Which barrel length is best for an AR-15? We perform the ultimate tests.

[@trevorm0329]

I've found 3 inches is a very effective and versatile length. Served me well for years

[@Shark_Theory]

We are talking about barrel length not your...

[@MB-jg4tr]

That's Not what she said.

[@frankopanklaric]

Wow, very original...

[@hondomclean6759]

@trevorm0329 How thick is it? Is that the reason why you've lasted this long?

[@trevorm0329]

@Shark_Theory oh, OH, then disregard. Yeah, 11.3 is nice and compact, but you lose velocity and accuracy at range. I'd say 16

[@freeholdtacticalmed]

I’d love to have seen a 20” barrel against the 16”…

[@amn1308]

It starts to gain less per inch around 18", you still get gains just less.

[@bullphrogva1804]

Would have smoked everything on that table

[@hartsickdisciple]

Paul Harrell did a video on this. His results showed that the 20" didn't offer much over the 16.

[@Nicklafuego]

So 4 inches *is* just as good as 8 ?

[@KeepTheGates]

Let's get you to bed, grandpa.

[@shootinbruin3614]

In general: 10.3" - No real application over 11.5" outside of clone builds. The vast majority of the time 11.5" is the better choice. 11.5" - Negligible length increase over 10.3" that is especially disproportionate to the benefits in dwell time and velocity. The shortest length practical for most cases. 12.5" - The shortest length that can be commonly found with a mid-length gas system, although dwell time is such that it's ideally used with a suppressor. 13.7" - The shortest length that can typically be used with a pinned and welded muzzle device to bring it up to 16". Also is less ammo sensitive than 12.5" mid-length gas barrels, especially when unsuppressed. 14.5" - The most common barrel length for pin and welds before the advent of longer muzzle devices. Popular with GWOT-era clones. Makes mini / K suppressors more tolerable. 16" - The shortest non-NFA length that can be legally used without a permanently attached muzzle device. 18" - The shortest length that can be commonly found with a rifle-length gas system and the benefits to parts longevity and recoil associated with it. 20" - Extends reach of bayonet

[@wraithwyvern528]

You forgot the vibe-enhancing effects of 20" barrels. Vibes may not win a whole lot of engagements but firearms are shot at far more by cameras than by other rifles these days. Just think of all the flex pics you would take if you had an M16 with an M203 underbarrel or a transferable 3-Position fun hose.

[@shootinbruin3614]

@@wraithwyvern528 To be fair, select-fire and a launcher are flexes regardless of barrel length haha. 20" barrels not only enhance vibes, but check them as well. At least with certain ammo against some steel armor

[@sanctuarypest2212]

10 inches still hit 3k out the barrel with 55gr. Cool story though, bro.

[@shootinbruin3614]

@@sanctuarypest2212 ok

[@denmanfite3156]

​@@sanctuarypest2212lol 55gr

[@alaskanbas6507]

Very cool to see the actual performance in a direct comparison like this, makes me interested to see a similar test but for AR-10s

[@fjalics]

I'm interested in what that hot 6.8 M7 does with different barrel lengths. If the pressure is still 80,000 psi when it exits the 13 inch barrel, I have to assume it will scream out of a long barrel, like the one on th M250. Better to be behind it, than in front of it.

[@tbrowniscool]

@@fjalics Yep, it's weird that their new LMG uses 338.Lap , after all the effort for a high pressure rifle round? Then just use it for rifles?

[@fjalics]

@@tbrowniscool IDK, but the new sniper system has a barrel for both the 300 Norma and the 338 Norma used in the machine gun. That 338 has the same effective range as a M2, though not the same mass. Still, rounds are cheaper, and you can carry more of them.

[@shawncoey637]

It’d be great to see 18” and 20” barrels too as well as 77 and 62 gr bullet weights as a comparison to the 55’s.

[@amn1308]

It starts to plateau, you still get small gains all the way to 22" just gets smaller and smaller while the weight gets further and further out there.

[@BaconSlayer69]

@@amn1308no 20 inch is the maximum actually beyond that it’s pointless for .223/5.56

[@vicdiaz5180]

@@amn1308the 5.56 round was designed to be shot out of a 20 inch barrel. So yes, there should be differences from 16” to 20” in terms of velocity

[@matthewconnor5483]

​@@vicdiaz5180the M16 was also originally a much slower twist rate so the those 55 were even less stable vs the modern 1:7 twist rate for heavier rounds.

[@vicdiaz5180]

@@matthewconnor5483 correct that slower twist rate was due to the barrel length. A more aggressive twist rate on a 20” would only reduce the performance out of a 20 inch barrel, but the powder out of the 5.56 cartridge stops burning around 19 1/2 inches, which is why many people in this common section are interested to see a comparison that includes the 20” barrel

[@Just_come_back_to_reality]

2 months later? You're dedication to inform us is very nice to see. Thank you, man.

[@GarandThumb]

More to come!

[@thedude7726]

@@GarandThumb we love it when you come more

[@Just_come_back_to_reality]

@@Christoph-sd3zi Then why? Why are you even commenting on a comment of the video? Have some self awareness.

[@Advisory_Vessel]

​@@Just_come_back_to_realityHe was talking about the tattoo. #ContextLivesMatter

[@Just_come_back_to_reality]

@@Advisory_Vessel I didn't see the related messages. I stand corrected.

[@Eddythebandkid]

It was cool to see Micah’s transformation from behind the camera to in front of the camera. Even his own channel is very cool to watch.

[@ITSbigwillystyle]

It’s great to see these strapping young neurodivergent bucks GT has brought up turn out to be capable content contributors beyond techies.

[@JESUSCHRIST-ONLYWAYTOHEAVEN]

WHETHER YOU BELIEVE IN GOD OR NOT YOU WILL KNEEL BEFORE HIM ON JUDGEMENT DAY AND HE WILL GO THROUGH EVERY WORD YOU SAID/EVERY THOUGHT YOU HAD/EVERY SIN YOU DID. YOU WONT BE ABLE TO ARGUE WITH HIM EITHER. WITHOUT ACCEPTING JESUS SACRIFICE FOR YOUR SINS YOU WILL BE GUILTY. YOURE EITHER FOR GOD OR AGAINST GOD & THERE IS BUT 1 GOD (its not satan/buddha/allah). JESUS IS RETURNING VERY VERY SOON WITH JUDGEMENT! THINGS ARE ABOUT TO GET FAR WORSE THAN ANY TIME IN HISTORY. TURN FROM SIN, REPENT! TURN TO JESUS BEFORE ITS TOO LATE, WE CAN DIE AT ANY MOMENT! Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."-John 14:6 "But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven."-Matthew 10:33 “For the wages of sin is death (hell), but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”-Romans 6:23

[@arom519]

Israel did 9/11

[@Lohengrinner]

​@@bigweeweehaverfr? That's dope as hell

[@imivanm]

@@pvtschmuckateli283you got some videos to back those words up?

[@crowbarjones1078]

I love your videos because they are very informative, usually very funny and you don't show partiality to any brand in particular. The dad advice at the end is truly outstanding. Thank you for what you do.

[@ph1shstyx]

Would have loved to see an 18 and 20 added to the testing

[@walterlancaster2230]

They are too tacticool for those lengths.

[@tjn2254]

A 20 inch ar is kinda dumb. Unless it's 308

[@medicchester]

Why not the 32 inch God barrel?

[@medicchester]

​@@tjn2254no no no.

[@jgt4862]

Yeah, that was my first thought.

[@Synystr7]

I feel like not having the 20 inch, which is basically the control, is a shame.

