The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

So I've been reading a lot about 20" vs 16" length AR rifles...pros vs cons. I get the increased accuracy over greater distance thing with a longer barrel but I was wondering about the gas impingement system. I have been reading with great interest some info regarding the effects of the AR gas system on the shorter carbine length vs the longer 20" length barrel for which the impingement system was designed. Have any of you who own an AR had any trouble with the gas system causing problems with carbine length barrels?

I had both a 20" and a 16" and personally liked the performance of the 20" but the handling of the 16". If you want to get the best of both worlds get a 16" with a rifle length gas system, they call em dissipators. That's what I would build if I got back into AR15s (into FALs for now)

Plus dissipators just look cool.

I just went with a 20".

I love my 16in mid-length. No issues at all with it yet. Easy to control and not too heavy. How much of a performance difference is there with the extra barrel length? My is far more accurate than I can be right now haha. I don't think you could go wrong with either length. Its a toss up I guess for me.

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I have had a carbine for 20 years, shot both live ammo and thousands of blanks through it with no problems. Like any Mattel special you have to keep it clean, do that and it will work fine.

I love that classic M16 look millman...very nice! I like the feel of the carbines but i also like the look and feel of the longer rifle. I definitely do not like the gas piston look so that option is out.I swear the hunt for these is half the fun...and I'm still hunting. I did not know about the dissapator and I will look into that, thanks for the info.

"Mattel Special" UGH...I hate it when I'm about to spend that much $$ on an AR and someone reminds me that these things are plastic. I need to hold my Mauser...

Plastic and aluminum

I have one, 16" barrel carbin. It's fun to shoot, a b*tch to clean. I don't want another one.

There is really no difference in accuracy between 16" and 20".

I have one shorter than that, but for legality they soldered on the long flash suppressor. A Bushmaster XM15 from before the Clinton ban.

I'm looking to get one in the next few months... With all the crap going on I have a feeling I need to get it now or never. I'll be ordering some mags soon... Who offers the best ones out there. Looking for good quality & not junk.

Might get the bushmaster from Wallyworld. $899 ain't bad for an M4.

The Bushmaster is good, or at least it was when I bought mine 20+ years ago. Magazines? All mine are Colt, most courtesy of the New York State Army Reserve, A friend would bring them home from time to time when he was still in years ago.

Magpul makes good aftermarket mags.
I know Bushmasters are popular and there are a lot out there, but post one an an AR forum and be prepared to be ridiculed. There are better choices out there for pretty much the same money... I'm not sure about at Wally World though
It all depends what you think it's projected use might be.

i need to build a 2nd one cause i made the mistake of letting my daughter shoot it and she thinks its hers now.

Bushmaster was "the bomb" in the early 90's before everyone and their sister got in on the act. I didn't care who made it, wasn't going to shoot it anyway, it's my piss off the liberals rifle The H2 is an Essential Arms, I don't think they are around anymore.

mine is from a local company called JD Machine Tech

I just saw an older bushy in the gunshop today. I didn't check it out that closely, but something looked different about it. Almost like it had a metal FAL type handguard, but maybe somebody played with it.

Ban-One wrote:I love that classic M16 look millman...very nice! I like the feel of the carbines but i also like the look and feel of the longer rifle. I definitely do not like the gas piston look so that option is out.I swear the hunt for these is half the fun...and I'm still hunting. I did not know about the dissapator and I will look into that, thanks for the info.

"Mattel Special" UGH...I hate it when I'm about to spend that much $$ on an AR and someone reminds me that these things are plastic. I need to hold my Mauser...

Thanks ban-one. I got the barrel and hand guard for free and just built the rest around those parts. It is an actual FNH M16 barrel. I have always liked the A2 configuration.

pacanis wrote:I just saw an older bushy in the gunshop today. I didn't check it out that closely, but something looked different about it. Almost like it had a metal FAL type handguard, but maybe somebody played with it.

There are probably more dress up parts for the AR than there are for the Ruger 10/22

i carried both while i was in the army,the 16" is good for clearing building's but i still like the 20" better because it just feels better to me.i bought a olympic and have never had a problem with it. rifle shoots anything i put in it and i pick up used colt mag's at the gunshow's for $7-$10 .i made mine look like what i carried when i went in to the army in 1980.

My buddy has one with the vietnam furniture on it as well. Although his has a 24" stainless national match barrel. I have a 16" heavy profile that is extremely accurate. My local range only goes out to 225, and it is very easy shooting small targets against the backstop. Have not had any issues with anything yet, although it is still fairly new. These guns are military grade - they are very reliable if you keep them maintained. Neglect them, and they will start having issues, just like a car.