I prefer 16, as light as possible. I’d consider a 20" if I had to shoot 55gr or 62gr, or reloaded for it. But almost not at all an 18", it’s a comprise length IMO.
I already have plenty of 16" and under guns. I have my bolt gun for a 20" so I kept ending up back at 18". WOA was my choice and after lots of reading I decided on rifle length. To deal with the weight I sent it out and had some weight taken off
no no, my question was, “do you prefer rifle or intermediate gas on an 18”?.. I wasn’t asking about a 20" barrel. the subject is SPR Light or Heavy - cross this with this thread - http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=125505 - and a 20" 5.56 does not serve any purpose to me…
as I understand it, a rifle gas/18" is a very soft shooter and gamers like them for this but on the edge of the envelope for reliability.
OK, got ya.
The intermediate length was never on the table for me, so the argument has always been between an 18" or 20" barrel with rifle gas. The upper would only serve for targets at the range or varminting, maybe some competition use.