AR pistol brarrel length - 10.5" vs 8.5" big difference in terminal ballistics?

[Bushman]

I keep reading they say 10.5" should be the limit. Does 2 inches really make THAT big of a difference for an already neutered barrel?

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[SCARed]

Regardless of terminal ballistics, the overall negatives go up with a <10" barrel. The biggest negative is sound. It quickly becomes an obnoxious concussion muzzle blast. Better double up on that ear pro, and take some advil for the headache that'll pop up after a mag or two.
Muzzle device makes a big difference as well. Any sort of brake makes is more obnoxious, vs something like a flaming pig does a decent job throwing the blast directly forward.
Because of the sound, no one will want to be next to you at any sort of "shooting range" distance, which means you won't be able to use it at a class or public range.

Get a super shorty if you want, they are fun, Ive got 2 7.5" uppers. But recognize they will just be range toys and something like "terminal ballistics" doesn't apply.

 

[wired]

All of my guns except a carry piece or two and a hunting rifle/shotgun are range toys. If you'd be honest with yourself yours are too. 7.5" is fun to play with and if you build your own silencer are good to suppress as well.

 

[SCARed]

To directly answer your question though, here's an article to read thru...

5.56/.223 ballistic test carbine vs SBR -

5.56/.223 ballistic test carbine vs SBR I have been working on a a few projects for Barnes Precision Machine, one of which was a ballistic test for a common barrel length for SBR and compare that to the AR-15 carbine 16″ barrel. Some history of the 5.56 to begin with. The 5.56x45mm NATO began...

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