Does anyone even buy 20" AR's anymore?

View · by **river_boater** on Wed Feb 27, 2013 9:15 pm

I can't remember the last time someone posted a for-sale or just-purchased picture of a full-sized AR.

I know they're out there, it just seems like no one's buying or selling them.

View · by **CarRacer** on Wed Feb 27, 2013 9:20 pm

I struggled with buying a 20" or 16" barrel. I really wanted to go with the 20" as I'm not going to be Mr. CQB with it and figure the 20" would be more accurate and softer shooting. I ended up going with the 16" as I'll have a better chance of getting a back order filled. I will prob buy a 20 eventually and swap it out or build another upper.

View · by **Rip Van Winkle** on Wed Feb 27, 2013 10:07 pm

Nadine and I have been together for about 10 years so I can't say I've bought one lately. She is on barrel #5 though, 2 Wilsons, 2 Kriegers and the current one is a Satern.

View · by **Erud** on Wed Feb 27, 2013 10:17 pm

Rip Van Winkle wrote:Nadine and I have been together for about 10 years so I can't say I've bought one lately. She is on barrel #5 though, 2 Wilsons, 2 Kriegers and the current one is a Satern.

How do you hit anything without a scope on that thing?!!

View · by **river_boater** on Wed Feb 27, 2013 10:18 pm

Erud wrote:
Rip Van Winkle wrote:Nadine and I have been together for about 10 years so I can't say I've bought one lately. She is on barrel #5 though, 2 Wilsons, 2 Kriegers and the current one is a Satern.

How do you hit anything without a scope on that thing?!!

I do okay with my 6550 and 6551.

They didn't issue optics when I was in the Marines in the 80's.

View · by **Erud** on Wed Feb 27, 2013 10:27 pm

Sorry, I was being facetious. I've shot next to Rip and Nadine many times and have done a pretty fair amount of shooting with a rifle just like it.

IMHO, everybody should learn to shoot with irons.

View · by **Spike** on Wed Feb 27, 2013 11:20 pm

Should I be ashamed of my rifle length 20" AR? The only limitation so far has been me.

View · by **shooter115** on Thu Feb 28, 2013 1:06 am

What do you Mean? I have 20", 18" and 16". I don't like to discriminate

View · by **JustPlainT** on Thu Feb 28, 2013 11:00 am

Whenever the panic subsides, I would like a 20" barrel version.

But I don't have the funds right now, never mind the availability issues

View · by **river_boater** on Thu Feb 28, 2013 1:22 pm

Rip, five barrels in ten years? Why?

View · by **FJ540** on Thu Feb 28, 2013 1:29 pm

Because he shoots them out.

Barrels are a wear item.

I've wanted to make a clone of my M16A2 for some time now. Shooting irons is a very good skill to have.

View · by **river_boater** on Thu Feb 28, 2013 1:40 pm

FJ540 wrote:Because he shoots them out. Barrels are a wear item.

I've often wondered about that. My 6550 was manufactured in 1987 or 88. The barrel is original as far as I know. It was originally owned by the Utah State Highway Patrol. I have no idea how many rounds they put through it, but I have fired thousands. I haven't noticed anything that would indicate the barrel is worn-out. I've heard 25,000 rounds is the magic number, maybe I just haven't hit that yet.

View · by **Rip Van Winkle** on Thu Feb 28, 2013 1:51 pm

river_boater wrote:Rip, five barrels in ten years? Why?

Because I'm a competitive Rifleman who shoots between 2,000 to 3,000 rounds a year in NRA and CMP Highpower Rifle events. I replace barrels when the accuracy at 600 yards starts to deteriorate and sometimes before. A barrel I consider worn out will still shoot decently for most people at 200 - 300 yards.

Of my barrels, the two Wilsons lasted 1,500 and 3,000 rounds. The two Kriegers went 4,100 and 4,800, but I should note, I replaced the last Krieger not because it was shooting poorly only because I didn't want to start the 2013 shooting season with 5,000 rounds down the tube.

View · by **FJ540** on Thu Feb 28, 2013 1:51 pm

Depends on what you deem accurate enough.

If you're shooing 4MOA and happy, then you might never shoot out a barrel. When you can no longer shoot under 1MOA, some of us retire the sucker.

View · by **yukonjasper** on Thu Feb 28, 2013 1:54 pm

I haven't seen many 18" or 20". The 16's are uber popular and my limited knowledge indicates thats because most are using them for home defense or sub 100 yard range guns.

For my purposes - to get into a longer distance Predator/Varmint gun - I have been casually browsing for either an 18' or 20" used AR to surface - not really actively searching since the prices are inflated at this time and I'm in no hurry.
I'm waiting for the hysteria to die down or to stumble on a deal I can't refuse. Worst case I order one when the market settles and pay more than I want to, but less than what is going on out there now.