AR Uppers Question

[knight0334]

I presently have a Stag M4 style AR with carbine length gas system, 16" barrel. It has a YHM quad rail handguard, which is excessively bulky, heavy, and snags on shit(even with rail covers). I've been wanting to change that shit out for awhile now.

My son recently bought an AR M4 style that has a MLOK upper arrangement that is substantially lighter, no snaggy shit, and I'm really digging it. ....Nice and sleek.

In an online search in my budget range, I have 16" and 18" barreled uppers with carbine length and mid-length gas systems available. (I'm okay going with either barrel length)

My question is: What are the benefits of a mid-length system over a carbine length?


I'm presently using the factory/old fashion handle rear and gas block front sights. ...already planning to add a red-dot optic. Between the old lady's TCR22 I bought off Noah and the kid's AR, the red dots have sold me on that method of target acquisition.

[Emptymag]

Slightly less felt recoil is probably the most notable difference.
They say it reduces wear to the internals to an extent as well.


https://weaponspecialist.org/carbine-vs-mid-length/

[Ronin]

I prefer mid-length because it's softer shooting, IMO. Not that .223/5.56 has a lot of recoil, but prefer the feel. Mid-length gas systems also reduce wear and tear.

[Emptymag]

BTW, "retro" quad rail shit is coming back in style. I have no idea WHY.
Get a handguard with M-Lok slots the entire way around and the mounting points are infinitely more numerous than any quad rail.

At least YHM is a decent brand. May be able to get a fair price for it if you sell it.

[ScaredOnce]

Geisselle Mk.16 rail is pretty decent, M-LOK, and made in PA. I like mine.

[red dog]

Why change out the whole upper? Just get a different hand guard that you like. Save $.

[McSull]

https://magpul.com/firearm-accessories/hand-guards.html

Here's the easiest solution.

[knight0334]

Why change out the whole upper? Just get a different hand guard that you like. Save $.

The YHM used a proprietary barrel nut for their handguards. And that tool broke during install. I can get an entire upper including barrel, handguard, BCG, dust cover, etc, etc, etc for under $250.

The YHM tool just to get the old nut off is $45+shipping, plus new oem barrel nut(and possibly delta ring assembly), then add a new MLOK handguard, gas block, etc, and time/labor to get shit done is more. ....pull out 2 pins in 10 seconds of work, toss old aside, mount new, push in two pins - done.

YHM's pins on the tool at this link broke the fuck off during install while indexing barrel nut - https://yhm.net/accessories/ar-15-ha...orearm-wrench/

I'm not buying their shit again ever.

[knight0334]

https://magpul.com/firearm-accessories/hand-guards.html

Here's the easiest solution.

I also dont want my original style sights(handle rear) and gasblock elevated fronts. In for a penny, in for a pound. YHM uses a proprietary barrel nut, so I'd have to change it, and to do that spend another $45 for the tool that broke while install. It is cheaper to buy and entire upper complete.

[SgtRecon]

With the right gas block, mid lengths on 16" barrels allow you to attach the pointy stabby things to the rifle