AR Pistol

[nlacy 692]

My winter project is an AR pistol.  I put it in the rifle section because if Michigan can get it together I would like make it into an SBR at some point and get a can for it too...someday.

 

So I've got my AR lower in hand, pistol buffer tube on the way. Trying to figure out what length pistol upper to get.  In order to be a pistol in MI the whole thing has to be less than 26" so I'm thinking the max barrel length is going to be 10.5" and that's cutting it close.

 

Questions:

Suggestions on barrel length?

Suggestions on manufacturer?

Suggestions on where to find them in stock???

[poolingmyignorance 2,191]

Blackrain ordinance 10.5" piston driven.  Tac47 has them.

[EthanM 514]

I am currently building an ar pistol. I got a 7.5 barrel from ice arms.

[Shandlanos 1,470]

Ballistics of .223/5.56 out of a short barrel aren't great - have you considered building in .300 AAC?

[nlacy 692]

Ballistics of .223/5.56 out of a short barrel aren't great - have you considered building in .300 AAC?

I've thought about it, but I'm trying to keep the number of calibers to a minimum.

 

I am currently building an ar pistol. I got a 7.5 barrel from ice arms.

Ice Arms, haven't hard of them.  How do you like it?

[EthanM 514]

 

Ballistics of .223/5.56 out of a short barrel aren't great - have you considered building in .300 AAC?

 

I've thought about it, but I'm trying to keep the number of calibers to a minimum.

 

I am currently building an ar pistol. I got a 7.5 barrel from ice arms.

 

Ice Arms, haven't hard of them.  How do you like it?

 

I haven't mounted it to the upper yet (waiting on a gas block), but it seems very well made. Threads are good and Has a 1/7 twist. I also like that it is already dimpled for a low profile gas block with set screws.

[YOT 3,743]

I'm not trying to be a smart-ass. I honestly don't know. What is the purpose of an AR pistol? I mean is it for competition.... plinking.... tactical uses....? 

[Matthew Hopkins 1,065]

 

what is the purpose of a AR pistol?

 

the "kewl" factor

[EthanM 514]

I'm not trying to be a smart-ass. I honestly don't know. What is the purpose of an AR pistol? I mean is it for competition.... plinking.... tactical uses....?

 

Well they are classified as a pistol so they work with a handgun carry permit. You also don't have to full with the ATF. Some people may also like to make a pistol while waiting to sbr it so they can actually shoot it. And then there is the sig pistol brace...

Edited November 27, 2013 by Ethan M

[nlacy 692]

I'm not trying to be a smart-ass. I honestly don't know. What is the purpose of an AR pistol? I mean is it for competition.... plinking.... tactical uses....? 

 

I want to be a mall ninja when I grow up.

 

Seriously, I never saw the point of one either until I heard MI was likely going to approve SBRs.  That's the end goal, but until the law is passed, I get my paperwork together and I get to turn it into an SBR, having a pistol sounded like a decent option like Ethan said.

[YOT 3,743]

 

I'm not trying to be a smart-ass. I honestly don't know. What is the purpose of an AR pistol? I mean is it for competition.... plinking.... tactical uses....? 

 

I want to be a mall ninja when I grow up.

 

Seriously, I never saw the point of one either until I heard MI was likely going to approve SBRs.  That's the end goal, but until the law is passed, I get my paperwork together and I get to turn it into an SBR, having a pistol sounded like a decent option like Ethan said.

 

 

 

Oh. I can honestly say I never understood the point of an SBR, either. Until I considered the mall ninja aspect, that is. Nothing wrong with you having one though. Have fun. 

[poolingmyignorance 2,191]

I've never understood detractors of modified weapons systems. You sound like a bunch of old men shouting "mall ninja" clinging to your old Lee Enfield when you see an evil black rifle. 

