SHELLFISH17 Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I like the 18" for most matches but like the 20" for longer stuff and 17" for the shorter so I was wondering what was the most popular in 3-gun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uscbigdawg Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 (edited) 18" right now since it's on my ol' reliable rifle. I'm switching to a 16". Rich ETA: My 16" is a middy. Edited January 8, 2009 by uscbigdawg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fullauto_Shooter Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Sheldon, I like the 16" barrel for the type of shooting we do around here (TX) - mostly up-close hosing. Easier to maneuver quickly in tight spaces and pretty light. I think, though, that an 18" barrel might be a bit more versatile - can run a full-length gas system and a couple dozen extra FPS and a bit more bullet stabilization for those long-shots they sometimes have in the matches out West. My JP is sporting a 16" barrel currently, but I'd like to change it out to an 18" sometime down the road - but I'm in no big hurry. Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-Ho Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I like a 20". Full length gas system is a plus. As to the length, well it's the same length as my shotgun, so it works just the same for close up stuff as the shotgun. I do like a heavier gun than most people FWIW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RH45 Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 For open, or tactical optics, I use a 17" with a full length gas system. For tactical iron, I use a 20". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbs007 Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Currently using 18" right now, planning on building a 16" mid-length next. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yankee Dog Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Better be careful with your ammo selection. I becha some of these 16"ers dont make minor. Yankee Dog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abn-rgr Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 (edited) 18" rifle length gas system.... Edited January 8, 2009 by abn-rgr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry White Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 As long as it has a rifle length gas system on it I,m happy with a 18 or 20. But I'm building another 18. I have a really lite 16 that I like but the short gas system is just too harsh.-----------Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XD Niner Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 My new JP-15 upper is being delivered with an 18" barrel. After a ton of research it seems to be the one length and twist rate (1 in 8) that can do it all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbullgpd Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 I like my 20" but I do shoot limited/iron sights so with my irons out at the comp the more distance the better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Sierpina Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 My old Colt has an 18 1/2" barrel. My Firebird will be wearing one of Jim's new 20" tubes. I also have a couple White Oak 18" SPR's on order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRider Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 I shoot irons and like a 20" barrel. It is a lot to swing on the close stuff, but I get faster hits with the 20" gun over a 16" M4 cut barrel. Hurley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grywlfbg Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 JP-15 w/ an 18" ultralight barrel - shooting tactical. Best all-around for me - light as a 16" but w/ rifle-length gas system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurtm Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Out side of Taran, I don't see less than 20" barrels in the top 10 at most major matches for any division....except heavy metal, then I see a 22" at the top most all the time! KurtM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeFoley Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 18" with 20" gas system for rifle, 21" for shotgun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellyn Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Out side of Taran, I don't see less than 20" barrels in the top 10 at most major matches for any division....except heavy metal, then I see a 22" at the top most all the time! KurtM I like my barrel to be one inch longer than Kurt's! I use an 18 in barrel on scoped ARs and a 20 in on Iron sighted rifles. I've used 16, 18 and 20 and really see little difference. I prefer the feel of an 18 but I don't shoot it any better than a 20. Taran does run a short barrel. I have heard him say that he looks at the AR as kind of a big open pistol and really likes fast handling. I look at the AR as a light rifle, a quite different perspective which is shown by our scores. He usually bests me at short range rifle courses and I usually best him at longer range courses. Given that most matches have much more short range than long range rifle, he may have something there! I would worry less about barrel length and more about zeroes, technical shots, managing props and working on your offhand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warpspeed Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 I would worry less about barrel length and more about zeroes, technical shots, managing props and working on your offhand. I would say that for 99.9% of us, that is pretty sound advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregory_k Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Stock Colt 6721 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3gunpinoy Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 currently using a 18 (JP 15) and my old one was a 17 (MSTN). all are full length Gas system. that extra 1 inch IMO, give me an additional 50 to 80 FPS off the Chrono. I could do not notice much difference for hosing stages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMAC Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 JP CTR-02 with 18" Medium Contour barrel and Magpul PRS stock as my primary weapon. If I ever need a backup, I have Noveske/Magpul MPLA Recce with a 16" barrel and Magpul UBR stock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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