Thoughts on AR pistols

[jes3se]

I’ve never really been an AR guy, but I’m starting to be swayed.

What are your thoughts on a Pistol vs a rifle in an AR platform?

The biggest thing I’ve heard is that a Pistol is cool, but impractical, but seems like it would make a practical home defense/ truck gun.

 

[QuietM4]

Short barrels are much easier to maneuver around corners, barriers, etc.

You sacrifice some muzzle velocity, but it's negligible.

Every tool has it's purpose.

 

[792mauser]

I've fired a 7.62x51 "pistol" before and nope.
I have a Ruger 10.5" pistol that I put a fwd comp on and while still a little blasty it handles so much better than a carbine in the house.

 

[Ballistic Therapy]

I bought a Ruger AR pistol with the brace and I put an Aimpoint Red Dot on it.
I am out in the desert by the border quite often and wanted something easy to carry in the vehicle.
It shoots very good. I can hit clay pigeons very easily at 200 yards when I rest it.
I shoot it more now than I do my other AR's.
It does have a big bark to it.

I never could figure out the 14 inch barrel with a pinned or welded adapter that makes it the legal 16 inches. Why not just get a 16 inch barrel ?
Maybe I am missing something but it just never made sense to me.

 

[Az desert rat 1]

I've never been an AR pistol fan. Every person has their own likes and dislikes and I respect that. I'll stick with my 9 mm for home defense and truck carry.

 

[Ballistic Therapy]

I use a 9mm for home defense also.
I like the AR pistol in 5.56 in my vehicle while out in the desert so if I have to use it ,
( like the old commercial ) I can reach out and touch somebody.

 

[Elk34]

I would do a pistol instead of a SBR any day of the week.

 

[Joelgas1]

I really enjoy shooting my 300 BO pistol. Very versatile and with the option of subs or supers you can’t go wrong

 

[QuietM4]

I would do a pistol instead of a SBR any day of the week.

Agreed. Having a pistol vs an SBR has a few advantages. You can easily move it about the country without having to notify the ATF via a Form 5320.20. No waiting for stamp approval.

However, filing a Form 1 on eFile is simple and fast these days....less than 30 days in most cases. You'd have to engrave the lower, but that is easily hidden inside the trigger guard of an AR.

 

[Elk34]

Would a AR pistol be considered an assault pistol??

 

[jes3se]

My buddy bought the Ruger pistol recently, loves it. But practicality is still in question for me. My Glock is not going to be replaced, just trying to decide on the next supplement.

 

[Harrier]

If you don't have an AR in rifle length, then IMO that should be your first purchase... with the 5.56 velocity is everything. 16" is the shortest I'd go as even the 14.5" loses a lot of fps past 100yd. IMO 18" is ideal. Sure you can hit something with a shorter bbl out to 300 yds or even further... but will the bullet tumble/expand like designed? Velocity is your friend and the only way to get that in 223/5.56 is barrel length.

For HD or urban CQB distances, a pistol length is real handy in tight spaces like hallways, crawlspaces and vehicles... At those short distances velocity is still high enough from a longer pistol length- I prefer the 11-1/2" bbl over the 10-1/2" as they feel pretty much the same but the 11 holds velocity much better.

I've never been interested in anything shorter, but the 8" would probably be a lot easier to hold with one arm...

 

[Flash]

Firing an AR pistol indoors is a good way to make yourself deaf and give yourself permanent tinnitus.

 

[AR-15Man]

Braces were a game changer when it came to AR pistols. They turned a range toy into a useful gun. 10.5 is the shortest I would go personally, although a 11.5 makes a lot of sense for Dwell time alone.

 

[laserguy]

For CQB I prefer a pistol, you can clear corners easier and get into strange positions if needed. An AR is a very quick handling weapon that has an amazing amount of versatility as it was designed for the military, that is why they are massively popular.

 

[Elk34]

For CQB I prefer a pistol, you can clear corners easier and get into strange positions if needed. An AR is a very quick handling weapon that has an amazing amount of versatility as it was designed for the military, that is why they are massively popular.

At one time it was only a 556 novelty. Now they come in all flavors.

 

[laserguy]

If you can't get into a strange position with a 16, then you won't be able to with a 10.5 either.

Ya, I should have been clear when I said pistol....I meant a real pistol (glock, 1911, revolver, etc), not an AR pistol, which is only a "pistol" by a technicality if you have an "arm rest" on it

 

[Elk34]

If you can't get into a strange position with a 16, then you won't be able to with a 10.5 either.

Ya, I should have been clear when I said pistol....I meant a real pistol (glock, 1911, revolver, etc), not an AR pistol, which is only a "pistol" by a technicality if you have an "arm rest" on it

Ok. So I want to understand better. Are you saying its only a pistol if it has a arm brace?

 

[Elk34]

If you can't get into a strange position with a 16, then you won't be able to with a 10.5 either.

Ya, I should have been clear when I said pistol....I meant a real pistol (glock, 1911, revolver, etc), not an AR pistol, which is only a "pistol" by a technicality if you have an "arm rest" on it

Ok. So I want to understand better. Are you saying its only a pistol if it has a arm brace?

Arm rest. ???

 

[jes3se]

He’s saying it’s a pistol by technicality not by usefulness as a handgun I think