Barrel and gas system lengths

[blksno]

So I've got a pair of AR10s and I use that term on purpose.
One is an Armalite AR10 that was originally a 300 SAUM. I rebarreled it to a 6.5 PRC with a 24" barrel and a +2 gas system. I've just about got it dialed in to cycle perfect...but the Armalite mags are dog-spit and I think I'm gonna end up having to 3d print a self leveling follower for their Gen2 pattern mags.
The 2nd is a Matrix upper lower set that is still the Armalite pattern, but takes SR25 mags...that one is 22" with a +2 gas system. Pmags don't work 100% but so far ACS mags have been doing great. Seems to be tuned and feeding/cycling but with both systems...I'm thinking I should have just made them 16 or 18? from the jump.

Has anyone ever taken a barrel with a +1 or +2 gas system and shortened the barrel down to 16 or 18"??
I assume this is going to drastically reduce the gas and potentially start short stroking, but with the buffer, springs and gas block I have...I assume getting it tuned to run suppressed again would be fairly easy.

Really thinking I should have gown shorter.

 

[rpol98]

probably gonna be like a True Dissipator. very finicky, which is why we have the fake Dissipator, and probably the fake news.

you might get it tuned just right for a particular load, declare triumph, take a victory lap. any variation from that one load, and it's back to the drawing-board if the dwell-time (gas-port to muzzle) is too short to give you a variance window.

if you can live with that handicap, then by all means, go for it! AR's are easy enough to tune, I'd use an adjustable gas block, and have the gas port drilled-out so it's overgassed, and then throttle it with the adj GB, play with buffer weights, springs. Take good notes. You can do a lot of science experimenting, worthy of its' own science fair booth (if only they allowed such things).

just my 2 cents.

 

[liber]

Has anyone ever taken a barrel with a +1 or +2 gas system and shortened the barrel down to 16 or 18"??
I assume this is going to drastically reduce the gas and potentially start short stroking, but with the buffer, springs and gas block I have...I assume getting it tuned to run suppressed again would be fairly easy.

I'm unclear on what you're calling +1, and +2 gas systems. I've always heard them referred to as pistol, carbine, mid length, rifle, etc...to be honest the 6.5 PRC that is almost dialed in sounds good, aside from the mags. LOL Have you tried different mags, such as the (tracking info removed) Lancer L7 AWM.

In response to your question, either of those rifles pictured could be shortened, it's pretty common for most AR gunsmiths. Most would cut it off and thread it so use a brake or suppressor, if you live in a free state. Without knowing you, since you're asking, I'm guessing it's not something you can do yourself, and it would require a lathe.

 

[bamban]

I'm unclear on what you're calling +1, and +2 gas systems. I've always heard them referred to as pistol, carbine, mid length, rifle, etc...

Not the op, but to clarify, +1, +2 refer to rifle length, plus.....