i'm kind of surprised to see the apprehension.  this is a non-moving, real world physical thing - that CAN be measured and figured out. 

 

You keep on thinking this is an engineering problem. It isn't. This is a legal problem in the hands of people who dislike you.  We all agree things can be measured, but we are telling you that the people measuring it when it comes to jail time are not your friend, and don't use science in the process. 

Hey bro. I hear ya.

 

I have a few 14.5" + 1.5" guns (mix of carbine and midlength has systems) - when lined up next to each other they are all slightly different lengths and that is mostly due to the different muzzle devices on them. I can pick up any of them and run them the same way

 

Basically, I think what I - and everyone else - is trying to say, is this: Just make sure you break the 16" overall length when you are all done. Other than that, don't sweat the - literally - small stuff.

 

You want a 14.5" barrel and 1.5" gun, get one and pick a comp that will make the 1.5" to give you over 16". If it is 16.1" or 16.25" don't sweat it.

 

Don't forget, when you install your device and you have to clock the comp/brake/mod on the threaded barrel that your total length will change as it rotates around the threads. You may not be able to get the exact measurement you want because you need to adjust the timing of the device. Crush washers, shims, peel washers - they all add some length. Barring some serious luck and/or grinding of the base of the device (without frakking it up) there will be some deviation.

Vlad, i read you...but step back for a second.  We unfortunately all know it's a (some kind of) problem...it's ridiculous that there are laws without absolution.  without a concrete and specific ways for people who will be held accountable to those those to tell whether they are in fact breaking the law or not.  what's a flash suppressor and what's a brake?  pinky test?!  that's beyond awful - as there are absolutely ways to determine what is and what isn't or what does and what doesn't break the law.  be it laziness or the desire to keep laws loose for interpretation in order to prosecute the potential law breakers whenever the powers that be feel like it...there is most definitely a problem.  i don't have too many friends...so that's nothing new to me

 

i didn't come up with 16" - they did.  so yes, while there is plenty or gray area to get trapped in...with severe consequences, i did not create the number.  i do not wish to break the law, nor will i...in my desire to own a "as close as the law will allow" length rifle.

 

High Exposure - that seems to be the recipe to follow that will keep things safe.  i'm not looking to mill off threads or do anything other than purchase parts that when put together get me as close to the magic 16" without going under as possible - for no other reason than that.  and yes, once i go to time the brake, crush washer, etc...what that final measurement will be, can't be figured out until that step is performed...which is to be expected.  i'm not looking to say the barrel + brake = 16.08257" but close to 16"...again, close...but within a safe margin.

So.... You are saying you want an end result around 16.1"-16.25".... Just like everyone was recommending.... gotcha!

 

This is all we were getting at - for both practical and legal reasons.

Check out the YHM Phantom

I second this suggestion. YHM 5m1. Cheap, yet effective. Approx $30. I like them so much I have them on both my AR's, and one of them has a 14.5 in barrel.

and it seems its the same length as the battle comp which is the shortest i've been able to find. 

correct.  i'll check out that brake right now...thanks!

there has to be a way of measuring length that would take into account a tight tolerance - and i never said i was going to err on the side of being short, but rather leave myself some wiggle room so that i'm over 16" - it's just by how much is the question. and once i have a barrel and a brake, i'll be able to fit them together and measure...to some degree of certainty that i am legal be it a tenth, eighth or hopefully not much more. it may take some figuring and some trial an error but i'm sure it can be accomplished.

 

i'm kind of surprised to see the apprehension. this is a non-moving, real world physical thing - that CAN be measured and figured out.

Really? We didn't know that. What we are saying is the folks with the pound you in the a$$ prison stick they use to make the call has not put the effort nor the care for tolerances in that you are.

 

Don't go OCDing your way into a federal felony that you will have to serve 80% of.

100% of. Feds don't do parole anymore.

100% of. Feds don't do parole anymore.

 

They do supervised release, which is just parole under specific rules. By the chart, possession of an NFA weapon is a 10 year felony with maximum of 3 years of suprevised release, to 70% must be served.