Posted on 11/16/2018 4:00:44 AM PST by thefactor
As a police officer and soldier I was relatively embarrassed when I thought of posting this question/thread, but I told myself to get over it and ask for help from people who know.
Bottom Line Up Front: I want a 9mm "pistol" utilizing the AR platform. Commonly referred to as an AR-9. My question is, should I buy one or should I undertake the task of building one?
Although I have significant experience with many types of firearms, I have no experience "building" a firearm by ordering parts from different companies and assembling them. I have done a significant amount of research on this subject via the internet as well as seeking out and speaking to experts. The problem is, everyone has different advice that seems to contradict what others have said. So I'm coming here.
Should I just spend the few extra hundred bucks and get a complete weapon that fits all my expectations, or should I undertake the task of building one?
I am looking for a short-barreled (around a 5" barrel) 9mm "pistol" that takes Glock mags.
Right now I am leaving towards purchasing a complete AR-9 due to all the conflicting opinions I am getting from YouTube and firearms experts, but I want to check here because I trust FReepers.
Thanks in advance for your help, advice, and the unavoidable FR snarky comments.
...being LEO and military gives you the knowledge to ask for advice....
You will find the answers here
You learn something new every day on FR. Looking forward to the thread...
Build it !!!
It’s easy and there are plenty of resources, specifically at AR15.com
The main advantage of building your own is that there is (in most states at least) no official record you have it. Anyone interested can track your credit card history to find associated online orders, but there is no ATF Form 4473. Secondary advantages include the possibilities of a better understanding of your firearm or of better quality parts.
Personally, I don’t see a difference between a $1500 kit and the corresponding $1500 complete firearm. As for picking parts one at a time, that strikes me as far more expensive than a comparable kit or comparable firearm. Perhaps someone else has done better, but I haven’t figured out how.
I was all set to start building one a couple weeks ago when I ran into an issue I didn’t know existed: only a few receivers take Glock mags without an adapter. Not taking Glock mags is a deal-breaker. So I was back to square one in terms of finding proper parts and I told myself to just buy a complete one. I’ll check out ar15.com. Thanks.
Second, building(assembling) a firearm is a rewarding activity. If you do your own minor home repairs and vehicle maintenance you can assemble a firearm of the AR style.
Third, there are few tools specifically designed for this work. Spend the money to buy them from Brownell’s or Midway.
Fourth, be wary of crap parts - especially if you intend to use the firearm as a defense tool.
The hard part is done and fully test-fired for you (the assembled upper), and the lower can be assembled using a hammer and a punch set.
If you're not comfortable with even that level of assembly, then buy a fully assembled gun.
Just beware that unlike AR-15s, parts for AR-9s are more expensive and a bit harder to come by.
Palmetto State Armory AR-9 offerings: https://palmettostatearmory.com/ks-47-ar-45-ar-9/ar-9.html
The “lower” is the only part that has to be delivered via an FFL from what I’ve heard. All other parts can be delivered to my front door. If the money is about equal I would buy a complete weapon and wait to learn how to “build” one until I leave this terrible place that is New York State.
There appears to be a lot of things you are not sure about. I suggest you buy a complete firearm.
Palmetto Armory sells parts and pieces - I’ve built 3 of their machines. It can be as easy as buying the upper and the lower and putting those together. Piece o cake. You will like the prices when going down this path!
That is only true if you complete an 80% lower. A stripped lower must be sold on a 4473 from a federally-licensed dealer.
New one comes with a warranty... If you build it yourself you will still have to buy a numbered receiver and it is still documented to you when it is transferred.
Part of this thread is mitigating the risk of these issues from people who have done it.
But yes, I am willing to take the "easy" way out and just buy complete.
With the BATFE regs on 'pistol braces' being what they are now, I'd be tempted to go that route. Of course, you never know when those unelected bureaucrats will change their minds yet again.
This uses the original standard Colt 9mm magazines, which I prefer over those designs that use Glock mags. But both are good choices. I've run all sorts of 9mm loads through this gun without any problems at all.
9mm ARs are a little bit more “tricky” than standard ARs due to them being blowback. Mine took a little tweaking with the buffer and spring to get it working right. A kit probably would be less finicky than random parts.
Even me being an LEO, it would be near impossible for me to get an SBR. So I’m going to go the pistol route while I still can. Obviously it’s almost the same set-up. Yours is a nice one.
Yes, I’ve read about buffers and springs being an issue. Some people have used a 308 spring and say that fixes their issue, but I’m not sure it’s the same issue you had. Thanks.
I’ve heard good things about that company. They have great specials and deal if you get them at the right time. I’ll look.
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