I'd been using carbine gas for ages, and it did its job, no problem. But then I gave mid-length a shot and that was pretty much it for me. It just felt a lot smoother and less of that jumpiness I was used to.
There’s still a place for it. Carbine gas can be very reliable with a wide range of ammo but for most 16" builds today, mid-length tends to offer a smoother shooting experience.
Carbine gas still works fine on 16" rifles but it’s not the smoothest option anymore. Midlength usually gives softer recoil and less wear. Carbine setups can still be reliable, just a bit harsher depending on buffer and ammo.