AR porting

[Robert]

we are classified as law enforcement

So you are level one POST certified? Well POST is what they call it here in Colorado. Not sure if it applies to other states as well. What state do you live in?

Edit:
My Google skills are rusty before I've had my coffee. Looks like the P.O.S.T system is a national thing, though each state runs their own office as it were.

 

[Tirod]

I have no problem with the OP and his job - which can be handled by PM. Obviously some aren't in that loop and are curious.

Midlength 16" was specifically developed from using the CORRECT gas port to muzzle length measurement. That is the critical timing issue and came about because carbine on 16" is wrong. Why it would be considered problematic when it came from makers using it to optimize the system and ELIMINATE problems is very counterintuitive. Frankly, it's the recommended gas length used by MOST builders, now, because it works better on 16".

So much so that some are wondering how to convert to it. Suffice to say, it's not that big a deal with low round count plinkers. In a duty gun, it would be preferred.

The history of the M16 has already shown a tendency for the wrong thinking to be applied and it takes years to correct in civilian use, carbine gas on 16", piston conversions, and quad rails come to mind.

 

[1stmarine]

That's a good point. When I mention the above ejection pattern I am talking about brass and not steel case. The problem with steel case can not be easily derived by ejection patterns as the steel rebounds in a different way. So it might come out at your 4 oclock when in reality you still might have a overgassing problems.

I only use steel ocasionaly for plinkin with the SU16 system that runs with anything you put through it. For serious AR work you need brass and possibly reload using some of the best bullets out there.

Brass is cheaper in the end of the day. This is the formula....
Cost of Ammo = Price of Ammo / Accuracy factor.

Accuracy factor can be also replaced by Fun Factor! LOL!

Here some additional thoughts....

There are many new great flavors of ARs, calibers, lengths, pistons, etc.. but in the end, with the modern loads, there is no a huge reason to reinvent the AR platform in the year 2011. The AR was introduced in 1965 and the same baseline still works pretty well today with a few little add-ons here and there.

Normally with many makers is hard to go wrong with many ARs but these are the most critical components:

- BCG with a properly installed key and stacked.
- Also a shrouded firing pin.
- Squared gas block and sights and properly gassed.
- Everything else, in the internals like trigger group in good working order.
- Stacked buffer tube for serious use.

Ideally some of the makers with MP tested parts and properly put together will give many rounds of fun with zero trouble.
The receivers if they are up to spec it doesn't matter than much although some folks like to pay a premium to get one with a skul or something.