AR or 9mm?

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Lex Luthier - I feel bad...

I probably should have been clearer in my original post... I have several full size combat handguns - most in 9mm and two in .45. I have one ultra compact .45 that I carry when my favorite 9mm doesn't fit well. However, I want something slightly more compact and lighter, e.g. a Kahr PM9. I don't *need* it but, it would make it a bit easier to carry in some situations.

I also own several bolt guns and one lever gun... but no autoloaders (except for .22lr). I have extensive experience with the AR platform but have no interest in the 5.56. I'd like to put an AR or similar gun in the inventory but it must be capable cycling subsonic ammunition - I'm not committed to the 300 BLK, I just think it perfectly balances my demands. I'll probably range this gun just a few times a year so I really don't care about special order ammo or the cost per shot.

Also, I have a rule of buying only one gun per year to keep from turning my basement into a pile of guns. So... I just put the post up to collect opinions on models and queue order.
 
Bullz said:
Lex Luthier - I feel bad...

I probably should have been clearer in my original post... I have several full size combat handguns - most in 9mm and two in .45. I have one ultra compact .45 that I carry when my favorite 9mm doesn't fit well. However, I want something slightly more compact and lighter, e.g. a Kahr PM9. I don't *need* it but, it would make it a bit easier to carry in some situations.

I also own several bolt guns and one lever gun... but no autoloaders (except for .22lr). I have extensive experience with the AR platform but have no interest in the 5.56. I'd like to put an AR or similar gun in the inventory but it must be capable cycling subsonic ammunition - I'm not committed to the 300 BLK, I just think it perfectly balances my demands. I'll probably range this gun just a few times a year so I really don't care about special order ammo or the cost per shot.

Also, I have a rule of buying only one gun per year to keep from turning my basement into a pile of guns. So... I just put the post up to collect opinions on models and queue order.
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If the role of the AR is for home defense, how satisfied are you with sticking to the lever gun for that purpose? Depending on how often those situations where the comfort of a compact carry come up, you'd get an immediate and consistent benefit from that purchase.
 
Neverwinter... you hit the nail on the head. I'm leaning towards the compact carry for the exact reason that it'll get used far more frequently - especially during the summer. And honestly, that's probably what I'm going to end up doing.
 
I'd like to put an AR or similar gun in the inventory but it must be capable cycling subsonic ammunition
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If that is the requirement, then there are some other options: 458 SOCOM, 338 Spectre, 300 AAC Blackout and there is a new 6.8 SPC subsonic round (needs a 1:7 twist). There are likely a few others. The Spectre has the advantage of using a 9mm pistol can, giving a very versatile suppressor that works on many guns. The cartridge retains supersonic capability and the subsonic offering is quite a thumper, offering far more hit than a .45 ACP. With the 6.8 SPC you are still above .45 ACP, but retain an excellent supersonic cartridge.

So many choices...
 
Being able to use a 9mm can is a HUGE plus. I'll have to read up on this... Does the 338 spectre use the same mags as the 6.8 SPC?
 
Split the difference and go for a 9mm carbine? Keltec sub2k, a 30 round mag, ready to rock. A 9mm AR is just silly, IMO, but there are people who swear by them. But if it is a truly an either/or scenario, I'd say the AR 300blk with option to rebarrel for 5.56 to maintain a commonly obtainable round. Swap the barrel and roll out.
 
It would see range time but not much more than would be necessary to become perfectly proficient... in other words, I wont be shooting this gun for fun. I have limited interest or practical application for centerfire rifles.... but I do want to add a high capacity, medium power, semi-auto rifle to my armory.
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Then you probably should avoid oddball calibers and specialized parts of these quasi-wildcat guns. Go buy yourself a SW M&P 15 and call it a day.
 
Bullz said:
rjrivero - I love the gun. Is that a custom build? Do you have recommendations for uppers/lowers? Also, it looks like you're feeding it with glock mags? Am I seeing that correctly?
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This one is built on a Lone Wolf Dist. lower with a Rock River upper. The bolt modifications were done by Adco Firearms. This does run Glock Magazines.

