11 inch barrel,

Big Rick · September 18, 2009, 10:45

other than aesthetics is there really any advantage to having one?

Big Rick · September 18, 2009, 12:42

With the 5 1/2 inch flash hider I might add.

Ssarge · September 18, 2009, 13:03

Not a good choice really. (except for CQB and then you would just want the 11.5" barrel, the 5" f/s negates any savings in size) You have a big loss in velocity, so you lose max effective range. It looks cool, but still not enough like an original XM177 to warrant the marginalization of the round you are shooting.

Para Driver · September 18, 2009, 15:35

you lose like 400fps.. I tested it once..

**millersm99** · September 18, 2009, 15:45

Not to mention all kinds of potential function issues. The platform was never designed for a barrel that short.

BlasterLP · September 18, 2009, 23:51

If you do have to 'have' the 11 inch barrel, make sure it is 1 in 7 twist and use heavy bullets.
I know of some folks using the Barnes 77 grain solid copper and have had great results out there in the real world out to 400 meters. These guys are not shooting paper targets or vermin on 4 legs though.

**Andy the Aussie** · September 18, 2009, 23:56

I think the original 11 inch barrels with the standard birdcage *looks* the business and is a viable platform if things are nice and close....

The 5inch hider negates the handiness. But if you want a period looking piece legally it is the way to do it.

Andy

**Hoot G** · September 19, 2009, 01:40

My avatar, from back in the day.

They're LOUD! Fast handling, don't get hung up on doors, windows, or trench coats. Velocity drops off a lot, and it's easy to shoot yerself in the foot.

But, with the long flash hider, all the advantages are gone, and all the disadvantages remain. I wouldn't do it. Better to pay the $200 if you really like the look. I'm thinking about building one (after getting the stamp), but I've been thinking about it for a long while, so maybe not.

I have a pistol version with a 10.5" barrel. Runs fine (after wallowing out the gas hole). It's LOUD! Guys at the range don't like it.

At one time (1980's?) somebody made a flash hider that fit over the barrel, so that a 16" barrel with that on it looked almost like a shorty with a long hider. I don't remember who it was though.

rgrprib · September 25, 2009, 11:22

I carried an MX177E2 my entire time in active service and never had an issue with it functioning. It had a "sound moderator" on it in an attempt to keep the blast down. It did work well.

I now built and own a 10.5 inch SBR with a Noveske KX3 attached. It does help project the blast away from the shooter a bit, but you make few friends on a range with it.
I get plenty of people asking about it and I let anyone that wants to, shoot it.

The overall size of the weapon makes it easy and quick to handle.

gman552 · September 25, 2009, 11:27

I would personally only do the 11" barrel if I were to SBR it ($200 tax) and put a suppressor on it ($200 tax + cost of the suppressor).

If you want the "shorty look" without losing velocity because of the shorter barrel, Bushmaster makes one that slips over a 16" or longer barrel and screws onto the standard 1/2" x 28 threads at the muzzle:

CAR 15 Extended Flash Suppressor (halfway down the page.)

jaykden · September 25, 2009, 12:01

i have an 11.5" SBR AR

i love it. would i still love it with a 5" flashhider screwed on the front? absolutely not!

i'm getting 2500 FPS with my accurate reloads and 2650-2700 FPS with standard blasting ammo.

its really accurate with reloads and fed american eagle 55FMJs. i've had groups of 1.5 MOA with 10 rounds with the AE and the reloads are slightly better. i'm using ballistic tips for those as i use them for hunting late in the season.

i killed a few deer with it last year, and believe it or not, i get better terminal ballistics with the slower bullet, it doesn't break up as bad and actually penetrates with a nice mushroom better.

its all within reason, i won't shoot a deer over 200 yrds with it.

also, i go for head/neck shots.

anyway. i think the shorty barrel is GREAT!!! but not with the long flashider. you get all the bad (lower velocity) with non of the good (compact setup).

ymmv

Prototype Services · September 25, 2009, 15:38

I've got a 7.5" pistol, a 16" carbine and working on a 10"SBR.

I just don't see any reason to use the 5.5" FH.

Either go 16" or SBR.

MACV · October 02, 2009, 14:00

Quote:

Originally posted by Para Driver
you lose like 400fps.. I tested it once..

Mine clocks at 2800 fps out of a 11.5 with factory Win white box. Bullet is traveling fast enough to leave a mark.

L1A1 59 · October 02, 2009, 17:24

11.5" bbl....2800 fps with green tips (62 gr loads) 3100 fps out of 20" same as IMI SS109

Tim

September 18, 2009, 10:45	#1
Big Rick Registered FALaholic #: 35419 Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 74	11 inch barrel, other than aesthetics is there really any advantage to having one?

