Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles Lengths?

OK I talked myself into doing an AR build having never shot one before or handled one much. I know, I know.

So I understand there are carbine, mid, rifle lengths and I get that the port in the barrel has to match the length but what I cannot find anyplace is a resource that says how long the hand guards must be to cover the gas tube. One would think that sales descriptions would say, "18' barrel, mid length gas, requires hand guard of at least xx" but I haven't seen that. Maybe I'm missing something?

Further, I'll just share my frustration at NO ONE ever having in stock everything I need. So many things "out of stock" is curious and aggravating.

I was in the same boat a few years ago, and managed to find some deals here and there- I didn't get all my parts at the same time or the same place. Personally, I wanted a rifle length gas system and 18-20" barrel to theoretically get the most "push" on the bullet before dumping pressure out the bore, as well as hopefully decrease the snap and noise I had associated with the few 16" AR's I had shot. Found a deal on an Odin Works 18" rifle gas barrel, and went from there. And it runs great and is a little more tame than my buddy's 16" mid gas rifle.

A Wilson Combat 13.8" rail is about perfect for just covering the low profile gas block on my rifle. A 13" rail would not cover it completely.

A mid-length gas block would require a minimum 10-1/2" hand guard to cover, I like a 12". A rifle length guard would need to be 13" to 14" to cover the gas block, depending on the type of gas block you install.

Thank you all, that helps

This will help you out a little...............also links to more info should you choose to read them.

MM

AR barrel & gas port info

I thought I had posted a chart in my reply showing measurements from the breech to the gas port on different length barrels. Don't know where it went.

Thanks BarD, I would love that.

That is nice!

I really like a midlength system over a carbine, smoother shooting/recoil.

I'll try it this way. Just scroll down the page a little.

https://www.hornady.com/support/superformance-in-gas-operated-firearms

also keep in mind the size of gas block vary, as well as the hand guard diameters. I didn't realize this on my first build, and had to purchase a low profile block..... To cover most bases, look for a low profile, and if you want to spend a few more $, look for an adjustable gas block.

Welcome to the wonderful world of AR's. The not being able to find everything from one vendor has been ongoing for years, it's much better now that it was 5 years ago when it seemed like you had to buy every part from a different vendor.