Does anyone even buy 20" AR's anymore?

[river_boater]

That's "hot" military ammo, if you fired Wolf in a 20" it would be a different story.

Why would I ever do that?

Maybe cheap(er) ammo like Wolf explains the explosion of carbines over rifles. Personally, I think folks are passing up the rifles because every weapon you see on the news from IRQ and AFG is an M4 (unless it's some broke-dick Marine infantry battalion).

I don't know. I'm just curious why people tend to favor the carbine over the rifle. Obviously, I prefer the rifle but I've never owned (only fired) a carbine. I'd take a 6430/6450 in a hearbeat, though.

[grousemaster]

That's "hot" military ammo, if you fired Wolf in a 20" it would be a different story.

This. Both my wife's uncle and I have nice 20" setups that won't cycle Wolf more than 50% of the time. That being said, the rifle length gas system cycles the smoothest and wears at the slowest rate. You just need real ammo....not much tolerance for light loads. I think mid-lengths are a great option.

[JohnGageMN]

That's "hot" military ammo, if you fired Wolf in a 20" it would be a different story.

This. Both my wife's uncle and I have nice 20" setups that won't cycle Wolf more than 50% of the time. That being said, the rifle length gas system cycles the smoothest and wears at the slowest rate. You just need real ammo....not much tolerance for light loads. I think mid-lengths are a great option.

That was what my research led me to believe before I bought mine last Fall. Wound up getting a PSA 16" with a midlength gas system. I can notice a bit of an improvement in how it operates compared to carbine length systems on other 16" models I've tried. In the long run I'm hoping that will help extend the life of the BCG.

[rukwikenuf]

That's "hot" military ammo, if you fired Wolf in a 20" it would be a different story.

Why would I ever do that?

Maybe cheap(er) ammo like Wolf explains the explosion of carbines over rifles. Personally, I think folks are passing up the rifles because every weapon you see on the news from IRQ and AFG is an M4 (unless it's some broke-dick Marine infantry battalion).

I don't know. I'm just curious why people tend to favor the carbine over the rifle. Obviously, I prefer the rifle but I've never owned (only fired) a carbine. I'd take a 6430/6450 in a hearbeat, though.

watch it, buddy. my service weapon in Iraq was an M16A2. there's something that's just SOOOO right about a fixed stock, 20" bbl, and irons. ease of operation is high on that list, also, the fixed stock is less likely to break when you've been buttstroking badguys.

then again, this was in '03 when the invasion was just getting underway. only certain units were "lucky" enough to have M4s.

[river_boater]

watch it, buddy. my service weapon in Iraq was an M16A2. there's something that's just SOOOO right about a fixed stock, 20" bbl, and irons. ease of operation is high on that list, also, the fixed stock is less likely to break when you've been buttstroking badguys.

then again, this was in '03 when the invasion was just getting underway. only certain units were "lucky" enough to have M4s.

As was mine, issued in 84. This is the reason I own a Colt 6550--identical except for the bolt and fire control group.

[shooter115]

Hmmm..... Never had any trouble getting any of the rifle length gas system AR's I've owned or built for others to run. Saying a rifle has a design flaw because it won't shoot **** ammo is like saying your car has a design flaw because it won't run right on 20 year old gasoline.

[JustMe]

I have been more partial to 20" barrel AR15s. They have been builds instead of straight out buys, since I wanted to make some retro full size lookalikes that no one has or had offered for sale as a complete rifle.
I prefer the longer barrel to make the most out of the 5.56x45mm rounds performance.
An M4 type rifle or two is/are farther down the list for future AR acquisitions.

[FJ540]

Atomic Tactical has a couple 20" barrels under the glass.

Not everything they have is on their website.

I also had a 1989 vintage FN made M16A2 in the army. That was my first exposure to the 5.56x45 - before white phase in BCT, I had zero respect for the cartridge. None. By the time I qualified 2 weeks later I was hooked.

[Collector1337420]

My 20" White Oak Armory .223 Wylde, 1-7 twist, should be shipping any day now.

18-20 week wait.

I think it's gonna be great. That is if DPMS could get their act together and ship me the rest of my lower parts I ordered the beginning of December. Then I might actually be able to have a whole gun!

[Ironbear]

I don't know. I'm just curious why people tend to favor the carbine over the rifle. Obviously, I prefer the rifle but I've never owned (only fired) a carbine. I'd take a 6430/6450 in a hearbeat, though.

I suspect most of it is that carbines are what people see everywhere.

In my case, my wife is rather petite and complained about the weight. So, I put together a carbine-length with an A1 profile barrel and a lightweight fixed stock; to minimize weight.

I built it up for her use, but have since learned that it is hers. A subtle but important distinction... but that's a different problem...

[Erud]

My 20" White Oak Armory .223 Wylde, 1-7 twist, should be shipping any day now.

18-20 week wait.

I think it's gonna be great. That is if DPMS could get their act together and ship me the rest of my lower parts I ordered the beginning of December. Then I might actually be able to have a whole gun!

Sooooooo, whaddya going to do with it once it shows up?

[xd ED]

My 20" White Oak Armory .223 Wylde, 1-7 twist, should be shipping any day now.

18-20 week wait.

I think it's gonna be great. That is if DPMS could get their act together and ship me the rest of my lower parts I ordered the beginning of December. Then I might actually be able to have a whole gun!

I've been looking at their stuff.
I can only guess what the turn around time is now...

Are you by chance familiar with their 'exclusive .223 WOA varmint chambering', and what it's features, benefits, and limitations, if any, might be?

[Uffdaphil]

Mine is a NOS LMT I just put a stock on this week. But since I got the 18" custom job in the photo the 20 will probably leave to make room for a future SBR. What do folks think about the rail with fixed stock? I have the standard handgrip but go back and forth which looks better. Guess the next owner can decide.

[FJ540]

Their varmint chamber is cut so the tiny 40gr bullets can be loaded to mag length and not jump half a mile before they hit the lands.

I'd wonder how this would work with heavy bullets. Might have to seat them deep and use up case capacity.

[JohnGageMN]

Is that the CAA adjustable stock on the lower one? If so, how do you like it? I've been leaning toward a Magpul ACS-L, but they had the CAA ones at Gander the other day when I was there and it seemed like it had some nice features.