Are you team carbine or team mid-length?

[Alan]

I'm trying to figure out whether carbine gas systems are outdated for 16" barrels or if mid-length setups are just the latest trend. Which one is actually better?

 

[Spikedriver]

I'm Team Reliable. If it's reliable, I don't care...

 

[Moraa]

 A mid-length gas system on a 16-inch barrel just makes for smoother cycling and less wear on everything. Carbine gas will work, sure but it's harsher than it really needs to be for that particular barrel length.

 

[sharp shooter]

On a 16" barrel, mid-length usually wins for smoother recoil impulse and less gas system wear but a well-tuned carbine setup is still perfectly reliable. It often comes down to preference and parts quality more than the gas system alone.

 

[don]

Good morning from C.B. Reading the posts about over-gassing an AR brought to mind a friend who purchased an AR “pistol” with a 7.5 inch barrel. As yet he still hasn’t fired it. What should i tell him he should expect from a barrel that short?

don

 

[Savon]

Good morning from C.B. Reading the posts about over-gassing an AR brought to mind a friend who purchased an AR “pistol” with a 7.5 inch barrel. As yet he still hasn’t fired it. What should i tell him he should expect from a barrel that short?

don

Tell him a 7.5” AR pistol will be extremely loud, flashy and often over-gassed. It can run fine but usually needs tuning or it’ll be harsh on recoil impulse and wear.

 

[Gwitness]

mid length for 14 to 16" barrels...... better recoil impulse and just plain reliable.

 

[Old Hickory]

I'm trying to figure out whether carbine gas systems are outdated for 16" barrels or if mid-length setups are just the latest trend. Which one is actually better?

For more than 30 years I carried an issured M16 and then was issued a M4 on patrol. I preferred the M16 Because of its lighter carry but the heavier M4 with the shorter but heavier barrel was much easier access in patrol vehicles. They were equal in terms of accuracy.
I think it mostly just comes down to personal choice, neither one is actually better than the other.