Looking for a 9mm AR

[DrBob305]

Good morning all. Finally decided to join the forum after finding myself visiting all the time. Glad to be here. I'm looking for a 9mm AR, mainly for home defense and fun at the range. I figure 9mm is much cheaper for the range, and safer at home with a new baby than a larger rifle round, not to mention easier for the wife to handle. (I've read through the longer barrel the 9mm packs a bigger punch with little recoil). Plus I have my H&K P30 in the night stand so I can take advantage of the same caliber rounds.
All that being said, Do any of you have any advice or recommendations? I've been looking mainly at the Colt 6591 and the Rock River Arms LAR-9. I would greatly appreciate any feedback.
PS: Any advice on scopes for said rifle?
Thank you in advance and Merry Christmas!

 

[BSA1]

Does it have to be a AR?

 

[DrBob305]

Not at all. That's what I had in mind but I'm open to suggestions. I already have a Benelli Supernova 12ga as well in the closet.

 

[Onward Allusion]

DrBob305
Looking for a 9mm AR

I too had been looking for a AR patterned 9mm but not so much for the home; mostly as a range toy. Here are a few things I've found.

- 9mm fps typically maxes out with a 14 inch barrel and 10" is around the point of diminishing returns.
- You have the option of a dedicated AR lower in 9mm or one that uses a magwell adapter. Keep in mind that having an adapter is one more piece that could cause problems when troubleshooting.
- Two of the more popular choices are Colt & Glock. 33 round Glock mags are pretty darn plentiful, at least for now.
- Carbines, even with a 16.5" barrel and a collapsible stock can be unwieldy inside.
- An AR pistol with a 10.5" barrel and a foam padded buffer tube is a much more maneuverable option inside.
- AR's in 9mm are more expensive than 5.56 for some reason. Supply & demand?

After my research, I said screw it (due to cost) and bought an Aero ASP with an 8" barrel & buffer tube. It's not 100% AR. Someone said it's more like a cross between an AR and a Kel Tec Sub 2000 and it does take Glock 9mm mags. Too bad I won't get it from my FFL until after the holidays. Otherwise, I'd give a report on functionality.

Merry Christmas!

 

[greyling22]

palmetto just released a 9mm lower that takes glock mags. merry xmas to us all.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/ar-9-ar-47/ar-9/psa-glock-style-ar-9.html

 

[Deog]

Cx4 Storm carbine is a awesome little package.

 

[Onward Allusion]

The PSA is a good price!

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

"I like", as in opinion.....

I like them (upper kits) based upon Colt's pattern as the RRA is.

I like that Colt's will take Colt or modified Uzi mags.
I like removable, 1 piece mag adaptors.
I like fixed 3 and 4 power scopes.
I like threaded muzzles.

I've found that many times 115 grain and lighter can be problematic but not insurmountable.

I've found my 9mms to be very easy on; my ears, shoulder and bank account.

I've found my 9mms to be very hard on; skunk, pig coyote and beasts gone feral out to 180 meters+.

Fun to suppress, fun to SBR.

There's my $0.67.


Todd.

 

[Chuck R.]

I have a Colt 6951 that I set up like my LE6920. Makes a great trainer as i can pop my AR500 steel plates at CQB distances without damaging them.

Runs 100% with Metalform AR mags and my reloads (147grn Coated). very pleased with mine.



Chuck

 

[wally]

I've found my 9mms to be very easy on; my ears, shoulder and bank account
Fun to suppress, fun to SBR.

^^^This in spades!
Once you get past the initial cost.

My wife's shooting steel plates with our 9mm AR SBR vs. her with any pistol proves the old adage -- the pistol is so you can fight your way back to the rifle. Night and day difference in terms of speed and hits.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

 

[BSA1]

If you can get past the name Hi Point their carbine has good reviews. Check out YouTube. Hickock45 has a good review on it.

Less than $300.00, works well and has good accuracy.

 

[DPris]

Colt's current 9mm AR is quite nice.
Denis

 

[DrBob305]

Thanks for the feedback gentlemen. I have a lot to think about but it will fun and I can't wait to hit the range with whatever I end up with. I wish I had a backyard with a setup like Hickok45. I'd never leave the house. Love the 6951 Chuck R. What a great looking piece. What scope is that?

 

[greyling22]

you can put together a new frontier gun for around 700 too.

lower http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Spartan_9mm_Glock_Magazine_Compatible_Billet_Lower_p/jb-spartan9.htm
upper
https://newfrontierarmory.com/product-category/ar-9-parts-upper/upper-receivers/
bolt
http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/9MM_AR15_Bolt_Carrier_Groups_s/163737.htm
add the rest of the parts as you see fit.

 

[Chuck R.]

Thanks for the feedback gentlemen. I have a lot to think about but it will fun and I can't wait to hit the range with whatever I end up with. I wish I had a backyard with a setup like Hickok45. I'd never leave the house. Love the 6951 Chuck R. What a great looking piece. What scope is that?

