Never played around with a pistol AR (build) - questions

KnotRight

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No can for right now.

From the lower side:
Is there anything different besides the stock?
If so, what?

The upper:
If I wanted a 10.5" barrel, what is the length of the gas system?
Do you want the hand guard to go out to the muzzle break?

Caliber?
223 or 300 BO?
9 MM maybe later
 
I'll be following this as I just got a PSA lower with SBA3 brace and their 10.5" upper with the FN mfg barrel. I am shopping for a BCG and charging handle now. Mine has a carbine length gas system.
 
For the lower, if you went with a SBA3 brace then that would be all you’d need. Any other would require a pistol receiver extension or even a proprietary one specific to whatever brace you go with.

For the upper, if you go 10.5 most of them are carbine length, any shorter and it would prob be a pistol length gas tube. How far you want your hand guards to extend in the barrel is up to you. Just obviously don’t go over the muzzle device unless you’re running something like a KAK flash can type device.

For caliber, that’s gonna be personal preference. I prefer .300 as it’s gonna Have excellent ballistics with short barrels. For 5.56, I wouldn’t go any shorter than 10.5, and really 11.5 is about how short you want to go before you really start losing the velocity needed for 5.56 to be effective, but if this is just something you want ant to play around with and make a lot of noise and flash on the range, then go as short as you want.
 
for a 10.5" I would always choose carbine gas, simply because it's less violent and more reliable than the shorter pistol length gas at least on 5.56 . And at least an H buffer in the lower tames it right smart. And the carbine-length handguards are universal if you're not free-floating the upper. If you do get a FF upper then put some type of AFG or hand-stop so you don't blow a hole in your winky-beater
 
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For the lower, if you went with a SBA3 brace then that would be all you’d need. Any other would require a pistol receiver extension or even a proprietary one specific to whatever brace you go with.
When I bought my first (and only so far) SBA3, I bought the kit that included a buffer tube. I needed it because the lower I was using had a smooth tube with a foam cover and a QD sling mount on the end.

Will the SBA3 fit on a standard 6-pos tube and work properly in each one? I know the one that came with mine was 5-pos, but I’m not sure I’ve actually counted the holes.
 
When I bought my first (and only so far) SBA3, I bought the kit that included a buffer tube. I needed it because the lower I was using had a smooth tube with a foam cover and a QD sling mount on the end.

Will the SBA3 fit on a standard 6-pos tube and work properly in each one? I know the one that came with mine was 5-pos, but I’m not sure I’ve actually counted the holes.
Yup, it sure will. I’ve put my SBA3 on all my standard carbines to see it it would would and didn’t have any issues.
 
Think that I am sold on the SBA3 brace. Now waiting for them to go on sale. In the next week I am going to order parts to finish building the lower. This will make 2 lowers finished without any uppers.
 
Think that I am sold on the SBA3 brace. Now waiting for them to go on sale. In the next week I am going to order parts to finish building the lower. This will make 2 lowers finished without any uppers.

I suspect that you’ll start seeing really good sales in SBA3s soon as they are about to release the SBA4.
 
When I bought my first (and only so far) SBA3, I bought the kit that included a buffer tube. I needed it because the lower I was using had a smooth tube with a foam cover and a QD sling mount on the end.

Will the SBA3 fit on a standard 6-pos tube and work properly in each one? I know the one that came with mine was 5-pos, but I’m not sure I’ve actually counted the holes.
After shooting yours I'm pretty sold on the sba3 as well
 
Yup, it sure will. I’ve put my SBA3 on all my standard carbines to see it it would would and didn’t have any issues.
yeah SBA3 uses standard 6 pos milspec tube. Found this out when I converted an existing SBA3 lower to a rifle ;)
Can you buy just the brace? A quick search of “SBA3 brace only” didn’t really give any options to buy it that way, but curious if I need to keep looking.
 
Can you buy just the brace? A quick search of “SBA3 brace only” didn’t really give any options to buy it that way, but curious if I need to keep looking.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen them for sale as the badge only. You could always just toss the tube in the spare parts bin and use it on a future build. I don’t think the tube adds that much to the overall cost.
 
