AR carbine 9mm, 300blk, other?

[CraigC]

Soooooo just an update, I found subsonic ammo for the .450 at my lgs!!! (New to me) if you weren't aware of this, does it make a difference for you?(kinda did for me)

I don't know what ammo you're looking at but the Hornady subsonic is a tackdriver out of my Ruger Ranch. Also works pretty well on critters.

 

[AK Hunter]

Interesting. I have 2 x39’s. 16” HBAR’s. I run C-Products Duramags exclusively in them and my 450’s. Never had any type of problem. Not with my handloads. Not with Wolf or Tula. The AR platform USED to have have problems feeding x39. They fixed that problem quite awhile back. Not saying you have to magically accept what I’m saying as gospel. Makes me no difference really. But the issues were resolved. The bolts breaking seemed to be from using a 5.56 bolt that was thinned. And using a cheaper alloy. There are fixes for that also if you had that problem. I have had no such issue. My accuracy has been better than expected. And I have a few thousand rounds down the tubes. Off the top of my head I personally know 6 people with x39 AR’s. Every issue that has been had with those rifles was a magazine problem (fixed by purchasing DuraMag) a separate feeding issue (caused by using the mag as a POC while prone (newbies) and a firing problem caused by some cheap no name ammo that wouldn’t fire in any of the rifles we had with us.

To blatantly state that the X39 is a loser in the AR, is simply false. It’s anecdotal evidence at best. Likely old anecdotal evidence.

Yes the C-Product mags are the best to use with the 7.62x39, 545x39 & the 350 legend I have at least one of each.
The 350 Legend I like because it is dead accurate out to 300 yds with cheap reloads. I reload with pulled projectiles from dropped 9mm rounds picked up from the range. This round can be loaded with any round that has a .355 to .357 dia. & those bullets are easy to find even with the panic on.
The Legend is a good medium range hunter, it was my choice this last season for deer.

 

[mavracer]

To me for any meaningful purpose the 300 is superior to a 9mm, for a cheap plinker/trainer a 22LR is better. I do have a PC 9mm charger but it's more of a novelty to me.

 

[horsey300]

Yes the C-Product mags are the best to use with the 7.62x39, 545x39 & the 350 legend I have at least one of each.
The 350 Legend I like because it is dead accurate out to 300 yds with cheap reloads. I reload with pulled projectiles from dropped 9mm rounds picked up from the range. This round can be loaded with any round that has a .355 to .357 dia. & those bullets are easy to find even with the panic on.
The Legend is a good medium range hunter, it was my choice this last season for deer.View attachment 974501

I'd like to try the 140 Barnes, 180 Swift, and 158 gold dot through that puppy..... almost justification enough right there.....

 

[WestKentucky]

I just traded into another stinking .223 ar15. It’s a nice gun, but I don’t want another 10.5” .223. Barrels are cheap. Anybody play with a bushmaster pistol?

 

[mavracer]

I just traded into another stinking .223 ar15. It’s a nice gun, but I don’t want another 10.5” .223. Barrels are cheap. Anybody play with a bushmaster pistol?

Changing it to 300 blackout would be an easy answer.

 

[WestKentucky]

Changing it to 300 blackout would be an easy answer.

Yes it would. Best answer probably is to sell the thing and be done with it. It must be interesting and it’s very vanilla.

10.5” 223/5.56
I’m guessing 9” Mlok ffhg that is actually really nice. It stops just behind the birdcage.
PSA lower
SST brace thing. It’s interesting. Not sure what it’s purpose is. This thing...https://www.thordsencustoms.com/ar-ak-standard-pistol-cheek-rest-kit-w-mft-saddle-black/.html

 

[adcoch1]

I just traded into another stinking .223 ar15. It’s a nice gun, but I don’t want another 10.5” .223. Barrels are cheap. Anybody play with a bushmaster pistol?

You could sell the 223 barrel (to me?) to offset some of the cost, and I'd recommend a 300 blk pistol for a fun gun. Pretty easy to swap out a barrel...