[@user-fb1vm4uo1u]

the 20 inch just isn't the one that is being argued over in forums.

[@isaactrujillo76]

That’s what .223 was designed for. As you know.

[@OneSlowCbr]

@@isaactrujillo76I thought it was originally designed for a 22” ?

[@isaactrujillo76]

@@OneSlowCbr I believe that was the 222 Remington.

[@OneSlowCbr]

@@isaactrujillo76 thank you for the info man🫡

[@wizardsmokey]

I would have loved to see different ammo types explored as well. 55gr vs 62gr vs 77gr, etc. I know it would have made the video about 45 minutes long, but I don't think anyone here would complain about that!

[@Demonoid1990]

I don't mind longer videos when it comes to stuff like this. I'm kinda getting started on my gun venture, or at least ownership. Been watching firearms videos for years, but only recently got me a rifle and a pistol. Now I gotta put what I've learned into a more practical test on the range. Kinda like when I went to CDL school for trucking, we learned in the classroom for awhile first. But once we actually got behind the wheel in the course, applying that knowledge is different in a real-world scenario. 8 years later and now it's just second nature lol.

[@perkele1989]

A cut short/sped up video with just graphs of performance comparisons would be GOLDEN

[@budget.88]

Never forget the USS Liberty and the men who diëd on that day

[@awsomedude9111]

From Buffman Armor spreadsheet data, the heavier weights perform better with short barrels, but light bullets like 55gr perform well in any barrel, but you can still get a increase in velocity. His google speadsheet has multiple barrels, calibers, and ammo.

[@petrol_prophet]

@@budget.88 BASED

[@irondirectprimarycare9440]

I love my 16 inch real steel Daniel defense v7. I compared it to my buddies short barrel, and the Daniel defense biggest bonus was that it wasn’t as stinky. It wasn’t something that was mentioned in this video but gas fumes released from the short barrel along with a much louder noise was just obnoxious to shoot. The 16 inch D7 is an absolute pleasure to be around. The short barrel is like hanging out with that loud obnoxious friend who drinks way too much at the bar.

[@CiVilianGroup]

10.3 mk18 from DD is the GOAT 🐐. Nothing looks better. Nothing feels better. End of the day it’s about what the shooter wants. 11.5” gave the KZbinrs something different to push after 10yrs of talking the mk18 up. Gotta give it to manufacturers in finding a way to it something on the market ppl would find a excuse to buy & now the 16” is heavily being pushed by ppl who have a million SBR but will say they don’t want to go through the hassle of the paperwork when really it’s about getting free gear/weapons or great deals. I say pick a length & go have fun. Environment you live in should determine what length you pick. If your a range only guy 10.3-16” will all be more than the right tool.

[@davidblanck4131]

As someone who has been making barrels for 30 years, and my family for over half a century. I'm loving this. We spent years doing research. But, definitely not with multiple rounds of modern rounds as we are getting out of the business. This was a fun episode to watch for sure. Just glad we had great results in comparison. Took a ton of research though.

[@astolt12]

How have you been doing this for years but never done such a simple test

[@davidblanck4131]

@@astolt12 I usually make things to the customers specs. Their development team usually does the testing. We get to torture test products. Which is always a ton of fun. But, we are usually going by already existing lengths. So, there is no need to do this kind of thing.

[@johndaniels1197]

@@davidblanck4131 So, when a customer asks for advice about which length to pick, what's your answer? "I don't know. We never tested that."

[@davidblanck4131]

@@johndaniels1197 No lol. They usually say "I would like 200 sten MK2 barrels, 200 sten MK3, 100 Garand barrels, 150 full auto uzi barrels of various lengths" etc. We make bulk parts to the customers spec. We are not developing 1 off parts. Sure, we have made just about every length AR barrel in wildly different calibers. But, the customer typically knows what they want before they order it. The only thing that we developed was some AR pistol that we don't make any more. As you may know. 7.5 inch .556 isn't exactly powder efficient. We usually do functional testing only.

[@beardly0121]

​@@davidblanck4131what's the name of the company your family runs? Also why are you getting out of the business? What are the downsides to industrial grade electrochemical machined barrels? I'm curious as to why more companies are not using that method as there are legitimate machines manufactured for it and it's a process that has zero tool wear and it is also a 100% burr free process yet as far as I know no major companies are using this method.

[@forrestcoon231]

I think a sequel test to this could be in order. It'd be very nice to see ballistic gel testing with both 55gr and 77gr bullets at 100fps intervals to get a real idea of when expansion is going to be happening with any given barrel length

[@eatsshootsandleavestactica8068]

That's what I'd hoped this one would be, to be honest. I also think it would've been nice to see some extremes like 20" and 7.5"

[@ccooke8935]

@@eatsshootsandleavestactica8068 @Garand Thumb i'll lend my LWRC PSD 8.5 " to the channel if needed for a PT. 2

[@MarineVet]

Don't forget the 62gr. I use them quite a bit for some game and varmints out of a 24" barreled AR.

[@forrestcoon231]

@@MarineVet especially green tip, just as an example of why you shouldn't use it lol

[@leepatterson5710]

It really matters on the twist rate as well, there is a good variation for better twists between 55, 62, and 77.

[@ktinga1]

I would have loved to see an 18" and 20" in this comparison as well.

[@DimitrosSJ]

Not from these posers..

[@FuzedBox]

@@DimitrosSJ These "posers" can easily outshoot you. If you think otherwise, put your money where your mouth is. I was also disappointed to see lack of >16" bbl lengths.

[@thespectator5259]

@@DimitrosSJ Wdym? Mike has worked in the Spec OPS community for years. That's about as legit as you can get. Sure, he does a lot of silly drills/montages and likes to pepper his videos with Gen Z memes, but the meat of the things he says once you get past the superfluous is sound. That he was able to borrow this many uppers from an upscale brand is already a tall order. Novesque only makes up to 18" so since they don't make 20" Mike probably thought it would ruin the barrel quality consistency aspect of this video if he got a 20" from another make. If he did get Novesque's 18", he would still get comments about the 20" and rightfully so since it wouldn't be right to have 18" but not 20" given the former is even more niche.

[@Darthdoodoo]

Those aren't cool guy lengths they don't exist to these guys

[@erfanzamani2083]

I purchased recently a 12.5 ar15 and im very happy with it as a do it all rifle. Trying to get a can soon 😊

[@scottknott1087]

What about barrel girth? And don't forget the enthusiasm! It really matters in the grand scheme of things, isn't always about length

[@budget.88]

⌚️ Europa the last battle

[@budget.88]

⌚ 9-II Mis sing Links

[@nextcaesargaming5469]

You mean barrel caliber?

[@andrewmendez3231]

Garand scheme of things*

[@ClerkLIFE]

@@nextcaesargaming5469 no. The girth obviously. You don’t want short and skinny. 😂

[@fell9654]

9:00 a scope longer than the barrel is really all that is needed

[@michaelswarts9548]

Yes🗿

[@Raccoonactual]

There's no such thing as overkill

[@agen1man]

The sight of that reminded me a scene from some movie where they decided to throw a huge ass sight on an MP5

[@agen1man]

Looked it up and it was from the original "Sniper" with Tom Berenger. Apparently it was some sorts of NVG scope.. still weird having that on an mp5.

[@drewminiard7896]

Love the dad advice at the end. In college, a friend told me something his dad told him along the same lines of what you said: “Don’t talk about it, be about it”. I’ve always carried that with me and glad to see it being spread to the masses.

[@jackmatthews5609]

I’d love to see this same set of tests performed on .308, 7.62x39, and 6.5creed. Also, why not include the 18 or 20”?

