AR-15 Pistol NOOB

I built this one over the weekend with a CDNN 7" kit, Anderson lower, Alex arms BCG, Crosstach end plate, and an SB Mini brace. I had the Bushnell red dot already so I popped it on. I put a Mugpul hand stop on it. Haven't fired it yet, maybe this weekend.

I had a little experience in building/working on AR's some years back; I was an Armorer/Small Arms Repair, helped some recon guys build 10" CAR's back when the XM177E2 had been withdrawn, and the M4 was still in testing. I also built myself an XM177E2 clone shortly after I got out. This my first build in almost 30 years, so I cheated a little and got a completed upper. The next will be an M16A2 clone, one part at a time.

il.bill said:

Any shooting tips you can offer?

Click to expand...

A hand stop/MagpulAFG.

Update: I shot it this afternoon. It wasn't as loud as I was led to believe, but I wouldn't want to fire it indoors without ears! It is a gas to shoot, and pretty accurate, too. I zeroed it at 25 yards, it points instinctively for me. I let a guy and his son that were there shooting the son's AR carbine he'd just built, shoot it- They loved it!


I tried the Thermold mag my son gave me with the carbine, it was junk, so I disassembled it and tossed it. Other than that, the pistol performed flawlessly. The foam impinges on the charging handle a little, but not enough to interfere with loading. I like it up there though, I put the tip of my nose on the tip of the charging handle. All in all a fun day.

I just did a 10.5" 2 months ago. I'm selling it. It's to loud for me to ever use. Other than that I liked it.

+1 on the hand stop. Also, fire it out in front of you, don't tuck the brace under your armpit. There is a lot of concussion from that short of a barrel, and it can feel like a punch in the face with hot ammo. I like to use a single point sling around neck and strong arm, pull the pistol away from the body till the sling is tight with weak hand and keep a light grip on the pistol grip. Majes it easier to pull the trigger faster without wobbling off target.

A Linear Comp makes a lot of sense on an AR pistol....have one on a KT PLR-16 w/9" barrel and it took some of the concussion out of it.....MUCH better than a ported comp.

BigBore45 said:

It's to loud for me to ever use.

Click to expand...

Seen a pistol being fired last week. Muzzle flash and noise was unbelievable. My 14.5" barrel M16 was never like that , even when shooting Nato ammo.

Good on you! I built a 7.5 inch 5.56 last summer. I was blown away at how accurate it actually was. Linear comp is a good way to go. Black Rain Tactical worked well for me.

Congrats
Heres my Anderson 10.5" 5.56 build from a couple of years ago. I am very happy with it.
I use a weapon light as my forward hand stop. It hangs from my bedpost from its single point sling.

No brace on mine as I just don't like the thought of skirting a federal law, even if it's legal. I don't need it anyways, elbows down and hands at height makes for a plenty stable shooting position, and the end of the buffer tube is ever so slightly forward of my shoulder.

.300blk is a whole lot nicer to shoot in an AR pistol.

Ya'll might want to swap out barrels and give it a chance before giving up on the AR pistol.

My first pistol built was a 10.5 in 5.56. but I found it a little long.





So I built another with a 7.5” barrel. I know that some will say that 3” is not that much shorter, but what the hell, it’s a good reason to build another AR pistol.




I went with a Strike Industries Warthog comp for two reasons. #1 to keep it short and #2 it really keeps the gun steady.

I don't like shooting my 11.5 unsuppressed, can't imagine how annoying a 7" would be!

Congrats on your new pistol and hope it serves you well. I put together a PSA 8.5". Though not needed and can tell no difference, I added an H-buffer. I also installed a 9" (7" factory) handguard (actually measures to 9 9/16". I did this in anticipation of installing the new Crimson Trace CMR-300 tac-light / grn laser combo. I also installed a Kaw Valley linear comp for the only reason of eliminating fire / gasses from coming up to the extended handguard (liner comp is non-fluted). The pistol isn't as loud as I anticipated and just a tad quieter for the shooter with the comp. Alas, CR stopped or didn't start production of the 300. Whatever (kind of pissed me off actually). I now have a Streamlight TLR-8 on the way which will do just fine.

The PSA upper included the EPT trigger which is so nice I seriously doubt if I'll change it. I have another EPT which might possibly be a step up from a run of the mil trigger; but not by much. I temporarily have a throw away Field Sport reflex and cannot make it stop working, holding zero, etc. The pistol is zeroed at only 25 meters. Its intended use is for really close up work. The lower is PSA w/ a Shockwave blade which works well. No idea if I'll go a possible ghost ring or red dot eventually. The original configuration looks nicer (imo) but that's of little consequence to me. Here's a couple of before and afters. The hand stop is a big deal for these shorties. I'll be removing this one when I install the light in its location.


Original


Modified

I built 2 during "the troubles" of 2016. Both 8.5", in 5.56 and 300 AAC.

The 5.56 (top) no longer wears 45 degree BUIS, and the 300 AAC (bottom) now sports a KAK flash can.