On the one end of “short” you have carbine-length ARs. On the other end you have ARPs. In between, you have SBRs, or short barrel rifles.
Notwithstanding the extra red tape it requires to get an SBR, they do offer some advantages over both ARPs and carbine-length rifles.
Advantages of an SBR Rifle
Let’s take a closer look at where an SBR rifle can offer better value and performance than a carbine.
- They’re more compact, making them better in tighter spaces. An SBR will necessarily have a shorter barrel than a carbine, which will make it lighter, more compact, and more maneuverable. The lighter handling is a big advantage of the SBR in general as far as many shooters are concerned. This can, in some situations, give the SBR the advantage in close quarters.
- They’re lighter and more maneuverable. Because they are lighter, they can be handled with less fatigue. This also potentially makes them more suitable for smaller-framed and lighter shooters.
- They’re easier to conceal. Though not as compact as ARPs, SBR rifles are more compact than ARPs. This can potentially improve discretion, enhance their viability for defensive applications, and make it easier to transport them. That said, if concealment is your main concern, then an ARP might actually prove a bit better than an SBR.
- Potentially improved accuracy. There are some that would argue that the shorter barrel of an SBR actually improves harmonics; the longer barrel of a carbine or a full-size rifle might be more prone to “barrel whip” which could adversely affect accuracy. It is possible to create a very accurate SBR build with the right components.
With all of this being said, the shorter barrel will potentially rob you of a little bit of power when compared to a carbine’s longer barrel. The shorter barrel of an SBR will also produce a brighter muzzle flash and a greater muzzle blast.
Now let’s put the ARP vs. SBR comparison under the microscope. There are some instances in which a short barrel rifle will perform better than an ARP.
- Better handling and accuracy. There’s no secret here. The lack of a stock of an AR pistol categorically makes it harder to handle and shoot accurately than a stocked rifle, regardless of the rifle’s length. Granted, there are things you can do to address this issue, like adding a pistol brace to the build, but at the end of the day, when it comes to proficient, secure handling, the SBR is going to take the winning slot over the ARP.
- Better recoil control. This is a related issue. Because there is no stock on an ARP, it’s a lot harder to control recoil. There are things you can do, like the aforementioned addition of a pistol brace; you can also add a muzzle brake or use heavier buffer weights, but ultimately, it’s easier to shoulder and fire an SBR than it is to wrangle an ARP.
- More expandable. Let’s just be honest, there’s not a lot of space on an AR pistol, and real estate is limited. The same is true to a degree for an SBR, and there’s less space on them than there is on full-size rifles, but you’ll still have more room than you’d have on an ARP.
At the same time, ARPs offer some advantages over SBRs; they are not subject to all the same regulations as SBRs, and on top of that, they are smaller and more maneuverable, so technically, in extremely cramped cases, it could be argued that they have the upper hand.
Note on the NFA
With all of this being said, it’s critical to remember that short barrel rifles are regulated by the NFA. If you have any questions or concerns about the legality of building or buying an SBR, make sure you direct them to an experienced firearms lawyer in your area; nothing in this post is to serve as legal advice of any kind.
Skip the Short Barrel Rifle, Make an ARP
If you’re looking for a very compact platform that offers rifle firepower in an even more compact profile, consider an AR pistol, or even a micro ARP, as an alternative to an SBR.
They often offer the same firepower and are even lighter and more compact than short barrel, rifles, making them potentially better in close quarters than the latter. Also, since they’re classified differently, there are less NFA concerns associated with ARPs than there are with SBRs.
Explore Short Barrel Rifle Uppers, Parts and Kits Here
Here for short barrel uppers or short barrel rifle parts or kits? Take a look through our collection to see what we offer and if you have any questions before you buy, get in touch with us at Sales@MCSGearup.com.