AR pistols, are they worth it

Specifically, for me.

After picking up my first AR, a 16 inch barrel in 556, I thought the scratch would be itched but then I quickly snagged an Anderson lower I saw going cheap on Gunboker. Whatever I do with it the caliber on this next one will have to be 556 because I am at this point done accumulating new calibers.

At first I had it in mind to find a pistol upper but I hear 556 is not ideal for under 16 inches. I’m weighing the advantage to me of a pistol over my carbine, which already feels pretty maneuverable with its collapsible stock, vs any shoot ability issues and loss of accuracy, vs maybe looking at an 18-20 inch upper to play with at more extended ranges. I’m never putting it in a back pack or riding around with it in my truck.

Looking for opinions to mull over while the upper sits in the closet waiting to be used. Personal experiences with 556 pistols, and also curious to how people grip them. I’ve seen braced ones shouldered like a rifle and non-braced ones fired free hand with no shoulder support, which seems like it would make the gun very hard to shoot accurately.

 

For this you would have a few options

Option 1: you can build an AR Pistol and still put a brace on it. Ive never heard of any problems or experienced any problems with a 5.56 caliber pistol. They're a lot of fun!

Option 2: you could apply for a permit to build and own a short barreled rifle. You could then build a 10" barreled rifle with a stock, and be legal with your permit! Short barrled rifles are a TON of fun and always a bit of a show stopper.

Option 3: you can build whatever you want and get a mag well converter from 5.56 to 9mm and get a 9mm barrel, and BOOM.... you can shoot 9mm which is always cheaper.
Here is a cool link for all different kinds of conversations to do with your 5.46 AR
https://www.pewpewtactical.com/best-ar-15-calibers-conversion-kits/

 

Yeah making it a pistol caliber carbine was another thought I didn’t mention. Magwell insert and a 9mm upper and I guess the proper buffer assembly and then have more flexibility to play at 50 or 100 yrds during the next shortage. I can shoot whichever has more ammo available or divide my rifle time between the 9 and my 556 to not drain one caliber too fast.

 

I love a short rifle. I have a 8” seekins 300blk suppressed it’s my go to it’s so much fun

 

Yes. Pistol caliber carbines are a lot of fun. And they're dirt cheap.

I am sure you already know, but since your upper and lower are 5.56 cal, you can also shoot .223 without any conversion. Its cheaper than 5.56, and still fun for a range day! Or even varmin hunting.

 

Oh man that'd be so much fun!
I bet that gets lots of head turns.

 

I have a 10.5" 300 blk that accepts my .30 caliber M14 suppressor.
I still like my 16" AR and M14 rifles, but this pistol has it's place.

 

AR pistols are a blast to shoot. I have a 5.5" barrel AR9 and an 8.5" barrel AR15 5.56. Planning on building another 5.56 with a 10.5" barrel in the next couple of months. If the SHTF, their mobility either in your house or car/truck is great.

The fixed brace's are not that great. Look at a SBE3 or an SBE4 adjustable brace. Also, they are very loud without a flash can or a blast diverter installed.

 

Are you ever planning to use the AR pistol in 556 as a self defense round? I thought about using my AR as a HD gun. Then changed it to my MP5 clone as I don’t need to run the risk of shooting my neighbors too. I would also run 300blk but like you don’t want to accumulate new calibers at this time.

This was my former HD gun minus the ACOG. It was running an Eotech before.

 

I honestly don’t know until I see how one feels to shoot. May have to do a rental.

 

You can get a 13.9 inch barrel, pin and weld the muzzle device and it brings the overall length to 16 inches. This allows you to take the rifle anywhere versus a registered SBR. It still gives you excellent velocity and accuracy for the caliber and you do not have to use a brace. It’s the best of all worlds. Ballistic Advantage and Sons of Liberty Gun works also make a similar length barrel as Triarc is usually sold out or backordered in the current AR market.

If you want to go shorter than 12.5 inches, just get a 9mm pistol carbine so you can shoot the same caliber out of your pistol and rifle.

If you still want a rifle cartridge then go the suppressed 300 blackout route. It will make you giggle and it works very well in a lot of applications.

Also keep in mind, ammunition is at super bowl scalper prices and hard to find right now. So keep it simple.

 

It’s so much fun. My kids love shooting it no recoil just a little noise. Worth the two stamps.

 

Braces are fine if you like them. They are a little short for me, I have several SBR's and use fixed stocks on them. Just my preference.
Enjoy your new gun whatever you decide.
Traveling with SBR/SBS's is not a big deal, email the 5320.20 form once a year and you'll have it back in less than 2 weeks. https://www.atf.gov/file/4781/download
I live in the South, I fill it out for Washington State and the state of Main, that covers everything except Alaska and Hawaii. The form covers all pass through states so should you stop along the way you're good to go. To be honest I've traveled all over the country by air and land for 25 yrs and never been asked for the form.
You don't need to cary a copy of your stamps with you at all. They are a tax form and the IRS is the only one that has a legal right to request them. I've never been asked for them either though

 

Honestly, I wouldn't do a 5.56/223 pistol. Compared to others the round doesn't hold up when you start lopping the barrel down below 16 inches. I just think there are better options.

