My first AR pistol on the way. No idea why.

[Trey Veston]

Heard a rumor that Biden was going to issue an EO declaring AR pistols with braces to be an NFA item.

Been curious about them. I love my AR-patterned 9mm pistol, but it's got a 7.5" barrel and the one I just ordered has a 10.5" barrel.

I have absolutely no need or use for this "pistol". I just thought I should probably get one before either they are gone, outlawed, or declared NFA.

I went to the PSA website and while I was there trying to decide which flavor to get, the site started acting funny. Heavy traffic was hitting it and options were disappearing.

I started trying to get a complete firearm for $729, then looked at lowers, then at uppers. I wanted a 10.5" barrel, flat-top, and 5.56. I ended up buying a lower with the SBA3 brace and Magpul furniture for $299, then got a flat-top upper with a 10.5" barrel and 9" M-Lok handguard for $399.

Hopefully I'll like it.

And hopefully it is grandfathered before the EO takes effect. Lower is going to my FFL while the upper is going to me. So, if Uncle Sniffy declares any newly purchased braced AR pistols as NFA items, starting from when he signs the illegal order later today, my records will show they were purchased at 0700 on 4/8/21, before his order was signed. The FFL will receive a braced lower next week, but no idea if it will get a rifle-length upper or not. I will be adding a legally purchased pistol upper to it later that day, that was purchased legally.

No idea if all this will work out or not. I'm not used to being made a criminal. Years of military service and federal law enforcement convinced me that I was a "good guy". Kind of weird being turned into a bad guy by the government I swore to serve and defend.

 

[Mosin Shooter]

Any idea when the EO takes effect?

 

[CapnMac]

was going to issue an EO declaring AR pistols with braces to be an NFA item.

Well, all that was mentions was an Executive Action directing ATFE to consider a change of rules.

And such rules changes take about two years to go through. Assuming they are not withdrawn after public comments, much like the previous rule changes about ammo, and pistol braces, recently went through.

Now, a bold, assertive move would have been to execute an Executive Order that DOJ was to consider all braced AR pistols as SBR and enforce per NFA Title II accordingly. Mind, that EO would only have lasted until the first seizure, like as not.

So, buy a braced pistol because you want one, and enjoy it for what it is.

 

[milsurpguy]

10 years ago I thought AR pistols were dumb and couldn't care less. Now I say "shall not be infringed".

 

[entropy]

Heard a rumor that Biden was going to issue an EO declaring AR pistols with braces to be an NFA item.

Been curious about them. I love my AR-patterned 9mm pistol, but it's got a 7.5" barrel and the one I just ordered has a 10.5" barrel.

I have absolutely no need or use for this "pistol". I just thought I should probably get one before either they are gone, outlawed, or declared NFA.

I went to the PSA website and while I was there trying to decide which flavor to get, the site started acting funny. Heavy traffic was hitting it and options were disappearing.

I started trying to get a complete firearm for $729, then looked at lowers, then at uppers. I wanted a 10.5" barrel, flat-top, and 5.56. I ended up buying a lower with the SBA3 brace and Magpul furniture for $299, then got a flat-top upper with a 10.5" barrel and 9" M-Lok handguard for $399.

Hopefully I'll like it.

And hopefully it is grandfathered before the EO takes effect. Lower is going to my FFL while the upper is going to me. So, if Uncle Sniffy declares any newly purchased braced AR pistols as NFA items, starting from when he signs the illegal order later today, my records will show they were purchased at 0700 on 4/8/21, before his order was signed. The FFL will receive a braced lower next week, but no idea if it will get a rifle-length upper or not. I will be adding a legally purchased pistol upper to it later that day, that was purchased legally.

No idea if all this will work out or not. I'm not used to being made a criminal. Years of military service and federal law enforcement convinced me that I was a "good guy". Kind of weird being turned into a bad guy by the government I swore to serve and defend.

It should ship to your address. All 3 of the uppers for the pistols I built were.

You'll find that 10" will be very handy, and more than minute-of-goblin, to use a Cooperism, out to at least 200 yards. That's all the further I've shot mine, and while they aren't M16A2 groups, 3-4" at 200 ain't bad .

 

[ontarget]

Kind of weird being turned into a bad guy by the government I swore to serve and defend.

I second that motion sir.

 

[Nsomniac]

I'm not used to being made a criminal. Years of military service and federal law enforcement convinced me that I was a "good guy". Kind of weird being turned into a bad guy by the government I swore to serve and defend.

I don't believe I've ever sworn to serve the government. The Constitution, certainly. And that "weird" feeling you describe indicates thoughtfulness about the difference. Thank you for that, and your service.

