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School me on the AR15 pistol
Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2015 8:31 pm
by Rayden
I have 2 stripped lower receivers that I bought a few years ago that had been sitting in storage till recently. I have purchased a 16" 5.56 rifle kit and it should be here tomorrow, which I plan to build a 16" with one of the lowers.
As for the other lower, I am interested in building a 300 BLK AR15 pistol with it. From the research that I've done, it seems it's perfectly ok for me to do so since the lower receiver were originally purchased as a stripped lower and had not have anything attached to it. I am deciding between 8.5" or 10.5" barrel. Sometimes in the future I do want a can to go with it. Any pros and cons given the purpose for not more than 200 yards shooting and mostly CQC? Suggestions?
Re: School me on the AR15 pistol
Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2015 8:36 pm
by carlson1
I found over the few AR Pistols I have had that the 10.5" is more reliable. That is what I have had for some time and it works fantastic. It eats everything I feed it.
Build it and post some pictures.
Re: School me on the AR15 pistol
Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2015 9:58 pm
by jason812
I'm in process of building a .300 blackout pistol. From my research, the powder burns in 9" of barrel so I've decided on a 9.5" barrel. Also, I've learned you want to use a pistol length gas system on barrels less than 16".
Mine will be built the Johnny Cash way of one piece at a time but it will cost me some dimes and hope to have it finished by the summer.
Re: School me on the AR15 pistol
Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2015 10:47 pm
by LSUTiger
Re: School me on the AR15 pistol
Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2015 12:41 am
by CleverNickname
AR15 pistols are stupid. The AR15 is not designed to be shot as a pistol, and holding the receiver extension up to your face and trying to "shoulder" the pistol without a stock is an exercise in frustration. Either build a title I rifle or register the gun as an SBR if you really want a short barrel.
Re: School me on the AR15 pistol
Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2015 5:14 pm
by Bitter Clinger
AR-15 Pistol Use | Personal Defense Network:
https://youtu.be/iLuZL9-u8NA
Re: School me on the AR15 pistol
Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2015 8:25 pm
by Pawpaw
Instead of an AR15 pistol, I'm sort of jonesing for an
EXTAR EXP556.
It weighs just over 4 lbs and is only 18 inches long. It has an 8.25" 1:9 barrel and no buffer tube.
It and an extra mag should fit in a large messenger bag.
Re: School me on the AR15 pistol
Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2015 10:45 am
by LSUTiger
CleverNickname wrote:AR15 pistols are stupid. The AR15 is not designed to be shot as a pistol, and holding the receiver extension up to your face and trying to "shoulder" the pistol without a stock is an exercise in frustration. Either build a title I rifle or register the gun as an SBR if you really want a short barrel.
I myself questioned the usefulness of an AR pistol originally then the more I thought about it, it made more sense. First off the primary purpose of the AR pistol IMHO, is to effectively get an SBR with out having to eat all the NFA Baloney Sandwiches.
I got an NFA trust and was gonna go the SBR route, I built a pistol so I could have the build legally until the paperwork was complete. As I researched more and more I found I didn't want to go the SBR route. The last straw was having to obtain permission from the feds to travel out of state (Form 20).
http://johnpierceesq.com/what-do-i-need ... nfa-items/
Then I decided the NFA wasn't worth the hassle for me.
In the process I found that the AR pistol can be effectively utilized with out a stock. It's less desireable than having a stock but completely workable/doable if done correctly.
So now I have the effectiveness of a compact rifle in legal pistol configuration not subject to the NFA and it's potential pitfalls.
Worth repeating:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLuZL9-u8NA
I used to think that pistol caliber carbines were stupid too, but again, they are a good way to get around certain legal issues. I see a KelTec Sub2000 in my future. First they are a rifle and they are calibered in something more appropriate for the setting in which I plan to use. The are foldable/concealable. No TX laws against concealable rifles.

Re: School me on the AR15 pistol
Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2015 2:36 pm
by CleverNickname
Sorry, an AR15 pistol is just not a good choice. A shoulder stock is necessary to shoot a rifle effectively.
If you need the ability to make the gun smaller then go with a rifle design that allows a folding stock like an AK or a SCAR or something.
Re: School me on the AR15 pistol
Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2015 2:39 pm
by jb2012
I'm fixing to make one, however it is just temporary while I wait on my sbr stamp. I just don't want to have to wait 6 months to be able to shoot my gun, or buy all the parts for that matter.
Re: School me on the AR15 pistol
Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2015 3:59 pm
by carlson1
My AR has a Blade wrist brace and it functions great. Easy to use at 100 yards or further.
I have no problem holding it to my cheek and making great shots.
Opinions are just that. Don't knock it until you try it. It works for some and may not others, but the blanketed statement they are stupid is an uniformed statement. It may be good for some while not good for others.
Re: School me on the AR15 pistol
Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2015 4:11 pm
by ScottDLS
I think the buffer tube is the problem. It seems like the AR Pistol is a compromise to avoid the idiotic NFA regulations about SBR's. If you really want a pistol format 5.56 then the EXTAR above looks easier to handle. If you really want a SBR, then make or buy one.
Re: School me on the AR15 pistol
Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2015 6:29 pm
by LSUTiger
ScottDLS wrote:I think the buffer tube is the problem. It seems like the AR Pistol is a compromise to avoid the idiotic NFA regulations about SBR's. If you really want a pistol format 5.56 then the EXTAR above looks easier to handle. If you really want a SBR, then make or buy one.
I think the buffer tube is the saving grace for an AR Pistol in terms of shootability, it allows for a third point (hands and cheek) of contact when pretending it's a rifle.
Keep in mind IMHO, the AR pistol is best in the 12" barrel range for the closest rifle performance yet compactness. So I would never really expect to use it as a pistol and would use the buffer tube to steady with a cheek weld like a rifle.
Re: School me on the AR15 pistol
Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2015 7:05 pm
by The Annoyed Man
Pawpaw wrote:Instead of an AR15 pistol, I'm sort of jonesing for an
EXTAR EXP556.
It weighs just over 4 lbs and is only 18 inches long. It has an 8.25" 1:9 barrel and no buffer tube.
It and an extra mag should fit in a large messenger bag.
Nice, but the charging handle is on the wrong side.

Re: School me on the AR15 pistol
Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2015 7:26 pm
by AJSully421
I have a SBR with 10.5" and 12.5" barrels. The 10.5" is terrible to shoot without a suppressor. The 12.5" is about as sort as I would like to go unduppressed. I have zero reliability issues out of either one of them with a H2 buffer and my suppressor attached.
The suppressed 12.5" is right about the perfect compromise, and still gets good performance out to 300. Great hog gun.
The 10.5" is perfect for walking around the ranch all day looking for stuff to shoot at, or taking apart and shoving in a backpack.
Jump through the hoops for the SBR, it is not that bad, and is well worth it.