[@edwardrizzorhands]

I would also love to see the same. As for the 18 and 20”, I’ve seen a few test on KZbin and read a few things online (the internet is always right lol), that past 16” the gains aren’t substantial enough to justify including. How accurate is that? Idk but probably more accurate than my aim

[@irondragondxd3836]

@@edwardrizzorhands that probably depends on ammo, 18 and 20 I have seen some tests where they definitely have shown noteable gain.

[@edwardrizzorhands]

@@irondragondxd3836 I’d be curious to see those tests after seeing comments of others as well (separate thread). Where can I find em? Not saying you’re wrong at all just trying to learn

[@irondragondxd3836]

@@edwardrizzorhands I’d have to go through and check them out. There’s a lot of chronograph ballistic chart data on reddit and on KZbin. It’s definitely more ammo dependent though.

[@bivyb6249]

Comes down to drop and max effective range. You lose gains because after 16-18 you are past the max effective range for the rifle/round.

[@georgelambo5145]

I think the main reason 13.7 exists is because of US firearms laws. 13.7 is the minimum you can pin and weld a good flash hider/muzzle brake while maintaining a rifle status. Also, this could have been a great collab between you and Paul Harrel, I mean he is the chrono master.

[@j.h.6328]

I think maybe you mean 14.5"... That's the bbl length I went with for my pin & weld upper. But if there are some 2.5" muzzle devices out there for that purpose it wouldn't shock me.

[@georgelambo5145]

@@j.h.6328 psa has been making 13.7 pin and welded for a couple of years now. As well as a few other companies

[@ALovelyBunchOfDragonballz]

​@@j.h.6328the biggest one is the SOLGW NOX.

[@slowmo7500]

@@georgelambo5145solgw 13.7” is the g.o.a.t. 13.7”💯

[@TheVvolfgang]

​@@j.h.632814.5 used to be the only option for pinned and welded until more recently

[@donovanferrari761]

It would be interesting to see each of these tested on ballistic gel at various distances.

[@ulrikerudel6859]

they didnt??

[@Nick-fm9ux]

​@ulrikerudel6859 daddy doesn't gel test. Ever.

[@SanchitC]

@@Nick-fm9ux*44 magnum dummy head explosion has entered the chat*

[@snarkyeconomist2141]

And with various bullets.

[@Foo909]

This is what I was hoping to see…maybe next time

[@RL-RL]

So glad to see other content creators using Doppler radar for their speeds and distances. This blows away any chronograph ever! It's just harder for it to read the smaller ammo like .223, and 5.56 at distance.

[@budget.88]

⌚ Europa the last battlë

[@ZFA18]

Paul Harrell is that you?!

[@johnqpublic2718]

Lab radar messes up all the time

[@manwich5364]

​​@@budget.88I hear it's the greatest story never told.

[@RL-RL]

@@johnqpublic2718 So far the first channel to use one that I follow hasn't. A regular chrono is too sensitive and fails all the time. It's called Doppler Radar...

[@RickRoseIsAwesome]

The last minute of the video was awesome. I appreciate the wholesome advice and encouragement. Keep up the good work GT.

[@UncleDon226]

16" is my favorite. I think it offers the best compromise between the 20" performance and the 11.5" maneuverability. Perfect middle ground for a general-purpose rifle.

[@almostontimehero5415]

14"-16" is the sweet spot. 10.5-12.5 just lack power for longer ranges or when a target is hiding behind a tree, a car or in a building. Short barrels have no penetration after 150yards.

[@PaulAmerican]

Just maybe thats why the 16" is the standard.

[@nathanflecke9635]

@@PaulAmericanno it has to do with the nfa.

[@srqamt]

@@nathanflecke9635 What makes you think the USMC cares about the NFA? M16A4 barrel length is 20 inches

[@PaulAmerican]

@@nathanflecke9635 military doesnt need to follow the nfa. The military went from a m16 to the m4 w/16in barrel. Special forces went with mission specific barrels lenths but thats not the same conversation.

[@AdamWeil]

It would be fun to see the difference of extremes of a 20+" barrel vs a super short 7"!

[@Jason32Bourne]

Would be great to see gel tests out to distance with different lengths and especially using heavier grains. Also differences in using the 55gr vs heavier grains in terms of terminal performance and velocity sensitivity.

[@budget.88]

Never forget the USS Liberty and the men who diëd on that day

[@smolsnek3835]

​@@budget.88remembrance is useless if you do not train to avenge them

[@blondhairblackstrat]

20" . In 5.56, 55 grain, velocity is king. Fragmentation at longer distances and better armor penetration.

[@prairiepatriot2162]

I would've also liked to see how shooting suppressed effects velocity, particularly 10.3 since it is often used in that configuration.

[@Snuggles5000]

This is what I was hoping to see in this video.

[@willerwin3201]

For those who are into gun physics, I've converted the graphed velocity data into kinetic energy (in Joules): 10.3 inches: 1288 J 11.5 inches: 1405 J 12.5 inches: 1458 J 13.7 inches: 1512 J 14.5 inches: 1583 J 16 inches: 1657 J The biggest jump in kinetic energy is also between 10.3 and 11.5 inch barrel lengths, though the jumps to 14.5 and 16 inches both yielded a substantial 70+ Joules per shot. Since energy increases with the square of velocity, even increases at the high end of muzzle velocity yield more increases in kinetic energy. Yay physics! I'm fun at parties.

[@christopherjordan6237]

20” barrel for fun?

[@kellvaughn131]

Nice. Thank you

[@syh-zl6lo]

to hell with parties, thanks for the interesting info

[@mrwdpkr5851]

Thank you , sir .

[@nuffsaid8706]

I love you man!…you freakin 🤓 👊🏽

[@shooteveryday1841]

Choosing the correct barrel length: Step 1) get a 20” barrel. Step 2) that’s it. You’re done.

[@dixiegunnut1812]

Based

[@brentharrington9235]

Yup

[@kennyphelps1160]

Step 3) welcome to 1976!

[@blackonblack...9244]

And M193 ammo

[@Jordan-nc3zy]

It’s all fun and games with a 20” until you want to run a suppressor, get into a car, or walk through a doorway

[@mtnbound2764]

recently did a 14.5" build and its become my favorite. none of the pistol or sbr stuff to worry about, and just feels better than a 16".

[@matthiwi6901]

I think its the safest choice because I have the suspicion that anything below 14 inch would be too slow to retain reliably tumbling and yawing in the targets tissues and also might be too slow for penetration of body armor

[@MGMan37]

@@matthiwi6901 Depends what rounds you are firing and what ranges you want them to be effective. Even a 10.5" will fire M193 at speeds that guarantee fragmentation and tumbling at short distances, extra barrel length just extends how far the rounds stay in the frag range. 77gr's perform well at way less velocity than M193. M855 just sucks.

[@SoloRenegade]

it's only not an SBR or pistol if you have a permanent feature extending the barrel length the 16in. if you have to have 16in anyways, might as well may it useful length.

[@MGMan37]

@@SoloRenegade Thankfully flash hiders and suppressor mounts count as useful length too.

[@mtnbound2764]

@@SoloRenegade right.. its called a 14.5" pin and weld. its quite useful. and unless one is running no muzzle device on a 16" barrel, which no one does, then the 14.5 is shorter overall by at least an inch or so depending on the muzzle device.

[@SoloRenegade]

no test is complete without a 20in barrel to compare to. it's literally the benchmark standard.

[@roberthsieh8639]

30 years ago and for the marines

[@ThatGoat]

At that length you need a bayonet lug as well, because why not double as a javelin?

