PDW/AR/AK "Pistol" Question

[Plan2Live]

I had a discussion recently with a gun buddy. We were discussing the practicality of PDWs or AR/AK “pistols” with “arm braces”. The only such firearm I’ve ever fired was a Palmetto State Armory AK-V(?) in 9mm with a Red Dot Sight. The guy who had it on the range next to me and let me shoot it was shooting 1-inch groups at 15 or 20 yards, I don’t recall the exact distance. When he handed the gun to me I was shooting dinner plate groups at the same distance. I found the lack of a cheek weld made it difficult for me to get tight groups. So here are my questions;

1. Is my shooting experience typical?

2. If you were buying such a firearm would you opt for open sights, red dot sight?

3. If you are going down this road, why wouldn’t you just pay for the tax stamp and get a real SBR?

I don’t own any NFA items right now, I have some reservation about going down that path due to privacy concerns but it seems like if you are going to own a SBR just get a SBR instead of a cough, cough, “pistol”.

I’m open to comments.

 

[Varminterror]

Dinner plates at 15-20 yards is not typical of what I have experienced with AR pistols.

 

[HB]

The guy who had it on the range next to me and let me shoot it was shooting 1-inch groups at 15 or 20 yards, I don’t recall the exact distance. When he handed the gun to me I was shooting dinner plate groups at the same distance.

You answered your own question there. That gun is capable of 1” groups.

My experience with AR pistols is that they are basically 10” rifles.

 

[Plan2Live]

You answered your own question there. That gun is capable of 1” groups.

Okay, I'll rephrase my question, is the lack of a cheek weld a common contributing factor in lack of accuracy?

 

[HB]

Okay, I'll rephrase my question, is the lack of a cheek weld a common contributing factor in lack of accuracy?

Not with the brace

 

[Zerodefect]

None of my ''pistols'' were as practical as a 14.5" AR.
All of a sudden, I'm bringing my arms back in, instead of way out on a shotgun or 3gun prepped 18" AR. For now, that's too alien feeling.

Sure the shortness was noticeable, and nice, but completely unnecessary. Sold them all except the PS90. I might build another 8" 300blk, but I doubt it.

 

[mavracer]

Okay, I'll rephrase my question, is the lack of a cheek weld a common contributing factor in lack of accuracy?

Why can't you get a cheek weld with a brace?

 

[someguy2800]

I can’t comment on an AK, but a pistol brace on an AR has exactly the same cheek weld as a carbine stock and will not shoot any better or worse.

 

[BreechFace]

There is no difference in cheek weld between a braced AR and a standard carbine stocked AR.

Dinner plates at 15-20 yards (with a 10" dinner plate that's like 50 MOA), sounds like a software problem as opposed to a hardware problem.

 

[js8588]

One of the builds I've got underway is an AR Pistol. I have no interest in an SBR or really any AR with a barrel less than 16 inches. The 5.56 round is a little anemic to begin with (as rifle rounds go) and handicapping it with a shorter barrel is just exacerbating that.

So why am I building an AR Pistol? Because Pennsylvania has a law that you may not have a loaded rifle in your vehicle.

The SBA4 Brace I've got it gives me a very SOPMOD-like cheekweld while giving the ATF (and the commonwealth of PA) perfunctory compliance.

I'm putting a red dot on it with absolute cowitness DD fixed sights.

 

[Browning]

1. I’m not sure why you’d have a problem getting a cheek weld with a brace.

2. I’d typically opt for a red dot with back up iron sights using 100% co-witness.

3. Because it basically performs the same function.

 

[entropy]

1. Is my shooting experience typical?

For those not used to shooting such guns, yes. I noticed it today when a friend was shooting my 10.5" AR pistol and my AMD-65. (which is not a pistol, nor SBR, but has a wire stock that allows no cheek weld) I shoot both about like your friend shoots his.

2. If you were buying such a firearm would you opt for open sights, red dot sight?

I just sighted in my BUS, but am ordering a red dot. So, both. Just open sights on the AK.

3. If you are going down this road, why wouldn’t you just pay for the tax stamp and get a real SBR?

Because I don't have to this way, and the brace is more than steady enough. So is just a tube with foam and cheek on that. (in .223. Not sure I'd try that with a .308 or such.)

 

[edwardware]

1. Is my shooting experience typical?
2. If you were buying such a firearm would you opt for open sights, red dot sight?
3. If you are going down this road, why wouldn’t you just pay for the tax stamp and get a real SBR?

1 - No. Your technique needs work.
2 - Whichever fast sight you like. I use irons.
3 - "The answer to this question is left as an exercise for the reader."