Which AR-15 Barrel Length Is Best? (w/ Neil McLean)

12.5" and 16".

1000 other videos state that 10.5 is just fine. 14.5-16 is just fine. Move on and punt Kaya.

The entire state of Texas needs Kaya to go away.

20” AR is king. For CQB I fix bayonet.

Fordassist or Chevyassist

Leave a like for Chevyassist and a comment for Fordassist

Lmao i stopped watching when jason started talking

The shortest barrel that can get the job done !
( also considering the type of ammo ).

37"

I choose all of them.

Earliest I have been to a CF video!

Forward assist? I don’t care either

When it comes to rifle rounds obviously the longer barrel is always better for velocity and kinetic energy on target. But depending on what the mission is dictates what gear you run. If you’re in and out of vehicles in an urban environment shorter is better to a point. If you’re in the mountains and your shots are going to be 200-1000 yards you’re going to want a longer barrel.

14.5 to 20 is the correct answer. Ain't no reason to limit yourself to 50-80 meters of consistent wounding.

At 556

11.5 v 12.5 is less than 100 fps difference so I’d say they’re pretty comparable. I’d probably only consider a change in length if it’s netting 150-200 FPS per inch or so.

At 11.5/12.5 to 14.5 it’s probably 100-150FPS at most.

10.3 is really the minimum you should go but you gain a lot at 11.5/12.5.

13.7/13.9 is just for pin and weld purposes primarily.

16 is just for NFA purposes but I’ll always choose 14.5. 100 fps or less difference? Probably not worth it when ammo can play a bigger factor.

Wasn't the original AR-15 designed without a forward assist? Like the original Eugene Stoner blueprint?

Everyone knows that 2 inches can make all the difference with women and CQB. Lol…

I like Neil’s attitude! Spot on! I loved the video but all I got 16” 556 and 300 blkout.

I’ve got a 16 and a 13.7. I like them both, but really love the weight and balance of the 13.7. Comfortable to hold and shoot. The 16 is set up with a FFP LPVO, 13.7 with red dot. Although I am currently running them like an uncivilized caveman as both are unsuppressed. 😂

the easiest answer… it depends

first off is what ammo are you using.
for 9mm i would say a 10.5" barrel is most ideal.

for 556, if youre looking for CQB i would say 14.5. for longer range i would go with 18. i dont believe 20 is worth the extra few FPS for 2 inches.

for 300 blackout i would go with 12.5-13.5

I lean towards a shorter barrel for its agility in close quarters, but it's good to weigh the trade-offs carefully.

The forward assist was not in the original design it was added in later versions

run two uppers a 10.3 with suppressor then 18 inch with suppressor take 5 seconds to swap.

Kyle Rittenhouse had to use his forward assist.
M-14 has a fixed to the bolt carrier charging handle that can be used as a forward assist & many others can be used that way too.

my pp grew 12 inches after i increased barrel length, so yes

16 inch with a K can

I have two theories on this, 5.56 was designed for a 20" barrel so honestly 10.3" to 18" is all the same, and I run dedicated suppressors on all my SBR's, so I don't want to be welding a firearm as long as a Civil War musket, so I prefer 10.5" with a suppressor.

Even stoner was wrong on forward assist. We don't all live in a world of full battle and racking slides load and proud some like slow and forward assit especially with wildcat calibers and handloads hunting and home defense.

Great video! Neil's insights on AR-15 barrel lengths are spot on.

I have a 14.5 and for my needs it’s great. Someday when I can afford a suppressor I’ll get one but for now im raw doggin it lol. As they said , all comes down to personal preference and need.

Nothing about twist rate and bullet grain❗️

😂 "what about twist rate"

Military did tests.
14.5 was the sweet spot for maximum velocity at atypical ranges.
With that said, 16 is my personal

Neil your slings rock. I love mine. Gonna pick up the multicam version next. I would like to see a padded version and then some built in straps so you can fold up the part of the sling that is bigger and goes around your body to the smaller fixed section that attaches the 2 sling points. I just put Velcro cord ties for wrapping up small usb cards and such on mine, works great and makes storage really nice and clean, when you want to deploy, just rip it open.

I have 10.3 , 14.5, and 16.. 14.5 all day for me..

I have had to use my FA several times. They don't stick out more than your charging handle, they add a benefit and have no downside. Then again, I put light weight BCG's in most of my AR's and the don't have a section of the bolt you engage the FA. It is like an optic cut on a pistol, just put it on, if you don't like it, don't use it.

Does barrel length matter?… Ask Gunvira 😂

Someone's been hanging out with them Q folks too much 🤣

11.5 or 16 babeeee

I would say 16 in. 5. 56 x45 wit 62 gr that's it

Forward assist was originally came about because of the problems during Vietnam. But it has also been shown if you can keep your rifle clean it isn't needed.

🤘 😁 🤘

Originally designed without the fa…. was an army thing

I run a 14.5 and think it's the do all imo.