AR-15 Pistols Recommendations

hub1home · March 9, 2021, 09:30 PM

I am thinking about getting an AR pistol. Do any of you have recommendations for which one to buy and why and which ones to avoid.

Shadow9mm · March 9, 2021, 11:37 PM

What caliber, what is the intended use?

P Flados · March 10, 2021, 01:18 AM

With the crazy rules as they currently stand, most get a gun with a brace and use it to accomplish a function more like a SBR than a typical pistol.

Assuming you are going down the typical route, the first choice it to pick a caliber. I am also assuming you are not thinking pistol caliber stuff or you would have phrased your opening post differently.

With the short barrels typical for an AR pistol, the bigger the bore, the less you loose in terms of performance.

300 BO is a common choice and it gives a much better performance to blast ratio than the 223.

A 350 Legend will give more performance, but do you really want to go this big in a small platform gun.

The 45 cal choices are even more over the top for a pistol than the 350L.

The next question goes to cost and preference. Are you wanting a "name brand" gun, an assembled second tier brand gun or are you willing to assemble your own.

Urbanrecon · March 10, 2021, 02:36 AM

The answer to the question as to whether or not one wants to go to something as large as 300 BO or 350L in an AR pistol platform is not only yes but hell yes!

Nanuk · March 11, 2021, 08:04 AM

Why settle for less?

https://www.windhamweaponry.com/fire...-pistol-brace/

hub1home · March 11, 2021, 02:23 PM

"What caliber, what is the intended use?"

The caliber would be .556 and the intended use would be all around shooting. I am not trying to be a smart aleck with shooting for the answer but I hate that question. It is like asking intended use for an automobile.

Death-Ninja · March 11, 2021, 06:49 PM

Here's my advice to you, if you're gonna buy such a firearm and its chambered in 5.56 mm, the rule is simple, nothing shorter than 10.5" in barrel length, period! If you are gonna go the true pistol caliber route(9mm, .45), then you can go with any barrel length you are happy with! The 5.56 mm AR pistols in barrel lengths under the 10.5" length are not fun to operate/shoot, and I assure you that if you go that route with a 9, 8, 7" barrel or even less that you will swiftly regret the impulse to have bought the thing! There are very good reasons why the shorter barreled AR pistols are so "ahh" inexpensive, and those of 10.5" length or greater, are so much more expensive, and everyone of those good reasons stem from muzzle blast, muzzle blast, muzzle blast... Good luck and do not get sucked into a sub 10.5" 5.56 mm upper.

TunnelRat · March 11, 2021, 06:52 PM

I can tell you that on my 11.5” SBR the blast is noticeable, as is the noise. This is with me wearing hearing protection at an outdoor range.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

raimius · March 12, 2021, 04:11 AM

I'd go for a 11.5 or 12.5in barrel, if 5.56. 14.5 doesn't really get you a lot of advantage over a 16in. Going below 11.5 tends to lose a lot of velocity, although 10.5 is about the minimum professional users tend to go with.

Suppressors are also recommended, IMO.

dontcatchmany · March 12, 2021, 06:56 AM

Extar 556. (no 223) 7.5 inch barrel plus flash suppressor.

I am old but can shoot it one handed.

New Frontier Armory is (to my knwledge) the only vendor).

It is loud and it does produce a large flash but it shoots very well.

Mine is 5ish years old and shipped to FFL and in my hands was a total of $485.00

rep1954 · March 12, 2021, 03:27 PM

"What caliber, what is the intended use?"

“The caliber would be .556 and the intended use would be all around shooting. I am not trying to be a smart aleck with shooting for the answer but I hate that question. It is like asking intended use for an automobile.”

I guess it’s probably a good thing I didn’t suggest something like my dedicated 22lr home built.

2DB9B489-8C24-49C5-9CF0-BAD1105FCCA6.jpeg

Worc · March 12, 2021, 10:55 PM

I would start with a budget. I look at it as building your own will usually cost a little more up front but, cheaper in the long run. Starting out with better components will raise the cost. If you don't want or won't ever do any upgrades. It'll be pretty close to buy vs building price wise in this current market.

I prefer an 11.5" barrel but, a 10.5" is fine too. I recommend a blast forwarding device on the muzzle with shorter barrels. They make a difference with the blast and sound but, are still louder than a longer barrel. It will add a little length overall. The plus side is you can go with a little longer forearm. The added real estate is nice for adding accessories or keeping your hand further away from the muzzle. I also like the look which is less important to me.

Here's an 11.5" with a cut down BFD.