Aimpoint Pro, Larue cantilever mount. I set it up to mirror my 5.56 to get the most training value out of it. I also set up a S&W M&P-15-22, but the 9mm mimics better due the recoil.

I've got the backyard range too:



Chuck

 

[GoldieMI]

I've found my 9mms to be very easy on; my ears, shoulder and bank account.

I've found my 9mms to be very hard on; skunk, pig coyote and beasts gone feral out to 180 meters+.

Fun to suppress, fun to SBR.

combined with a slide fire stock, the 9mm becomes a smile inducer at the range

 

[OilyPablo]

If you can get past the name Hi Point their carbine has good reviews. Check out YouTube. Hickock45 has a good review on it.

Less than $300.00, works well and has good accuracy.

Closer to $250. I am still snooty about their pistols, but my 4095 is a real hoot. And pretty darn accurate. It runs flawlessly now.....but I would be remiss if I didn't mention out of the box it had a burr in the chamber that caused an out of chamber incident. HiPoint fixed it and returned it pronto and that was .40SW, never heard of any 9mm issues. For the price, and frankly ease of shooting, a great bargain.

I have a Marlin Camp 9 Carbine. Fun gun, does have some feeding issues and is particular about magazines. Aftermarket mags are a no go. S&W seem to work OK. They are starting to get rare, and I bought mine as a basket case and refurbished it to like new - blued the barrel and everything, no checkered old style stock. I shoot my Camp 45 a bit more.

The blowback 9mm AR's seem to be pretty good now. I would go with Glock magwell varieties, as I see no real advantage of the Colt/Uzi mag style.

I have a DI 10mm SBR AR with modified Grease Gun magazines. Ultimately I love the thing as a project. It takes my mind off my high stress job and businesses. BUT, I think I made a mistake my not going with a Glock mag handling lower.

 

[C0untZer0]

The JP Enterprises carbine gets good reviews. It used to be called the GMR-12 but now I believe its called the GMR-13:

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2013/12/foghorn/gun-review-jp-enterprises-gmr-12-9mm-carbine/

I think the article is a good read because it talks about some of the problems involved with trying to get a 5.56 design to accept 9mm magazines.

For me personally, I'm looking at the 9mm TAVOR (I know its not the AR platform).

Having said that, the Hi-Point carbine basically does everything that these $900+ rifles do but much more cheaply. (Also not the AR platform). If you look around you can get the 995 for around $238.00 or slightly less if you wait for a sale.

 

[Walkalong]

9mm fps typically maxes out with a 14 inch barrel and 10" is around the point of diminishing returns.

Faster powders will definitely not get much out of a 16" barrel, but slower ones will. Most of us are stuck with 16" barrels, so don't feel like that is a handicap.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=6334874&postcount=14

I have posted some other 3" to 16" velocities lately as well.

My N320 124 Gr load does almost the same FPS from 16" as from 5".

Everyone one who shoots my 9MM AR loves it. You can't go wrong with one.

 

[C0untZer0]

BBTI has some rounds getting their max velocity readings out of an 18" barrel.

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/9luger.html

I think +P rounds take advantage of the longer barrel length.

 

[BSA1]

If you can get past the name Hi Point their carbine has good reviews. Check out YouTube. Hickock45 has a good review on it.

Less than $300.00, works well and has good accuracy.

Closer to $250. I am still snooty about their pistols, but my 4095 is a real hoot. And pretty darn accurate. It runs flawlessly now.....but I would be remiss if I didn't mention out of the box it had a burr in the chamber that caused an out of chamber incident. HiPoint fixed it and returned it pronto and that was .40SW, never heard of any 9mm issues. For the price, and frankly ease of shooting, a great bargain.

OilyPablo,

I agree with assessment. The carbine is a bit heavy but as Hickok45 says...It's not a handgun. You are probably correct about the out-the-door price. A LGS has one for $285.00.

I have been working this year on building a firearm collection of guns I spent less than $300.00 on. I'm up to 5 guns now. The Hi-Point Carbine is a contender for a spot. (It gives me a great excuse to go to the gunshow). Another big plus is magazines are affordable.

 

[OilyPablo]

I think my local FFL ordered mine for $239 of course after tax it was $260 or so......wait....found the receipt $261.

 

[DPris]

With four loads through a Colt 16-inch AR I got a 100-200 FPS boost, which is not bad.
Denis

 

[nipprdog]

palmetto just released a 9mm lower that takes glock mags. merry xmas to us all.

Just my luck. A couple months ago I traded my Just Right carbine in for this PSA 9mm that takes Colt mags;



Rock solid and reliable. Now, I have to consider selling it and buying the Glock version. Since I have way more Glock mags than the 4 colt mags. I'll have to contact PSA. Maybe I can just switch lowers.