Grendel Pistol build

[danm]

Just got a 10.5 5.56 pistol and shot it Monday... FUN! But it's size also makes it a good HD and portable gun. Eventually I plan to build a 6.5 upper for it but want the Hordes input on barrel length... 10.5 or 12.5???

[Variable]

I couldn't pick....... because you don't have an option for both!

I have a 10.5" SBR that is my current "go-to" rig, but I'm in the process of building a 12.5" also.

Home Defense? I'd go 10.5" with an Aimpoint and suppress it.

Hunting out to longer ranges with a magnified optic? I'd go with a 12.5" for some extra velocity to get the expansion you want past the shorter ranges.

It's all just a small tradeoff. I have a 14.5" that'd do fine, but I don't like all that extra barrel sticking out between the can and the rail if I don't really need it.


ETA: You really should short barrel rifle it (if at all possible). They're too awkward (in my opinion) without a real stock.

[danm]

I couldn't pick....... because you don't have an option for both!

I have a 10.5" SBR that is my current "go-to" rig, but I'm in the process of building a 12.5" also.

Home Defense? I'd go 10.5" with an Aimpoint and suppress it.

Hunting out to longer ranges with a magnified optic? I'd go with a 12.5" for some extra velocity to get the expansion you want past the shorter ranges.

It's all just a small tradeoff. I have a 14.5" that'd do fine, but I don't like all that extra barrel sticking out between the can and the rail if I don't really need it.


ETA: You really should short barrel rifle it (if at all possible). They're too awkward (in my opinion) without a real stock.

Not making this easy are you?!?!?!? I know it's never ending so I guess 10.5 first to go along with my 18" 6.5... And yes eventually SBR... Thanks. BTW what kind of velocities are you getting out of your 10.5?

[pinetreebbs]

I built a 14" barreled .223 pistol, very handy and shoots quite well too. One negative, it is a rude SOB be next to at the range.

I have a forward throwing muzzle device I have yet to install. I have one to install on my next build, a AAC Blackout pistol and would recommend them for all pistol builds. I would have built a Grendel pistol next, however I won three 10.5" AAC Blackout barrels in an auction.

[Variable]

Not making this easy are you?!?!?!? I know it's never ending so I guess 10.5 first to go along with my 18" 6.5... And yes eventually SBR... Thanks. BTW what kind of velocities are you getting out of your 10.5?

Here is a cut and paste from an old thread:


10 shot strings...

10.5" Grendel without suppressor
Hornady 123 Amax factory load (1st batch)
Lo- 2155
Hi- 2212
Avg. 2179fps
ES- 57.67
SD- 16.64

10.5" Grendel with 762SD suppressor
Hornady 123 Amax factory load (1st batch)
Lo- 2171
Hi- 2216
Avg. 2198fps
ES- 45.11
SD- 12.68

Weather was hot and the chrono was probably about 12-15 feet. I don't have the details because I always posted everything to the board from my post-it's and/or scrap paper. I suck at record keeping, because I counted on using the board which some bastard crashed...

10.5" Grendel
Wolf 120gr. MPT without can--I think? (we're literally talking written on the back of a receipt here....)
Avg. 2101fps
ES- 76.89
SD- 23.28

On the same slip it lists the 123gr. Lapua AA factory load as:
Lo- 2099
Hi- 2177
Avg. 2148fps
ES- 77.47
SD- 22.09

Hopefully that helps.

[danm]

I built a 14" barreled .223 pistol, very handy and shoots quite well too. One negative, it is a rude SOB be next to at the range.

I have a forward throwing muzzle device I have yet to install. I have one to install on my next build, a AAC Blackout pistol and would recommend them for all pistol builds. I would have built a Grendel pistol next, however I won three 10.5" AAC Blackout barrels in an auction.

I have an SAA Dragons Head muzzle device on my pistol (and Grendel), they call it a break but it's really a linear compensator as everything is ported downrange... Still a bit louder than my 16" 5.56 upper though

[danm]

Here is a cut and paste from an old thread:


10 shot strings...

10.5" Grendel without suppressor
Hornady 123 Amax factory load (1st batch)
Lo- 2155
Hi- 2212
Avg. 2179fps
ES- 57.67
SD- 16.64

10.5" Grendel with 762SD suppressor
Hornady 123 Amax factory load (1st batch)
Lo- 2171
Hi- 2216
Avg. 2198fps
ES- 45.11
SD- 12.68

Weather was hot and the chrono was probably about 12-15 feet. I don't have the details because I always posted everything to the board from my post-it's and/or scrap paper. I suck at record keeping, because I counted on using the board which some bastard crashed...

10.5" Grendel
Wolf 120gr. MPT without can--I think? (we're literally talking written on the back of a receipt here....)
Avg. 2101fps
ES- 76.89
SD- 23.28

On the same slip it lists the 123gr. Lapua AA factory load as:
Lo- 2099
Hi- 2177
Avg. 2148fps
ES- 77.47
SD- 22.09

Hopefully that helps.

Thanks Variable, it really does!

BTW, here's what my 5.56 pistol looks like...

[am4966]

I'm building a 12.5" Grendel now. I'm going the sbr route, if your going to sbr it I'd do 12.5. If you never plan to than I'd do 10.5 since you can't use the sig brace like a stock anymore. Unless that rule changed again.

[pinetreebbs]

I have an SAA Dragons Head muzzle device on my pistol (and Grendel), they call it a break but it's really a linear compensator as everything is ported downrange... Still a bit louder than my 16" 5.56 upper though

My Kaw Valley Precision is similar and also have a Kak Industry Flash Can I want to try. Short barrels do allow more powder to make noise versus increasing bullet velocity.

[m796rider]

I went with 11.5. Currently working through an issue with Grendel steel cased, but otherwise it's a fantastically fun rifle to shoot.

[Grendel]

It my mind to stay away from fees and paper work 10.5" pistol and a 18" Rifle. If I could only have one it would be a rifle 14.5" w/pinned hider to make it legal. At 12.5" you might as well go 14.5" pinned with a stock, its only two inches!

[Grendel]

It my mind to stay away from fees and paper work 10.5" pistol and a 18" Rifle. If I could only have one it would be a rifle 14.5" w/pinned hider to make it legal. At 12.5" you might as well go 14.5" pinned with a stock, its only two inches!

[Grendel]

I'm going with a 10.5" soon. 12.5" is too close to 14.5" for me to justify a pistol build. 14.5" pinned and you get a stock no extra legal cost or paper work.

[danm]

I'm going with a 10.5" soon. 12.5" is too close to 14.5" for me to justify a pistol build. 14.5" pinned and you get a stock no extra legal cost or paper work.

Yeah I think I'll do a 10.5

[wraith1516]

What is the absolute shortest you can go on the barrel and
still have it function properly? Wanted a 6"ish barrel with a 6 "suppressor all under a12 "handguard , was also thinking of making it an sbr.