Thinking of going with a AR 15 2O inch barrel.

[.455_Hunter]

I used the M16A1 (ROTC), M16A2 and early non-optic M4 during my Army service period. Pretty much what I determined was my preference for an M9 on my hip and access to an A2 if more firepower was needed. The M4 never really tripped my trigger, since carbine semi/burst fire and left-handedness didn't work so well with regards to gas and particles in the face. The A2 didn't have much of a problem in that area.

 

[tmd16556]

My 20 inch drew a bit of attention at the range today for being different. It’s about 10 years old now and I got into the A3 layout. Mostly because that’s what the cadets were drilling with at West Point when my brother in law was living there. I just like the aesthetic of the 20 inch. An elegant weapon for a more civilised age.

I don’t really have indoor or vehicle use in mind, so long is better. It’s still short compared to a 24” standard bolt action. I took it out today (it was hot but not 100 yet…). The 1-9 Del-Ton upper works fine, but I think the PSA milspec trigger is it’s limiting feature on accuracy.

 

[ECVMatt]

I have a few AR's and enjoy building them with my kids. Most of my builds have been 16" carbines, but I will have to admit that my favorite AR is the first one I bought many years ago. It is an Eagle Arms EA-15 A2. It does seem to shoot softer than a carbine, is more accurate with iron sights, and gives the best velocity amongst the common barrel lengths. I shoot in the desert, so being able to stretch the legs on a rifle is a big plus. Lately, I have settled on a 16" barrel with mid-length gas, and a rifle receiver extension. This combo shoots pretty soft as well. My Eagle Arms is a registered "assault weapon" in CA which allows me to keep it in the original configuration (hopefully that law will change soon). I would give a strong vote for the A2 if you don't already have one.

Here are some pics of my modern musket.

 

[Necessary_Nutrient]

If you were in the military before the M4, it's a good bet that you have a soft spot for the original 20" AR-15. The long-radius A2 style iron sights with the flip select 0-200/long-range ghost ring are a true classic, and easily the best non-magnified sight picture I've used on a rifle. Fun stuff!

 

[12Bravo20]

@CoalCrackerAl I hope you enjoy your 20" . I also hope that you got a good one since you ordered from Bear Creek Arsenal. It can be a gamble when buying from BCA on whether you get a good upper or barrel or get a bad one.

Now on the subject of fixed stocks. It sometimes amazes me how 5/8" makes a difference to people. I have used the M16A1 and M16A2 while wearing LBE and a flack jacket. And I wore both the Vietnam era or Desert Storm era flack jackets. that 5/8" difference between the A1 and A2 never bothered me nor did I even notice the difference. I notice more of a difference in my Zero when zeroing the rifle with or without a flack jacket on. But we were not trained to shoot "nose to charging handle" either.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

My 1st upper from them was fine. 7.62x39. Only thing i found off. Was the bore is .306. But that is fine. More different .308 bullets available. Hoping my 2nd one from them is good too. I hate sending stuff back for warranty. And the wait for it to come back.

 

[12Bravo20]

Unfortunately BCA is the Century Arms of the AR world. One has a 50/50 chance of BCA stuff working or not. As much as I would like to have a 22 WMR or 17HMR upper, the BCA rimfire uppers have had too many issues.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Good to know on the rim fire uppers. I was thinking about a 17 HMR.

 

[Varminterror]

It sometimes amazes me how 5/8" makes a difference to people. […] But we were not trained to shoot "nose to charging handle" either.

Unfortunately for me, I WAS taught originally to try to stretch my nose to CH, but I have a very short neck, so despite fine mobility and flexibility, nose to CH isn’t something I can actually do, damned sure not in a comfortable and sustainable shooting position. A1’s we’re better for me, but I’m really closer to 12.5” LOP, so I’m usually more comfortable at 2 clicks in on a carbine stock (6pos), even without body armor - which isn’t as much a consideration for me as a civilian as is a heavy coat.

 

[drobs]

I cannibalized the receiver out of my 20 inch PSA A4:


To build one of the 3 I gave to my Niece and 2 Nephews a couple years ago:


My go to AR15 is my Windham Chrome Lined 1/9 twist 16 inch carbine:

However, I have couple mid length forearm / gas tube PSA AR15's that I need to get into my rotation.

 

[12Bravo20]

Good to know on the rim fire uppers. I was thinking about a 17 HMR.

I would definitely stay far away from the BCA 17HMR uppers since they are a straight blow back system. Straight blow back is not good for 17m2 or 17HMR due to the pressure curves. Guys have gotten a lot of bulged or ruptured cases trying to get either caliber to run in a semi-auto blow back rifle. Some guys on Rimfire Central have gotten their BCA 17 uppers to run without case bulges or ruptures BUT they had to play around with buffer weights and different buffer springs to get the uppers to run right.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I'll go with a Savage. Im watching for one with a nice wood stock or nice Boydes. I have a Savage 93 bolt wood stock and a Ruger American now in 17 HMR. They are tack drivers.
A17 | Semi-Auto 17 HMR | Savage Arms

 

[C-grunt]

I love a good 20 inch rifle. Spent a lot of time in bad places with one.

Screenshot_20230209_095151_Facebook by chase, on Flickr

My M16A4 clone build is a pure joy when I want to focus on iron sights.

