9mm AR folks, can you help me?

[TexasRifleman]

I'm thinking about getting a 9mm upper for my SBR, maybe the 10.5" from Rock River Arms, not sure yet. For recreation shooting only because of the low ammo cost. No intentions of using it for defensive purposes.

My question is magazine availability.

What exactly do these use? I have read that you can modify an Uzi mag to work, but what is the modification?

Are there other mag alternatives? What are magazine costs?

I don't want to have to spend more on mags than the upper itself

Many thanks!

 

[Tim L]

The RRAs use the Colt style mag. there is a magwell adapter that is needed, same as with Colts. My RRA rifle came with a modified UZI mag, however original Colt or Pro mag mags work fine. C-Products has released an affordable (stainless?) mag which sounds like it's the way to go. the Pro mags are less than $20, Colts are over $50, modified UZIs are about $25 and the C-products are about $30.

Tim

 

[iamkris]

I use the Oly system. It uses unmodified Sten mags (at about $8 a pop) if you spend the $60 for a mag well block. You could pay for the mag block pretty quick with a $22 savings/mag of Sten vs. C-Products.

[homersimpsonvoice]Mmmmm....SBR 9mm carbine.[\homersimpsonvoice] I've considered giving mine a neutering down to the FSB...16" seems like such a waste in a nice, handy little carbine.

 

[BucksDC]

Hello

If you do a RRA lower with a HyTech mag block you can run unmodified Uzi mags in it.
This is the way I'm going. The block is $150, but you save on time and money finding/moding mags. DSA use to sell Uzi mags for 10 dollars a pop if you bought so many(don't know if they still do)
Let us know what you decide.

 

[10-Ring]

I have the 'Colt' version 9mm conversion --needed to find mag(s), new hammer & block. But I went over the 1000 round mark over the weekend w/o a hiccup, glitch or misfire--I am a happy gun owner
Good luck w/ your project!

 

[ilmonster]

I have had good success with Promags of all things! They always feed in my RRA A4 9mm, and have bolt hold open on last shot. I wouldn't use Promags in any handgun I have, but they work great in my AR and cost me $11.95 from Natchez. I am waiting for the C Products mag to come out and try one of those. too.

 

[30 cal slob]

pro-mag plastic mags. dirt cheep - 32 rders are something like $12 from midway. don't order from the promag website - prices are double and shipping is 3x slower. lol.

-slob

 

[CleverNickname]

Assuming you're talking about Colt-style 9mm setups, you have two choices: Uzi mags and Colt-style mags.

Uzi magazines need an extra mag catch hole cut in the body to work with most 9mm AR mag blocks, although VM-Hytech does make a mag block that's designed to work with unmodified Uzi mags. The problem with Uzi mags is that they don't lock the bolt open on the last shot. Uzi mags are pretty cheap though, you can get milsurp 32-round mags for ~$20. Cutting the mag catch hole properly will add some to the cost though.

Colt-style mags are pretty much the same as Uzi mags except they have an extension on the tail of the follower which hits the bolt hold-open on the last round. There's three types of Colt-style mags: factory Colts for $50-70 ea., C-Products for $30 ea. and plastic Pro-Mags for about $12 ea. The C-Products aren't currently available, but should be soon. The Pro-mags may or may not work for you, the two I have don't work at all in my 9mm AR, but I've seen posts from other people indicating exactly the opposite.

Remember to swap out your carbine buffer for a 9mm buffer too.

 

[Mtdew]

uzi mag modifactions...

 

[Rexrider]

+1 on everything CleverNickname said.

A quick word about the Promag "Colt style" mags. Make sure you try one or two before investing in a bunch of them. They seem work in some rifles and not in others. You will find out real quick if they don't work in yours. I know this because I found out promags will not work in my rifle. 8 out of 8 mags failed with the same problem. The round from the right side of the stack noses up and completely misses the chamber

However, as you can see, there seem to be plenty of people who have had good luck with them.

The nice thing with a Colt style setup is you have options. Even though I can't use the Promags, modified UZI mags do work very well. Since Colt mags are based on UZI mags, they should work just as well.

 

[marklbucla]

I'm with iamkris on the Olympic system.

You might want to take a look into their offerings as they're a lot easier to manage. The uppers are a straight swap, no need for a change of buffer or hammer, nor a magazine block even if you want to use the Olympic Modified magazines. Plus, I believe that they're cheaper too.

 

[TexasRifleman]

Thanks folks. I have some looking to do for sure, I appreciate the info!

 

[donkee]

I really like my Oly 9mm upper. Sten mags are still cheap and the gun is a total riot to shoot. Dang, I think I just decided to get another........