14.5 vs 16 in barrel

[Haulroad]

Does a 14.5 barrel with permanently attached flash suppressor to bring it to a legal lenth of over 16 inches pose any issues in reliability?

I want to have the shorter barrel vs. A 16 inch with flash suppressor...but is it worth it? With the shorter barrel do I need to take paperwork with it everywhere showing that the FS was permanently attached to proovr it is legal? Thanks!

[k arga]

no and i like my m4 with the smith vortex , gets barrel to 16.25" and if permanently attached no paper work needed. make sure you drop a rod down the barrel with the bolt closed when you check the length, must be MORE than 16", at 16"you will be right on the thin edge and not worth any problems.

[Col. Colt]

I would stay with a real 16", and avoid the hassel. I have never understand this facination with short barrels - 16 is my bottom limit, both for performance and legality. I know the "M4 look" is cool, but at what cost? The 5.56MM/.223 gets it's performance from Velocity - which you reduce everytime you go shorter. The original 20" barrel gave pretty good performance out to 250 yards. Whenever your velocity drops below 2550 the 5.56 Military bullets fail to tumble and fragment. Just be aware of what you are getting - cool looks and easier handling in buildings and vehicles - vs. the terminal performance on the target you are giving up. To each his own, of course. CC

[Gus Fisher]

Much of the reliability of the AR/M16 system comes not so much from the length of the barrel, but from either the length or design of the gas tube. When you shorten the gas tube; you have more pressure entering the system and you have less volume of gas operating for a shorter period of time than the 20 inch barrel. That's why with the really short barrels, they came up with pig tail and "Muffler type" gas tubes to get the reliabiility back towards what is found with the regular length gas tbe with the full length barrel.

[joem]

If your determined to have a shorter barrel you can apply for a tax stamp for a SBR (short barreled rifle) if legal in your state. The BATFE will send you the forms for free. Just fill them out, send in your money and wait to get your stamp.