What Are the Common AR Barrel Lengths?

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If you’re new to the AR rifle platform, you may be wondering which barrel length is right for your needs. Whether you want the classic M4 carbine or a long-barreled 308 for hunting, there are a few different barrel lengths available. Here are a few standard barrel lengths, along with their respective strengths and common applications, to help you narrow down the right option for your needs.

Custom Daniel Defense rifle with mounted scope and accessories leaning against a wooden structure outdoors in a forest setting.

 14.5 Inches

The classic M4 carbine has a 14.5-inch barrel, which is under the minimum requirement of 16 inches to be classified as a rifle. Because of this, you will usually see a muzzle device pinned and welded to bring the full length of the barrel and device up to 16 inches. This is typically referred to as carbine length, and carbines are shorter, lighter versions of rifles. They are one of the most popular AR platforms as they are easy to shoot and maneuver, making them great all-around rifles.

16 Inches

Next comes the 16-inch barrel. These are ideal for 9MM carbine rifle barrels. PCCs benefit from this length as it is excellent at taming recoil and makes it nearly non-existent when shooting 9MM rounds. It’s also popular for rifle calibers, giving them slightly better range than 14.5-inch barrels. Like 14.5-inch barrels, 16-inch barrels are highly maneuverable and easy to carry around.

Shooter aiming a Daniel Defense rifle at an outdoor range, equipped with optics and tactical gear during live-fire training.

18 Inches

As you hit 18 inches, you start sacrificing portability for distance. The classic example of an 18-inch rifle is the MK12 special-purpose rifle. It’s still maneuverable, but tends to feel a bit “long.” It’s a good balance for many calibers, with sufficient length to allow for bullet spin, increased velocity, and improved range. They are generally the shortest rifles you can use with a standard rifle gas system, which offers the softest recoil impulse.

20 Inches

Eugene Stoner may have engineered the 20-inch barrel for the original AR15, but it tends to be seen on long-range rifles these days. A 20-inch barrel is ideal for a 308 AR for long-range shooting, whether it’s hunting or trying to hit a target at a competition. Longer rifles tend to fire smoothly, with faster-moving bullets. Typical AR calibers hit peak velocity from 20-inch barrels. This isn’t the most maneuverable barrel length, but if you care about accuracy from long range, consider a rifle with a 20-inch barrel.

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Discover AR-platform rifles with a variety of barrel lengths at https://danieldefense.com/

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