10.5" with the same look and overall length as the 11.5"

Worc · March 12, 2021, 11:04 PM

Double post

**Aguila Blanca** · March 12, 2021, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hub1home

"What caliber, what is the intended use?"

The caliber would be .556 and the intended use would be all around shooting. I am not trying to be a smart aleck with shooting for the answer but I hate that question. It is like asking intended use for an automobile.

With all due respect, the question is not only fair and valid, it's essential. Guns are for shooting like automobiles are for driving. If someone with five kids asked what kind of automobile to buy, would you suggest a Honda Fit? After all, automobiles are for driving, right?

What is "all around shooting"? Sure, guns are made for shooting, but shooting what? Plinking? Practical shooting competition? Three-gun competition? Varminting? Small game hunting? Big game hunting? Predator control? Self-defense?

Without knowing the intended use (or uses), it's really an exercise in futility trying to recommend a firearm. The odds are about 90:10 that anything anybody suggests will be wrong for what the questioner actually plans or hopes to do with the gun.

Shadow9mm · March 12, 2021, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hub1home

"What caliber, what is the intended use?"

The caliber would be .556 and the intended use would be all around shooting. I am not trying to be a smart aleck with shooting for the answer but I hate that question. It is like asking intended use for an automobile.

You would be surprised. IMHO most people haver very specific ideas in mind when building an ar pistol. Most seem to be primarily defensive pdw types.ideas vary from home, to vehicle, to EDC with a quick detach in a bag. Some want pistol calibers, others 223, others 300 so they can suppress it. I think you are the first person I have ever seen who said general shooting.

My best advice, get some sort of linear comp or blast forwarding device. It's gonna rattle your teeth.

Willie Lowman · March 13, 2021, 08:35 AM

Don't listen to them. Put a dual port muzzle break on it. Your friends at the range will thank you!

MarkCO · March 13, 2021, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aguila Blanca

With all due respect, the question is not only fair and valid, it's essential. Guns are for shooting like automobiles are for driving. If someone with five kids asked what kind of automobile to buy, would you suggest a Honda Fit? After all, automobiles are for driving, right?

What is "all around shooting"? Sure, guns are made for shooting, but shooting what? Plinking? Practical shooting competition? Three-gun competition? Varminting? Small game hunting? Big game hunting? Predator control? Self-defense?

Without knowing the intended use (or uses), it's really an exercise in futility trying to recommend a firearm. The odds are about 90:10 that anything anybody suggests will be wrong for what the questioner actually plans or hopes to do with the gun.

Exactly.

And the response of the OP, with all due respect, will result in many excellent responses not being written.

Desmosedici · March 13, 2021, 01:12 PM

My last range outing I was shooting next to a police officer, really nice guy and had a bag full of nice guns. We were all having great time until he pulled out his SBR in 5.56, and GOOD GOD the blast from that thing literally made me flinch like a puppy in a thunderstorm every time he fired it, which, thankfully, was only a few magazines.

Granted, we were indoors, but that was my first exposure to an AR pistol, and unless I get to shoot one outdoors, I hope it's my last, at least in that caliber. It's deafening.

I'd love to shoot one suppressed in 300 Blackout, though.

Siggy-06 · March 13, 2021, 01:45 PM

Go at least a 10.5 inch barrel, so you can get a proper length gas tube.(this is for 5.56) You can go to a 9 inch barrel with .300bo with solid reliability.

MarkCO · March 13, 2021, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desmosedici

My last range outing I was shooting next to a police officer, really nice guy and had a bag full of nice guns. We were all having great time until he pulled out his SBR in 5.56, and GOOD GOD the blast from that thing literally made me flinch like a puppy in a thunderstorm every time he fired it, which, thankfully, was only a few magazines.

Granted, we were indoors, but that was my first exposure to an AR pistol, and unless I get to shoot one outdoors, I hope it's my last, at least in that caliber. It's deafening.

I'd love to shoot one suppressed in 300 Blackout, though.

I had one in 300 BO suppressed (sold it) and have a 10.5" .223 suppressed now. Shooting supersonics, the 300 BO recoiled a tad more, but the noise and concussion was the same.

.223 pistols/SBRs with short barrels are harsh without a suppressor, and they do wear out bolts faster, but I don't put a ton of rounds through mine either.

Rob228 · March 13, 2021, 02:06 PM

I've got an Armalite, I think it was called the M-15 10". Its not cheap, but it is one heck of a shooter.

I'd like to echo some previous comments: it is very, very loud.