[@ltchap8424]

16" is the standard now

[@halogod0298]

@@roberthsieh8639I mean why not

[@JG_1998]

it's the benchmark standard if you're living in 1960s vietnam

[@charlesludwig9173]

There’s no doubt for best performance: velocity and iron sight MOA value, it’s s 20 inch barrel. And that’s the one which properly supports the Mk262 round, which is ideal for midrange events. The factor to be most appreciated is when shooting Mk262 the shooter will get an MOA wind constant of 10 at 600 yards vs an MOA constant of about 7 from a 14.5 inch barrel. This essentially means better hits at distance in winds which cannot be accurately appraised, like 1-3 mph winds that are hard to observe. Creds: Military Rifle Instructor assisting the USAMU deliver SDM, TTT, and SAFS Training. Bottom-line is if hitting a distant (midrange) target is important then so is a 20 inch barrel. No interest in midrange, then any barrel length or just carry a pistol, it does not matter if you are a fantasy fighter. On the other hand if you are a hunter or someone pursuing marksmanship development the benefits of the 20 inch barrel are too important to be negated. One more thing, since the 20 inch barreled Rifle will get VLD bullets to the 1000 yard line , shooters who have an interest in becoming champion marksmen can take that rifle to the long line and really learn a lot about shooting since it takes more knowledge and skill to get good hits at long range with a Service Rifle than other platforms. In other words, if you learn how to get great scores at long range with an AR-15A2 or A4 you will undoubtedly shoot to High Master Classification with any other platform/caliber long range rifle out there.

[@curseofthegreat]

Serious question: if Mk262 works best in a 20” 1:7 barrel, why did NSWC-Crane select the 18” Douglas 1:7 stainless barrel for the infamous Mk12 SPR? It wasn’t any lighter, it didn’t provide more velocity, but I’m guessing current contracts prevented them from just taking what they had and improving upon it? I’m building an 18” SPR with a 1:6 stainless from Green Mountain in NH. Have a bunch of 77gr 5.56 lined up to see which one it likes best - real Black Hills Mk262 and their TMK as well, the IMI “Razor Core”, some of the new AAC stuff, and a few other flavors.

[@lighswarm175]

This was great, I'd love to see a part 2 where you expand the dataset. Do the 5.56 rattler like you showed in the thumbnail and add an 18 and a 20 for the long bois. Really show where the fall off in the bell curve is on either side.

[@ETHANR26]

go over 26 as well

[@KilroyMosin38]

I think the biggest benefit of the 13.7 is legal convenience. It's pretty much the shortest barrel length you can go with a pin and weld without dipping into SBR territory. Sure, you can pin and weld a 12.5, but there's only a handful of muzzle devices you can use, and most of them are XM177 style flash hiders. It's really more valuable now with the legal fuckery surrounding pistol braces.

[@smolsnek3835]

The time for giving a shit what your handlers say has loooong passed

[@BeamMonsterZeus]

@@smolsnek3835 Amen. Also I'd argue the shorter length possesses nuanced performance benefits outside of a range environment which you'd prioritize over sheer **maximum** ballistic performance. Swings, carrying, fine-control, concealment, etc. are some such benefits.

[@lambchop777]

My thoughts exactly.

[@regulator18E]

​@@smolsnek3835​so what are you gonna do, aside from make edgy comments on YT 😂

[@stoptrackingourdata8158]

@@regulator18E uhhh...civil disobedience. Break the law.

[@jameslonano5659]

Great analysis. I've been running 10.3's for about 10 years and always build them with a click adjustable gas block and H2 buffer and adjust the ejection pattern to make it as soft shooting as possible yet work fine both suppressed and un-unsuppressed. But after watching this, I'm thinking perhaps a barrel swap to 11.5 is the way to go on the shorties. Anything shorter, the nod goes to .300 blackout and the Sig Rattler.

[@mattwallace7058]

After seeing penetration test on the 300..... it doesn't even dent 1/4" mild... lost so much hope after building 2 shorties

[@gonzilla707]

I always like watching your videos when I’m sad or depressed. Reminds me of just hanging out with the boys.

[@kylek7523]

Seems like if you’re unsuppressed it’s hard to beat 16”. Good performance for the caliber and still decently handy. Plus no extra hoops to jump through for SBR now that the brace status is in question.

[@mikeborrelli193]

14.5 pin and weld is the same legal status as 16 as far as the Federales are concerned.. Some states like NY andr NJ expressly ban p&w at the state level but it's a small minority.

[@lucasbabcock7998]

Orrrrr, non compliance because it’s unconstitutional

[@0ffcamberxj]

​@@mikeborrelli193pin and weld isn't illegal in NY and probably isn't in NJ

[@mikeborrelli193]

@@0ffcamberxj It sure as shit is illegal in NY.. No threaded barrels and no muzzle devices wether P&W or not. If you live there better read the specifics about AR barrels and what is and is not allowed..

[@0ffcamberxj]

​​@@mikeborrelli193if you have a fixed mag you can do whatever you want, but that's dumb. However, there are multiple ways to keep a detachable mag (CA style) that the NYSP won't issue a ruling on and you can have whatever scary features you want. It's surely not ideal, but we're trying.

[@KevWilOG]

The lack of NFA hassles make the 16" really shine IMO.

[@erikmcdoner4331]

Pin and welded 14.5 that has a suppressor ready flash hider also is GTG and popular around my area

[@Oliver0200]

​@@erikmcdoner4331what is pin and weld?

[@erikmcdoner4331]

@@Oliver0200 basically if you weld the flash hider / suppressor mount to the barrel it counts towards the over 16in min. PSA offers a couple 14.5 rifles / uppers with it and it's NFA compliant.

[@snactimusmaximus]

@@erikmcdoner4331 God's work. Thanks!

[@stoptrackingourdata8158]

@@erikmcdoner4331 yeah...but what's really the point? If you're adding a suppressor to a 14.5 and trying to keep it short with that, I see the point in a barrel under 16". But if you're just trying to keep it legal without a can, you're losing all of the velocity you get out of a 16" when you go shorter AND you're losing the maneuverability of a shorter barrel by pinning and welding a muzzle device on a short barrel to make it 16" overall. It seems like pin and welding a muzzle device is a net negative unless you're using a suppressor; and if you're using a suppressor, then you shouldn't really be worried about having an SBR.

[@Jexorz86]

I love the physics of high speed projectiles, its facinating that all of those bullets are dropping at the exact same speed as one you drop from your hand

[@monkeyfinger7949]

This was a really great comparison of these barrels. Excellent job on this video!

[@Mr_Dopey]

MDT SPORTING GOODS channel made a great video on this. They made a 6' barrel, fired it, collected the data, cut it down, then repeated to process. It was very interesting to see the results charted.

[@АлакПатрова]

I'll be checking that out. Thanks.

[@natestain7103]

Damn

[@sfdclay]

A six foot barrel??

[@marcogenovesi8570]

@@sfdclay they are serious into science man

[@budget.88]

Nëver forget the USS Liberty and the men who died on that day

[@andrewrobinson4019]

The expanding crew of the GT Ranch is starting to give Jacques Cousteau/Steve Zissou vibes. It won't be long before GT and Co. have retrofitted a giant soviet helicopter to house an armory, a shop, sleeping quarters, and a galley and they just fly around the world having guntoober adventures. I'm here for it.

[@GeauxRussGeaux]

@@NvwaAqoKy2kgthat’s gonna make a great episode of “Love+Death+Robots”.