20210809_095036 by chase, on Flickr

 

[bangswitch]

I have AR's in 16 and 20", made for different purposes, which I think should dictate which length you want or need. My 16" M4 (300BLK) is made for CQB and short to mid range shooting. My 20" is set up as a DMR long-range shooter, chambered in 6.5 Grendel. Both excel in their intended purposes.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Nice rifles Bang. Furthest my range goes is 300 yards. But that is fine. Im going to work on hitting clays at 300. I have 200 yards down now. 250 is next. I use my SW MP Sport and my mini 14 and my Savage axis on them.

 

[sarduy]

20" ARs are awesome, specifically in the M16ish configuration, I personally like 18 but 20" in a classic look are awesome.

 

[bangswitch]

Nice rifles Bang. Furthest my range goes is 300 yards. But that is fine. Im going to work on hitting clays at 300. I have 200 yards down now. 250 is next. I use my SW MP Sport and my mini 14 and my Savage axis on them.

Are you chambered for .223? Still maybe the best all-around cartridge for the AR, but I built my M4 thinking to go suppressed subsonics at some point, so I chose the Blackout, which also gives me a large range of bullet weights from 95 grain to 220 grain, although I mostly stay with 125 and 155 grain. The 155's are great out to 200 yards, use Sierra MK's. Past 200, the drop starts becoming significant, but I can still hit steel at 300 with them. The Grendel I've had out to 1125 yards, just as they are going trans sonic, with 123 grain Lapua Scenar boat tails. It's surprisingly accurate at 1100 yards, 1-1/2MOA.

Our club range only goes to 300 yards, so most of my shooting with the Grendel is at that distance, but now and then I make a trip to a couple of 1000 + yard ranges a few hours drive away. I shoot with a few guys that have some nice .308's and I can stay with them as far as mine will stay supersonic.

 

[marksman13]

I’m a fan of 20” barreled ARs. This one is probably going to get a free-float rail of one type or another real soon.

 

[Varminterror]

Older pic of when I first finished it, but here’s one of my personal 223/5.56’s, 20” rifle gas National Match/DCM contour (heavy up to the block, 0.75” nominal to the muzzle) with 1:8” twist. Hate the aesthetic of the Troy rails now, but they’re comfortable to carry - but also surprisingly small inside diameter clearance for such a large outer profile.


Also the last 6.5 Grendel I built for myself, but ended up selling, 20” rifle gas with same contour as my 223/5.56 above, NM/DCM.


Really wish it was easier to get gas blocks under that 18” Midwest G2 rail, it was a pretty neat long range option.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Are you chambered for .223? Still maybe the best all-around cartridge for the AR, but I built my M4 thinking to go suppressed subsonics at some point, so I chose the Blackout, which also gives me a large range of bullet weights from 95 grain to 220 grain, although I mostly stay with 125 and 155 grain. The 155's are great out to 200 yards, use Sierra MK's. Past 200, the drop starts becoming significant, but I can still hit steel at 300 with them. The Grendel I've had out to 1125 yards, just as they are going trans sonic, with 123 grain Lapua Scenar boat tails. It's surprisingly accurate at 1100 yards, 1-1/2MOA.

Our club range only goes to 300 yards, so most of my shooting with the Grendel is at that distance, but now and then I make a trip to a couple of 1000 + yard ranges a few hours drive away. I shoot with a few guys that have some nice .308's and I can stay with them as far as mine will stay supersonic.

My mini 14 and my AR'S Are .556. My Savage axis is .223.

 

[mavracer]

My M16A4 clone build is a pure joy when I want to focus on iron sights.

I likey
I've been thinking real hard since the rule change to allow optics in service match of swapping to a flat top on my A2.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Not getting it today. Some BS story they attempted delivery. I been here all day. And the dogs were out. They always bark when a delivery truck pulls up. I think the driver just kept on going. Had it happen before.

 

[IndianaBoy]

I have and enjoy a wide assortment of barrel lengths in AR15s for different purposes. Rifle length gas systems are a bit smoother. But there are no concerns about 'receiver battering' with shorter barrels.

You might see reduced bolt life with an overgassed 16" or shorter. But most people never shoot enough to wear out a bolt. Most of my ARs sport adjustable gas blocks so that I can tune them the way I like.

 

[IndianaBoy]

20" ARs are awesome, specifically in the M16ish configuration, I personally like 18 but 20" in a classic look are awesome.

I had an 18" on a 3 gun rifle that was a really sweet shooter. Shot a ton of matches with that thing, and it was really a sweet spot. Wound up going with a 16" Larue Stealth barrel after that 18" was shot out.

Would have gone with another 18" but decided to shave a bit of weight, even though I do prefer a slightly heavy rifle for 3 gun.

 

[ThomasT]

I have a DPMS Panther Lite with 1/9 twist barrel and just built my first AR from a PSA upper and PSA lower and carry handle. This one has the 1/7 twist. All the ammo and stuff to reload more ammo is all 55gr bullets. And I have thousands on hand. They work fine in the 1/9 twist but am not sure what to expect with the 1/7 twist using 55gr bullets. All the 20" ARs I am interested in and posted links to earlier all have 1/7 twist.

I haven't shot my new gun yet so have no experience yet on what to expect. How well do 55gr bullets shoot in your guns with the 1/7 twist? From the reading I have done they seem to shoot good but heavier might be better. All I am looking for is 300 yards at the most. The 1/7 twist on the retro ARs with 20" barrels has been a hold up for me.