Why are 16” AR-15s the “standard” length?

Today's answer on Sesame Street is brought to you by the letters A, T, & F.

Shortest you can go without paying a tax stamp and not get arrested?

This has to be a rhetorical question right?

We would all have 14.5” standard rifles if it were t for the NFA

Everyone wants to talk about the ballistics, but it has nothing to do with that. It’s because of the NFA. It honestly hasn’t been that big of issue because for the longest time since pistol braces didn’t exist (effectively got rid of SBR stuff) and the lack of knowledge on NFA items meant most people weren’t getting into SBR‘s. And let’s all be honest here 16 inch performs great for literally everyone. Some might even say it’s the best one. Even the Marine Corps now has it as a barrel length

Well the NFA kind of made them the standard because theyre the shortest you can go without dealing with a bunch of BS but on the practical level I think they’re a phenomenal balance between compactness, maneuverability, ergonomics and velocity

Because our government sold off a ton of 30 Cal M1 Carbines that had 16" barrels, when the standard was 18" barrels. Rather than confiscate all those rifles they changed the NFA law.

Nfa. I being older than 18 but under 21 can buy a 16 inch. I can't buy a under 16 in due to the nfa also it takes a while for over 21 year olds to get their SBR. Also you have to pay $200 extortion fee.

NFA specifies minimum barrel length before your rifle is considered an SBR. 14" is also generally available as long as it has a 2 inch muzzle device installed, pinned, and welded to the barrel.