  AR pistol, Draco, PAP: compact, superior ballistics and capacity to any available pistol, period. Where exactly does the line between "practical" and "mall ninja" in a pistol lay? Is it at 15rnds of 9mm, or 30rnds of WMR? Or maybe anything smaller than a 45 with more than 7rnds? Are we to assume the ATF definition of pistol and go by "designed to be fired by use of one hand only"? Or do we use two hands with firing our pistols? Does an AR pistol have that much more recoil than a 357 snub nose, (which nobody would call mall ninja, even if they fired it one handed). But somehow use a glorified 0.22" round fire it with one pistol grip and your other hand wrapped around a hand guard, with the benefits of improved sights POOF: your a mall ninja! Instead of superior ballistics, improved control and target acquisition.

 SBR is the same, only better add the stabilization of a stock. To me definition of mall ninja is somebody whom believes just slapping shit onto a gun, or merely owning one will some how make them competent to deal with a serious threat. If everything you know about the AR you just bought from Academy you learned at the Academy counter, while spouting your knowledge of firearms acquired while smoking "n00bs" on COD, your a mall ninja.

[YOT 3,743]

I've never understood detractors of modified weapons systems. You sound like a bunch of old men shouting "mall ninja" clinging to your old Lee Enfield when you see an evil black rifle. 

  AR pistol, Draco, PAP: compact, superior ballistics and capacity to any available pistol, period. Where exactly does the line between "practical" and "mall ninja" in a pistol lay? Is it at 15rnds of 9mm, or 30rnds of WMR? Or maybe anything smaller than a 45 with more than 7rnds? Are we to assume the ATF definition of pistol and go by "designed to be fired by use of one hand only"? Or do we use two hands with firing our pistols? Does an AR pistol have that much more recoil than a 357 snub nose, (which nobody would call mall ninja, even if they fired it one handed). But somehow use a glorified 0.22" round fire it with one pistol grip and your other hand wrapped around a hand guard, with the benefits of improved sights POOF: your a mall ninja! Instead of superior ballistics, improved control and target acquisition.

 SBR is the same, only better add the stabilization of a stock. To me definition of mall ninja is somebody whom believes just slapping shit onto a gun, or merely owning one will some how make them competent to deal with a serious threat. If everything you know about the AR you just bought from Academy you learned at the Academy counter, while spouting your knowledge of firearms acquired while smoking "n00bs" on COD, your a mall ninja.

 

You're butthurt because someone may ask about something or disagree? That makes them a detractor of modified weapons systems? WOW,.... just WOW.

[poolingmyignorance 2,191]

 

I've never understood detractors of modified weapons systems. You sound like a bunch of old men shouting "mall ninja" clinging to your old Lee Enfield when you see an evil black rifle. 

  AR pistol, Draco, PAP: compact, superior ballistics and capacity to any available pistol, period. Where exactly does the line between "practical" and "mall ninja" in a pistol lay? Is it at 15rnds of 9mm, or 30rnds of WMR? Or maybe anything smaller than a 45 with more than 7rnds? Are we to assume the ATF definition of pistol and go by "designed to be fired by use of one hand only"? Or do we use two hands with firing our pistols? Does an AR pistol have that much more recoil than a 357 snub nose, (which nobody would call mall ninja, even if they fired it one handed). But somehow use a glorified 0.22" round fire it with one pistol grip and your other hand wrapped around a hand guard, with the benefits of improved sights POOF: your a mall ninja! Instead of superior ballistics, improved control and target acquisition.

 SBR is the same, only better add the stabilization of a stock. To me definition of mall ninja is somebody whom believes just slapping shit onto a gun, or merely owning one will some how make them competent to deal with a serious threat. If everything you know about the AR you just bought from Academy you learned at the Academy counter, while spouting your knowledge of firearms acquired while smoking "n00bs" on COD, your a mall ninja.

 

You're butthurt because someone may ask about something or disagree? That makes them a detractor of modified weapons systems? WOW,.... just WOW.

 

I'm not butthurt at all. I'm just illustrating the other side of the coin. Wow,,, just WOW..

Happy thanksgiving sour puss!

[nlacy 692]

So not seeing Blackrain uppers in 10.5 on tac 47's website.  I'm leaning towards the LMT 10.5 upper. 

