Preferred AR-15 SBR Barrel Length?

[MRE Milkshake]

Does anybody have any specific preference any SBR barrel lengths they prefer (10.5, 11.5, 12.5, 14.5) for a general purposes, home defense, etc? I know there a re a lot of videos talking about various pros and cons of barrel lengths like velocity and accuracy etc. but I am curious to see what other people think in terms of SBR barrel lengths.

 

[Rookie]

Suppressed or not?

 

[MRE Milkshake]

Suppressed or not?

Unsuppressed mainly. But I'd love to hear your opinion for both unsuppressed and suppressed.

 

[Rookie]

Suppressed - I have one that's 10.5.
Unsuppressed - no thank you!

 

[maxipum]

Suppressed - I have one that's 10.5.
Unsuppressed - no thank you!

This 10.5 suppressed or otherwise.

 

[tv1217]

Assuming 5.56 agree on 10.5 .

You can go down to 7.5 or 8 if .300 BLK

 

[Tyler-The-Piker]

10.5 is shortest I'd go in 5.56.
And get a linear compensator
(While waiting for your can)

 

[MRE Milkshake]

Suppressed - I have one that's 10.5.
Unsuppressed - no thank you!

So other than the super short barrel, what appeals you to the 10.5 over something such as the 11.5?

 

[Rookie]

I went with 10.5 in 556 because I planned on only using it suppressed and that's the safest short length. I've shot it without a suppressor for kicks and giggles and it's ridiculously loud. Pretty sure phylodog went from 10.5 to 11.5 or 12.5, but I'm not sure. It's been a long time. Maybe he will chime in.

 

[MCgrease08]

I have a BCM 11.5" and it's the bee's knees. Sweet shooter and very flat. I don't personally find the noise all the bad when shooting it, but it's got some thump if you're standing next to it.

I would NOT want to use it in a home defense role without a can on it. Shooting indoors with no ear pro would not be enjoyable to say the least.

 

[indysims]

If you're going 100 yards and in, planning on using it indoors, or in a car, consider going with a 10.5" (leaning heavily towards supressed use).

If you want something more all purpose look at 11.5 or 12.5. There is a pretty good jump in muzzle velocity gained over the 10.5", making the 200 yard & 300 yard drop a little less. Increased dwell time over the 10.5" with the same carbine length gas system smooths out recoil impulse as well.

I don't like anything less than a 10.5". It doesn't work for me ergonomically. Even in a 300BLK I'd take a 10.5" over an 8.5".

 

[MRE Milkshake]

If you're going 100 yards and in, planning on using it indoors, or in a car, consider going with a 10.5" (leaning heavily towards supressed use).

If you want something more all purpose look at 11.5 or 12.5. There is a pretty good jump in muzzle velocity gained over the 10.5", making the 200 yard & 300 yard drop a little less. Increased dwell time over the 10.5" with the same carbine length gas system smooths out recoil impulse as well.

I don't like anything less than a 10.5". It doesn't work for me ergonomically. Even in a 300BLK I'd take a 10.5" over an 8.5".

So do you think that an 11.5 is still good enough in terms of accuracy for 300 to 400 yards?

 

[MRE Milkshake]

I have a BCM 11.5" and it's the bee's knees. Sweet shooter and very flat. I don't personally find the noise all the bad when shooting it, but it's got some thump if you're standing next to it.

I would NOT want to use it in a home defense role without a can on it. Shooting indoors with no ear pro would not be enjoyable to say the least.

View attachment 197654

So overall, do you believe that 11.5 is better or 14.5?

 

[hpclayto]

I have nothing to chime on other than mine is 11.5". From what I gathered it's the best compromise of size and velocity.

 

[Squid556]

My experience for what it's worth...

The suppressed 10.5 was noticeably louder than the same suppressor on a 13.7.

10.5 is just really loud in general. Personally, I would go either 11.5 or 12.5. History shows the military tested several different lengths back in the 60s and come to prefer the 11.5 over the 10.5.

I own a 14.5 and its not nearly as loud and concussive as the shorter lengths ive fired. So I think an in between would make sense.

 

[hammerd13]

Here's a link that contains some helpful info.

AR-15 Barrel Selection Guide - GunsNGear

I've personally decided that 11.5" is the shortest I'll go with the 5.56 platform. If you want anything shorter, look to 300 AAC Blackout. 300 AAC Blackout is superior to 5.56 as a suppressor host imo, due to effective subsonic round selection.

 

[indysims]

So do you think that an 11.5 is still good enough in terms of accuracy for 300 to 400 yards?

Length and accuracy aren't a direct correlation. Length most directly effects velocity. An accurate barrel is more based on the quality of manufacturing. I lean towards Criterion Barrels. Ballistic Advantage Hanson barrels are good quality for the price. I think a taper profile is the way to go.

But yes... a quality 11.5 will be plenty accurate. But so will a quality 10.5. You just lose velocity with the 10.5 so you're going to have a more drop to compensate for when going out past 200yds.

I felt like my 10.5" was rough on components. I think over time you would see more wear and tear on a 10.5 over an 11.5 due to the shorter dwell time.

 

[MCgrease08]

So overall, do you believe that 11.5 is better or 14.5?

I have both and really enjoy shooting both. I don't think you can really go wrong with either.

I live in the suburbs, so if I needed to grab one as a neighborhood patrol rifle I could use either since likely engagement distances are going to almost always be under 200 yards. It's nice having the option of something shorter if there is a possibility of being in a vehicle. But we're talking like SHTF type scenarios, and those are unlikely.

The 14.5" in the pic I posted above now has a 1x8 LPVO on it which is nice for target identification over a red dot. I have used it to make hits out beyond 500 yards, but I rarely have the opportunity to shoot at those distances.

I guess it boils down to one's personal preference and situation. People talk about losing velocity with a shorter barrel, but that's not an issue when a majority of the shooting I do is 50 yards or less. That said, if I could only have one it would be the 14.5" just because it is more versatile. The extra few inches adds more versatility at longer distances and gives up very little in terms of weight and maneuverability.

 

[Tactically Fat]

11.5s are nice.

But 12.5s are nicer.

A 12.5" middy is the bee's knees, I think.

With 5.56 / .223 - velocity is the key to make the caliber do what it was intended to do. Start going too short and you end up having ammo that doesn't work as intended. With a goodly portion of that ammo - you go below 12" or so and you're outside the velocity envelope VERY quickly.

 

[daddyusmaximus]

The entire process of getting a SBR is a logistical nightmare. I hate the stupid governments rules, and waiting 8 months or more for a stamp. That's why I only have one SBR. That being the case, going with one that's only a little bit shorter like a 13.7 or 14.5 makes zero sense in my book. (unless you're gonna pin & weld the flash suppressor to make it legal without the stamp) If you are going to the trouble of getting the stamp for the small package, get the small package. I went 10.5".