I agree, Armalite was the first on the market, if I’m not mistaken around early '90s.
Midlength gas system are carbine length gas system + 2.000".
I remember when my cousin bought one in '94 before the AWB, he ask me what I would recommend because he can’t afford a Colt at that time and I recommended the Armalite to him.
Now I have a midlength barrel also that I installed myself on my carbine and it’s my favorite AR.
Mark Westrom claims he invented the mid-length gas system, even though KAC was offering it even before he bought Eagle Arms.
Then again, he claims he brought the 308 AR back to life, even though Eugene Stoner and Reed Knight did it years before he did with out copying off of anyone else’s ideas.