Looking for help in choosing a 5.56 pistol

firemediceric · August 8, 2012, 06:15 PM

I'm in the market for a 5.56 pistol. I am aware of the offerings in the way of the Olympic Arms P.C.R. 99, the Professional Ordinance Carbon type 15, the Bushmaster Carbon 15, the Century Arms C93, the Sig Sauer 556 pistol, and the Kel-Tec PLR-16. I'm trying to get the most bang for the buck in the $800 range, if possible, while going with the shortest overall length that may be practical.

Who from first hand experience favors one gun over the other, or if you can suggest another option in this type of platform, I would be most appreciative of any direction you can offer.

Justice06RR · August 8, 2012, 06:19 PM

I wish I could help you but I don't have any experience (yet) with any of those you mentioned. I would suggest sticking with the more known brands like Sig, Bushmaster, and Century Arms, but thats just me.

I'm currently planning a pistol AR build as this would be a more cost effective approach, for me anyway. Good luck with your decision.

loose_holster_dan · August 8, 2012, 09:35 PM

love my sig p556 swat. i put a single point sling on it, so i can push it away from my body for stabilization. this is important as you know if you've ever fired an AR pistol before. it just feels awkward without the stock. might be better with a foregrip, but you have to have the aow permit to put one on a pistol. imo, the best accessory for an AR pistol is a good laser.

plus, if you ever decide you want to turn it into an sbr, it's piston drive, so it can be a folding stock.

uradaisyifudo · November 9, 2012, 08:21 PM

This thread kind of went quiet a while back but I have been thinking about a 556 pistol, it seems like it would be more manageable than a 726 and more accurate. The keltec and sig forum posts generlly seem to be more positive than what I was reading elsewhere on the fancy interweb. I like the simplicity of the piston but the bushmaster carbon pistols seem to get great reviews, and I like the future sbr prospect (but I hate paperwork so that is probably not in my future). Anybody like their bushmaster or is one of the piston operated pistols a better choice?

flgunguy · November 11, 2012, 03:48 AM

I think it comes down to how much u want to spend. My buddy has a sig 556 and loves it, but.. he never shoots the thing.

-Indoor ranges don't like it.
-When we go shooting his ammo cost is way higher then the rest of us when we go pistols only.
-He also got yelled at by a range officer for having a bipod on his. RO said that's an SBR if you do that. Unconfirmed if this is actually the law or not. -They're also $1200

If I wanted a pistol in rifle caliber I'd probably get a Draco AK pistol for around $450 and shoot dirt cheap tula ammo from walmart ($3 a box). This kind of gun seems like a novelty to me. Cool, flashy, your going to get a lot of compliments on it. How often are you going to use it, and for what function?

kcub · November 11, 2012, 06:44 AM

I have Thompson Encore in .223 and love it. Dead nuts accurate and its actually a handgun, not a rifle with no buttstock. Single shot however.

thedudeabides · November 11, 2012, 07:05 AM

Can't mount any accessories on it, cuz it's illegal.

If you're into the short barrel thing, just fill out a tax stamp and get a real SBR.

blackamos · November 11, 2012, 07:52 AM

I don't know if the bipod makes it a SBR, I do know that about every Ruger Charger I see seems to have a bipod mounted to it.

robfromga · November 11, 2012, 08:15 AM

His are accessories illegal?

Nothing on that pistol is illegal. Have all the letters from the atf to back it up.

Don't buy a dam bushmaster pistol, too many proprietary parts. Don't buy anything premade unless you get a smoking deal. Build it. Buy the lower, have it marked on the 4473 as a pistol or other and get to work. I'd advise you to do a 10.5" or longer upper. You'll want a carbine length gas system, way less problematic.

uradaisyifudo · November 11, 2012, 02:40 PM

Building a pistol sounds fun, you say I need to have the lower receiver marked pistol? If I were to build, what brand lower do you recommend, that will be widely compatable? I've never done a build before, is there somwhere I could go for good reference information such as all the parts I need and how whey go together?

robfromga · November 12, 2012, 12:26 AM

Lower brand is less important than the parts kit or upper and barrel. PSA is always a good start

Viper1357 · November 15, 2012, 05:02 PM

I cannot comment on any AR 5.56 platforms, but I have had a Kel Tec PLR 16 for many years and it's been a reliable and accurate weapon. OAL 18.5", approx cost out the door is $500.

Another 5.56 pistol I have recently (less than a year) is a C93. This is very unique as it's like an affordable HK, so mostly just a cool factor. It has also been very accurate and reliable as well. OAL 20", Approx cost out the door $700.

Good luck with what you choose!

Here's are mine and they've been good for me.

"

JimDandy · November 15, 2012, 05:10 PM

I bet getting a conealable holster for that is a real pain...

Hairbag · November 15, 2012, 05:21 PM

Get a PTR 7.62x39 PDW like this! I know I know but its cool

View Poll Results: Which one do you recommend?
Olympic Arms P.C.R. 99	0	0%
Professional Ordinance Carbon type 15	0	0%
Bushmaster Carbon 15	1	12.50%
Century Arms C93	0	0%
Sig Sauer 556	4	50.00%
Kel-Tec PLR-16	2	25.00%
Another one I have not considered.	1	12.50%
Voters: 8. You may not vote on this poll

August 8, 2012, 06:15 PM	#1
firemediceric Member Join Date: February 21, 2010 Location: Vero Beach, FL Posts: 40	Looking for help in choosing a 5.56 pistol I'm in the market for a 5.56 pistol. I am aware of the offerings in the way of the Olympic Arms P.C.R. 99, the Professional Ordinance Carbon type 15, the Bushmaster Carbon 15, the Century Arms C93, the Sig Sauer 556 pistol, and the Kel-Tec PLR-16. I'm trying to get the most bang for the buck in the $800 range, if possible, while going with the shortest overall length that may be practical. Who from first hand experience favors one gun over the other, or if you can suggest another option in this type of platform, I would be most appreciative of any direction you can offer.

