AR-15 in .223, going from 16", to 14.5", to 12.5" etc, where do reliability issues come into play, if at all? What other issues or considerations? Does the lower need to be re-sprung and/or buffer change? Let's assume factory geissele complete 14.5 and swapping a factory geissele upper in 12.5 or shorter (+nfa). No suppressor. Thanks!
How short is too short?
- Thread starter davsco
- Start date
Shorter barrels can be very reliable, what you are giving up is velocity, terminal performance and flatter trajectory.
You shouldn't need to change out buffer or spring. Shorter than about 10" I think you are giving up more than you gain.
You shouldn't need to change out buffer or spring. Shorter than about 10" I think you are giving up more than you gain.
Last edited:
Geissele in 12.5 is a great option for 5.56. And probably the lowest I’d go for the same reasons posted above.
If you really want shorter barrel, I suggest looking at 300BO
I go down to a 10.5" and have zero reliability issues. Gas system, port size, buffer weight, etc all come into play but reliability isn’t an issue if everything is balanced correctly. I agree completely that below 10" you just have a bunch of unburnt powder and a fancy 22.
If I was starting fresh, shortest I'd go 11.5" - you're still gaining a lot of velocity in that range, and Mike of SOLGW makes a strong case the 11.5" gives you a little more dwell time and fudge factor. I got a screaming deal on my 10.5 and love it, but if I could hit it with a wand and make it a 11.5 - would.
Agree the 300 is the way to go short, all the way down to 6" can still give adequate velocity for bipedal defense out to defensive ranges. I have 8 & 12.5" BO's and they do very well for their intended purposes. You can get ~2400 fps out of a 110 gr bullet with the new NAS3+ cases from Blackarc and Phantom.
If I was starting fresh, shortest I'd go 11.5" - you're still gaining a lot of velocity in that range, and Mike of SOLGW makes a strong case the 11.5" gives you a little more dwell time and fudge factor. I got a screaming deal on my 10.5 and love it, but if I could hit it with a wand and make it a 11.5 - would.
Agree the 300 is the way to go short, all the way down to 6" can still give adequate velocity for bipedal defense out to defensive ranges. I have 8 & 12.5" BO's and they do very well for their intended purposes. You can get ~2400 fps out of a 110 gr bullet with the new NAS3+ cases from Blackarc and Phantom.