MarkCO · March 13, 2021, 05:21 PM

Quote:

I'd like to echo some previous comments: it is very, very loud.

That is kind of puny.

Desmosedici · March 13, 2021, 06:15 PM

Pig hunting in Texas, where I live, 300 BO is the most common caliber I come across. I may get an upper in that caliber in due time for my AR.

I'd like a 10mm like you have, though, Mark! Magnificent weapon with King Kong ballistics.

MarkCO · March 13, 2021, 06:28 PM

Quote:

I'd like a 10mm like you have, though, Mark! Magnificent weapon with King Kong ballistics.

I need about 2K more rounds through my 2nd, a prototype, before I call it good. Ran out of slow enough pistol powder.

Desmosedici · March 13, 2021, 06:42 PM

Understand fully. I don't reload and despite having a buddy that owns a gun shop and being significant friends with someone who is a manager of a large national chain gun shop, I'm struggling to keep enough rounds on hand to feed the habit.

Woulda, coulda, shoulda. My inactivity prior to the shortage is all my fault. Ugh.

Nevertheless, we live in hope.

March 9, 2021, 09:30 PM	#1
hub1home Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2014 Posts: 182	AR-15 Pistols Recommendations I am thinking about getting an AR pistol. Do any of you have recommendations for which one to buy and why and which ones to avoid.

March 9, 2021, 11:37 PM	#2
Shadow9mm Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 3,962	What caliber, what is the intended use? __________________ I don't believe in "range fodder" that is why I reload.

March 11, 2021, 08:04 AM	#5
Nanuk Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2005 Location: Where the deer and the antelope roam. Posts: 3,082	Why settle for less? https://www.windhamweaponry.com/fire...-pistol-brace/ __________________ Retired Law Enforcement U. S. Army Veteran Armorer My rifle and pistol are tools, I am the weapon.

March 12, 2021, 03:27 PM	#11
rep1954 Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2009 Location: Mid Western Michigan Posts: 1,187	"What caliber, what is the intended use?" “The caliber would be .556 and the intended use would be all around shooting. I am not trying to be a smart aleck with shooting for the answer but I hate that question. It is like asking intended use for an automobile.” I guess it’s probably a good thing I didn’t suggest something like my dedicated 22lr home built. 2DB9B489-8C24-49C5-9CF0-BAD1105FCCA6.jpeg __________________ When I ask my wife where she wants to go for dinner she just tells me where she doesn’t want to go.

March 12, 2021, 11:04 PM	#13
Worc Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2013 Location: Michigan Posts: 641	Double post Last edited by Worc; March 12, 2021 at 11:14 PM. Reason: Double post

March 10, 2021, 01:18 AM	#3
P Flados Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2017 Location: Wilmington NC Posts: 243	With the crazy rules as they currently stand, most get a gun with a brace and use it to accomplish a function more like a SBR than a typical pistol. Assuming you are going down the typical route, the first choice it to pick a caliber. I am also assuming you are not thinking pistol caliber stuff or you would have phrased your opening post differently. With the short barrels typical for an AR pistol, the bigger the bore, the less you loose in terms of performance. 300 BO is a common choice and it gives a much better performance to blast ratio than the 223. A 350 Legend will give more performance, but do you really want to go this big in a small platform gun. The 45 cal choices are even more over the top for a pistol than the 350L. The next question goes to cost and preference. Are you wanting a "name brand" gun, an assembled second tier brand gun or are you willing to assemble your own.

March 10, 2021, 02:36 AM	#4
Urbanrecon member Join Date: February 8, 2021 Location: Bullhead Chity, AZ. Posts: 75	The answer to the question as to whether or not one wants to go to something as large as 300 BO or 350L in an AR pistol platform is not only yes but hell yes!

March 11, 2021, 02:23 PM	#6
hub1home Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2014 Posts: 182	"What caliber, what is the intended use?" The caliber would be .556 and the intended use would be all around shooting. I am not trying to be a smart aleck with shooting for the answer but I hate that question. It is like asking intended use for an automobile.

March 11, 2021, 06:49 PM	#7
Death-Ninja Member Join Date: February 4, 2020 Posts: 43	Here's my advice to you, if you're gonna buy such a firearm and its chambered in 5.56 mm, the rule is simple, nothing shorter than 10.5" in barrel length, period! If you are gonna go the true pistol caliber route(9mm, .45), then you can go with any barrel length you are happy with! The 5.56 mm AR pistols in barrel lengths under the 10.5" length are not fun to operate/shoot, and I assure you that if you go that route with a 9, 8, 7" barrel or even less that you will swiftly regret the impulse to have bought the thing! There are very good reasons why the shorter barreled AR pistols are so "ahh" inexpensive, and those of 10.5" length or greater, are so much more expensive, and everyone of those good reasons stem from muzzle blast, muzzle blast, muzzle blast... Good luck and do not get sucked into a sub 10.5" 5.56 mm upper.

