail to fit any and all of these different lengths. Thinking about a 10" rail…

Any ideas?? Thanks one and all!

2

For everything your asking I would go with the 10" rail

3

BCM sells their middys with 12" rails if people dont want the front sight tower

4

9" rail if using a fixed FSB
Anything past that can be acceptable, at the cost of weight but with the advantage of more barrel protection, greater lattitude in support hand placement, and more options for mounting lights and such.

5

Also, longer sight radius. :cool:

6

F2S already covered it but here’s my 2 coppers.

If you’re not running an FSB i would go with anything over 11 inches. A 10 inch rail on a middy will leave part of the gas block exposed. Not a bad thing really provided your gas block is pinned but i would much rather have everything covered up IF given the option.

You will find that for most setups, having greater than 10 inches on your rail will allow you just enough room for everything that you need to mount, ie white light, front sight of some sort and potential a vert grip if thats your cup of tea.

7

Thank you all for the replies thus far. I really do appreciate the info. So a 10" rail is not ideal…So a rail at least 11" more likely 12" would possibly make more since for one or all of these situations. If, thinking down the road, I put a 12" rail on a 12.5" barrelled upper could I still fit a can on that upper?

8

longer sight radius, lower recoil (noticeable btw), lower pressures. Better than carby in every way

9

Except that you cant really SBR it…

On top of that, i dont think F2S was talking about gas system length specifically.

10

Edit Post

11

I don’t know what rail you are using that reduces pressure, but I imagine that you will garner quite a bit of interest in it ;).

12

thanks for posting this. ive been thinking of a 10" for my soon to be middy but may be leannig towards a 12"now

13

Edit Post

14

I’m doing an 11" rail on my (planned for) 12.5" SBR.
It will still wear the 16" barrel until the paperwork clears.

15

does anybody have pics of a 10" rail on a middy handy? :slight_smile:

16

BCM Middy + Larue 12"

BCM Middy + Daniel Defense 12.0 Lite

17

18

it DOES appear that the lp gas block sticks out just a little bit…

hmmm, thanks for the visual info and nie pic btw:D

19

A longer rail also allows you to shoot off a pack or something like that without the barrel touching the pack. Allows you to put your off hand further up on the rail if that is your shooting style. Protects the gas block. More grab space so you arent touching a scalding hot barrel. More options when mounting things like lights, lasers, and grips.

Personally I think the 16" middy with a 12" rail is one of the best all around setups out there. Has a lot better ballistic performance than an SBR yet doesnt have the “musket” like length of an A2 or A4. Has smoother recoil than a carbine but still has nearly the same OAL.

Im currently patiently waiting on BCM to get some more 16" middy BFH uppers with the DD RIS II in.

20

I’d like to hear more about this also.