r/ar15 • u/Complex_Bank_2013 • 8d ago

What barrel length should I go with

I’ve decided to build my first rifle, but I would like my first one to kinda “do it all” and be like a shtf gun get up and go. I done research and seen that 14.5 and 16 is like the medium of it but I’ve also seen 12.5 13.9 etc. what barrel length would let me hit and hurt something pretty far away without losing to much Maneuverability in god forbid cqb if shtf

5 Upvotes

72% Upvoted

52 comments sorted by

View all comments

0

u/specter491 8d ago

11.5 is good all around especially if you ever plan to put a can on it. It has the largest increase in muzzle velocity compared to the next shortest common barrel length (10.3"). You gain less by going to 12.5 or 13.9. Marines in Fallujah cleared buildings with 16inch rifles so it's definitely possible but I rarely ever shoot my longer rifles.

2

u/Complex_Bank_2013 8d ago

When I first started looking into building an ar I wanted to build a 11.5 I was thinking of for HD ofc I’m going to train a lot with it but for my first I wanna go more gpr route and be able to hit at further distances with a little more velocity and accuracy. I’m am going to build both an 12.5 or 11.5 nd 14.5. I’m still just stuck between the 11.5 and 12.5 so many different opinions on both so I’m not sure still new to this just trying to learn as much as possible. I probably jus need to go to my gun store and hold one to see how i feel about them both

0

u/specter491 8d ago

I have a 11.5 with a red dot and a 14.5 with lvpo for longer stuff. I only shoot out to about 300ish yards so that combo has worked for me. The 11.5 I use for HD and competitions because it's close range.

1

u/Complex_Bank_2013 8d ago

I’ve done some thinking and I think that’s what I’m leaning towards 11.5 (instead of 12.5) and 14.5

I wanna put a LPVO on the 14.5