[@bobmatthew5012]

Do the interns get a Glock

[@andrewrobinson4019]

@@bobmatthew5012 No, they share one. They do get a Garand_Thumb branded Adidas, tho

[@MikeF421]

Years ago AR15 magazine did a barrel length velocity test using 5.56. They used the same barrel cutting an inch off and recrowning for each test. Don't remember the exact results, but do remember that around the 20 inch mark was the best velocity. All the powder was burnt in that 20" and anything over 20 lost velocity due to not enough powder and the friction of the extra barrel. Of course these results would change when using different calibers with larger powder capacity.

[@Tarantulautist]

556 was intended for 20inch if im not mistaken

[@drifterbbb3649]

Powder does not burn the length of the barrel, that is myth. In a 5.56, all of the powder and oxygen bearing compounds are consumed within a few inches of the bullet leaving the casing. The powder has to build a massive amount of pressure and heat to push the bullet, once full chamber pressure is reached, any powder remaining would be powder that would NEVER burn anyway, because the optimal conditions are gone. This is common for mismatched powders (running filthy because the powder is mean for a higher operating pressure, like happened with Vietnam era rifles using surplus extruded powder meant for .30-06 and .308; IE: 55Kpsi SAAMI (.223) vs 62kpsi SAAMI). It is an issue of case capacity, not "powder burn". Also, losing velocity after 20 inches is nonsense. With common M193 and M855, a 26" barrel can be up to 200FPS faster than a 20", depending on the load. Even with weak loads like Remington UMC 55gr, a 26" barrel you can expect to be 100fps faster, although it might be slower than a 24" with such a load.

[@drifterbbb3649]

I think you are misremembering the article. The issue above 20" is the sake of efficiency and practicality. Especially for something you are going to carry around. Above 20", gains per inch are normally only 20-30FPS. So, is the 6" worth 100-200 FPS? To some, sure, usually people bench shooting at distance. Even bore pressure at the time of uncorking has been studied for .223/5.56. A 24"-barrel firing Lake City M855 will still have 5000PSI behind the bullet just before it exits.

[@ArtInTheWild24]

“You aren’t what you wanna be, you are what you are” Be a doer! Loved the vid, very informational thanks again Garand!

[@firearmshunter101]

Always ran M16s as my primary rifle but lately the 13.7pb and the 14.5pb are winning all my serious rep time. Especially my Noveske Infidel 13.7pb the quality is unreal compared to everything else. They have earned my highest respects the price and hype is absolutely justified🤙🏻

[@omardevonlittle3817]

false. dozens of brands are just aS gUd

[@chizzelfingers]

13.7 is pointless and is only a marketing ploy.

[@austinhuber3131]

Their sound recording of rifle fire is so clean. Probably the best on KZbin.

[@ogloc6308]

100%. they have the sound dialed in real nice

[@nf1]

Would have loved to see an 18 and 20-inch barrel tested also!

[@ghostsmoke11]

@@moldetaco2281 i know a dude with a 20" barrel with the suppressor and the stock extended it's almost as long as he is lol, but it sounds like a laser gun so that cool.

[@budget.88]

Nëver forget the USS Liberty and the men who died on that day

[@dodgenbuell]

I have an 18" BCM upper, my 55gr reloads clock in around 3150-3200fps.. they are loaded fairly hot..

[@eamonnholland5343]

@@moldetaco2281 I've heard of quite a bit of variance in those tests. Some tests show only marginal increases in velocity from 16" to 18" and 20", but other tests show larger increases. In the tests with the larger increases (125fps muzzle velocity faster out of a 20" compared to a 16"), it can extend the reliable tumble ranges of M193 upwards of 25yds (18") to 50yds (20") beyond what a 16" barrel provides, which can make quite a bit of difference in combat settings.

[@dodgenbuell]

@@eamonnholland5343 been my experience with quality ammo that velocity gains of 50-75fps per inch is the norm.. anything outside of that is the exception and not the rule..

[@Jackal19x]

Love the educational content; would've loved to see an 18" on here as I run both a 16" and 18" but I'm guessing based on the diminishing returns we saw in this test that it wouldn't make that much difference at less than 500yds, which is the only reason I even own an 18" in the first place of course.

[@jaredsowers8630]

Seeing the 20” M16 would’ve been a great addition to the lineup. Ps. I’m digging the Tattoo Garand Thumb!

[@joeyfoor5436]

Would love to see, 16" vs 20" . Then compare the 18" in there as well to see if it is a sweet medium?.. or if you are better to go 16" or 20" for what you want with it. =] Great garand thumb! Keep up the great work!

[@ALovelyBunchOfDragonballz]

16" is the medium.

[@82lowe36id]

Great stuff here. Would like to see a 20" mixed in for sure. I remember when I went in the Army I fired nothing but the M16 until I got to the 82nd and got an M4. Noticable difference in grouping and shooting in general.

[@-Zevin-]

M-16 still slap. I feel like the US military went a little overboard with short 5.56 rifles to be honest, you get a substantial improvement in handling for urban combat and cities are of course a major factor in modern warfare, but likewise we see today the conflict in Ukraine, besides a direct trench raid there is fighting over long distances, open fields and forest lines, areas much better suited to longer barrels. People should still consider 20 inch barrels for 5.56 rifles for SHTF, too much focus on AR pistols imo, but it really depends on where you live.

[@psychedguitar2716]

Most of the military currently uses 14.5" barrels according to Google, but I'm a lyft driver and often drive active duty soldiers at Fort carson. When I asked them what barrel length they use and they all said they run 11.5 barrels. They said the military switched to 11.5 barrels because the military started operating in and around vehicles far more than ever and 11.5 gives the best balance between performance and maneuverability within a vehicle.

[@jamesdyson7126]

Excellent. It would be great to apply this analysis to ballistic gel blocks to see how the rounds tumble after impact.

[@rictoectol9814]

It’d be better if the ballistic gel was 20/50/100 yards away.

[@jamesdyson7126]

@@rictoectol9814 Absolutely... that's what I was thinking... At that distance, they will toss and turn at impact and it would be great to see the differences. Maybe they will do that comparison ?

[@cykeok3525]

That's an interesting point. All the rounds gradually slow down due to atmospheric drag, so they'll all reach the same velocity at some point.. albeit at different distances. So for any given impact velocity, you'd actually get similar effects for the different muzzle velocities, at a different distance for each barrel length.

[@blackhawk7r221]

The bullet itself must be designed to yaw in tissue. Base heavy with a particular ogive, with a cannelure at the point of intended fracture. The M193 55gn.

[@joshuamartin5831]

Loved this, would be cool to see velocity changes with suppressors vs. no suppressors.

[@Corvious]

It’s really not all that dramatic, like 60fps at most. I’ve only ever noticed it with some hand loaded subs that I was shooting at a range at a significantly higher elevation than my normal one where it just pushed them supersonic.

[@midwestoutdoorsman]

I have found that if you're going to run a suppressor at all over 50% of the time, a 12.3-13.9 with a total rifle weight loaded, suppressed, optic, etc. as close to 9lbs as I can get is where I feel the best. The handguards especially in mid-length are long enough not to feel cramped and to be able to have a lot of mounting options, while maintaining decent velocity from 0-300 yards, which is all I'd ever shoot where I live. If you think about actually using a rifle in SHTF or WROL where you're carrying a rifle everywhere, getting in and out of vehicles, home defense, and clearing buildings, etc. length and weight become massively important.

[@JohnnyReb-tr2fs]

WROL?

[@midwestoutdoorsman]

@@JohnnyReb-tr2fs Without rule of law.

