AR Pistols, who has any experience.

[kmcintosh78]

Ok, so having just seen a pic of an AR15 pistol, I am wanting to research them more and I am thinking that I want one.
Can someone, anyone educate me on these? Who are the manufactures, what to look for. I don't want to got the pistol caliber route, want to keep it with .223.
Thanks

 

[Valkman]

I have had one for a long time, a Pro Ordinance. They became known as jam-o-matics but mine always worked well - I just got bored with it real quick and haven't shot it in years. I'm not sure who makes them now but PO is long out of business.

 

[Zerodefect]

"What? I can't hear you! Type louder, I just just finished shooting my Pistol AR with only double ear protection on."

Get a Krink, Noveske Pig, or troy Claymore muzzel brakes, otherwise you'll drive everyone crazy at the range.

I'd rather have an AK or Sig556 pistol, no goofy buffer tube.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I'd rather have an AK

The heavy artillery of the rifle caliber pistols.



I have the Bushmaster Carbon 15. It's been a good pistol. Ugly bugger though.


Later I bought a Kel Tec PLR .223.


I liked it so well I bought a second one.

 

[M2 Carbine]

"What? I can't hear you! Type louder, I just just finished shooting my Pistol AR with only double ear protection on."

Wait until you screw up and shoot it with no ear protection. Don't ask.

 

[RhinoDefense]

AR pistols serve no practical purpose for any serious work. I have built several for customers that "just got to have one".

Shortening the gas system in the Stoner design will change the balance of the original spec and the port pressure is over pressure. This will effect timing and has proven to not be as reliable as longer lengths.

The muzzle blast is significantly louder and more pronounced than carbine or rifle barrels. They are not very accurate. Due to increased cyclic rate, they also suffer from accelerated wearing of the operating system and experience a great deal of bolt bounce.

 

[Hanzo581]

As mentioned earlier, I'd also recommend something without the buffer tube, the P556 is a great option. But a bit pricey at $975...

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/36_397/products_id/55983

If you don't want to spend that much go with a Kel-Tec PLR-16

 

[WNC Seabee]

Had one, took it to the range twice before deciding it was nothing more than novelty. If I were to do it again, I'd just go ahead with an SBR upper and normal lower.

 

[M2 Carbine]

AR pistols serve no practical purpose for any serious work.

Thank goodness about 50 years ago I stopped using "practical" and "need" as a requirement for buying a gun or I'd have only a shotgun, a couple handguns and a rifle.

 

[RhinoDefense]

Yes, for a range toy they are fine. Anything purpose beyond this is a waste of money.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Yes, for a range toy they are fine. Anything purpose beyond this is a waste of money.

The things are powerful, hold 30 rounds, and are easy to shoot accurately (with a little practice, just like any gun).
"Range toys" they may be, that's all most guns are used for anyhow, but I would not want to go up against a skilled shooter armed with a .223 pistol, no matter what "practical" gun I was armed with.

"Waste of money" and "practical" is your opinion.
A gun does not have to be the latest greatest "man killer", or quarter MOA rifle, to be practical.
Shooting any gun, even just for the fun of it is "practical" enough reason to own it.

 

[RhinoDefense]

I stated "for any serious work". That means defense, ie shooting people.

A short barrel .223 is not "powerful" by any means and certainly will have issues with fragmentation threshold from a short barrel.

AR pistols and the Taurus Judge are about the stupidest guns on the market today.

 

[rjrivero]

There is an article in SWAT magazine November 2009 in which they tested the 7.5" Troy Industries 7.5" offering in the AR platform. They shot a Safariland Class III vest at 50 yards with Hornady 5.56mm 75-gr. BTHP/WC T2. It cut through the vest, plate (I presume soft plate), and dummy and the back of the vest.

The velocities you can get from the 7.5" barrel will be enough to expand Nosler Partitions out to about 90 yards.

Exactly how are you "handicapped" by using a .223 in a short barrel platform? Muzzle blast, concussion, yes. Round performance isn't a concern out to self defense range.

The pistol length gas system is higher pressure, but with the correct barrel gas port, it functions very well. I've used one in 3 gun matches, and it will run a whole day without cleaning. However, it does get dirtier than the carbine length ar gas system.

The SBR is more practical, no doubt. However, the AR pistol fills a niche for those who can not have SBR's. I keep one merely because I can load up all my magazines and drive to a 3 gun match without worry of having "loaded rifles" in the car. Those magazines are for my AR Pistol, which is quite legal in this state.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I stated "for any serious work". That means defense, ie shooting people.

Yes shooting people could be called "serious work" but most civilians don't do that on a regular basis but a .223 pistol will surely shoot people. Most likely kill them to.

A short barrel .223 is not "powerful" by any means and certainly will have issues with fragmentation threshold from a short barrel.

Not powerful by any means? Compared to what?
Of course the .223 is powerful from the 9-10 inch pistol barrel.
Even crappy WWB is doing 2514 FPS and will drill right through 1/4 inch steel that the normal pistol round will just barely scratch the paint.


Since there's no requirement that civilians use FMJ bullets we are free to use modern JSP bullets, like this 55 grain Remington JSP fired from a Kel Tec 9 inch PLR barrel. Compared to a 45ACP Gold Dot.

They are not very accurate.

I assume you mean .223 pistols in general, instead of just the AR pistol.
I'd call this accurate. Can't say the gun will shoot MOA but it has shot 1 1/8 inch 100 yard groups (can't find the picture right now).

AR pistols and the Taurus Judge are about the stupidest guns on the market today.

Again, this is just your opinion.
My opinion is you are wrong, well about the .223 pistols anyhow.




.

 

[kmcintosh78]

Not really looking for "That is stupid" info. If that is all you got, please move on.

Thanks to M2 and the others with good info.
Thinking I am going with the PLR.

 

[Mot45acp]

I have had 2. The most fun for me was the "wow" factor when I showed somebody. Other than that they got old quick, only because of the lack of a stock. I now have tax stamp in hand and 10.5" upper on its way.