What Am I Supposed to do with a 12.5" Barrel?

[old11bravo]

I was at the gun show today with my pops and saw what I thought/assumed was a 10.5" barrel. It was an Aero Precision and the price was right. I figured I could use it for an AR pistol build. It wasn't until later that I discovered it was actually a 12.5" barrel. What the hell does a guy do with a 12.5" barrel. It's too long to be practical for an AR pistol build and too short to pin a decent looking muzzle device on it for a 16" overall length build. So my question is, why on earth would anybody ever desire, much less pay for a 12.5" AR barrel. An SBR would be nice but completely out of the question due to lack of stamp or funds for a stamp.

I need ideas if I'm going to find a practical use for this barrel!

[Ordnance]

Maybe try reselling for a small hit and chalk it up to a lesson learned? You could have it cut down, but the hit would probably be greater than the resell unless you know somebody.

[BoilerUp]

Maybe call the guy you bought it from and ask if you can work out an exchange for a 10.5" barrel?

12.5" doesn't seem to be a very popular length in 5.56 except for guys who want an SBR w/ minimal sacrifice on ballistics. I'm guessing those didn't sell well for AP because it looks like they dumped their stock of 12.5" barrels for $99 late last year then removed them from their website. BA still carries them on their website.

You obviously know your choices: Pistol, SBR, sell, "Pay it forward", or donate as WEVO T&E. :)

I'd build it up as a pistol and if I was happy with its performance, hold on to it until I had the funds to SBR a lower.

[Dstrbdmedic167]

I've got two 12.5" barrel sbrs. One is a 556 and the other is a 277wlv. The 12.5" is my favorite length but I will admit they're not as fun in a pistol form

[UWone77]

Throw a 12" Rail on it and shoot it.

Otherwise, I'd scrape up $200 by July 13th and get a stamp!

[SINNER]

My 12.5 is my favorite 5.56 SBR. If you want to sell it let me know your price.

[Stickman]

I know it's not a Noveske, but John Noveske stated often that the 12.5" Crusader barrel was the best barrel he made.

[schambers]

I have a 12.5" SBR. Works great

[MoxyDave]

One of my favorite guns is my 12.5" Noveske; interesting to hear that Mr. Noveske agreed.

With a short thread-on can, the overall length is similar to a 16" gun and it's supremely reliable, accurate and fun to shoot without ear pro. I think 12.5" is the perfect length for an SBR/PDW type weapon in 5.56.

[alamo5000]

I agonized over what length of SBR to build so in the end I just went with a 10.5 but it is still in the back of my mind to build a 12.5. There is little downside to a 12.5... the ballistics look good... I keep talk about 'might build'... when I should be saying 'when I build'....

[old11bravo]

Fuck it!!! I mocked it up (the upper). I'm actually kind of diggin' the 12.5" pistol idea now. I can always get a stamp and butt stock later.

Note the fucking Aero OCD. On a side note, I really like the Aero BUIS!! They are smooth!!

[alamo5000]

That upper looks pretty bad ass if you ask me. What length is that rail?

Will you run a suppressor or no?

[old11bravo]

That upper looks pretty bad ass if you ask me. What length is that rail?

Will you run a suppressor or no?

I just happened to have a 13" Aero quad rail in the safe. They don't even offer that length anymore. It's as if it was meant to be!

[alamo5000]

If I were you I would scrape up every nickel you can and SBR that lower. That would be one bad ass SBR.

[rxer311]

Aw shit...now you got me wanting to build a 12.5" SBR...