Mid-Length or Carbine Gas System. Opinions?

Caynine29 · Feb 15, 2015

I've got some tax dollars burning a hole in my pocket and I had intended on either picking up a Sig P320 Compact for carry and/or a new barreled upper for my M&P 15 Sport. I went to the range last week and one of the safety officers had a gorgeous rifle with a mid-length Daniel Defense upper and all the bells and whistles and was kind enough to let me run a magazine through it. Needless to say, this rifle shot like an absolute dream. Like a BB gun on steroids. Being a "relative" AR amateur, it was my first time shooting a mid-length gas system.

My question to the group is... was I merely seduced by the newness of a mid-length system in my hands, or is there truly a noticeable benefit to going that extra mile (or, two inches, as it were). Pros? Cons? Stories? Any info is appreciated. Thanks!

Wild Turkey · Feb 15, 2015

Can you rent the ARs at your range? Whenever I get the itch I rent one, shoot some lead down range and that typically cures me for 3 or 4 months plus I can shoot different models. I really wanted an AR but couldn't think of a single valid reason for owning one other than I thought they were cool and I wanted it.

The Sig is the better choice here and it has a true purpose.

bamabear82 · Feb 15, 2015

If you're shooting a ton the mid length is probably the way to go considering it has a little less recoil and isn't as hard on the other components of the rifle over time. I also like the fact that the front sight is closer to the end of the barrel than it is on the carbine length. The Bushmaster I have now has the carbine length and I like it just fine, I do however plan on building one fairly soon (got my eye on the Spikes Tactical stuff for whatever reason) and will probably use a mid length system.

bamabear82 · Feb 15, 2015

I guess the barrel length you're planning on going with could make a difference on with length you want to go with too now that I think about it. I think the carbine is fine on 16" barrels or less but when you get longer than that the mid length is the way to go. At 20" or so you may want to look at the rifle length systems.

Caynine29 · Feb 17, 2015

Thanks for the input, fellas. My tax return is supposed to arrive tomorrow, so I'm coming down to the wire here. Lol.

Wild Turkey...I have decided that I'm definitely gonna get the Sig, but I'm getting back a lot more than I expected, so the upper was on the table as well. I think the only AR my range has for rental is a .22, which is a bit of a letdown. But I can absolutely respect your stance on owning one. All I can say in my defense is... they're just fun. Lol. Even though, as you can see here, they're definitely money pits.

bamabear... I don't plan on going any longer that 16" on the barrel anytime soon. I was thinking about starting a DMR project. But that will be way down the road, when I have more build experience. I don't get to shoot very often, so the wear and tear on components isn't really a factor for me. I think, mainly for financial reasons, I'll probably stick to the carbine. Especially since I've made up my mind on the pistol. When I finally get around to starting one from scratch, I'll probably look more to the mid-length.

bamabear82 · Feb 17, 2015

Those Sigs are pretty sweet, I've considered picking one up myself. I would, however, like to mention that I've recently hit roughly 2000 rds through my S&W Shield (EDC) and it's a gawd dayum stud. One of the best firearm purchases I've ever made, no question.

BF4L · Feb 17, 2015

Caynine29 said:
I've got some tax dollars burning a hole in my pocket and I had intended on either picking up a Sig P320 Compact for carry and/or a new barreled upper for my M&P 15 Sport. I went to the range last week and one of the safety officers had a gorgeous rifle with a mid-length Daniel Defense upper and all the bells and whistles and was kind enough to let me run a magazine through it. Needless to say, this rifle shot like an absolute dream. Like a BB gun on steroids. Being a "relative" AR amateur, it was my first time shooting a mid-length gas system.

My question to the group is... was I merely seduced by the newness of a mid-length system in my hands, or is there truly a noticeable benefit to going that extra mile (or, two inches, as it were). Pros? Cons? Stories? Any info is appreciated. Thanks!

Go Sig. M&P sport IMO is junk.

As far as the external gas chamber vs Internal. If you plan on the zombies coming some day go external. If you plan on just shooting at range go internal and clean after each shooting. External gas chamber reduces the cleaning a lot but also comes with a fairly good price tag.

You could also do what I did and build one of each

bamabear82 · Feb 17, 2015

BF4L said:
Go Sig. M&P sport IMO is junk.