September 18, 2009, 15:45	#5
millersm99 Grateful Conservative Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 13800 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 726	Not to mention all kinds of potential function issues. The platform was never designed for a barrel that short. __________________ Goodnight Chesty Puller, Sir.... 4/11 1st 155 Howitzer Battery 29 Palms Calif '79-'83

September 19, 2009, 01:40	#8
Hoot G What, me worry? Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 23207 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: South MS Posts: 2,076	My avatar, from back in the day. They're LOUD! Fast handling, don't get hung up on doors, windows, or trench coats. Velocity drops off a lot, and it's easy to shoot yerself in the foot. But, with the long flash hider, all the advantages are gone, and all the disadvantages remain. I wouldn't do it. Better to pay the $200 if you really like the look. I'm thinking about building one (after getting the stamp), but I've been thinking about it for a long while, so maybe not. I have a pistol version with a 10.5" barrel. Runs fine (after wallowing out the gas hole). It's LOUD! Guys at the range don't like it. At one time (1980's?) somebody made a flash hider that fit over the barrel, so that a 16" barrel with that on it looked almost like a shorty with a long hider. I don't remember who it was though. __________________ Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy. Its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. Winston Churchill Always have a go-to-hell plan.

September 25, 2009, 11:22	#9
rgrprib Registered FALaholic #: 18802 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: MN Posts: 19	I carried an MX177E2 my entire time in active service and never had an issue with it functioning. It had a "sound moderator" on it in an attempt to keep the blast down. It did work well. I now built and own a 10.5 inch SBR with a Noveske KX3 attached. It does help project the blast away from the shooter a bit, but you make few friends on a range with it. I get plenty of people asking about it and I let anyone that wants to, shoot it. The overall size of the weapon makes it easy and quick to handle. __________________ Sua Sponte, Prib

September 25, 2009, 12:01	#11
jaykden Moderator Resident Alaskan FALaholic #: 3800 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: sitka, ak Posts: 4,218	i have an 11.5" SBR AR i love it. would i still love it with a 5" flashhider screwed on the front? absolutely not! i'm getting 2500 FPS with my accurate reloads and 2650-2700 FPS with standard blasting ammo. its really accurate with reloads and fed american eagle 55FMJs. i've had groups of 1.5 MOA with 10 rounds with the AE and the reloads are slightly better. i'm using ballistic tips for those as i use them for hunting late in the season. i killed a few deer with it last year, and believe it or not, i get better terminal ballistics with the slower bullet, it doesn't break up as bad and actually penetrates with a nice mushroom better. its all within reason, i won't shoot a deer over 200 yrds with it. also, i go for head/neck shots. anyway. i think the shorty barrel is GREAT!!! but not with the long flashider. you get all the bad (lower velocity) with non of the good (compact setup). ymmv __________________ In a family of fudds, i'm the black sheep of the family...... EBR black, that is...

September 18, 2009, 12:42	#2
Big Rick Registered FALaholic #: 35419 Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 74	With the 5 1/2 inch flash hider I might add.

September 18, 2009, 13:03	#3
Ssarge Registered FALaholic #: 247 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Pensacola, Florida Posts: 7,473	Not a good choice really. (except for CQB and then you would just want the 11.5" barrel, the 5" f/s negates any savings in size) You have a big loss in velocity, so you lose max effective range. It looks cool, but still not enough like an original XM177 to warrant the marginalization of the round you are shooting.

September 18, 2009, 15:35	#4
Para Driver Registered FALaholic #: 6350 Join Date: May 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 6,297	you lose like 400fps.. I tested it once..

September 18, 2009, 23:51	#6
BlasterLP Registered FALaholic #: 2081 Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Kansas but now Iraq, wtf was I thinking?? Posts: 950	If you do have to 'have' the 11 inch barrel, make sure it is 1 in 7 twist and use heavy bullets. I know of some folks using the Barnes 77 grain solid copper and have had great results out there in the real world out to 400 meters. These guys are not shooting paper targets or vermin on 4 legs though.

September 25, 2009, 11:27	#10
gman552 Registered FALaholic #: 6335 Join Date: May 2002 Location: TX Posts: 1,863	I would personally only do the 11" barrel if I were to SBR it ($200 tax) and put a suppressor on it ($200 tax + cost of the suppressor). If you want the "shorty look" without losing velocity because of the shorter barrel, Bushmaster makes one that slips over a 16" or longer barrel and screws onto the standard 1/2" x 28 threads at the muzzle: CAR 15 Extended Flash Suppressor (halfway down the page.)

September 25, 2009, 15:38	#12
Prototype Services Registered FALaholic #: 3935 Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Gainesville Georgia 30501 Posts: 2,067	I've got a 7.5" pistol, a 16" carbine and working on a 10"SBR. I just don't see any reason to use the 5.5" FH. Either go 16" or SBR. __________________ ''Life's tough.....it's even tougher if you're stupid.'' ~ John Wayne

October 02, 2009, 17:24	#14
L1A1 59 Registered FALaholic #: 5065 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Phoenix,AZ Posts: 308	11.5" bbl....2800 fps with green tips (62 gr loads) 3100 fps out of 20" same as IMI SS109 Tim

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