 

[WestKentucky]

The rub right now is finding reloading dies. I would have already bought a barrel I was looking at a bit ago but when you cant buy ammo, can’t buy reloading dies... I guess I’m stuck at the moment. I have a few calibers that I can load for so maybe I will look at those. 6.8 in a pistol could be fun.

 

[Bcwitt]

Just my opinion. You can do whatever you like.

Interesting. I have 2 x39’s. 16” HBAR’s. I run C-Products Duramags exclusively in them and my 450’s. Never had any type of problem. Not with my handloads. Not with Wolf or Tula. The AR platform USED to have have problems feeding x39. They fixed that problem quite awhile back. Not saying you have to magically accept what I’m saying as gospel. Makes me no difference really. But the issues were resolved. The bolts breaking seemed to be from using a 5.56 bolt that was thinned. And using a cheaper alloy. There are fixes for that also if you had that problem. I have had no such issue. My accuracy has been better than expected. And I have a few thousand rounds down the tubes. Off the top of my head I personally know 6 people with x39 AR’s. Every issue that has been had with those rifles was a magazine problem (fixed by purchasing DuraMag) a separate feeding issue (caused by using the mag as a POC while prone (newbies) and a firing problem caused by some cheap no name ammo that wouldn’t fire in any of the rifles we had with us.

To blatantly state that the X39 is a loser in the AR, is simply false. It’s anecdotal evidence at best. Likely old anecdotal evidence.

 

[jmorris]

I’m sure it goes without saying that your current lower (if made for AR15 mags) won’t work for a handgun cartridge like 9mm.

All of my 9mm AR’s use regular lowers. There are various mag adapters that are dropped into or affixed to the lower. Like the one on the top, it locks in place when the visible set screw is tightened. Then there is also the Pmag conversions that allow one to load 9mm into a 223 mag and use them in a .223 mag well. Like the one on bottom.



I really haven’t found anything my 300blk will do better than other uppers I have. It’s not better at long range than a .223 or 6.5, it’s not better hunting with subs than a 458 or 450 and it’s more expensive than 9mm to have fun with or even do clean up around the house.

 

[Bcwitt]

It's fine for play pourpose, but that magazine does not perform near as well as a 556 AR mag & neither of them are half as good as an AK mag. Durability just is not there. It is not combat grade equipment.

 

[M1key]

Who said anything about combat? The X39 is dandy light deer/hog cartridge. I do have a Super Bolt for my Colt set aside that is guaranteed for 10,000 rounds of steel. I never shoot steel since I have about 2000 rounds of reloadable brass cased ammo.

M

 

[jmorris]

Who said anything about combat?

He did.

I have thought about getting a 7.62x39 upper, for the “at least one of everything” aspect) and almost did a couple times but picked something else instead. I have AK’s in the round and while it beats what I could get out of the 300, it still doesn’t fit a niche for me.

If I were involved in combat, I wouldn’t want to be the guy with an AR in any caliber. I do enjoy playing with them though.

 

[Glockula]

My 300 black out has been a good gun and since you hand load it is not really an expensive round. I use it like my .308 garbage disposal for old pulls. My AR eats the 150s, 110s, 125s, 165s, 180s, and 200 grain pills so far. The suppressor has definitely taken it to another level.

In a pure response to the OP what about the 350 legend. A mid range thumper with plenty of available cheapy projectiles to plink with. Sounds much better than .556 I might have to sell mine.

 

[Elkins45]

300 appeals to me for a number of reasons:

1) Cases made from cheap surplus brass
2) There are a gazillion 30 caliber bullet molds to play with
3) There's a good selection of 30 caliber silencers

 

[cfullgraf]

While I have not shot any 7.62x39 from an AR-15, I've been un-impressed with the accuracy from a couple SKS rifles that I have. I see no need to pursue 7.62x39 in an AR-15 platform.

I have a couple 300 Blk rifles and have been pleased with the accuracy of the rifles. The 300 Blk supersonic rounds are fairly flat out to100 yards or so and then the rainbow trajectory takes over. This minimizes collateral damage for small farm use.

