AR Pistol Caliber?
- Thread starter RacerX
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If you have suppressors, the 300 AAC or the 9 mm is awesome.
For HD, the 9 mm or even 45 ACP is pretty awesome.
If it’s your first, the 5.56 mm is hard to beat.
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What's your goal?
Blowback 9mm is very cheap to feed, suppressing them is not as effective as a 9mm with delayed opening, you can shoot them pretty far, but not fast at distance as it gets into Kentucky windage quickly.
300BK is a decently versatile round supers and subs available, bore and powder column size make it pretty efficient in short barrels. Probably the most expensive to feed factory, and if you reload you'll be chasing brass. I haven't stretched mine to any distance, too lazy to load it too cheap to buy it.
5.56 is loud and flashy, and gives up a lot of its velocity, it can still hit targets pretty far out, and of course the round is common and has affordable options.
Blowback 9mm is very cheap to feed, suppressing them is not as effective as a 9mm with delayed opening, you can shoot them pretty far, but not fast at distance as it gets into Kentucky windage quickly.
300BK is a decently versatile round supers and subs available, bore and powder column size make it pretty efficient in short barrels. Probably the most expensive to feed factory, and if you reload you'll be chasing brass. I haven't stretched mine to any distance, too lazy to load it too cheap to buy it.
5.56 is loud and flashy, and gives up a lot of its velocity, it can still hit targets pretty far out, and of course the round is common and has affordable options.
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If you’re going less than 10.5in I would recommend .300BLK if you want to use this for anything serious. If it’s strictly going to be a range toy then I’d go 5.56.
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BigWaylon
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None of the above. 5.7x28 is where it’s at!! 50 rounds with no mag sticking out the bottom. 
But I’m going to vote 9mm. 2nd choice is 5.56.
But I’m going to vote 9mm. 2nd choice is 5.56.
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...and I’m also going to move your thread to the AR section, even if it’s for pistols.
I didn’t vote, not enough info.
That said, I’m curious about the CMMG rotating delayed blowback design and how it will effect suppressed operation of a 9mm AR pistol.
That said, I’m curious about the CMMG rotating delayed blowback design and how it will effect suppressed operation of a 9mm AR pistol.
What's its purpose? The 300BLK achieves top performance within an 8" barrel. Great for a pistol.
Expensive for a plinker. Great for HD. I've 2, expensive to shoot if you don't handload.
My avatar is a 10" 300BLK SBR.
Expensive for a plinker. Great for HD. I've 2, expensive to shoot if you don't handload.
My avatar is a 10" 300BLK SBR.
Why not do all of them . I have a factory built Rock River 8 1/2 inch 223/5.56
I have built a 10 inch ,223/5.56, a 8 1/2 in 300 BO ,and working on a 12 in 6.5 Grendel now. Waiting for the upper now for my 9mm build. I have a Ruger PC carbine and Rock River 9 mm carbine that I haven't shot so not in a big rush on the 9 mm pistol..I think if I could only have one that would have to be a 223/5.56 because you can find plenty of ammo right now. And it's more versital .. If you build a 300 BO Outdoor Unlimited has Armscore 147 grain 300BO AMMO for $7.99 a box. Walmart is almost twice that amount.Whst you build is a matter of Personal choice. I chose 4 calibers
I have built a 10 inch ,223/5.56, a 8 1/2 in 300 BO ,and working on a 12 in 6.5 Grendel now. Waiting for the upper now for my 9mm build. I have a Ruger PC carbine and Rock River 9 mm carbine that I haven't shot so not in a big rush on the 9 mm pistol..I think if I could only have one that would have to be a 223/5.56 because you can find plenty of ammo right now. And it's more versital .. If you build a 300 BO Outdoor Unlimited has Armscore 147 grain 300BO AMMO for $7.99 a box. Walmart is almost twice that amount.Whst you build is a matter of Personal choice. I chose 4 calibers
I voted 5.56 because of its flexibility and compatibility. I already have 5.56 ARs, so magazines and ammo is already on hand. If you want to then add .300 to your line up, then you really just need to put together a new upper. So its two guns with one lower.
