Thinking of building a pcc ar-15. Need some tips

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troy fairweather

troy fairweather

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The price of the ruger pcc are going up almost every day here in New York close to $600 or more.
So was thinking to just build one from a ar lower. Never messed with 9mm stuff so I have some questions

Are the dedicated ar-9 lowers worth the money or are the normal ar-15 lowers better with the adapter

Are there any others mag were you don't need the adapter like the MEAN I have not looked much into them.

What barrels are guys using I think bca has one.

Since I am in NY I have to keep it compliant, so think I will use a thordson frs-ii stock. And I will have to pin something over the muzzle threads.

Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks.
 
I've been thinking about doing a 9mm upper with mag adapter (or another lower) to go with my .350L (since it's basically a 9mm supermag). I haven't gotten far enough with planning to be helpful tho, so this thread will help me as well.
 
LoonWulf said:
I've been thinking about doing a 9mm upper with mag adapter (or another lower) to go with my .350L (since it's basically a 9mm supermag). I haven't gotten far enough with planning to be helpful tho, so this thread will help me as well.
Click to expand...
Ya just like to see what guys are using now, maybe ruger will have a 10mm for shot show but think they more likely have a 45 acp.
 
I have done AR based PCCs using magwell adapters, dedicated Glock mag lowers and recently using Endo Mags with regular AR lowers.
  • Dedicated Glock mag lowers (New Frontier/Joe Bob Outfitter) addressed the feeding issue of magwell adapters but lack the Last Round Bolt Hold Open (LRBHO) and controls differ from regular AR lowers.
  • Use of Endo Mags/CMMG 9mm kits convert regular .223/5.56 PMags into 30 round 9mm mags to work with regular AR lowers with LRBHO and all the controls remain the same.
  • Another option is use of Stern Defense MAG AD9 mag insert that allows the use of Glock mags in regular AR lowers that retains LRBHO. But mag release is different and priced at $179 - https://getstern.com/mag-ad9/
So if you already have spare AR lowers and PMags (And who doesn't), I would recommend going the Endo Mag/CMMG 9mm conversion of PMag route as all the familiar AR controls remain the same with LRBHO for the cost of mag conversion kits.

Endo Mag PMag 3 kits for $79 - https://aimsurplus.com/mean-arms-endomag-9mm-pmag-insert-3-pack/

CMMG 9 AR PMag conversion kit $29 - https://www.primaryarms.com/cmmg-9-ar-pmag-conversion-kit-9mm-30-round

I am using PSA 9mm uppers and this video from Pew Pew Tactical reviews Endo Mag use with PSA upper followed by CMMG 9mm AR Conversion video





MAC testing Stern Defense MAG AD9

 
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troy fairweather said:
Ya just like to see what guys are using now, maybe ruger will have a 10mm for shot show but think they more likely have a 45 acp.
Click to expand...
I also have Just Right carbine which has modular mag well, bolt and barrel kits to convert from 9mm to 40S&W, .357 Sig, 10mm and 45ACP (Conversion kits only offered in 9mm/40S&W/45ACP).

https://justrightcarbines.com/products/

Magwells come in Glock, M&P or single stack 1911 (I have 45ACP conversion to use with Glock mags)
 
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https://www.primaryarms.com/Brand+Foxtrot-Mike-Products

I've been very pleased with Foxtrot Mike. Good quality, good prices. They do both Glock and Colt pattern. I have only used the Glock pattern stuff. Had a question at 11pm on a weekend, owner emailed me back within 10 min.

I stripped out some handguard screws trying to swap barrels (I admitted it was my fault), owner told me to send him all the parts. He sent me back upper assembled with new handguard, barrel, and old parts returned. No charge and turnaround time was one week including shipping from Texas to Idaho.

I am in no way affiliated with FM products, but the level of customer service I have received even when it was my screw up has really impressed me. Check out some of their videos on youtube.View attachment 883031
 
I'll be watching. I've thought about something in 9mm, but haven't gotten much farther than thinking. I have thought about the Ruger, and priced the latest config with the adjustable stock, etc. I already have lower(s) seems like I could fit a proper upper cheaper ? Maybe not, I always end up spending more than I intend. :)

-Jeff
 
Just wanted to clarify something. The CMMG mag adapters are only for use with CMMG’s special radial delayed barrel and bolt. The difference compared to the Endo mag is that there is no ejector since the CMMG system uses an ejector in the bolt.