For my purposes, a 30 carbine would be fine but commercial post war WWII carbines are hit or miss in reliability and I would not submit a USGI carbine to home defense duty. So, a 300 Black out is a good alternative for my small, hobby horse farm.

I have not seen the need to have subsonic 300 BLK rounds for my purposes but they seem to be an advantage for some hunting hogs. Go for it!

 

[jmorris]

300 appeals to me for a number of reasons:

1) Cases made from cheap surplus brass
2) There are a gazillion 30 caliber bullet molds to play with
3) There's a good selection of 30 caliber silencers

That’s what got me into the round. I was commissioned to build a machine to cut .223 blanks and brass to a length for forming and final trimming of 300 blk. After my R&D on blade, speed and feed, I was left with a lifetime supply of brass. if you are casting the lead and coating prices are a wash but it still uses more than 5x the powder than 9mm per round. So instead of getting over 2000 rounds per pound of powder that’s cut to under 500 rounds.

With Jacketed bullets, the 9mm wins by a larger margin but the range advantage also is increased for the 300 as well.

My 30 cal cans don’t come apart for cleaning but I built my 9mm ones specifically because I knew I was going to be shooting stuff other than jacketed. The smaller powder charges also give the advantage of better suppression.

Fun plinking to around 100 yards or so.

 

[Elkins45]

That’s what got me into the round. I was commissioned to build a machine to cut .223 blanks and brass to a length for forming and final trimming of 300 blk. After my R&D on blade, speed and feed, I was left with a lifetime supply of brass. if you are casting the lead and coating prices are a wash but it still uses more than 5x the powder than 9mm per round. So instead of getting over 2000 rounds per pound of powder that’s cut to under 500 rounds.

With Jacketed bullets, the 9mm wins by a larger margin but the range advantage also is increased for the 300 as well.

My 30 cal cans don’t come apart for cleaning but I built my 9mm ones specifically because I knew I was going to be shooting stuff other than jacketed. The smaller powder charges also give the advantage of better suppression.

Fun plinking to around 100 yards or so.

300 is way more versatile. I wouldn’t dream of hunting with a 9mm but I would shoot a deer with a 300 without feeling guilty about it. Also, as a lefty I’ve had all the experiences with blowback centerfire guns I ever want. I had a case rupture (factory ammo) and was very fortunate that all I have ended up with were a couple of cuts on my cheek and jaw. I’m not alll that concerned about the economy of powder and leaf because I have plenty of both, and primers are a wash.

 

[jmorris]

300 is way more versatile. I wouldn’t dream of hunting with a 9mm but I would shoot a deer with a 300 without feeling guilty about it.

I agree, it’s kind of a “jack of all trades master of none round” and I have a lot of stuff to choose from on either side of it.

I did take it hog hunting a few times though. Made one of my best shots with one. This little fellow was at a full run in the woods and I got him as he passed a ATV road through them at 88 yards. The 125gn supers were over kill for it but not as much as I like for the big ones.



I wouldn’t “hunt” stuff bigger than a coyote with one either, certainly not a game animal. I have killed a lot of hogs with that suppressed 9mm though.

 

[BreechFace]

@jmorris whats with the picture of the hide opened up on all the hogs? Just harvesting the backstraps or what?

I'm jealous of you guys down there with hogs aplenty!

I know, "I only say that because, I don't know how destructive they can be." And I get that, I'm in ag, but it still would be a lot of fun putting the hurt on hogs on the weekends.

 

[jmorris]

@jmorris whats with the picture of the hide opened up on all the hogs? Just harvesting the backstraps or what?

I'm jealous of you guys down there with hogs aplenty!

I know, "I only say that because, I don't know how destructive they can be." And I get that, I'm in ag, but it still would be a lot of fun putting the hurt on hogs on the weekends.

Yep, the easy meat.

I wish you had them instead of us. The only thing worse than “putting the hurt on them”, is fixing the damage they cause.