I don’t think I’ve ever seen them for sale as the badge only. You could always just toss the tube in the spare parts bin and use it on a future build. I don’t think the tube adds that much to the overall cost.
People were selling (and multiple marked sold) just the brace for $97 on ARF. The one I bought, with tube, was $99. Just proof the BST ads aren’t always deals. :rolleyes:

Can’t find one that cheap right now, so I’ll wait it out.
 
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Just to play around with.

1st
80% lower km tactical upper. 7.5” stainless bull barrel 5.56 and it kicks ass. Foam pad is removable and I use my shockwave.

2nd
Pretty much the same as 1st except just has mil spec 7.5” barrel 5.56

3rd
All same as 2nd and first but in .300 blackout. It’s my most favorite.

I really enjoy building this platform. I’ll no longer be building any less than 10.5” from here out. Reason is the 2nd one will sometimes get a stovepipe while rapid firing. Have been told to get a heavier buffer.

But IMO I will always go with 10.5” from now on and definitely must have a brace/stabilizer



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Good timing @KnotRight and thanks to the others for chiming in.
I have a PSA Marauder upper on the way. Seven inch. Yeah I know ridiculous, but I don't care about ballistic loss or any of that. I want the tiniest package possible. This is strictly an urban assault vehicle and if it shoots well out to 50 yards I'll be happy.
I'll probably end up just getting one of their pistol lower kits or maybe their complete pistol lower. I'm not dumping a lot of money in it but I do want it to function correctly (of course), and will invest whatever it needs in that respect.
I'm leaning toward the shockwave blade stabilizer. I want grab and go, don't wanna have to strap anything on or fool with sights. The plan is basic irons, magpul buis type, and a laser.
This is my first AR pistol. Tell me how stupid I am (it's ok I hear it all the time :) ) but any suggestions from those who have been there done that would be great.
 
I'm leaning toward the shockwave blade stabilizer. I want grab and go, don't wanna have to strap anything on or fool with sights.
SBA3 over shockwave all day long. Don’t worry about strapping anything on. The comfort and 5 (or 6) position adjustability is what you want.

PSA has complete lowers and several build kits with the SBA3. This one would be a good start to add an inexpensive upper to: https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-ar15-complete-moe-ept-sba3-lower-5165448150.html

$199.99 shipped with MOE parts and a better trigger.

Check Mas Defense for short uppers as well. That’s where I bought my 7.5” recently.
 
Good timing @KnotRight and thanks to the others for chiming in.
I have a PSA Marauder upper on the way. Seven inch. Yeah I know ridiculous, but I don't care about ballistic loss or any of that. I want the tiniest package possible. This is strictly an urban assault vehicle and if it shoots well out to 50 yards I'll be happy.
I'll probably end up just getting one of their pistol lower kits or maybe their complete pistol lower. I'm not dumping a lot of money in it but I do want it to function correctly (of course), and will invest whatever it needs in that respect.
I'm leaning toward the shockwave blade stabilizer. I want grab and go, don't wanna have to strap anything on or fool with sights. The plan is basic irons, magpul buis type, and a laser.
This is my first AR pistol. Tell me how stupid I am (it's ok I hear it all the time :) ) but any suggestions from those who have been there done that would be great.

Like @BigWaylon said, SBA3 over the shockwave all day.
 
The SBA3 is “better” but it’s also $100 more or so. I settled with KAK braces and they work fine for my needs.
Are they giving away the KAK and/or Shockwave for free? Cause I only paid $99/shipped for my SBA3. :p
 
What about no brace? I'm no he-man but my arms and hands are suitably strong.
When I was shopping this upper, I browsed through the photo gallery customers have submitted. Some of these guys have went all in with theirs.
There were a few that had no buffer tube. I assume they went piston?
5F3572EFCAF6EA781E9DBC1376E4483F.app1_1548638924380_L1800.jpeg
Actually I like this idea a lot.

If you wanna see some of the cool things these guys came up with go to the picture gallery.
https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-7-5-56-nato-1-7-marauder-pistol-upper-no-bcg-or-ch.html
 
The SBA3 is “better” but it’s also $100 more or so. I settled with KAK braces and they work fine for my needs.


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And that’s ok too, I’m sure they do the job just fine, but just like anything; if you want something better then odds are it’s probably going to cost you more money.

