Gunsmithing Building first AR15

Austin2512

Private
Minuteman
Sep 24, 2020
24
3
I’m building my first AR15 and I have a 14.5 inch barrel I’ll be pin and welding a extended flash hider on , I bought a carbine length gas tube, should I have gone with a mid length instead? Is there any difference?
 
That question has started more interweb arguments than just about any other question. I personally don't like the carbine length tube, but I have no concrete proof as to why. I just know that my mid lengthtubed rifles seem to be more reliable. YMMV.

Congrats on the build and good luck!

[EDIT]
After rereading your post, you have to buy the gas tube that your barrel is drilled for. You can't pick and choose.
 
@Austin2512 - Yes there is a difference. I'm taking your question literally as in your not sure if you bought the correct length tube.

Reference this chart then measure your barrel & order the correct one.

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I’m building my first AR15 and I have a 14.5 inch barrel I’ll be pin and welding a extended flash hider on , I bought a carbine length gas tube, should I have gone with a mid length instead? Is there any difference?
Depends on what you want to do with the rifle. IMO there is no reason acceptical to me to use a 14 1/2" barrel over a 16. An inch isn't worth the handicap to me. What twist is your barrel? What ammo will you shoot? What accuracy do you expect. Who made the barrel.
 
Depends on what you want to do with the rifle. IMO there is no reason acceptical to me to use a 14 1/2" barrel over a 16. An inch isn't worth the handicap to me. What twist is your barrel? What ammo will you shoot? What accuracy do you expect. Who made the barrel.

Most folks that build a 14.5 inch barrel are just building a range toy. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that, but that seems to be the case in my experience.