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Considering buying a new 16" or 14.5" barrel for my AR pistol, so depending on how this ATF crap plays out I have options.

Trying to decide between the mid length or carbine gas.
What do you guys prefer and why?
Any local place to get good barrels that anyone has used.

I'll chime in with info prior to the negative comments I'm sure you'll ensue.
Carbine will typically cycle faster with a tad more recoil. Midlength is smoother and slower. I run both, just depends on what you looking to do. Short range tactical I run carbine. If you're setting up a mid to long range gun, run midlength. From there you can tune with muzzle devices and different weights on buffers to suit your fancy.

Another option is to permanently attach a barrel extension/fake suppressor to give the look the of a can without the cost and bring the length to 16in.

I stay away from carbine length, as typically they’re over gassed and cause ejection problems. Mid length or rifle length has always worked well for me.

I have mid-length on all of mine. As Cbvanb said more likely to be over gassed, recoil harder and possibly cause ejection problems and more wear and tear on the components.

Keep in mind that if you get a 14.5" barrel, you are going to have to pin and weld a muzzle device onto it to make it 16" overall...much eaiser and cheaper to just buy a 16" barrel. As others have said, the longer the gas system the softer it will shoot.

Thanks guys all good info.
Thing is, I really like shooting a rifle vs a pistol. So with this "rule" BS, I am just going to set it up how I want it and easier for my family to deal with if something happens to me.

16 inch criterion mid length is what I got just in case

G34 wrote: ↑January 29th, 2023, 8:15 am 16 inch criterion mid length is what I got just in case

Nice - I checked and they are backordered 3 to 5 months.

Ive had good luck with the Ballistic Advantage 16" Midlength SS barrels.5.56 Wylde chamber,
1x8 twist with gas block drilled for pin.Barrel comes with gas block and pin.
I bought a couple at Legendary Guns,last i was there they still had some in the case.
I much preffer to pin gas blocks than to have set screws.

coltnut wrote: ↑January 29th, 2023, 12:09 pm Ive had good luck with the Ballistic Advantage 16" Midlength SS barrels.5.56 Wylde chamber,
1x8 twist with gas block drilled for pin.Barrel comes with gas block and pin.
I bought a couple at Legendary Guns,last i was there they still had some in the case.
I much preffer to pin gas blocks than to have set screws.

This in the BA Hanson profile in SS or CMV!

This is a good barrel $161Ballistic Advantage 16 pencil barrel

Carbine gas is for 14.5" barrels or shorter

Mid length gas for 16"

Rifle gas for 18"+

Pistol gas for under 10"

I divested myself of my AR pistols awhile ago. Not for any legal concerns, I just prefer more pipe for rifle cartridges.

The easy button is a 16" middy 1:8 223 Wylde nitrided stainless steel. You're choice of pencil, Hanson, or SPR profile.

I am tempted to build a 14.5" pin and weld to tuck part of my suppressor under the handguard.

I *am* tempted to SBR my AR9 though. Having the can on it essentially makes it a 24" barrel, which is kind of ridiculous for a 9mm.

on sale:

https://www.ballisticadvantage.com/16-2 ... eries.html

Ill throw in a vote for BA as well. Never pay full price though. They always have sales and discount codes often stack on top of them.

Ill also put in a vote for Wilson Arms, not to be confused with Wilson Combat. Just Wilson arms. I have a 16in varmit profile barrel from them that absolutely hammers, and my buddy has a 16in HBAR that shoots amazing as well.