Is a shotgun upper for the AR-15 possible?

[PercyShelley]

The saiga-12 got me thinking; would it be possible to make an upper for an AR-15 in 28 gauge or .410?

 

[50 Shooter]

As long as the round you want to use will fit through the mag well then it should be possible. You'll also need someone to design a mag that will work in the rifle also.

 

[LoadedDrum]

Seems like something MGI could do. Perhaps use their Hydra lower with a new magwell designed for Saiga 410 mags.

 

[highlander 5]

There was a 12 gauge shotgun that looked like an AR called a USAS 12 at one time but it's now a NFA item IIRC

 

[Frog48]

Is the mag well on a normal AR15 big enough for a 12-ga shell? Looking at my Bushmaster, I'm thinking not. Maybe .410 though.

 

[only1asterisk]

You'll need a magazine made to handle rimmed cases and a new barrel extension for the 28 ga.

I think one could do an intenal magazine to hold 4 or 5 28ga shells. I'd buy one just to see the reactions of the local sporting clays guys.

David

 

[jerkface11]

If it wouldn't work in an AR15 it would work in an AR10.

 

[rbernie]

Single shot - could be done on an AR15 platform. But the magwell on the AR15 is 2.3" or thereabouts, and is far too short to fit a 2.75" shotgun shell thru it.

As was mentioned, an AR10 magwell is about three inches in length, and could be used to feed shotgun shells. The rim of 12GA and 20GA shells are too big to fit the side-to-side dimention of the AR-10 magwell, though. You might could get a 28GA or 410 to work.

You might could handload a 458 SOCOM with a couple of 45cal shotshell inserts, to get the same relative effect....

 

[only1asterisk]

rbernie,

With a folded crimp, 2.75" 28ga shells average 2.335". I just stuck one in an AR mag. Cutting away the front of the magazine and reworking the feed lips, you might get one or two to feed.

It would expensive and silly, but loads of fun if somebody were to make it work.

David

 

[walking arsenal]

OH! HEY!


I just had a thought! (I'm only allowed one of these a year so no stealing)

Isn't the .45 bushmaster based on .45 acp? And don't .45 LC chambers also allow 410 shotshells?

So in theory wouldn't you be able to design a .410 shotgun around the .45 bushmaster platform?

MINE! I PATENT!

 

[only1asterisk]

The .45 Bushmaster is a reintroduction of the .45 Professional. It is based on the .284 Win case head. The case body is tapered like a .30 Carbine.

It doesn't solve any problems.
The magazine still wouldnt work for more than 1 or 2 2.5" rounds.

MINE! I PATENT!

Even if you have a working idea, you screwed up your chance at a patent when you disclosed it in an open forum.

David

 

[SDC]

There's no reason you couldn't make an upper with it's own mag well feeding in off the left side (ala the FG42; better yet, make it to accept Saiga mags.)

 

[only1asterisk]

The rim of the 28ga is too big for the bolt. It would have to be some new kind of delayed blowback.

David

 

[Hoppy590]

cool alternative to a saiga. a USAS clone. my understanding is its not a DD
http://www.ameetecarms.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=62

 

[walking arsenal]

David Duh

 

[jerkface11]

.50 Beowulf firing shotshells would work. Or you could come up with some straight walled something or other for an AR10 platform. .30-06 cut to the max length with all the taper removed. It wouldn't be a big shotgun but it would have a lot of ammo.

 

[only1asterisk]

I've heard of .450 Marlin comversions for AR10's. You could make 2.75" shotshells out of 458 Lott brass.

David

 

[doubleg]

Is this the begining of a rimless 12 gauge? That could be a very versitle cartidge.

 

[only1asterisk]

HK already beat me to that one, I have a couple of pieces of ammo for the CAW around here somewhere. It has to be rimmed or belted to headspace, that, or be really funny looking.

David

 

[CleverNickname]

Seems like something MGI could do. Perhaps use their Hydra lower with a new magwell designed for Saiga 410 mags.

I asked them about this awhile back, and they said it was possible but that it wasn't tops on their list to develop at this time. I've got an RDIAS and I'd really like a full-auto 12 ga.

 

[navyman2015]

Check out YouTube for "AR shotgun upper". Some daring soul decided to go with a belt fed option and while his engineering skills are put to good use I have to wonder how much it would cost. Still, one heck of a concept put into practice. God Bless American ingenuity!

 

[digdeep74]

its not only possible but you here it is!

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=136312756

 

[Number 6]

Better price.

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Safir_Arms_T-14_Classic_.410_Guage_Upper_Half.html

 

[PandaBearBG]

How bout these? I think the last one is based on the Saiga design.

 

[Jguy101]

Some company is making a .410 AR for an overseas market; I really don't remember what country it was.