Short barrel rifle project suggestions and help

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walking arsenal

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I've finally decided after years of shooting that what my collection really needs is a short barrel rifle.

I decided this after coming down with a health problem that won't let me shoot my shotguns or any stout recoiling rifles anymore. I still want to shoot and thought that a lightweight, low recoiling, sub gun might be fun.

As a platform I've decided that I'm probably going to use an MPA 30 9mm

Seen here https://www.masterpiecearms.com/proddetail.php?prod=MPA30T

I chose the MPA 30 for the following reasons.

9mm is cheap
The MPA 30 is cheap but reliable from what I hear
9mm is quiet compared to rifle rounds from a short barrel
low recoil
Overall handiness

After I file all the paper work and get my tax stamp I will most likely get and adapter that will allow me to attach an AR-15 style collapsible stock and maybe a forward grip of some kind.

I think this is the cheapest way for me to enter the short barreled rifle world but am open to suggestions of other rifles that might be fun to short barrel.

I would even be open to thoughts on 9mm carbines that I wouldn't have to short barrel but that are within the $500 range as that is my budget limit.

Thoughts?
 
If you already have an AR you can get just the upper for under $500. That's assuming that the $500 budget doesn't include the stamp.
 
I do.

But the issue with a short barrel AR is noise. I had a 7" AR-15 pistol once that I was planning to register but it was so loud that I routinely got asked to stop shooting it at the ranges I attended.

That's why I'm leaning towards something in a pistol caliber.
 
Understandable. I've gotten some dirty looks from my 11.5" before. I haven't priced kits, but you may be able to do a 9mm AR upper for under 500. The only pistol caliber carbine I have is a Marlin Camp 9. You might be able to get into one for under $500 including the stamp if you're lucky enough to find one in excellent shape for $175 like I did :) I used to have an MPA upper for my M11/9 but I never used it since I had a Lage upper as well. You're right about one thing - they are very, very handy indoors.
 
You can buy a 9mm AR short barreled upper, add about $100 the mag block and you'll be good to go after you get your stamp.


I've got the MPA mini side cocker and its fun to blast away with using a cheap red dot on the rail, but the trigger and grip are not conducive for comfortable shooting sessions.

I certainly agree every collection needs at least one SBR and supressor :).
 
I like the 9mm upper personally. Cheap ammunition, easy to load subsonic if you handload.

300 blackout is fun and you can get by with just swapping the barrel out on a carbine. I am waiting on the paperwork for my 10 incher right now.

Both are very quiet suppressed, but since that may not be an option, I would give the advantage to the 9mm simply on cost of ammunition.
 
I would even be open to thoughts on 9mm carbines that I wouldn't have to short barrel but that are within the $500 range as that is my budget limit.
Click to expand...

Kel Tec Sub 2000. Not as cool as an SBR but for a fun gun 9mm carbine it fits the bill and should be well under $500.

Does .300 blackout just use STANAG mags? I didn't know that.
Click to expand...

Fitting in a standard AR mag is 300 BLK's whole raison d'etre.
 
I converted a Draco pistol not long ago. It was a lot of fun and can be done relatively inexpensively depending upon how you want to trick it out. It started as just a fun gun project for me but turned out to be an awesome rifle in the end.
b592d227.jpg
 
I made an SBR AK for about $650. I have $100 in a Romanian kit (bought it a while back), $100 for a NoDak receiver, about $150 paid to have the barrel and gas system cut down to 9.5 inches, $200 for the tax stamp, $30 for a Tapco FCG, and $50 for a Chinese air rifle with a military sidefolding stock that I liked. I already had the tools to do the build, which helps the price.

It looks ugly, but shoots great.

attachment.php
 
That pictured draco isn't going to be real cheap in that it has ultimak handguard and gas tube ($300ish), CTR stock and riser ($100+), hinge and buffer tube ($100ish). Of course you have $200 in tax. Dracos used to sell for $350 or so but seem to be in short supply at the moment and thus are commanding higher prices right now.

One could do a less fancy draco SBR for much less. The cheapest easiest route would be to simply drill and and tap the back plate and add a $60 ace stock.

Dane17, any reason you have the aimpoint sitting so high?
 
I have a 7" 9mm RRA upper and a 10.5" 7.62x25mm CCMG upper. Both are fun shooters, but the 7.62x25mm is my hands down favorite.
 
That would be in 7.62x39 wouldn't it. That would be quite the fireball out of that short barrel!
Click to expand...

Yes they are x39s (although there is also the champion chambered in 5.56). With a flash hider it is not that bad. Now the mini draco, with its 7.5" barrel on the other hand has a very serious fireball. I want to see if I can get it down to a manageable level with a smith vortex.
 
Ian said:
I made an SBR AK for about $650. I have $100 in a Romanian kit (bought it a while back), $100 for a NoDak receiver, about $150 paid to have the barrel and gas system cut down to 9.5 inches, $200 for the tax stamp, $30 for a Tapco FCG, and $50 for a Chinese air rifle with a military sidefolding stock that I liked. I already had the tools to do the build, which helps the price.

It looks ugly, but shoots great.

attachment.php
Click to expand...
Bet that upper handguard gets HOT !!!!!!
 
Now the mini draco, with its 7.5" barrel on the other hand has a very serious fireball.
Click to expand...

I've got an ~$15 US made Krinkov brake on mine Mini Draco while waiting for the stamp, its really no worse than a 6" 44Mag with full house 240 gr loads. The knock-off brake really does keep the muzzle down, much less than afore mentioned .44Mag off sandbags.
 
've got an ~$15 US made Krinkov brake on mine Mini Draco
Click to expand...

Have you fired it at night? Firing the mini Draco at night with an A2 produced a flash that was literally momentarily blinding. An aimed follow up shot was not immediately possible. For a range toy that is just fine. For a defensive weapon it is not acceptable. I'v not fired a 44 mag at night so I do not know if that is the same.
 
Muzzle brakes and flash suppressors address different problems. My "fake" Kinkov brake came from either Cope's or Centerfire Systems, sorry I don't remember which for sure.

Its very effective at reducing muzzle rise and somewhat effective at reducing flash -- without it you can easily see the Mini Draco muzzle flash in daylight, a quite impressive fireball :)
 
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