August 8, 2012, 09:35 PM	#3
loose_holster_dan Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2011 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 2,461	love my sig p556 swat. i put a single point sling on it, so i can push it away from my body for stabilization. this is important as you know if you've ever fired an AR pistol before. it just feels awkward without the stock. might be better with a foregrip, but you have to have the aow permit to put one on a pistol. imo, the best accessory for an AR pistol is a good laser. plus, if you ever decide you want to turn it into an sbr, it's piston drive, so it can be a folding stock. __________________ Favorite range gun for the money - CZ 75B or STI Spartan V 9mm Go-to carry setup - Walther PPS or PPQ in FIST kydex holster 1AK Favorite semi-auto design - HK P7 "A Sig is like a lightsaber - not as clumsy or random as a Glock." Last edited by loose_holster_dan; August 8, 2012 at 09:43 PM.

November 11, 2012, 07:52 AM	#8
blackamos Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2000 Location: Michigan Posts: 580	I don't know if the bipod makes it a SBR, I do know that about every Ruger Charger I see seems to have a bipod mounted to it. __________________ Know of that you speak, Amos

November 11, 2012, 08:15 AM	#9
robfromga Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2009 Location: Augusta, Ga Posts: 240	Illegal? His are accessories illegal? Nothing on that pistol is illegal. Have all the letters from the atf to back it up. Don't buy a dam bushmaster pistol, too many proprietary parts. Don't buy anything premade unless you get a smoking deal. Build it. Buy the lower, have it marked on the 4473 as a pistol or other and get to work. I'd advise you to do a 10.5" or longer upper. You'll want a carbine length gas system, way less problematic.

August 8, 2012, 06:19 PM	#2
Justice06RR Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2010 Location: Central FL Posts: 1,360	I wish I could help you but I don't have any experience (yet) with any of those you mentioned. I would suggest sticking with the more known brands like Sig, Bushmaster, and Century Arms, but thats just me. I'm currently planning a pistol AR build as this would be a more cost effective approach, for me anyway. Good luck with your decision.

November 9, 2012, 08:21 PM	#4
uradaisyifudo Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2012 Location: idaho Posts: 164	This thread kind of went quiet a while back but I have been thinking about a 556 pistol, it seems like it would be more manageable than a 726 and more accurate. The keltec and sig forum posts generlly seem to be more positive than what I was reading elsewhere on the fancy interweb. I like the simplicity of the piston but the bushmaster carbon pistols seem to get great reviews, and I like the future sbr prospect (but I hate paperwork so that is probably not in my future). Anybody like their bushmaster or is one of the piston operated pistols a better choice?

November 11, 2012, 03:48 AM	#5
flgunguy Member Join Date: August 14, 2012 Posts: 33	I think it comes down to how much u want to spend. My buddy has a sig 556 and loves it, but.. he never shoots the thing. -Indoor ranges don't like it. -When we go shooting his ammo cost is way higher then the rest of us when we go pistols only. -He also got yelled at by a range officer for having a bipod on his. RO said that's an SBR if you do that. Unconfirmed if this is actually the law or not. -They're also $1200 If I wanted a pistol in rifle caliber I'd probably get a Draco AK pistol for around $450 and shoot dirt cheap tula ammo from walmart ($3 a box). This kind of gun seems like a novelty to me. Cool, flashy, your going to get a lot of compliments on it. How often are you going to use it, and for what function?

November 11, 2012, 06:44 AM	#6
kcub Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 3,318	I have Thompson Encore in .223 and love it. Dead nuts accurate and its actually a handgun, not a rifle with no buttstock. Single shot however.

November 11, 2012, 07:05 AM	#7
thedudeabides Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2012 Posts: 1,031	Can't mount any accessories on it, cuz it's illegal. If you're into the short barrel thing, just fill out a tax stamp and get a real SBR.

November 11, 2012, 02:40 PM	#10
uradaisyifudo Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2012 Location: idaho Posts: 164	Building a pistol sounds fun, you say I need to have the lower receiver marked pistol? If I were to build, what brand lower do you recommend, that will be widely compatable? I've never done a build before, is there somwhere I could go for good reference information such as all the parts I need and how whey go together?

November 12, 2012, 12:26 AM	#11
robfromga Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2009 Location: Augusta, Ga Posts: 240	Lower brand is less important than the parts kit or upper and barrel. PSA is always a good start

November 15, 2012, 05:02 PM	#12
Viper1357 Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 107	I cannot comment on any AR 5.56 platforms, but I have had a Kel Tec PLR 16 for many years and it's been a reliable and accurate weapon. OAL 18.5", approx cost out the door is $500. Another 5.56 pistol I have recently (less than a year) is a C93. This is very unique as it's like an affordable HK, so mostly just a cool factor. It has also been very accurate and reliable as well. OAL 20", Approx cost out the door $700. Good luck with what you choose! Here's are mine and they've been good for me. " __________________ " “The only thing that you can assume about a broken down old man, is that he's a survivor.”

November 15, 2012, 05:10 PM	#13
JimDandy Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2012 Posts: 2,556	I bet getting a conealable holster for that is a real pain...

November 15, 2012, 05:21 PM	#14
Hairbag Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2010 Posts: 449	Get a PTR 7.62x39 PDW like this! I know I know but its cool __________________ I'm hairbag and I approve this message. Last edited by Hairbag; December 30, 2012 at 12:45 PM.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search