After 5 years in the Marine Corp and qualifying expert 3 time I feel I have the ar system down pat.
I dont currently own one as in the desert of California, Kuwait, and Iraq they were jamb o matics and had lousy take down power requiring multiple shots. I do find them extremely accurate and love the a2 sights. They are without peer. If ruger offered a sr7.62 in standard a2 config I would probably buy one. But this is all just background.
So here is the question. I am seeing 11" barrels with 5.5" flash suppressors pinned on to meet the 16" length min. When we landed in Kuwait in Jan of 2003 we were issued m4's. Without getting into function issues(think it was more short gas tube/powder choice) most turned back in their m4's for our original a2's. Losing 4" of barrel turned a 500 yard gun into a ~300 yard gun. We were in the open desert and were pulled out before fallajah. Guys I talked to that participated in more urban combat appreciated the shorter m4 in clearing building and I could see that(I would prefer the shotgun however for that role).
So what is the velocity out of a 11" barrel? Are they even accurate or have power left at 200 yards? Why would anyone want one when it degrades performance so much and they still have the same length overall?