Questions about AR pistols??

[Chuck R.]

Sniper66,

Don't have the models you mentioned, but I've got a home build in .300AAC. You're welcome to drive over and try it.



IMHO IF you're going with a short barreled AR15 <10" you shoot take a hard look at 300AAC. My 9.5" barreled gun with a linear comp is about as loud as my 16" guns in 5.56. The terminal ballistics for a short barreled 300 VS short barreled .223 are another advantage for the .300AAC.

I've got a 9mm carbine also, it's great for practice and matches, but I wouldn't try to compare it to a .300AAC running supers as a defensive cartridge.

 

[Sniper66]

Sniper66,

Don't have the models you mentioned, but I've got a home build in .300AAC. You're welcome to drive over and try it.

View attachment 931213

IMHO IF you're going with a short barreled AR15 <10" you shoot take a hard look at 300AAC. My 9.5" barreled gun with a linear comp is about as loud as my 16" guns in 5.56. The terminal ballistics for a short barreled 300 VS short barreled .223 are another advantage for the .300AAC.

I've got a 9mm carbine also, it's great for practice and matches, but I wouldn't try to compare it to a .300AAC running supers as a defensive cartridge.

Very generous offer. Thank you! At the moment I'm in Montana escaping Kansas heat. I have been looking at these weapons at a local, very well equipped, tactical shop, which fueled my interest. I'll contact you when I return. Tom

 

[Texas10mm]

I keep going back and forth on an AR pistol. Right now I'm leaning toward one of the 9mm Ruger PC Chargers instead. Of course, I don't need either.

I liked the idea of the Ruger PC Charger. I've had excellent luck with my Ruger PCC.

But.....and it's a big one in my mind, is the cost. You can get a complete AR9 for less than the cost of the Ruger PC Charger. Add a brace on that PC Charger and you're into it almost $900.

The PSA AR9 pistols are at least $100 less expensive. I paid $650 for mine a couple of months ago.

 

[azrocks]

To me, AR pistols in 5.56/.223 require too many compromises unless you're going to be running a can. Excessive blast/concussion (especially for bystanders), significantly diminished terminal ballistics with most popular off-the-shelf loads, increased wear/abuse on components, and decreased reliability - particularly when you get at or below 10.5". A significant portion of your powder in these cases is just going to create noise & flash. Fun for giggles, but not so much for effect. I wouldn't go below 10.5 (for me, 11.5), which means the difference between that and, say, a 14.5" (pinned/welded), is at most 4". 4" for all those detriments, plus having to use a brace instead of a stock, which may or may not be made illegal in the near future? I just don't see the point. Again, if you're going to suppress it, then it makes sense. But if not... not for me.

Both 300BO and 9mm reverse most of those negatives & turn them to positives. For example, 9mm ballistic data is usually based on a 5" barrel, which means anything past that (within reason) will generally result in increased velocity and therefore better performance. 300BO was designed around a 9" barrel & pistol gas system, and 7.5" guns are common and appear from other people's accounts to run quite well.

I think 300BO is the best option, but I wouldn't consider it unless I was rich and/or reloading. Heck, even rich right now (which I am far from lol) you still can't find it. If you're thinking of using this in a defensive role, 9mm will allow you to practice MUCH MORE for the same $$, which translates to higher proficiency & more fun. What I don't know is what 9mm guns are 'quality', and if the platform in general is as reliable as other chamberings.

 

[mcb]

To me, AR pistols in 5.56/.223 require too many compromises unless you're going to be running a can. Excessive blast/concussion (especially for bystanders), significantly diminished terminal ballistics with most popular off-the-shelf loads, increased wear/abuse on components, and decreased reliability - particularly when you get at or below 10.5". A significant portion of your powder in these cases is just going to create noise & flash. Fun for giggles, but not so much for effect. I wouldn't go below 10.5 (for me, 11.5), which means the difference between that and, say, a 14.5" (pinned/welded), is at most 4". 4" for all those detriments, plus having to use a brace instead of a stock, which may or may not be made illegal in the near future? I just don't see the point. Again, if you're going to suppress it, then it makes sense. But if not... not for me.

Both 300BO and 9mm reverse most of those negatives & turn them to positives. For example, 9mm ballistic data is usually based on a 5" barrel, which means anything past that (within reason) will generally result in increased velocity and therefore better performance. 300BO was designed around a 9" barrel & pistol gas system, and 7.5" guns are common and appear from other people's accounts to run quite well.

I think 300BO is the best option, but I wouldn't consider it unless I was rich and/or reloading. Heck, even rich right now (which I am far from lol) you still can't find it. If you're thinking of using this in a defensive role, 9mm will allow you to practice MUCH MORE for the same $$, which translates to higher proficiency & more fun. What I don't know is what 9mm guns are 'quality', and if the platform in general is as reliable as other chamberings.

Yeah you got to reload the 300 BO. I have my plinking/varmint super-sonic load down to ~$.22/rd and my plinking sub-sonic at ~$.29. But my hunting super-sonics are $.75 and subsonics are running $.95 a round. But I get exactly what I want.

 

[HB]

Its an SBR without the paperwork when set up properly.

The ones you mentioned are set up well. You could have built a servicable one for $350 pre panic.

 

[Legionnaire]

I liked the idea of the Ruger PC Charger. I've had excellent luck with my Ruger PCC.

But.....and it's a big one in my mind, is the cost ...

Roger that. I expect the street price to drop a bit after the current scramble. I'm in no rush.