[Spacehog 2,218]

I own two rifle caliber pistols..a 12.5" .300 AAC awaiting a tax stamp for SBR and a PAP M92. I understand Yeoldtool's question...by themselves they are kind of impractical but still fun. But to answer his question at hand, the purpose of SBRing my AR pistol is to shorten the length for a .30 caliber supressor, and I would much rather have 30 rounds of 7.62 X39 at my disposal in my vehicle than just 15 rounds of 9mm from my Glock or 7 rounds from my .45 alone. My CC allows me to carry the PAP as a handgun in my vehicle and the firepower is superior to any handgun on the market.

 

As far as the AR pistol is concerned, Ice arms makes good stuff. If you plan on keeping it a pistol long-term, then piston driven makes sense. I do not think there is a single person out there that likes a buffer tube hanging off the back of their supposed pistol. If you plan to SBR then the options open up considerably and prices drop. Length of barrel is really your preference, but as Shandlandos alluded to velocity drops with shorter barrel lengths and the ballistic coefficient of 5.56/2.23 is not the best. .30 caliber bullets, like those available for .300 AAC have ballistic coefficients 2-3x better than 5.56 and can be suppressed much more efficiently if that may be an option for you down the road. IMHO a 10.5" barrel is the perfect compromise between length and velocity for a future SBR candidate. Either way, good luck and have fun from a fellow "mall ninja".

Edited November 29, 2013 by Spacehog

[EthanM 514]

I own two rifle caliber pistols..a 12.5" .300 AAC awaiting a tax stamp for SBR and a PAP M92. I understand Yeoldtool's question...by themselves they are kind of impractical but still fun. But to answer his question at hand, the purpose of SBRing my AR pistol is to shorten the length for a .30 caliber supressor, and I would much rather have 30 rounds of 7.62 X39 at my disposal in my vehicle than just 15 rounds of 9mm from my Glock or 7 rounds from my .45 alone. My CC allows me to carry the PAP as a handgun in my vehicle and the firepower is superior to any handgun on the market.

As far as the AR pistol is concerned, Ice arms makes good stuff. If you plan on keeping it a pistol long-term, then piston driven makes sense. I do not think there is a single person out there that likes a buffer tube hanging off the back of their supposed pistol. If you plan to SBR then the options open up considerably and prices drop. Length of barrel is really your preference, but as Shandlandos alluded to velocity drops with shorter barrel lengths and the ballistic coefficient of 5.56/2.23 is not the best. .30 caliber bullets, like those available for .300 AAC have ballistic coefficients 2-3x better than 5.56 and can be suppressed much more efficiently if that may be an option for you down the road. IMHO a 10.5" barrel is the perfect compromise between length and velocity for a future SBR candidate. Either way, good luck and have fun from a fellow "mall ninja".

I actually like the buffer tube. Lol can be used to help "steady" the pistol lol

[Spacehog 2,218]

Sorry EthanM, I missed this post. I hear you on the buffer tube for balance, I just have always hated the look. The bob tail just bugs me. I stuck a CAA cheek weld on the end of mine just so I didn't have to look at it. The tax stamp can't come back fast enough.

[EthanM 514]

Sorry EthanM, I missed this post. I hear you on the buffer tube for balance, I just have always hated the look. The bob tail just bugs me. I stuck a CAA cheek weld on the end of mine just so I didn't have to look at it. The tax stamp can't come back fast enough.

Yeah it doesnt look that great with just a plain buffer tube

[Inspector 12 37]

Sorry EthanM, I missed this post. I hear you on the buffer tube for balance, I just have always hated the look. The bob tail just bugs me. I stuck a CAA cheek weld on the end of mine just so I didn't have to look at it. The tax stamp can't come back fast enough.

I am picking my Sig P516 up today. I just traded a Sig P556 in on it as I prefer the AR style pistol to the AK design of the Sig primarily due to parts interchangability... One thing about this not so great state I live in, While you can get the federal stamp to own one, SBR is not legal but the pistol is. Go figure.