As far as the external gas chamber vs Internal. If you plan on the zombies coming some day go external. If you plan on just shooting at range go internal and clean after each shooting. External gas chamber reduces the cleaning a lot but also comes with a fairly good price tag.

You could also do what I did and build one of each

As far as lower cost AR's go, the M&P Sport is one of the better one's out there imo.

Caynine29 · Feb 18, 2015

BF4L said:
Go Sig. M&P sport IMO is junk.

As far as the external gas chamber vs Internal. If you plan on the zombies coming some day go external. If you plan on just shooting at range go internal and clean after each shooting. External gas chamber reduces the cleaning a lot but also comes with a fairly good price tag.

You could also do what I did and build one of each

I think you may have misunderstood me. I already have the "junk"... err... Sport. Lol. Which has been a fantastic rifle so far. I'm thinking about replacing the upper on mine, though.

The "one of each" option obviously sounds the best to me, but Uncle Sam is coughing up only so much. Lol.

Wild Turkey · Feb 18, 2015

bamabear82 said:
Those Sigs are pretty sweet, I've considered picking one up myself. I would, however, like to mention that I've recently hit roughly 2000 rds through my S&W Shield (EDC) and it's a gawd dayum stud. One of the best firearm purchases I've ever made, no question.

My dad has Sig 40 cal, which typically I don't care for 40s, but his shoots great and I really like it. I have a S&W MP45C and I absolutely love this gun. I also own a Glock 19 but would buy both a Sig or S&W over the Glock if I bought again.

Save some of that tax money for a modified trigger they are very much worth the money.

Wild Turkey · Feb 18, 2015

Caynine29 said:
Thanks for the input, fellas. My tax return is supposed to arrive tomorrow, so I'm coming down to the wire here. Lol.

Wild Turkey...I have decided that I'm definitely gonna get the Sig, but I'm getting back a lot more than I expected, so the upper was on the table as well. I think the only AR my range has for rental is a .22, which is a bit of a letdown. But I can absolutely respect your stance on owning one. All I can say in my defense is... they're just fun. Lol. Even though, as you can see here, they're definitely money pits.

bamabear... I don't plan on going any longer that 16" on the barrel anytime soon. I was thinking about starting a DMR project. But that will be way down the road, when I have more build experience. I don't get to shoot very often, so the wear and tear on components isn't really a factor for me. I think, mainly for financial reasons, I'll probably stick to the carbine. Especially since I've made up my mind on the pistol. When I finally get around to starting one from scratch, I'll probably look more to the mid-length.

Your range is missing out mine has multiple ARs for rent and if you rent you have to buy the Ammo from them so they make bank on theirs plus they end up selling quite a few from people who catch the itch.

Erie Warrior · Feb 19, 2015

If you are not going for a an M4 clone, then I think the Mid-length has a little more going for it than the Carbine. Recoil is slightly less than the carbine, the sight radius is better and you more room for your hand.

This is my Mid-length that I did a couple of years ago. This pic is old, I didn't have the red dot on it then.

MAIZEandBLUE09 · Feb 23, 2015

Caynine29 said:
I've got some tax dollars burning a hole in my pocket and I had intended on either picking up a Sig P320 Compact for carry and/or a new barreled upper for my M&P 15 Sport. I went to the range last week and one of the safety officers had a gorgeous rifle with a mid-length Daniel Defense upper and all the bells and whistles and was kind enough to let me run a magazine through it. Needless to say, this rifle shot like an absolute dream. Like a BB gun on steroids. Being a "relative" AR amateur, it was my first time shooting a mid-length gas system.

My question to the group is... was I merely seduced by the newness of a mid-length system in my hands, or is there truly a noticeable benefit to going that extra mile (or, two inches, as it were). Pros? Cons? Stories? Any info is appreciated. Thanks!

mid-length is the best for anything 18'' or less. Carbine length is just rough on the rifle and the system; so you get a lot more felt recoil. Rifle length is really only good for a longer barrel 20''+. Most of the riffles now days come in the mid-length anyway.

Wild Turkey · Feb 26, 2015

ATF pushes bullet ban, threatens top-selling AR-15 rifle | Fox News

Might want to stock up on Ammo.

Mid-Length or Carbine Gas System. Opinions?

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