 

[Alex Clayton]

I felt it was “worth it” to add a Daniel Defense DDM4 V7P, factory-equipped with a LAW folder and SB Tactical brace, a couple of years ago. Some jurisdictions that forbid the transportation of loaded long guns, inside vehicles, do allow the carry of loaded HANDguns inside vehicles. Some jurisdictions that allow me to carry concealed handguns may not allow rifles to be carried in anything other than cases and containers SPECIFICALLY designed as firearms cases or containers, but will let me conceal a pistol in any way that I choose.

The AR15-based pistol has more relevance, if one also has one or more AR15 rifles. Manual of arms is mostly the same, and parts will, largely, interchange. One can elect to keep all of them using the same cartridge, to simplify ammo logistics. In my case, I went with 300 AAC/BLK, in the pistol, while remaining with .223/5.56 NATO in the rifles, but have very nearly added a 16” 300 AAC/BLK upper.

If a future govt edict makes the brace legally problematic, well, the weapon will be somewhat less ergonomic, but will not be rendered useless. If a future law or edict makes an AR15 pistol too much of a bother, to transport, well, I could install a 16” barrel, or have one of those extended muzzle devices pinned and tack-welded, and THEN add a minimalist clamp-on stock to the buffer tube; instant Non-NFA rifle.

Notably, I am cognizant of just how “close to the edge” some combinations of buffer tube, brace, strap, and folding device really are, legally. When I needed to clean my brace, and wanted to remove the strap from the brace, for example, I removed the whole brace, from the buffer tube.

One should also follow the developments in the LOP issue, with pistol braces. Notably, a LAW folder adds about an inch, to the LOP.

I am much less of a fan of 9mm, or other pistol cartridges, in an AR15-based pistol. A holster-able pistol makes more sense, for my use cases. I will not, however, gripe about what others do, in this regard.

This is what first got me "interested" in the AR pistols in pistol caliber. Here we can (with our permit) carry a loaded pistol in the vehicle. So as a "just in case" gun I thought would be interesting. Now that I have seen some video, (like the one here from Lucky) I am going to do some practice with one with just the buffer tube on it in case they take the brace away. Looks like it may work quite well with a sling. Wife got me one of those folder adapter's for my birthday or Christmas and it is damn nice. Expensive little suckers but they are very well made and I do like it well enough I will buy another or two. Even if I have to give up the brace the folder will work for me.
While the 9mm is not "optimal" of course even with my aging eyes I can dump a happy stick into a large hole a few inches across at 50ft. That I can not even come close to doing with a handgun any more with irons. Doubt I could even come close with on optic on one of my full size 9's. So even though its of course not going to happen, it's nice to know if all breaks down where I happen to be I can shoot that well with one of these.

 

[giggitygiggity]

The AR pistol form factor is perfect. . . ~short range carbine/PDW accuracy in a compact package.

.223/5.56 in a 10" barrel is obscenely loud. It's embarrassing (even on a rifle range), and the fireball is really a bit outrageous. A .300BO is much more civilized.

Buy one, you'll like it!

I’ve got an 8.5” and 10.5” .223 as well as an 8.5” and 10.5” .300BLK. They are loud, but my Zastava M92 PAP SBR is the loudest and most outrageous of them all. Huge flame balls. I like shooting it very much.

 

[12Bravo20]

I have two AR pistols, both have 10.5" barrels. One is in 223 and the other 9mm. I went with 10.5" for the 223 since that seems to be more reliable than barrels that are 7.5" or shorter. Plus the carbine length gas system isn't as harsh on the gun as pistol length gas systems are. I went with the 10.5" barrel on the 9mm because I wanted a Colt 9mm SMG clone without all the paperwork (no fun switch or stock). Both pistols have been very reliable and fun to shoot. As others have mentioned, I can carry my AR pistols loaded and concealed in my vehicle where I can not do that with a rifle.

 

[Prince Yamato]

My only AR is a 10.3” SBR. I honestly don’t find it any louder, concussive, or “flashy,” than a 16” AR.

I think the only reason to go pistol vs sbr is either your state has some restriction, or you travel so frequently that it makes 5320.20s a pain. The cost of most braces is within the reach of the $200 tax stamp.

 

[rust collector]

I was having none of the AR pistol kool-ade until Palmetto called my bluff with a $300 300AAC 10.5 kit sans lower. I added an $80 Aero and danged if it didn't run like a top with subs and supers. It is a great companion to the Zastava M92 AK pistol, and both are heaps of fun at the range. Especially near dusk.

 

[Pete D.]

My 10.5" 556 AR is my favorite AR. Quick pointing and compact, it delivers more firepower than any other handgun. View attachment 931124

Looks like a carbine to me.

 

[AK Hunter]

I own three AR pistols one in .300 Blackout that use to hunt deer with because of our strange hunting regs. It's light easy to carry & small enough to move through thick woods without it getting caught on every branch or vine. With only a 8.5" barrel it can still accurately take down deer out to 100yds without any problems.(that about as far as I can see in my woods)

The #2 AR pistol is a 9mm it's just for fun. I have it set up with sights & a laser. The laser is a lot of fun I don't have to hold it up to shoot, I can turn the laser on & shoot from the hip.
The 3rd one is a .223, it's LOUD to say the least. It's so loud that it shakes the paint off the roof of the shooting bay at my local range. It has about a 4" barrel & the muzzle flash is so bright it's like taking flash pictures in the day time. LOL
It's almost too much, I don't use it much because it disturbs the other shooters.

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

I built a pistol with an 11.5” 5.56 barrel. And since then I’ve added a 10.5” upper for it in .300BO. The goal is to suppress it. Should be fun.

 

[dogtown tom]

Looks like a carbine to me.

Look closer.

 

[Armored farmer]

Looks like a carbine to me.

10.5" AR pistol with brace.
It shoots like a carbine too

Here it is with my .22lr conversion kit and three protestors.