[@pimpovic2]

I have/had 2- 10.5's, a 12.5, 14.5, 2- 16s, and an 18. They each have their role, but the 12.5 is such a sweet shooter. It may be the combo of buffer, spring, gas, e.t.c, but it's such a peach to shoot. I'd grab that baby for anything anything other than long range engagements, likely only because it has such a special character about it. Not sure if it's a fluke but I stumbled onto a sweet setup with that one. After that, I'd say it's the 14.5 with an Eotech. They really each serve a different role. It's too bad all but one were lost in a tornado. It's the strangest of coincidences.

[@jacobzirkle9153]

Give us the 12.5 build

[@paullane7489]

Best dad advice you’ve ever done in my opinion. It just spoke to me. Even good people get stuck talking about doing rather than actually doing. Good thing to be a doer for sure. 👍🇺🇸👍🇺🇸👍🇺🇸

[@cbrucesbiz]

I often wondered about the 10.3 vs the 11.5. This vide confirms, to me it is the best over all. I knew i should have not questioned James Yeager at Tactical Response when he told us that if you want to go small the 11.5 is the best to cover most any need. Yep I get the longer barrels reach out more and with the correct ammo you can get great results. Again for a short barrel rifle the 11.5 is the way to go. It works from room clearing, (don't do this along unless you have no other option), to most distances you and I will ever need to shoot. I will most likely never be a sniper on over watch so,... yea, 11.5 is just what I am going to build next. Great video guys.

[@ostapryotosez7549]

Okay so i had a thought, since you got the hook up with ballistic dummy labs id love to see what 556 really does at range. The argument of it has no energy at range thatd be a great way to test that. And i havnt seen that anywhere else.

[@ostapryotosez7549]

@budget.88 well that and there was 5th group guys training out to 600 meters with 14.5 block 2 so the shots can be made it would just be really cool to see what it actually does

[@yupyup4209]

I second this. Im curious at what range/velocity do different 5.56 loads stop getting that nice fragmenting effect? Would different style 5.56 ammo offer better fragmentation at long range/lower velocities, such as soft point or that Liberty Civil Defense ammo?

[@angelobartolomeu5679]

This.

[@mikehulsey4813]

Agreed

[@Jeff.78]

Bad guys have been dropped beyond 500m, so that's good enough for me.

[@youngloc216]

The deciding factor for me is this: as long as my barrel length allows the projectile I’m using to perform as designed and intended, I’m cool with it. Usually that means 16” and up. Usually, anything below, and you won’t get the dynamic wound channel or permanent wound cavity because at lower velocities, the round isn’t traveling fast enough to suck air into the channel behind it. You can see this amazingly well when shooting ballistic gel. The projectile, when traveling at adequate velocity, will suck air into the wound channel it causes, filling the space, and causing a small explosion inside of the wound channel when the channel rapidly closes, combusting the oxygen inside of the channel. This is a major, significant loss of performance and is the main criteria I employ when deciding barrel length. If it won’t cause that explosion in the cavity, I won’t use it. Would’ve been cool to perform these tests on ballistic gel and use the data to determine at what length and velocity you lose or gain that explosion in the wound cavity.

[@beatsbyry]

2 to the chest 1 to the head gonna make you go to sleep regardless of low velocity 🤣

[@youngloc216]

@@beatsbyry one to the head is a sure way to end any threat. Those two to the chest though, velocity could mean the difference between being stopped by a vest or plate and penetrating through like butter.

[@romanandrews1438]

​@@youngloc216 ive seen bullets bounce off craniums, imean literally get redirected a different direction. Shot placement is key. As well as a round that has a high enough probability to neutralize a threat in one shot by transfer of energy into the target. Need that internal explosion when looking at terminal ballistics especially 5.56. Not that a lesser velocity round will not be lethal just likeliness of a need for follow up shot

[@1spitkitty]

I hope all you guys understand that there are more variables. When you talk about a bullet fragmenting or tumbling, don't forget barrel twist and stabilization is everything. A over stabilized bullet will not usually tumble on impact and will drive right through. Also, looking at reloading and different powders, it's not a one size fits all when it comes to over the counter ammo. Every barrel length and twist rate has a sweet spot for the perfect round, and the only way to find that optimal combination is to try different powders , primers, and bullets. You can run down a rabbit hole with that one fast, but if you're looking for the top performance out of your favorite AR platform, you're not going to find it shooting factory ammo. Yes. I spent lots of time reloading specific rounds for my weapons to get all I can get. For instance. 9mm pistol vs 9mm carbine. I have specific reloads for both, and both loads use different powders, and I get 1500 fps out of my 9mm carbine vs 1200 with pistol loads and yes same bullet weight different powders. Have fun with it, and keep shooting.

[@emilhozan71]

Genuine question- does self loading matter for defense scenarios? Just over Christmas I was chatting with family about benefits of self loading ammo versus buying factory. Other than FPS, what other gain is there in self loading? Why would a non competition shooter care to load their own ammo? Said otherwise, when would someone want to load their own ammo versus buying from factory? I get the completion aspect, and if shooting thousands of rounds a year to justify. Anything else?

[@jonenglish6617]

I ran a 20 inch barrel in the infantry and I can't say I ever found it too long. But I wasn't doing secret squirrel stuff either

[@ChristopherKnN]

You learn to work with what you have. I ran with an A2 also. I knew enough about ballistics that I hated the M4 when it was issued.

[@paullinkins8121]

Ditto. My only complaints were the govt. profile barrel (heavy on the wrong end because of a flawed study on damage on the M16A1) and rarely having had optics for it (minimal numbers of PVS-4 in the unit). Didn't get to use the M4 but I'm pretty sure it would have worked great for everything we did too.

[@SoloRenegade]

I ran the M16A2 stateside, and the M16A4 with irons and the M4 with optics overseas. I liked the M16A4 and the M4 both. Would loved to have done qual with an M16A4 and an optic. But I could hit 500m with the M4 easy. never got a chance to shoot further, but confident I could have hit further still without much trouble.

[@dennisleighton2812]

There's the answer right there! If you had been I'm sure you'd have a LOT more to say.

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

In Plaster's non fiction book about MAC V SOG he wrote the SF teams liked the CAR15 5.56mm. That had a standard 16" barrel. I read too, the 5.56x45mm works best with 16" barrels to burn powder, get proper gas-rifle barrel spin.

[@stevem4783]

14.5-20" is the sweet spot. If you're going above or below that range, it's time for a different caliber IMO. For my 5.56s, I run 16" on my "as light as I can comfortably make it" build, 18" on my general purpose where weight is less of a concern. Probably could've gone 20" on the latter, but 20" is where I start thinking about .308. I don't run SBRs because I don't want to mess with tax stamps or worry about the brace ruling, but if I were going to, then it'd be a .300blk or 7.62x39 (or maybe even 9mm if we're talking super short.)

[@j_ferguson]

Couldn't say it better myself. If you're going out of that range you stated with an AR I'd ask myself why. Every situation has an optimal tool. I love the Colt Commando, it's sexy despite the NFA stamp. But I'd just get a carbine.

[@SuperGiantGeckosLLC]

💯

[@EDUAROSOLAS]

7.62x39 doesn't do great out of short barrels.

[@stevem4783]

@@EDUAROSOLAS That's kind of a false blanket statement. It really depends what you define as "short", what loads you're working with, and what you're trying to do. I can comfortably say "5.56 doesn't do great out of short barrels." I wouldn't say the same for 7.62x39.

[@EDUAROSOLAS]

@@stevem4783 I was talking in comparison to 300 blackout. 5.56 loses way too much velocity out of short barrels, and so does 7.62. I've seen tula 122 grain fail to hit 1700 fps out of a 7" barrel

[@Happy-Trails-To-You]

The ejection pattern on all barrel lengths was very good. Since you used the same lower for all the tests, could you speak to the buffer weight you typically use and do you change buffers when running suppressed or do you have adjustable gas blocks. Maybe you address all that in another video that I have not spotted, but I do like how you did this testing. Excellent comparison.

