07-22-2011, 05:52 PM
I recently shot an HK416 suppressed and unsuppressed. I still got gas in my face shooting suppressed, with the cough cloud after a rapid string. I was thoroughly unhappy with the handling characteristics of the 416 as well. You will never find a better-handling operating mechanism than a DI AR unless you go constant recoil. The only thing I have seen with DI guns shooting suppressed is you have significantly more fouling in the upper when shooting high volume, but I've never experienced reliability issues due to carbon build-up. Keep it well-lubed, and she will run like a champ.
For barrel lengths and accuracy relationships, two barrels of equal diameter but different lengths will lean the potential accuracy towards the shorter barrel, not the longer, all other things being equal. This is because a short, fat pipe resists barrel whip better than a long one, however, long heavy barrels tend to resist shooter input error better, so practical accuracy leans to the heavy pipes. I also would not go over 20" if you are hunting in scenarios where the rifle will be carried often. In a bench/varmint capacity, it's not an issue.
For barrel lengths and accuracy relationships, two barrels of equal diameter but different lengths will lean the potential accuracy towards the shorter barrel, not the longer, all other things being equal. This is because a short, fat pipe resists barrel whip better than a long one, however, long heavy barrels tend to resist shooter input error better, so practical accuracy leans to the heavy pipes. I also would not go over 20" if you are hunting in scenarios where the rifle will be carried often. In a bench/varmint capacity, it's not an issue.