AR 15 Pistols? Help me understand the hype/expense?

[Vigilant]

So what is the weak link on short barreled .556 accuracy? Is it inherently inaccurate or less forgiving due to the short platform?

I don't see a weak link in accuracy, 100 yards is as far as I have shot it. The weak link with short ARs is almost the same as full sized ones, improper gassing!

 

[Co Th G]

BATFE says differently. I would find another LGS to shop at. I really hope you were joking.

I was hoping the popcorn would clue you in.

 

[sjstill]

Some cops I know try to run sub 10" barrels on their patrol rifles and as Vigilant said, they have gas issues (not from fast food, though). What research I've done, a 10" bbl still has a carbine length gas tube, so they "should" cycle reliably. Should have mine together in another week or so, will see what happens.

 

[jblomenberg16]

So what is the weak link on short barreled .556 accuracy? Is it inherently inaccurate or less forgiving due to the short platform?

The weak link is velocity, which does ultimately impact accuracy, as the bullet becomes unstable at a closer range, as well as has a lot more drop than a standard 16" or 20" AR. There is certainly enough barrel length to stabilize the bullet such that closer range accuracy isn't affected. The same holds true for those of us with 300BLK pistols / SBR's. You are shooting a projectile that is leaving the muzzle at a speed that is equivalent to the speed it would be going at say 300yds from a rifle with a longer barrel.

The gas system issues can be overcome by matching the correct gas system length (there is a pistol length tube for a reason) and buffer weight to barrel length, but that isn't always the best solution to the problem. Some guys will use a different sized gas port, and some even go with an adjustable gas block to really dial it in.

That is where the better quality short uppers will start to show the difference....the manufacture will have matched the gas system for the shorter length. Some of the less expensive set ups may just be a standard carbine system which may or may not function optimally.

 

[Drakkule]

mine is a loud, fun, toy, nothing else, just a range toy.

 

[PiccoloPlayer]

Because Merika

 

[jblomenberg16]

Because Merika

What sort of AFG is that??

 

[PiccoloPlayer]

What sort of AFG is that??

Strike Industries cobra grip
AR-15/M16 COBRA TACTICAL FORE GRIP | Brownells

 

[Robjps]

So what is the weak link on short barreled .556 accuracy? Is it inherently inaccurate or less forgiving due to the short platform?

There is none, the effective range is just less. Actually shorter barrels are often more accurate due to the barrel being stiffer.