Reasons why going for a pistol I would tend more toward the 7.62x39:

• It's a solid performer out of the pistol/SBR length barrels, and doesn't suffer as badly as the 5.56 as the barrel shortens.
• Cheaper ammo than 5.56/223 or 300blk.
• If you choose to reload (cheap enough idk why you would) there are oodles of 30 cal. bullets to choose from.

 

Jealous, we’re not allowed to have such things in Massachusetts. Nearly everything gun related is from the devil, and for some reason we’re forbidden under the auspice of consumer safety according to our AG....

 

It is probably going to get a PSA
18 inch 223 WYLDE Upper I keep eyeing up that remains available. I have set my carbine up for HD. Sling, light, optic and backup sights.

The 18 inch 223 Wylde would be range only to work on iron sight shooting. Sling, irons and done.

 

So I've had a few msgs about how to fill out the form.
I put the state capitol address for Main, Florida and Washington state. As for transport I put all the big airline names AND I put my vehicle's make and models.
#5, I just put "To go shooting"

 

I have a 10.5" AR pistol from PSA (was like $400 for the whole thing on sale lol) and I love it. It's my go to over my 16" AR, and I'm not good enough to notice a difference or able to reach out far enough where the lower muzzle velocity is noticeable.

 

Yeah 16 inch barrel 223 wydle upper en route. I decided I don’t need an AR pistol to supplement my carbine and hand guns. This will be a bare bones range gun for un-supported iron sight work.

Lost interest in the pistol concept for now I think.

 

I built a 10" "pistol " AR.
its 556 , has a burris fast fire 2 and the "brace".
My daughter shot it one time , decided it was now hers. She loves it so much she named it Sea Bass.

 

If it’s just a toy to screw around with an AR pistol is fine and dandy.


I wouldn’t shoot 556 out of anything under a 14.5” barrel in a real life self defense situation.


The powder doesn’t get a chance to burn all the way and you are losing a ton of velocity.


If I were to have a PCC or SBR it would be a 9mm or a 300 BO.

 

10.5 barrels are used all over the world by military units that have done extensive training and research on them. They are effective suppressed and unsuppressed in all situations. For one example, the 10.5 in the pic below shot Bin Laden. Pretty sure the squadron that had any choice of what to carry knew what they were choosing.

 

True. I can see where they would use those for CQB situations, clearing rooms etc. but I wouldn’t want to rely on one to take a threat out past 100 yds given the loss of velocity / stopping power.

 

different tools for different jobs. There is no "one size fits all / does all" rifle.

 

They are combat effective to 400 yards with a 50/200 Zero. I have had the one pictured for several years with no issues. Feel free to PM me if you need more information.

 

The 13.7 or 13.9 with pin and welded break or hider is the new rage and hotness and may be that one size fits all rifle. Multiple companies are making that barrel length w great success.

 

One size fits all is a big grey area though. They make 300 blackout suppressed rifles for some really close quiet work, and then some .308 AR10s for some farther away jobs. Its just kinda hard to ask the 556 short barrel to be the crescent wrench of guns. Im not saying it wont work , but maybe just not super awesome all the time for every situation.

 

Doing a 16 inch AR9 right now. If I get around to a pistol it's likely to be a 9mm setup that can be comfortably shot with a buffer tube if it comes to that.

 

Picking up a Sig MPX-K on Tuesday. Got super lucky when I went to pick up my dads VP9 and just happened to ask about one. LGS had 2 coming in with one already accounted for so jumped on the 2nd. First ones he’s been able to get in a long time. Starting to order some goodies for it. Still undecided on an optic, thinking an MRO HD or another Eotech. Plan is to SBR it ASAP.

 

I think those A5s are 11” barrels, but I digress.
What them men on the raid used (and most T1 guys) aren’t running your normal OTC 5.56 ARs. Those 416s have a gas regulator on them specifically for suppression and a few other mods that make the a little more reliable/spec’d for CQC.

I think it comes down to preference, purpose and people.
Certainly go with what you like if it’s to shoot for fun,sport, learning with kids, etc.

If you’re running 5.56 for home defense, you've got to think about the room/hall two or three rooms over...maybe even the next door neighbor. That’s where an AR9 or 300 BO (suppressed) come in IMO. Big kinetic energy, but not as fast and not going to zip through multiple walls...and maybe hit the neighbors house.