I have an AR9 pistol with a dedicated colt mag lower from PSA. It runs like a sewing machine with fmj ammo but will not feed certain hollow points. I have a faxon barrel on mine which is very very accurate. Only other special parts are a solid 9mm buffer and an AR10 HD recoil spring.

I am actually selling mine right now because I want to build a new one with the CMMG upper and mag adapters.
 
someguy2800 said:
Just wanted to clarify something. The CMMG mag adapters are only for use with CMMG’s special radial delayed barrel and bolt. The difference compared to the Endo mag is that there is no ejector since the CMMG system uses an ejector in the bolt.

I have an AR9 pistol with a dedicated colt mag lower from PSA. It runs like a sewing machine with fmj ammo but will not feed certain hollow points. I have a faxon barrel on mine which is very very accurate. Only other special parts are a solid 9mm buffer and an AR10 HD recoil spring.

I am actually selling mine right now because I want to build a new one with the CMMG upper and mag adapters.
Click to expand...
What are you asking for yours. Thanks for the good info.
 
Been debating a 9mm build myself but my hangup is weather or not to go with a dedicated lower or use endomags in my sbr lower. I don't have a glock at the moment so mag type doesn't matter that much. The cmmg delayed blowback looks like the best way to do it nowadays. My only other 9mm carbine was a late 90s oly arms upper that used modified Uzi mags (I think) and it sucked to load them. Very accurate though and lots of fun. Haven't had that upper in 15 years.
 
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troy fairweather said:
Ya just like to see what guys are using now, maybe ruger will have a 10mm for shot show but think they more likely have a 45 acp.
Click to expand...
I have a 45acp AR from Macon Armory.

Great company, and a really fun carbine.

ETA: the 45 from Macon is a DI gas system. I thought that was neat (instead of blowback)
 
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how does cmmg delay it? anyone have a picture of what they do different
 
TV I’ve built a few AR 9’s over the last few years.
This is the first one I built using a JoeBob Outfitters Spartan Glock mag lower.
The Spartan lower is actually made by New Frontier Armory, and NFA does make an upper win the last round hold open. But I wanted a dust cover and the NFA doesn’t have a dust cover.
F78C1677-2392-46F9-9E2B-06C85E3EC19B.jpeg

This one was built with a PSA Glock mag lower.
1A0B47D1-BFAA-4679-8FD4-E2207FDAA644.jpeg

I also used a Spartan lower on my pistol build.

00A2C17C-A7CE-4540-8A4D-A6347F693419.jpeg

I pre ordered one of the Endo Mags before they hit the market. When it came in I took it out to the range and it worked great.

I do prefer the Glock mag lowers and mags are easy to come by
 
I have an old Colt that takes Colt mags and a PSA Glock mag build like GunnyUSMC has in his pics. I have only ever shot my reloads in them, 124 grain bullet with 4.0 WSF, and they have never given me any trouble that I can remember.

They are a ton of fun with a red dot sight on reactive targets like a plate rack, etc., especially for the youth and ladies.
 
If you're going to buy a 9mm barrel and intend to shoot anything other than RN bullets, you should do some homework on which barrel you want. Most are notoriously shot throated. I had to ream two Faxon barrels to use XTP bullets.
I've "heard" that JP and Wilson barrels are good to go, but I don't know that to be fact.
 
AR9’s are rifles I really don’t like to love. 9mm carbines are just so ridiculously fun, and the adaptability inherent to and variations available in the AR9 are unmatched by anything else. But I live in this vicious pattern with AR9’s every few years, especially with the availability in recent years - I want to build another, for fun, so I start out with a standard AR lower, but I don’t love the mag blocks, so then I end up buying a dedicated lower, but then it’s bigger and bulkier than conventional PCC’s (especially with the PC9 back on the market), and I don’t use it, end up selling it. 6 months later, I start all over with the same desire, wring my hands for a year, convince myself to do it, and then bail again.
 
Thanks for all the tips. I still don't know what to build first a 9mm or a 6.5 grendel. ( when I have the money lol). Still have to look more into the 9mm I know what I would do when building the grendel.
 
The Stern Defense adapters are on sale at Primary Arms. Coupon Code "SAVE12" after log in. ( 12% off ) ... for that matter the coupon applies to most everything PA carries.

SD makes them for Beretta 92, S&W M&P / SIG P320 P250 9 and 40 , Glock 9 and 40, and M&P 45...

So if anyone is looking to have a convertible lower... I would suggest these if you happen to own one of the handguns listed above.

You will need a Glock cut bolt.

https://www.primaryarms.com/Brand+Stern-Defense
 
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