AR pistol barrel length

[Hammerdown15]

I’m building an AR pistol to use for home defense. I’m still uncertain of two things: caliber and barrel length.

Narrowed down caliber to .300 and 5.56. Leaning 5.56 due to ammo cost at this point.

Given the two options for calibers, what would an ideal barrel length be for each and why?

I’m thinking 10.5” for 5.56 and maybe 8.5” for .300

Thoughts?


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[arrowsmack324]

I run an 8.5" in 5.56 and it runs reliably. I don't think it would be my go to home defense gun though. Too loud in enclosed spaces not to mention over penetration. Might be good with frangible ammo or if you live on acerage.

[UltraMax]

I have a 7" and have never had a problem, but I do wish it were a 10.5" just because of the added velocity.

[bboswell]

I went 10.5” 300BO and like it.

I have a 7.5” 556 barrel available if you are interested.

[Yelladog]

I went 10.5. More of a truck gun than home defense for me


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[yotethumper]

Unsuppressed that short of a barrel on a 556 will be brutal. I made a similar build to carry while in college in a backpack under my CHL and university CHL permit. After one trip to the range I knew it would be too much to use effectively in a self defensive situation. Of the two I would go blackout and suppress it if you can.

[Gunnyart]

I went 7.5” blk and like it. Good Ammo selection for different uses.

[RafterH]

I went 8.5 in .300 BLK. No suppressor for me. Very reliable.

[Outdoor Legacy]

I've really become a fan of .300blk and the ammo prices and selection is really good. If you are using it for home defense, I really wouln't let ammo prices be a concern because you aren't going to shoot it that much. Paying a few bucks more for a box of ammo will add up to almost nothing unless you are shooting it a ton.

I have 2 10.5" .300blk and 1 10.5" .223 and I really like the length. I've considered going 8.5" on another one but I'm not sure there is any real benefit for me? The 10.5" is great for a truck gun, short enough to get out the truck window and even with a can on it, still around 16-17".

My only advice is, if you get a .300blk be SUPER careful about your magazines and ammo and not mixing them up with your .223. Everyone has their own method but for the .300blk I use PMags with the little thin clear window to see the ammo and I use nickel boron bolt carrier groups because I can easily look at the rifle and see the silver and know it's a .300blk. I know it might not be a huge issue for a lot of people but I'm usually grabbing rifles out of the safe in a hurry in the dark, going out to shoot hogs and I sure don't want to grab the wrong rifle/magazine combo.

Good luck with whatever you do.

Oh and one more thing, someone else already mentioned it but a 10.5" .233 or .300blk is LOUD!!! Like ear damaging loud, I can't imagine shooting in your house but just know that you may save your family but you'll be deaf for awhile.lol

[Yelladog]

If your worried bout mixing mags get a few of the sand colored pmags and dye them. I did a few just for the heck of it


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[Gunnyart]

I only run 20 round mags in the BLK and full size in the 5.56

[bboswell]

If your worried bout mixing mags get a few of the sand colored pmags and dye them. I did a few just for the heck of it


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This is a good reminder!

Just located all 300 BO mags and will cerekote them silver

[Yelladog]

This is a good reminder!

Just located all 300 BO mags and will cerekote them silver

I played around with dying some. ,


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[bboswell]

AR pistol barrel length

I played around with dying some. ,


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I like that.

What die are you using?

[Yelladog]

Rite. Walmart had quite a few colors


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