A high point or Taurus will fit most peoples “needs” also, but most of us choose to spend a little more to get a better product......
 
Does anyone know if you can buy the PSA slant end M-LOK rails separately? I can't find them listed by themselves on the website.
 
And that’s ok too, I’m sure they do the job just fine, but just like anything; if you want something better then odds are it’s probably going to cost you more money.

A high point or Taurus will fit most peoples “needs” also, but most of us choose to spend a little more to get a better product......

Which is why I said, to begin with, that they are better. I wasn’t arguing that they weren’t.


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Are they giving away the KAK and/or Shockwave for free? Cause I only paid $99/shipped for my SBA3. :p

I did a quick Google search for price and found $130. I’m sure with some looking they can be had cheaper like you found.

Again, I started my comment with stating that the SBA3 is better. But the KAK braces work, and are a fraction of the cost. So it comes down to paying more for better, or paying less for perfectly functional:


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I think I have decided on a Toolcraft Nickel Boron BCG with Carpenter 158 and lifetime warranty.
 
No can for right now.

From the lower side:
Is there anything different besides the stock?
If so, what?

The upper:
If I wanted a 10.5" barrel, what is the length of the gas system?
Do you want the hand guard to go out to the muzzle break?

Caliber?
223 or 300 BO?
9 MM maybe later

Guys here have answered the brace/stock issue
For a 10.3-.5 bbl you want a gas port of .070" and carbine gas
For me no on HG out to muzzle. I want something to stop my hand from going to far forward of the muzzle
Caliber: Personal preference based on what you have/experience. I'll take 5.56 as cheap enough for practice and still have reach.

Both uppers are as described above. This is a select fire short rifle but upper for a pistol will be the same.
IMG_6216.jpg

CD
 
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Taking this to the next questions, on a 10.5" barrel, what type of sighting system are you using?
Laser, open, red dot or scope

Also, I have a few 100 Missouri .309 diameter 165 grn bullets that I was using in my lever 30-30. Will this work in the 300 BO?
 
Red dots on every AR I own.
 
I'm going to put a red dot and mbus sights on the 10.5" that I am putting together. My BCG is supposed to be here Saturday and I just ordered an Aero Precision H2 buffer. I can see that this AR building thing could quickly turn into a big money pit!
 
I can see that this AR building thing could quickly turn into a big money pit!

Just think of it as "Legos for men[emoji41]"


I have only bought one AR and that was my AR10. All my AR15s have been bought as parts and stripped lowers.



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Well, after 3 weeks trying to get in touch with Harden Arms about the upper that I bought from them, I think that they are out of business. Website is down, same voice mail answering message for the past week. I called American Express to dispute the charge and told them I think that they are out of business.

Now where should I be looking for a 10" 300 BO barrel, forearm, and gas tube? This is on an Aero lower and I have an Aero upper. The price for the Harden Arms was a little over $200. I did not see anything close on the PSA website. Might look at Brownells and a couple other on line suppliers.
 
Thanks Johnny. I just got a SBM4 brace. Had to order the tube separate.
 
Thanks Johnny. I just got a SBM4 brace. Had to order the tube separate.
Opted for no adjustability? Weird.

:p

(Or at least it doesn’t look like the SBM4 is multi-position)
 
No adjustment.
But nothing is easy for my builds. Had the brace for a week (Brownell) and then ordered the tube, spring and buffer (Brownells). It just came in today. From the videos I have seen, you most likely will need some powder or something to help get the brace on. Mine I had to wrap 4 layers of electrical tape to keep it from sliding.
Spent the last few hours trying to decide on the upper to get. I have the receiver and looking at different barrels and handguards or just find a complete upper and save the receiver for another build.
 
No adjustment.
But nothing is easy for my builds. Had the brace for a week (Brownell) and then ordered the tube, spring and buffer (Brownells). It just came in today. From the videos I have seen, you most likely will need some powder or something to help get the brace on. Mine I had to wrap 4 layers of electrical tape to keep it from sliding.

SB Tactical shows the SBM4 brace is fits 1.1" - 1.25" tubes so you're probably going to have some slop unless you're using a commercial tube. Seems odd they wouldn't just make two different braces.
 
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