[@ShizawnSanders]

The reason the 13.7" is good and exist is you don't have to tax stamp it. You can pin it with your favorite device and no hassle with having to stamp it. Also, if your muzzle device is a suppressor host then it really gets shorter than a 14.5 or 16 because the suppressor goes over 2.3" of the rifle making it a shorter overall setup then the 14.5" even though both 14.5 and 13.7 are the same length with a pinned muzzle device.

[@ShizawnSanders]

@wendigoslayer86 that's what I am building right now. Would have done 13.7 but the barrel wasnt made by the company i wanted to go with and suppressor host I want wouldn't reach 16" even if it was. Went Giessle barrel 13.9" and Surefire Socom muzzle brake for a Socom Mini 2 when it gets out of jail.

[@jeffconley819]

@@ShizawnSandersthat sounds like an awesome setup . I may have to copy you on that 👍

[@ShizawnSanders]

@@jeffconley819 we'll see. I hope it ends up my go to setup.

[@skexone]

You don't have to tax stamp a 16...

[@liquidwombat]

I'm currently setting up a .300 blk upper with a pinned 7.2" can on a 9.5" barrel for a total OAL of about 16.2"

[@jacklewis3444]

One thing I think people underestimate the importance of when considering barrel length/suppressor is overall weapon balance/weight, & if it will fit with your particular body type. I don’t purely just go off velocity alone.

[@GarandThumb]

precisely what we mention in the video

[@jameskiser7791]

Prior to running suppressed the 16 inch was a no brainer for me but now I’m looking at the 10.3 and 11.5.

[@politicallyinsensitive4200]

The 16" hasn't been forgotten; it's just the part of the cycle where the focus is 14.5. Just like optic height started with the top of the carry handle then went to super low and is now back at the top of carry handle height. Just like we went from carrying ammo/gear on our waist with ALICE to carrying it on our torso with MOLLIE and now back to "battle belts" we'll progress back to 20" barrels and then back to 16" at some point in the future.

[@michaelblacktree]

In a word, fads.

[@x3wildcard]

This. This comment right here. Same shit in optics. ACOGs are the best -> LPVOs are the best, ACOGs suck -> High power and canted dot -> ACOGs are best -> on and on and on and on

[@KeterMalkuth]

@@x3wildcard MPVO+piggy backed RDS gang. If only the market actually had new lightweight MPVO production, and Leupold still sold the MK6 3-18 on the civilian market. . .

[@jiminysnicket86]

Not to mention the constant flirtation with 7 mm-- up or down, but nearly always one side or the other.

[@Jeff_HellensBridge]

A lot of it has to do with what conflicts the US is currently involved in and what gear excels in that area. Guys see pics of team dudes using stuff and move towards that. To that same end the areas and types if shooting that you youtubers do trickles down to shooters.

[@BlueBeretFirearms]

Wow, great video with incredibly useful information. My primary home defense rifle is my own build with a 14.5 YHM barrel with pinned/welded flash hider. After watching this I'm seriously considering doing a 10.3 build just because. Thanks for all you're doing. I just discovered your channel this week and have watched several videos. Lots more to go 😂

[@davewebster5120]

For anybody running a short barrel worried about their bolts breaking: a superlative arms bleed-off gas block is amazing for keeping the gun reliably gassed while not spiking with too much pressure. It runs almost clean when suppressed, too. Very little cleaning compared to unsuppressed. 20% mil discount, too.

[@PW-dw7vf]

I’d love to see different barrel materials/coatings compared against each other. Nitride, cold hammer forged, stainless steel, etc.

[@KR-bn4bg]

Honestly, when it comes to accuracy, quality control matters more than materials. Durability is where material matters more. But unless you're dumping 5k rounds a year in training through one gun, you don't really have to worry about that.

[@TheDiameter]

Nobody will ever be able to convince me (all else being equal) that there is a superior system to chrome lined cold hammer forging.

[@mengx94]

CL & CHF should be the standard. Reduce the need for replacement barrels, less material consumed.

[@KR-bn4bg]

@TheCircumference it depends on what you're going for. Barrel life is CHF & CL. But you won't even need to think about that if you shoot a few hundred rounds a year. A button rifled stainless barrel with a high degree of QC will be much more accurate, but won't last as long.

[@TheDkb427]

I always thought those just determined longevity of a barrel and not accuracy.

[@francism9782]

I love pairing a midlength gas tube with my 16 in. Noticable reduction in recoil without having to use muzzle breaks or fiddle with buffer springs/weight.

[@lindboknifeandtool]

Is that carbine length?

[@francism9782]

@@lindboknifeandtool nah...a midlength gas tube is about 2 inches longer than a carbine.

[@D02rock]

7:45- Shoulda done gain per inch as the change varies from 0.8"-1.5. Still mostly accurate but the gains in your barrel order per inch are 97.5, 52, 42.5, 82.5, 44.67(fps pre inch gained). So 12.5-137 being the least gained. The average overall gain per inch added is +61.93 fps per inch added

[@mydakotablue]

Very informative! Would like to see similar videos with different calibers, especially 300BLK.

[@callsigncoyote7931]

I’d like to see this test with a 18”, 20” and 24”

[@drshoe8744]

Exactly! I use a 24" for varmints.

[@callsigncoyote7931]

@@drshoe8744 i saw it as an option on Aero’s website and I’ve been curious about it since

[@TheBuster0926]

I suspect that when facing 30-50 Feral and Invasive Texas Hogs 98% of people are gonna want that 20"-24"~ rifle ***AND*** Bayonet Lug. Why even risk *Not* having Peak Proformance when ones life is on the line?

[@callsigncoyote7931]

@@TheBuster0926 pretty much why my two primary AR’s are both 20’s (one A2 and one A4).

[@TheBuster0926]

@@callsigncoyote7931 I respect and admire your choice. I as a young one only had money for a decent SKS at 400$. I believe in Teensy-Stock BIG Barrel supremacy. People need to go back to knowing how to use Slings.

[@kunfugunman]

Would've been awesome to see all of this vs. a 20 inch barrel. I like 14.5 myself. Excellent video.

[@NYG5]

Shocking how they didn't compare the 20", disappointing tbh

[@HomicideJack187]

*Laughs in 24" bull barrel*

[@budget.88]

Nëver forget the USS Liberty and the men who died on that day

[@bmrz38]

I like the 14.5 with mid length gas. Not a fan of carbine length gas.

[@lafeeshmeister]

Whatever cameras and filters Garand Thumb uses are awesome.

[@bigghoss762]

This video should be called "What's the 2nd best barrel length?" because we all know 20" is the best.

[@vinsanity4203885]

​@@budget.88 O/

[@IsaiahManningActual]

Love it! Would’ve like to see an 18” up against the 16.”Maybe I’m not with the times, but I feel like a lot of guys are still building out 18” SPR’s. I know I just finished one lol

[@redrider762]

Especially that the Mk12 matured into a 16 inch length from 18in. Wish we saw 17, 18 and 20 inches. But I don't know any single manufacturer that makes all of them.

[@JamesMelton]

I've got a 20 meant to be an SPR as well. I'm very much with the times, and simply wanted a longer gun to use old ammo out of. I've got a bunch of M855 that seems to really enjoy that barrel. Lots of comments in this video are basically just saying its range sucks and you don't gain much over 16. People are forgetting that its less about reaching farther than a 16, and more about the velocity (as seen in the video) gained when working within its intended ranges. I just shot with my buddies 2 days ago, one shooting 6.8 and the other 6.5cm. Hell yeah they were better, but when shooting at 300 yards, I'm still competing. I just need to account for windage more than they do.

