I may have posted this before in another thread, but this one fits nicely into the central topic of this thread. After a lot of deliberation over putting together a suppressed 11.5" gun and listening to numerous podcasts, I came to the decision that a 12.5 was a better choice for me. I don't remember all the details, but I believe it was one of Chuck Pressburg's videos during which he discussed the 12.5 being the shortest one can go and still use an SF Mini somewhat effectively—with 11.5 and shorter, the optimal can would be the full-size RC2, but you end up with a similar overall length to the 12.5 while losing an inch of barrel (and an inch of handguard, meaning you're more cramped on the gun). There was probably some benefit with muzzle velocity, too. Still breaking this in, with just under a thousand rounds fired at this point. She feels fairly heavy, especially compared to my 14.5" BCMs with ELW-F barrels and the now-unobtainable magnesium-aluminum handguards. Throw an LPVO on this gun it would really be a great jack of all trades, but as this is a primary home defense gun, I'm happy with the T-2.
Overall length is about the same as my 9" .300 SBR with SOCOM762-RC2 attached, interestingly. Although that gun fits in a backpack with the stock folded and can removed...
BCM upper (assembled by Dave Laubert)
BCM lower (registered SBR)
BCM 12.5 standard carbine barrel
Hodge Wedge Lock 11.5" handguard
SLR Rifleworks Micro Gas Block
SureFire WARCOMP-556
SureFire SOCOM556-MINI2
Modlite PLH-v2 18650 w/SF DS00 tailcap on Arisaka M-LOK Offset Scout Mount
SureFire SR07 modded to fit Cloud Defensive LCS Mk2
BCM MCMR QD Sling Mount
Magpul M-LOK Rail Covers, Type 2
Condition Gray Sling Retainer Catch Gen2
Magpul Pro Offset BUIS
Aimpoint Micro H2 on Geissele 1.93" mount
Geissele Super Charging Handle
Geissele SSA trigger
Forward Controls Design EMR-H
Forward Controls Design ABC/R-F
BCM Mod2 pistol grip and Mod3 vertical grip
AR Gas Vent
BCM Ion Bond BCG
Geissele Super 42 spring and buffer (configured as H2)
Law Tactical Gen3-M folding stock adapter
Magpul SL stock w/enhanced buttpad