AR newbie

[xxjumbojimboxx]

So, Ill start off by saying I've never really been into AR's at all. They've just never appealed to me in any way. Combine that, with the fact that there's not a lot of 9mm carbine options out there, and the fact that I want one that doesn't look like a child's toy, and you see why I may have some interest in an AR9. Right now PSA has the parts to slap one together. Can anyone weigh in on this setup (from psa) ? Can 9mm be reasonably accurate out to 100 yards? 200? I have a 200 yard range accessible, and Id love it if I could use it all. You tell me! Thanks.

 

[Jeff White]

I don't know anything about the PSA kits. I can tell you that you can hit at 300 yards with a 9mm carbine if you do your part.

 

[MechAg94]

I put a PSA 308 rifle together. I shot a couple of 1.5" groups with it. I consider that pretty decent for a very inexpensive AR-10 build. I have heard nothing but positive things about them. Good parts and results for the price. I bought it assuming I could buy a better barrel later if I wanted.

Now on the 9mm version, I have no direct experience with that.

On others, I used to have a JustRightCarbine rifle in 9mm. I could do say 2.5" at 100 yards at best which I thought was decent. There was already some bullet drop at 100 yards. I figure it will get worse at 200.

 

[maxxhavoc]

I put a PSA 308 rifle I put together. I shot a couple of 1.5" groups with it. I consider that pretty decent for a very inexpensive AR-10 build. I have heard nothing but positive things about them. Good parts and results for the price. I bought it assuming I could buy a better barrel later if I wanted.

I have been able to wrangle .75" groups out of mine. It really likes the 125gr TNTs from Midway.

About 9mm ARs - I have one I built before PSA had a kit. Mine is a Rock River Barrel w/CMMG ramped bolt, and ProMag Magwell. Everything else is PSA except the 9mm buffer and the stack of quarters in the buffer tube.

It is easily my favorite AR for plinking and practice at the range. It does fine to 100 yards, but the groups are not as good as .223. 3-4" groups are the norm for mine. But it is worth it for the ammo cost alone. But it is more steel-friendly as well.

 

[Welding Rod]

A 9 will likely be pretty dismal compared to say 556 as far as accuracy. Especially beyond 100 yards. Even at 50-100 don't expect much if you shoot regular cheap 9mm ammo.

 

[David4516]

Helped my Dad build a PSA AR9 recently. So far it seems to work just fine (he's only fired maybe 200 rounds out of it).

I don't know if I'd shoot it at 200 yards though...

 

[Jeff White]

The 9mm round is capable of acceptable accuracy out to 300 yards. The iron sights on an AR are good. There is no reason why you can't hit out to 300 yards with one. Is it going to be as accurate as 5.56 or any rifle at that range? No, of course not. But I know from personal experience you can make hits on an "F" silhouette all day long at 300 with one.

 

[xxjumbojimboxx]

Thanks for the answers fellas. I'm not quite sure if I'm going to use all PSA parts, or their dedicated 9mm lower. I kind of like being able to just buy another upper to switch calibers. We'll see

 

[David4516]

xxjumbojimboxx,

I could be mistaken but I don't think you can "just buy another upper to switch calibers" with the AR9

There is an "adapter" that you put in the mag well on the lower receiver so the 9mm magazine will fit. This adapter is held in place via the bolt hold open lever (not sure if this is correct technical term) which is in turn held in place with a roll pin.

If you want to switch calibers between say .223 and 9mm, you'd have to punch the pin out every time with a hammer, and buy a new pin to re-install the lever.

I think it makes more sense to have a "dedicated" 9mm lower and a seconder lower for other calibers. For example you could easily switch between .223 and .300 BLK with just an upper swap using the same lower...

 

[xxjumbojimboxx]

Hm, more research needed. I would think theyd make a mag that was the same size of the 223 mags in form but feed 9mm sorta like the ones in the 22 conversion kits.

 

[Olympus]

Your only choice for AR9 mags are Colt mags, modified Uzi mags, and Glock mags for dedicated lowers. There are no 9mm mags shaped like a 556 mag. You will either have to install a mag block in your lower or use a dedicated 9mm lower. Just no way around this.

 

[David4516]

What about this thing?

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/963844/olympic-arms-magazine-ar-15-9mm-luger-30-round-polymer-black

I have no experience with it so I've got no idea how well it works, but so far it's the only option I've seen that will let you use the same lower for both 9mm and .223

 

[maxxhavoc]

You can get magwell adapters that are removable without removing the bolt release lever. They are held in place by set screws. Here is one:
http://stores.9mmar.com/hahn-precision-bottom-9mm-magwell-block/

When I was building, I figured out it was cheaper to just buy another lower to dedicate to 9mm. That, and I always prefer mechanical attachment vs friction fit or set screws.

 

[Olympus]

What about this thing?

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/963844/olympic-arms-magazine-ar-15-9mm-luger-30-round-polymer-black

I have no experience with it so I've got no idea how well it works, but so far it's the only option I've seen that will let you use the same lower for both 9mm and .223

Mediocre reviews and almost $50 a pop? I'd pass.