New AR Barrel

[Tenring]

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.

[Azgunlover69]

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.

[Azgunlover69]

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.

[Cbvanb]

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.

[superduty38]

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.

[QuietM4]

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.

[Tenring]

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.

[G34]

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

[Tenring]

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

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

[coltnut]

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.

[AZHTfreak]

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!

[Cmoor]

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

[Hammer 35]

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.

[Tenring]

on sale:

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

[Kinked_Chrome]

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.