March 11, 2021, 06:52 PM	#8
TunnelRat Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 12,206	I can tell you that on my 11.5” SBR the blast is noticeable, as is the noise. This is with me wearing hearing protection at an outdoor range. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

March 12, 2021, 04:11 AM	#9
raimius Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2008 Posts: 2,199	I'd go for a 11.5 or 12.5in barrel, if 5.56. 14.5 doesn't really get you a lot of advantage over a 16in. Going below 11.5 tends to lose a lot of velocity, although 10.5 is about the minimum professional users tend to go with. Suppressors are also recommended, IMO.

March 12, 2021, 06:56 AM	#10
dontcatchmany Senior Member Join Date: July 19, 2010 Posts: 460	Extar 556. (no 223) 7.5 inch barrel plus flash suppressor. I am old but can shoot it one handed. New Frontier Armory is (to my knwledge) the only vendor). It is loud and it does produce a large flash but it shoots very well. Mine is 5ish years old and shipped to FFL and in my hands was a total of $485.00

March 12, 2021, 10:55 PM	#12
Worc Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2013 Location: Michigan Posts: 641	I would start with a budget. I look at it as building your own will usually cost a little more up front but, cheaper in the long run. Starting out with better components will raise the cost. If you don't want or won't ever do any upgrades. It'll be pretty close to buy vs building price wise in this current market. I prefer an 11.5" barrel but, a 10.5" is fine too. I recommend a blast forwarding device on the muzzle with shorter barrels. They make a difference with the blast and sound but, are still louder than a longer barrel. It will add a little length overall. The plus side is you can go with a little longer forearm. The added real estate is nice for adding accessories or keeping your hand further away from the muzzle. I also like the look which is less important to me. Here's an 11.5" with a cut down BFD. 10.5" with the same look and overall length as the 11.5"

March 13, 2021, 08:35 AM	#16
Willie Lowman Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2009 Location: Uh-Hi-O Posts: 3,006	Don't listen to them. Put a dual port muzzle break on it. Your friends at the range will thank you! __________________ "9mm has a very long history of being a pointy little bullet moving quickly" --Sevens

March 13, 2021, 01:12 PM	#18
Desmosedici Member Join Date: April 1, 2016 Location: North Texas Posts: 72	My last range outing I was shooting next to a police officer, really nice guy and had a bag full of nice guns. We were all having great time until he pulled out his SBR in 5.56, and GOOD GOD the blast from that thing literally made me flinch like a puppy in a thunderstorm every time he fired it, which, thankfully, was only a few magazines. Granted, we were indoors, but that was my first exposure to an AR pistol, and unless I get to shoot one outdoors, I hope it's my last, at least in that caliber. It's deafening. I'd love to shoot one suppressed in 300 Blackout, though.

March 13, 2021, 01:45 PM	#19
Siggy-06 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 1,148	Go at least a 10.5 inch barrel, so you can get a proper length gas tube.(this is for 5.56) You can go to a 9 inch barrel with .300bo with solid reliability. __________________ Flicks just like a lighter, just a different kind of fire.

March 13, 2021, 02:06 PM	#21
Rob228 Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2010 Location: Hampstead NC Posts: 1,450	I've got an Armalite, I think it was called the M-15 10". Its not cheap, but it is one heck of a shooter. I'd like to echo some previous comments: it is very, very loud.

March 13, 2021, 06:15 PM	#23
Desmosedici Member Join Date: April 1, 2016 Location: North Texas Posts: 72	Pig hunting in Texas, where I live, 300 BO is the most common caliber I come across. I may get an upper in that caliber in due time for my AR. I'd like a 10mm like you have, though, Mark! Magnificent weapon with King Kong ballistics.

March 13, 2021, 06:42 PM	#25
Desmosedici Member Join Date: April 1, 2016 Location: North Texas Posts: 72	Understand fully. I don't reload and despite having a buddy that owns a gun shop and being significant friends with someone who is a manager of a large national chain gun shop, I'm struggling to keep enough rounds on hand to feed the habit. Woulda, coulda, shoulda. My inactivity prior to the shortage is all my fault. Ugh. Nevertheless, we live in hope.

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