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Old December 8, 2021, 02:16 PM   #1
kymasabe
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Why are most pencil/lightweight/gunner barrels mid-gas?

I'm looking for a pencil or lightweight barrel for my AR, 16 inch, nitrided, and preferably with carbine length gas, but all I can seem to find is mid-length gas.
I was wondering why? Does it have something to do with accuracy or barrel whip and mid is the proven length?
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Old December 8, 2021, 03:39 PM   #2
Willie Lowman
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Carbine length gas systems on 16 inch barrels tend to be over gassed. Many manufacturers are going to the mid length for less wear and tear.
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Old December 8, 2021, 06:13 PM   #3
Polinese
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On a 16 there's really not much practical reason to have carbine over mid-length unless you're building a m4 style with the front sight and want that short handguard.
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Old December 9, 2021, 10:12 AM   #4
rickyrick
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It is said that 16” barrels with carbine gas systems are over gassed. That being said, I’ve assembled a few carbine gassed 16” barrels with no issues. At the time the barrels were a dime a dozen.
I haven’t shopped for a barrel recently, so I don’t know what the predominant combination available is any longer. But if there was a mid length gassed barrel available, I’d probably choose that over a carbine.
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Old December 9, 2021, 10:59 AM   #5
stagpanther
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I've built dozens of AR's--I've never encountered a barrel of any gas length that was "under-gassed." Almost all have been over-gassed to some degree to allow for functioning with a wide range of loads (and building expertise).
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Old December 10, 2021, 07:06 AM   #6
jetinteriorguy
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My first AR15 I purchased is a govt. profile 16” carbine length barrel. I went this route for added reliability, later on I wished I had gone with a mid length. I did tame it down with a heavier buffer and it’s fine. Since then nothing but mid length for me.
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