Preferred Gas system?

[stickman61]

I keep seeing carbine, mid length and rifle length AR gas systems. Which is preferred and why?
I realize there may not be a simple answer but I'm just trying to get a better understanding of the advantages of one over the other.

 

[Djstorm100]

Depends on the application. If I'm building a SPR or AR to be accurate at distance, then I'll run a rifle gas system as it is a softer shooting (reduce recoil impulse). The Carbine and Rifle length are the only "standard" gas sytem in a AR. I forget who started the mid length and it purpose was not to have as harsh recoil impulse as the carbine.

 

[Beef15]

Depends somewhat on the barrel length.
However if the port is properly sized and the recoil assembly of the proper weight and rate for the port and load it doesn't matter much.

My personal preference, mid-length on 14.5-16, rifle on anything longer. I don't have the experience with short barrels to say anything.
Lot of 16" carbine gas set-ups have big ol' ports and hammer the bolt hard, mid has less dwell time, and less pressure in the system on both sides of the port when it starts trying to pull the case from the chamber.

 

[bigfelipe]

The longest one the barrel length will allow and function...

 

[maven]

I prefer mid length on a 16in barrel with an A5 rear end.

the benefit of the 18in or longer barrels is that you get a rifle gas system AND more velocity.

also, an adjustable gas block on a carbine (for instance) can help mimic the effects of a longer gas system.

 

[stickman61]

my prefered gas system is as follows...

noon i will eat a reubin, with extra krout...
for dinner i like to hit up some baked beans with a couple of hot dogs thrown in...
about 10:30 some lebats bleu...

by 1am if i am not sprinting for the bathroom, the covers will be floating about a foot above the bed


and as far as the AR goes... personal preference

Without 1am pics this reply is useless.☺

 

[Friday]

I didn't really get it either..until I shot Muddy's AR with a 16" barrel and rifle length gas block.
Like shooting a bb gun. It was so soft and easy. I noticed the difference right away. The gun doesn't jump around near as much and as well as being 'funner' to shoot..it lets you pull back on target quickly. I'm sold.

 

[NKD]

I have:

7.5" barrel - pistol length gas

12.5" barrel - carbine length gas

16" barrel - mid length gas (would like to try the extended mid next for 16", mid prob ideal for 14.5")

18" - rifle length gas.


Pretty much what bigfelipe said.

 

[Mike Overlay]

I just very recently have come to love the 14.5 with mid length gas system. Was shooting 16in carbine length and didn't have any issues. The middy compared to shoots a lot flatter and faster sights back on target

 

[Chuckman]

Over-gas....blah blah blah...reduced impulse...yadda yadda yadda...reduced recoil....that about sums it up. Seriously, it sums it up. Functionally, there is little difference between a carbine and mid-length system. Mid-length does reduce perceived recoil (so they tell me. I have not noticed that much difference). Rifle-length and a lot smoother but it's for SPR-length or rifle-length barrels.

 

[USMC6094]

Rifle length is preferred, at least by yours truly, but I'll also run a mid length, and as a matter of fact I own more middy's than rifle length rifles.
As far they go though, its personal preference, I'm no fan of the M-4 length, but with an H2 or H3 buffer to slow the cycle speed, but if I have a choice, I'll run anything BUT M-4 length

 

[Tailhunter]

I have a 14.5 inch with mid-length gas system.
I put an adjustable gas block on it.

The red dot never moves. More to do with the block then the length of the system.

I also have a rifle length 18". It jumps more then I like.

my opinion is, they all suck.

 

[Friday]

Rifle length is preferred, at least by yours truly, but I'll also run a mid length, and as a matter of fact I own more middy's than rifle length rifles.
As far they go though, its personal preference, I'm no fan of the M-4 length, but with an H2 or H3 buffer to slow the cycle speed, but if I have a choice, I'll run anything BUT M-4 length

I installed a hydraulic buffer in my Carbine years ago. It works great.
They're supposed to be extra well suited for full auto, but I can't say.