As I was reading through the comments, I wanted to post something similar. I hear so much about what an inconvenience a pin/weld job is, and I really haven't seen that for me personally. I will note that I have owned and shot quite a variety of ARs before I eventually did a pin/weld on a 13.7" barrel. I have dead air suppressors, so the choice of muzzle device was pretty simple. I went with a flash hider from dead air, although the new SOLGW NOX looks very interesting, and when I get the funds to do a duplicate rifle to the one I use the most, it will have the Nox.
I get if you are just starting to shoot ARs and are still looking for what you want, a pin/weld might not be the best idea. At this point personally, I'm just not changing my guns around all that much. They are reliable, they work for their intended uses, and I find more enjoyment in using them than playing tactical barbie with parts and pieces. I also see things like bolts and barrels as longer-term consumables. When it comes to disassembling an upper for barrel replacement, you can still remove a properly pinned and welded muzzle device without destroying it, allowing it to be used again on a different barrel.
My 13.7 with a Sandman-K is only about 1" longer than a 16" gun with a standard A2 birdcage FH. If you start adding extended flash hiders or other muzzle devices, the difference becomes almost non-existent. I personally would much rather shoot a suppressed gun than unsuppressed, especially if I am not adding a lot of extra length through the use of a pin and weld.
Finally, I also think a 16" gun is perfectly usable and I would not consider it a choice of 'right and wrong,' but more of personal preference. I also have a couple 16" rifles that shoot very well, and I have no plans on getting rid of them. Either way you go, assuming you get a proper barrel, you will have a gun that will be perfectly useable. Ideally if you could find somebody local to you with both you could try them out and decide for yourself. If you happen to be in the Northern Utah area, I'll go to the range anytime I'm available and you are more than welcome to try different lengths out with and without cans.
