I am venturing to do my first build. On the fence about which rifle or pistol. Obviously 223/556.
Will be more for home defense and range day. No dreams or care for sniper stuff. Where I live it's all trees. No need to try to get something to reach far out. But do want to be able to use for hunting when needed.
If you recommend pistol what barrel length would you suggest?
Posted Apr 29, 2020, 5:43 AM UTC
I'd build a an 11.5 pistol for my first build if I could do it all over again. Overall what people are saying is right. I run a 16" for my main HD/SD rifle because I want to keep the velocity above 2500 fps at 100 yards.
But you will enjoy shooting a pistol and probably will train more with it if you can afford good ear protection.
My Personal opinion if your using 556 /223 than a rifle.
If you choose a pistol than don't go below an 11.5 inch barrel because of reliability . For me 556=rifles 300blk=pistols
Thanks!
Looked a 300blk, not until prices per round come down.
If you think you'll ever need to use your build for hunting, and if it's going to be chambered in .223/5.56, I recommend going the rifle route. A 16" barrel is fine, but an 18" or 20" would be better for max velocity on game.
As a side note, double check that hunting with .223/5.56 is legal in your area.
Thanks! Most I'd go is 16 inch. Not worried about the legality. If it gets to the point where I have to. Legality has gone out the window. I'm not a hunter when there's a choice. But definitely been there done that. May take a gander at 18's but 20 def no go.
I'm not a hunter, but if hunting with .223 I'd imagine you'd want to keep velocity up. This article shows a difference between barrel lengths using a few different rounds. 14.5" barrel with pinned/welded muzzle device to reach 16.5" would still be neat and handy, but 16.5" with a normal muzzle device isn't exactly unwieldy.
For pistol 10.5" would be the shortest recommended barrel length. 11.5" and 12" seem to be the more recent hotness. Brace-wise I like the SBA3 and SBA4.
Thanks for the link will read it later in am when I get back awake.
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Go pistol, 10.5 to 11.5. Good luck finding a barrel or upper
I'd recommend a 14.5 Pinned and Welded barrel. Make sure to get a .223 Wylde as opposed to a 5.56 caliber barrel.
Build a pistol. That way at any time later if you want to put a longer upper on it you can. A pistol build just opens all of your options.
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For general/all purpose I’d go with a 16” mid barrel. It’s a good mix of handiness and velocity.
If you are more concerned with home defense or possibly riding in a vehicle, the shorter barreled pistol is likely more practical. Just realize for hunting applications that you are taking a velocity penalty.
Unsuppressed I’d go 11.5”. Suppressed I’d go 10.3”. 12.5” is a good length, but much longer and you start getting away from the benefits of a shorter barrel.
Definitely not a truck gun. That's what my pistols are for. Home defense was the reason I was thinking maybe pistol. I don't have a big house and wasn't sure about maneuvering a 16 inc barrel. I have my 9mm pistols, but a bit more capacity and option to turn it into a club when empty is a nice benefit.
For hunting, most of it is in the woods. Likely foot tracking deer , hogs, turkey, rabbit and squirrels. Trust me. If it goes to where I have to hut, everything is a menu option. I've eaten 'em all.
Doubt will be doing anything with supressors in forseeable future. Gov. Gets enough of my money. I don't have another $200 to throw at them willingly.
Definitely appreciate the input.
A 16” rifle is plenty maneuverable indoors, especially if you keep it lightweight. I’ve run them several times in my local DPS shoothouse. If you are dealing with especially tight quarters there are ways to work with them to negate those issues.
I think you’d be much happier with a 16” rifle in general.