The only way a PCC makes sense to me is if it uses the same magazines as my handgun. Otherwise, I may as well be carrying a rifle caliber rifle.
 
I would get a CCW 9mm. I have a PPS it aint cheap, but it is a great pistol. The Ruger has a safety. I don't like a safety on striker fired pistols. Otherwise it is a fine gun. The Ruger SR9c is a very good option and the Keltec PF9 will fill your needs.

I believe a striker fired is safer than a hammered pistol. There is no load on the striker mechanism until you pull the trigger. The trigger is usually a longer pull, but that is a plus in a carry. IMHO.

The pistol option gives you more chances to protect youself. A CCW can be carried almost everywhere. An AR is limited where you can carry it for self defense. Usually home defense only for an AR.

The 300AAC sounds like a great round, but ammo is still pricy. I would wait until the ammo price goes down.
 
Panzercat said:
Split the difference and go for a 9mm carbine? Keltec sub2k, a 30 round mag, ready to rock. A 9mm AR is just silly, IMO, but there are people who swear by them. But if it is a truly an either/or scenario, I'd say the AR 300blk with option to rebarrel for 5.56 to maintain a commonly obtainable round. Swap the barrel and roll out.
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I agree with you. I was looking at buying a SUB 2K last year to fill this AR spot. It's a really nice handling carbine and I love the way it folds. I feel the gun is worth between $250 and $300. When I was shopping them out, everyone wanted around $400 for it which put it at a price point that brought other guns into consideration. For example, I can get the M&P15 sport for $562... I'd rather run the S&W for the incremental $162... even though it is 5.56.
 
Get a G17, the original Glock and the best. It carries well in a belt holster, and weighs only 32 ounces fully loaded. And 17 rounds of high-powered 9mm ammunition is nothing to sneeze at.
 
Bull....S&W makes a M&P 15 in 300 whisper and say it's fine to shoot 300 blackout out of, though I'm unsure on it's reliability and such as I don't know of many people owning them.

As for the pistol, sounds like you're leaning toward the PM9 already, why not just get that? I had one and pocket carried it for a while, then decided I prefer larger framed handguns.

If you do get an AR in 300BLK, you can always get a 9mm upper for it too, gives you the ability to use the 9mm at a little bit longer ranges if you run low/out of 300BLK.
 
If you already have other guns, which sounds like you do when you said "adding to the armory" then I'd suggest the 300Blackout Short-barrel AR with suppressor. You mentioned that ammo cost is not an issue, so you can both get the cheaper supersonic ammo for stockpiling and subsonic ammo if you choose to use the suppressor.
 
Re-read your post #26.

Let me just chime in with this. I shoot with guys that use 6.8 SPC and 300 AAC on occasion. While the steel targets we engange out to 425 yards certainly 'react more violently' to the impact of the heavier bullets, practical accuracy over a standard 5.56 is the same.

Of the wildcats that have turned 'mainstream' 300 blackout seems to be the one catching on. 6.8 is seriously expensive, even for the casual shooter. (I evidence this by the 6.8 guys scouring the landscape for precious brass after a course of fire.)

Thunderbeast makes some fantastic supressors for hypersonic and subsonic ammo. if you want to run a supressed AR firing subsonic loads you'd be well served by talking to guys who build such arms regularly to get the combination of gas system and buffer 'just right' for reliable operation.
 
Dr. Rob,

That's why the 300 BLK is something I'm considering... it's now SAAMI standardized as of Feb or '11 (I think). More manufacturers are stepping up to the plate with it and, if I choose, reloading for this round should be super easy and cheap... 223 primers, reduced powder load, and some low grain variant of 300.

I'll check out the thunderbeast supressors. The 9mm option isn't a totally bad idea. It's a good bit less powerful but US Special Forces are able to make it work so... maybe I can too. Hmm.... I honestly think the 9mm would be a bit more fun to shoot... but I don't know.
 
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