CMMG announced their Four Six Banshee, a braced pistol or SBR, about 2 months ago. I came very close to buying one, for a few reasons:
o the 4.6x30mm, like the 5.7x28mm and 22TCM, can defeat some SBA at close ranges*;
o the 4.6x30mm out of an 8" barrel, will not have excessive blast or recoil;
o a braced AR-15 pistol gives enough control to address multiple threats, such as those we have seen in mob and gang attacks in the last few years;
o a very short AR-15 pistol can be concealed in a moderately sized pack or bag, for ready access.
I had the Banshee in my online shopping cart, but didn't pull the trigger because CMMG wouldn't sell me just the upper (forcing me to spend ~ $600 on a lower similar to ones I already have), and when I was about to place my order, CMMG had no additional 4.6mm mags in stock! Coupled with the fact that I have no 4.6x30mm ammunition, but a few years' worth of 5.56x45mm, I decided to take another look at my options.
I wanted something that would have greater potential versus multiple threats than traditional pistols, the ability to defeat SBA, be concealable in a reasonably sized pack or bag, and be quick into action. I remembered a recent email from Aim Surplus, and looked at the FM15 Gen 2 uppers and entire pistols they were selling.
The Foxtrot Mike FM15 is somewhat similar to the BRN 180 being sold by Brownells (which FM Products also assisted with), with the big difference being that the BRN 180 is a piston upper, while the FM15 is DI, like the AR-15. 2 recoil springs in the upper mean there's no need for the buffer tube and spring of an AR-15. AR-15 lowers can be made to accommodate the FM15 by installing an adapter that seals off where the buffer tube screws into the back of the receiver, with a Picantinny rail on the outward side, for attaching a brace or other accessories.
*criminals have increasingly used body armor in the last few years.
o the 4.6x30mm, like the 5.7x28mm and 22TCM, can defeat some SBA at close ranges*;
o the 4.6x30mm out of an 8" barrel, will not have excessive blast or recoil;
o a braced AR-15 pistol gives enough control to address multiple threats, such as those we have seen in mob and gang attacks in the last few years;
o a very short AR-15 pistol can be concealed in a moderately sized pack or bag, for ready access.
I had the Banshee in my online shopping cart, but didn't pull the trigger because CMMG wouldn't sell me just the upper (forcing me to spend ~ $600 on a lower similar to ones I already have), and when I was about to place my order, CMMG had no additional 4.6mm mags in stock! Coupled with the fact that I have no 4.6x30mm ammunition, but a few years' worth of 5.56x45mm, I decided to take another look at my options.
I wanted something that would have greater potential versus multiple threats than traditional pistols, the ability to defeat SBA, be concealable in a reasonably sized pack or bag, and be quick into action. I remembered a recent email from Aim Surplus, and looked at the FM15 Gen 2 uppers and entire pistols they were selling.
The Foxtrot Mike FM15 is somewhat similar to the BRN 180 being sold by Brownells (which FM Products also assisted with), with the big difference being that the BRN 180 is a piston upper, while the FM15 is DI, like the AR-15. 2 recoil springs in the upper mean there's no need for the buffer tube and spring of an AR-15. AR-15 lowers can be made to accommodate the FM15 by installing an adapter that seals off where the buffer tube screws into the back of the receiver, with a Picantinny rail on the outward side, for attaching a brace or other accessories.
*criminals have increasingly used body armor in the last few years.
) Some handguards have slots that just hold the nuts a little diagonally across the hole, but they still hold tight.
