the balance of the rifle would not work right for me. Its easier for me to hold a rifle steady with some weight out front. I have fired 16.5 inch 223 rifles, 18.5 inch 308, 16.5 inch ported 44 magnum without hearing protection, as I have grown older my ears ring constantly and my high frequency hearing is gone. Ruger is appealing to a certain type of person with this rifle and no doubt its a fine weapon. I would not want to use it in an emergency where you did not have time to put in your ear plugs. I have gone back to a 20 inch pencil weight 223 instead of the short fat 223 barrels. Turns out open sights are just as fast as an aimpoint for me anyway.