To business: I'm in the same boat about the AR platform - I don't own either an AR pistol or a rifle, but have a couple of "others" in the form of lowers that I've intended to do something with. It's a conundrum for me because now I too find myself wanting a pistol version (forbidden fruit FTW?) and have to think about availability and cost and such - I'll be interested to see how you like your build. My wife suggested buying several uppers to try if I can find them at normal retail prices. "Hot commodity now, right? It's like buying gold!" - I don't deserve her.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

I've never been huge on rifle-caliber SBRs because of the noise/blast increase and the decreased efficiency in the short barrels. I'd want a 11.5" or longer barrel for 5.56 x 45, and honestly at that point I just kind of shrug and go with a 14.5" pinned to 16" as being much less hassle for not a whole lot of extra length and weight.

I did have a Sig MPX pistol, but I Form 1'd it into an SBR.

 

[doubleh]

I find them rather silly and have no interest in them but I get more than a little upset over them being denied to people that do desire them. I think some executive actions will probably wind up in court. What the outcome will be is anybody's guess. I have no faith in any branch of government including the courts to adhere to the constituion when it come to firearms law.

Just how many crimes have been committed with SBRs or for that matter the so called "ghost" guns?

 

[Trey Veston]

Went to PSA's website to show my brother what I ordered and almost all AR pistols are sold out, as well as uppers and lowers. The combo I ordered is no longer available. Mine has shipped, so I got it just in time.

 

[kcofohio]

I'm sure as of yesterday's news, the AR pistols are disappearing on most sites.

 

[Encoreman]

To the OP's question of you don't know why. Because this is the United States of America and we have the right to keep and bear arms, doesn't say how big or little, pistol or long gun, musket or M-16. That's why because we CAN!!

 

[TheBruce]

It never creases to amaze me, how many people wait until the 11th hour to buy something that may or may not be available to buy in the future. Why is PSA and other sites just now being cleaned out when we've known the Democrats would be in control of the WH for months now, and it's no secret what their agenda entails? I've been buying a crap ton of AR parts since December. It seems like no matter how much warning people have, there are so many who just seem to remain blind to the writing on the wall and still get caught with their pants down. I'm also willing to wager more than half the people buying those uppers and pistols now have no idea what or why they're buying, and haven't even established a use case for it. It's the forbidden fruit thing. It's very interesting.

Congrats on your purchase by the way. I'm sure you will like it. I only have one AR pistol in 300 AAC, never had a desire for any others. SBRs however, that's a whole 'nother ball game...

 

[Trey Veston]

I've been buying mags and parts kits and other items since before the election. Been sort of wanting an AR pistol in the 5.56 caliber for a couple of years, but could never justify it. When I heard that Biden was going to target them, it was the last bit of prodding that I needed.

So, not blind or caught with my pants down. Not many people can throw $700-$1500 at a firearm that they really don't need and can't justify to their spouse just because the leftists are going to target them. They are coming for all guns eventually. ARs and semi-automatic handguns are next. Doesn't mean that everyone has the financial means to get every gun they've ever wanted before they are outlawed.

 

[cfullgraf]

I had an AR pistol in 300 Blackout. Been there, done that, it did not set my life on fire.

I'm rebuilding it to a rifle.

But by all means, try an AR pistol. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[Gordon]

It never creases to amaze me, how many people wait until the 11th hour to buy something that may or may not be available to buy in the future. Why is PSA and other sites just now being cleaned out when we've known the Democrats would be in control of the WH for months now, and it's no secret what their agenda entails? I've been buying a crap ton of AR parts since December. It seems like no matter how much warning people have, there are so many who just seem to remain blind to the writing on the wall and still get caught with their pants down. I'm also willing to wager more than half the people buying those uppers and pistols now have no idea what or why they're buying, and haven't even established a use case for it. It's the forbidden fruit thing. It's very interesting.

Congrats on your purchase by the way. I'm sure you will like it. I only have one AR pistol in 300 AAC, never had a desire for any others. SBRs however, that's a whole 'nother ball game...

"When guns are outlawed , only Outlaws will have guns " We are Americans , most of us will not roll over to tyranny !

 

[DukeConnor]

The point of AR pistols is when you suppress them they are not a mile long.
I can also keep one loaded in my vehicle if I choose to.

 

[1911 guy]

I went the SBR route, but strongly considered the pistol option. The downside is noise and muzzle blast. It's not pleasant at all. The upside is M855 is sent at below the fragmentation velocity and penetration is very good, should that ever be a useful thing for you. I briefly considered subsonic and a can, but in 5.56 that makes almost no sense at all.