[@bigboss-tl2xr]

Frickin velocity... Its the difference between a deer running 100 yards instead of dropping on spot with its stomach hanging out by its shoulder. Just saying. Done it.

[@IsaiahManningActual]

@bigboss-tl2xr I feel you. I usually 308 my deer which drops them quite quickly. Used my 300wm last year which was quite gruesome. In WA we can’t hunt big game with .556, but if we could I’d definitely rock at least an 18” for greater fragmentation potential.

[@LukaNewton-h8u]

I'd love to see this on multiple calibers.. I’d love to have seen a 20” barrel against the 16”….

[@AjackLee4]

It's basically 2900-3k up to 3100-3300, 20" is the best length for velocity before it gets way way too long.

[@ALovelyBunchOfDragonballz]

It's a higher velocity but longer.

[@Dave-x8j]

Much appriciate your video. So full of real, tested info.

[@valleytiller42]

13.7/13.9 are the barrels that you can pin a Sure Fire Warcomp to and get a non- NFA 16” upper.

[@stoptrackingourdata8158]

What's the point in pinning and welding a flash hider to my 13.7/13.9 barrel? I'm losing all of the maneuverability benefits of a short barrel while also losing velocity if I just ran a 16.

[@Matallen-es5rs]

​@stoptrackingourdata8158 you like target crowns on your AR's?

[@josephvalinski849]

@@stoptrackingourdata8158because 16 plus a muzzle device becomes almost 18+. If you are going to have a flash hider anyways(almost everybody does) you save a few inches with the 13.

[@stoptrackingourdata8158]

@@josephvalinski849 An A2 doesn't add 2 inches; it adds about an inch. And if you're going to pin and weld a muzzle device to anything sub 16" just to make it 16" anyway, you're already losing that maneuverability you wanted from a shorter barrel length while also losing out on extra velocity from a longer barrel.

[@stoptrackingourdata8158]

@@Matallen-es5rs Nope. Plenty of muzzle devices that add only an inch including the most popular of them all, an A2. Doesn't make sense to pin and weld a muzzle device to a sub 16" barrel making it permanently 16" overall so that it's "more maneuverable" while also avoiding just getting a 16" barrel from the start since it'd be 17" overall. You're taking away the entire purpose of a short barrel when you pin and weld a muzzle device on it to comply with laws while also taking away added velocity you'd get from a longer barrel that already complies with laws.

[@cmcbunch]

There are three factors to consider when picking barrels for a rifle; Length, twist rate, and bullet weight. There are now online calculators you can use to see if a particular bullet weight will be stabilzed effectively by a particular barrel length/twist.

[@mstevens113]

All secondary considerations as to what it is being used for...

[@m4rvinmartian]

@@mstevens113 Huh?

[@bigboss-tl2xr]

Exactly 😂

[@cmcbunch]

@@mstevens113 When your projectiles aren't going where you want them you will reconsider that VERY quickly.

[@jefffreeman8905]

I feel like dropping one of the short ones and putting a 20" in would have been a much better choice. All the same, thank you for the video.

[@teresamoore15]

Or a 24" And a 20"

[@jefffreeman8905]

@@teresamoore15 IIRC 5.56 doesn't gain much from more than 20.

[@PleadTheFifth_Racing]

Great video, like that you used barrels from the same manufacturer and prod batch! Would have loved to see a 18 and 20 in this. I've been running my mk18 now for a few years and love it for the environment I'm in, heavy wood and hills, most of the time I can't see more than 200 meters unless in a valley with a pasture. I am going to pick up a long boi 5.56 next because I have more 5.56 cans than guns at the moment

[@let_freedom_ping]

13.7" also has the added plus of being the shortest length you can pin and weld most muzzles and still be 16" and not need a stamp.

[@jessefoster1187]

Came here to say the same that's kind of the point of that length from what I've read

[@johndenver1879]

Very good point. It also has a weight reduction. Built one for my daughter trying to shave weight on the muzzle end. Get the right muzzle device pinned and reducing those ounces helps.

[@heyhayhay247]

At that point, just pin and weld a 14.5 inch since they'll both end up at the same OAL, but you'll get more velocity.

[@rando3448]

​@heyhayhay247 that's only if you want a birdcage

[@SoloRenegade]

if you have to pin and weld to get to 16in, why not just got to 16in and get the additional velocity while you're at it for the same length? makes no sense.

[@joichiroSaiba-i7j]

This video was both educational and entertaining. Great job, GT. Next up you should do velocity and POI changes with various silencers!.

[@crimsintigerx2837]

I 100% agree I absolutely love my 11.5 with a hux werx can and I feel unbeatable with my tuned mid length gased 16 in. To me 14.5 is cool but it's inherently more money since you need to get it pin and welded more often than not for minimum gain in overall weight

[@daezondario]

The outro eased some anxiety I really appreciated what you said at the end. Reaffirmation for the in-between times of going after you want is so necessary and sometimes you never know where you're gonna find it lol. Much love to everyone 💪

[@vinny5203]

10.3 barrel with a 6-36 scope should be the new standard

[@jeremy8715]

😂

[@christiantaylor2991]

with an offset red dot

[@HedgeMaster26]

@@christiantaylor2991 and offset sights.

[@Fireextinguisher945]

@@HedgeMaster26on either side

[@frosty3693]

Saw a S&W Model 36 with a 4X scope once. It was a temporary joke but still.....

[@jeremyf9828]

Depends on what it’s chambered in, but generally longer is always better at the cost of mobility and maneuverability.

[@BlackdogADV]

I’ve used and owned them all. At the end of the day I prefer the 16” but 14.5” is nice also.

[@dbcooper1509]

Not a single person with a stamp would ever say 16" is better, come on.

[@antonw-uw4ov]

I run a 19" with a small 6" silencer in ipsc-competition. I find that it is cumbersome in ports but not in general. I can use the same point of aim from 100-300m. Something that is often overlooked is that long barrels are easier to shoot on the move. The gun without silencer is 5lbs. I think overall weight is much more important than overall length.

[@MRsolidcolor]

i like the 18 with a 1:8 twist. i like the 11.5 with a 1:7 twist... if i could have the dream team

[@CarnivoreRonin]

I just have to say, as a university data science professor, it warms my heart when you give standard deviation!

[@stever8776]

Yes and this gives a great visual explanation. Also mean vs average Unfortunately so much math is taught as this is the equation. Plug in your numbers. I'm an ardent believer in teaching physics with calculus. Of course for introducing fractions, I like to cut up fruit. Then the students can always visualize them later

[@elliottdmann]

Well done, and very informative. Thanks for doing these tests; it helps me to understand the reality of ballistic performance while dispelling commonly held myths.

[@ClayGerig]

Amazing. Love watching your guys' videos. Answers some questions Ive had as Ive started to considee what AR I want to purchase first.

[@alanfernandez854]

You are singlehandedly the best guntuber and just all around great dude. The blend of science and dark humor makes for some of the most informative and entertaining content. We are lucky to have Mike and the boys. I only dream of living that life and live vicariously through you.

[@blakehillusmc]

This video was both educational and entertaining. Great job, GT

[@HonorJackson247]

We need a video on the M27. Let's see how it stacks up against a 14.5 M4 and a 20" M16 in velocity and group size.

[@josephtucciarone6878]

Thank you for the excellent contrast in you analysis. Great philosophy: Be a doer.