Tell me about 9mm AR's.

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HammsBeer

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Looking to build a 9mm AR. So far I've done some research and if you've built one tell me what you liked or what you would do differently and why...

Colt/Uzi stick mags or Glock mags?

Hahn magwell block or dedicated lower?

Ramped 9mm bolt?

How to reduce wear or wallowing of the hammer pin holes.

What buffer and bolt weight do you run, and have you tried an AR10 buffer spring?

Anything else you can tell me?
 
I bought my Colt, so I can't speak much to building, but it has been 100% reliable with Colt/Metalform mags. Haven't tried any others. Consider it an option unless you are dead set on building. A lot of the build threads I see seem to require a lot of tinkering to get them to run 100% which can be fun or a headache depending on your goals/outlook.
 
I am hoping to build one to save some money, hopefully a few people have some affordable suggestions.
 
Do you already own Glock mags?

I have 4 Glock factory mags and 3 Korean mags including two 33 rounders, so I'd be looking for a 9mm carbine that takes Glock mags, but if you don't already have Glock mags then you're not saving money with mag interchangeability.
 
I've got 3 of the Glock 33 rounders and a whole bunch of 15 rounders for the G19, so Glock mag compatibility would be nice.
 
eldon519 said:
I bought my Colt, so I can't speak much to building, but it has been 100% reliable with Colt/Metalform mags. Haven't tried any others. Consider it an option unless you are dead set on building. A lot of the build threads I see seem to require a lot of tinkering to get them to run 100% which can be fun or a headache depending on your goals/outlook.
Click to expand...

Same here, took the easy route and bought a Colt 6954 and set it up like my LE6920:

DSC01070_zpsxuzvbd9f.jpg

One thing I have found is stick to the Metalform mags if you want 100% reliability with the Colt/Uzi style mags. I've got a couple ASC mags that are OK, but bobble once in a while. My Metalforms are GTG.

Regardless of build or buy factory, I highly recommend getting an AR15-9mm IF you are an AR15 user. I run mine probably 5 xs more than I do my 5.56. I can use it for CQC stuff on my AR500 tgts without damaging them and it's easier to reload for, just a few more minutes on my Dillon.

Chuck
 
If you get one with a double stack to single round magazine design (like the Glock mags) you can use the Uplula magazine loader. Otherwise you will have to load them by hand.
 
Another vote for the PSA. Mine has about 400 rounds through it without a single malfuntion, SUPER accurate and has a last round hold open feature. The biggest issue is if you want to quickly switch between 9mm and 223, you have to remove the bolt catch to remove and replace the mag block.

I am going to take the my lower and tap the bolt catch roll pin hole for a 5/8" long set screw. That will make removing the bolt catch super easy and save the finish on the lower.
 
I bought a model1sales kit when I built mine. Uses a standard reciever so comes with a mag block. Ran like a top since day one using the parts they sent. After I played with it for a while I built a suppressor for it on a form 1, the can is tig brazed to the barrel so OAL is 16 1/8" so I only needed one stamp.

It is my most used pistol caliber carbine.
 
The problem with Glock mags is that they have frequent issues with holding the bolt open after the last round. The Colt mags don't have that problem due to a different design. If bolt hold open is a big deal, you should probably skip the Glock mag lowers and stick with the Colt pattern.
 
I'll add that double stack double feed mags (colt) are easier to load than double stack single feed mags (glock).
 
Taurus 617 CCW said:
If you get one with a double stack to single round magazine design (like the Glock mags) you can use the Uplula magazine loader. Otherwise you will have to load them by hand.
Click to expand...

They also make an Uplula for the Colt SMG mags, in some ways (unloading) it's easier than the standard Uplula.

Maglula%20Colt%20SMG%20LULA.jpg

Chuck
 
I bought a complete RRA 9 mm carbine. It was completely reliable, so their parts might be use.

It used modified Uzi mags that were very robust and reliable.

The down side was it could not take a 2-stage match trigger like my other ARs so I lost a bit of interest. Also the accuracy was pretty dismal with common cheap 9mm ammo, however it was very accurate with expensive premium ammo.
 
From being around a bunch of guys that shoot them I'd say reliability is hit or miss: some Colt factory 9mmP carbines don't work out of the box and some RRA PCCs do. From observing a couple of them the lowers that use Glock mags seems to work better than the mag adaptor type.

Personally, I'm using a AUG 9mmP conversion kit. It eats a variety of ammo and is dependable so far. Like any blowback gun it's filthy but that doesn't seem to affect operation.

BSW
 
I've converted a lower and built a dedicated lower and I'll say that a dedicated lower is the way to go.

In my case there was no fiddling to get the dedicated lower to work and it's been extremely reliable. I'm using the CMMG lower with their basic parts kit and an ALG ACT trigger.

The AR Stoner/ASC mags mentioned previously have proven to be flawless. Thumbs up for me.

A magwell conversion block may or may not save you money and likely to need a lot of fiddling and adjusting to get it to work reliably.

Magwell adapters can be either a top load or a bottom load. Top loaders require you to remove the bolt stop assembly. Bottom loading adapters simply slide in and lock down via two set screws (I used the Spike's adapter which is a bottom loader).

My lower build was lower for $150 (I got a deal on it), parts kit $35 (no trigger in the kit), ALG trigger $85-ish, BAD lever $30ish, and a stock kit I had laying around (which I know doesn't really count). So for me that turns out to be about $300.

By way of comparision, my Spike's adapter cost me $200 a few years ago.

I seem to recall that someone told me that adapting a standard AR is usually a mistake. I should've listened.
 
I'll second that Colt/Uzi mags are much easier to load than Glock mags. I've never even seen the purpose of a loading tool on them. I just bump load them and have never had a problem.
 
Bought the factory CMMG complete rifle with 10.5" barrel running it suppressed. Flawless out of the box. It's a dedicated lower, so not able to modify it, however, it's very reliable. The Uplula loader works great on the Colt style mags.
 
Someone explain why you would want a 9mm AR in the first place. If you are shooting it outside, the 223 has more range and power. If you're shooting it for defense inside, a pistol is more maneuverable, plus distances are short so there is no need for longer barrel.
 
Ammo interchangeability, and maybe if someone is shooting it for self defense they want a bullet that drops and eats dirt after 100 yards instead of one that goes for 900 or so yards.
 
greenlion said:
Someone explain why you would want a 9mm AR in the first place. If you are shooting it outside, the 223 has more range and power. If you're shooting it for defense inside, a pistol is more maneuverable, plus distances are short so there is no need for longer barrel.
Click to expand...
As a fun toy? Cheaper ammo? Less noise and blast?
 
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