AR suppressed, HG and Barrel Lengths

[electronman1729]

What is the typical hand guard length to barrel length for mounting a suppressor to an AR? Been thinking of a 10.5" barrel and a 9.5" hand guard.

[Hoser]

Not a fan of the 10.5 barrels. 11.5-12.0 is a touch easier to shoot and be around. At least in 223.

It depends on what type of can you have and its attachment method. If I can mount the can inside the handguard and only have a few inches sticking out, I prefer that.

[oleshep]

Not a fan of the 10.5 barrels. 11.5-12.0 is a touch easier to shoot and be around. At least in 223.

It depends on what type of can you have and its attachment method. If I can mount the can inside the handguard and only have a few inches sticking out, I prefer that.


Hoser is right 10.5 and shorter in 223 is brutal. I have one and you cannot shoot it w/o the can and it is still kinda loud with it.

If you want shorter go with 300BO..

[brutal]

Not a fan of the 10.5 barrels. 11.5-12.0 is a touch easier to shoot and be around. At least in 223.

It depends on what type of can you have and its attachment method. If I can mount the can inside the handguard and only have a few inches sticking out, I prefer that.

Yes.

The biggest drawback to a covered can is handguard heat.

[whitewalrus]

if you plan to use one that will not fit under the hand guard, account for the mount as well. Depending on how it will lockup, you may not be able to get the can seated. This happened to me on one of my uppers. The AAC mount didn't allow the can to fully seat without contacting the handguard and preventing it from going all the way on. Swapped to a Silencerco ASR mount and the omega mounts fully with very minimal room.

[electronman1729]

Got a 10" midwest handguard and a 10.5" barrel. Would this fit? Trying to go for the mk18 supressed look.

[whitewalrus]

Got a 10" midwest handguard and a 10.5" barrel. Would this fit? Trying to go for the mk18 supressed look.

Not familiar with that exact setup. But my issue with the AAC mount was on a BCM barrel and KMR that was an inch shorter than the barrel length.

The answer will depend on what mount you are using and if the can fits under the hand guard or not. It may be a close fit depending on the setup.

I would error on the side of going shorter on the hand guard if you are unsure.

[drew890]

Here are some pics of what the OP referenced.
This is my 10.5 barrel with a 9.5 rail. The brake is an ASR with a 762 Saker.
78304
78305
78306

[XXFattyHunterXX]

I have a 9.5 Geissele MK8 and DD 10.3 barrel using AAC brake with a shim to time, I barely have enough of a gap.
https://i.imgur.com/WAjGcMS.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Pa0a76s.png
https://i.imgur.com/guaS0Ui.png
https://i.imgur.com/wDeDb6U.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/wDeDb6U.jpg

[SA Friday]

You physically can recess a can under a handguard, but that doesn't mean it's shootable afterward. The convection of heat into the handguard is terminal. I'm sure there's someone who will chime in and tell me otherwise... I've rebuilt at least a half dozen ARs that have tried this and learned the hard way. 556 and 300, can't do it. 9mm, sure.

If your goal is to have the shortest AR in 556 that will function reliably, 10.3/10.5" barrel. In 300 Blk, we don't like to go shorter than 8", gas ports get crazy big and handguard selection gets tough. I personally find the difference in sound from anything shorter than 14.5" to essentially be the same, pretty shitty, and the muzzle devise will make more of a difference than the barrel length. Mike (Owner of Bowers Tactical) has a 12.5" that's louder than my 10.3" with a Surefire muzzle break on it. His has some clown-car dragons head abomination on it that will throw 3 feet of flame when it's shot. No joke, we have video (of course we do).

Handguard rule of thumb is the handguard should be 1" shorter than the barrel length to minimally expose the threads. If in doubt, start measuring things after dry fitting the parts.