9mm ARs are neat, but I have a love affair with the CZ Scorpion (I don't have one, yet), so when I consider a PCC the Scorpion tops my list. So if it were me, I would take the money I would drop on a 9mm AR and roll that into a CZ Scorpion. The only benefit I really see in sticking with the AR platform would be familiarity with the manual of arms for an AR.
9mm ARs are neat, but I have a love affair with the CZ Scorpion (I don't have one, yet), so when I consider a PCC the Scorpion tops my list. So if it were me, I would take the money I would drop on a 9mm AR and roll that into a CZ Scorpion. The only benefit I really see in sticking with the AR platform would be familiarity with the manual of arms for an AR.
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I have a .300 BLK and 5.56. Performance wise I'd trust the .300 BLK over the 5.56 simply because the .300 BLK doesn't suffer as much velocity loss from a 10.5" barrel as 5.56 does. That being said, I don't want to be shot with either.
Ammo costs being what they are both of mine are set up near identically so that practice/training with one benefits the other.
Ammo costs being what they are both of mine are set up near identically so that practice/training with one benefits the other.
I really enjoy my 9mm ar pistol that I built. Relatively cheap to shoot and has almost no recoil. As far as rifle calibers go, I have a 10in upper in 5.56 and 300 blackout and find the blackout much more pleasant to shoot, although it is a little harder on the wallet than 5.56.
I get asked this question alot since I posted the PDW class in PM here and on book of faces.
From my perspective, I am not focusing on a gun model or platform as in AR9, MPX, Scorpion, or a AR-15 5.56mm pistol. I am focusing on the controls that are surrounding the question.
So I will try to keep this as clear as i can. I hope it helps in some way.
Range/fun gun = all good, build, buy what ever you want / afford.
Self defense at home = all good, same as a range fun gun.
Self defense in the public = pistol only due to our state CCH law. I say this because any BUG needs to be transported to the shooting. Its easier in all situations to explain your handgun that was or was not used..... found in your vehicle during the investigation..... Is legit under your CCH permit. You can not do this with a carbine or a SBR.
From my perspective, I am not focusing on a gun model or platform as in AR9, MPX, Scorpion, or a AR-15 5.56mm pistol. I am focusing on the controls that are surrounding the question.
So I will try to keep this as clear as i can. I hope it helps in some way.
Range/fun gun = all good, build, buy what ever you want / afford.
Self defense at home = all good, same as a range fun gun.
Self defense in the public = pistol only due to our state CCH law. I say this because any BUG needs to be transported to the shooting. Its easier in all situations to explain your handgun that was or was not used..... found in your vehicle during the investigation..... Is legit under your CCH permit. You can not do this with a carbine or a SBR.
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I am in a similar position as the OP. I have a 5.56 and a .300 AR pistol and they are both fun to shoot...but I have shot a Scorpion and a friends 9mm AR carbine and they are just too much fun. So, a scorpion is probably in my future.
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I really enjoy PCC. Especially from a match perspective. Because I can load my own 9mm for cheap. And, it’s lightweight and accurate and super fun to run and gun with.
And I can be that annoying douche shooting a carbine at pistol matches.
If I were carrying it with me as a self defense weapon, I’d use a gun that goes BOOM SMACK instead.
Unfortunately, I am literally too lazy to lug another gun around.
I don’t feel like I need one unless going way out of town for a couple days. My daily carry is a Glock 42. And just pulling out the mighty ‘42 pretty much puts an end to all forms of opposing aggression. Coupled with my Kuhl jeans and Oakley’s, the 42 takes the fight out of them before one even begins, by sheer intimidation factor!
When I need the real big guns for backup, I keep a Glock 43 close by.
And I can be that annoying douche shooting a carbine at pistol matches.
If I were carrying it with me as a self defense weapon, I’d use a gun that goes BOOM SMACK instead.
Unfortunately, I am literally too lazy to lug another gun around.
I don’t feel like I need one unless going way out of town for a couple days. My daily carry is a Glock 42. And just pulling out the mighty ‘42 pretty much puts an end to all forms of opposing aggression. Coupled with my Kuhl jeans and Oakley’s, the 42 takes the fight out of them before one even begins, by sheer intimidation factor!
When I need the real big guns for backup, I keep a Glock 43 close by.
You should, you’ll love it!