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
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.
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
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!
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.
Why not buy one, to ensure that you have a quality weapon on hand at all times, and then build one for the education?
Curiosity? Have you fired one of these yet? Personally I don’t like them, can’t hit a thing with it after the first shot rapid fire. If you haven’t you might want to arrange this before you consider it more.
I would point out that you will learn a lot by building your own. You will learn even more if you cnc or 3d print the frame. So ask yourself, how much do you want to know about firearms / your gun?
They have nice lowers and uppers already assembled you can buy and “slap them together” to save some time, and/or worry if you are worried about building. This will also save a lot of money versus buying one built complete.
I would build the lower and buy the assembled upper. Less tools needed and you can customize everything such as the trigger, handle, pistol stock, etc... I have gone through several various sights in the past, some with clearance and daily deals such as:
Palmetto State Armory
Red Barn
Classic Firearms.
Keep in mind you will have to have the lower shipped to a FFL dealer. Being in Law enforcement I’m sure you know the details.
As other have said, there are some great resources out there and videos detailing exactly how to build. I would do your research and check out some sights for assembly.
Look foreword to seeing what you go with, and keep us posted. Love AR Porn
Building isn't rocket science ... and IS lots of fun. The internet abounds with "how to" resources. Do some research, and build it.
I’ve put together a number of AR’s. It isn’t hard, nor does it require a lot of special tools. There are a few, such as a wrench and an action block that I think pretty essential, and they are fun to build. Having said that, you won’t save much, if any money. The lower will still have to be purchased through an FFL. The advantage of buying assembled is it is ready to shoot when you get it. Building yourself, you get to choose brands of components, barrels and triggers, if that makes a difference. Some places you can purchase them already assembled will let you choose some of the components, as well. If this is going to be a one time acquisition, I’d probably just buy it and be done, if you intend on owning others based on that platform, build it and enjoy the project!
This thread is full of bad advice.
That pistol will be neat when it’s done. It won’t be loud, it won’t be “inaccurate” and it will be a fun toy. I have some input to the process:
Finding the upper parts that this demands, if you buy it outside of a complete kit, it going to be tough. The upper is pretty custom though. That barrel, the gas system and the bolt carrier are especially tough to source and may require some customization.
The tooling for an AR armorer is readily available, but expect to pay about $400 for the tools if you have nothing. You can sell the tools after, or use them again of course but my number is a lot more reasonable for the first-time buyer and user of such tools.
Pistol braces are MEGA expensive and I can’t figure out why. The SBR tax stamp is $200 but so is the premium over these more advanced cheek welds and braces. Consider changing that design slightly and you can see some major price savings.
Finally, have you considered a RONI for the glock ? I know that if you want the AR pistol you want the AR pistol, but the RONI allows you to put your service glock into a braced pistol package for much, much less. And while it’s not familiar AR control, you can take your glock out of it in a matter of a minute.
I would also consider getting a “Just Right Carbine” 9mm glock setup, setting up the new barrel lengths and modifying that to make what you want instead of the 1500 route. If you get the JRC you’ll drop about $500 and then you’ll be able to swap out parts until you create this 5” barrel pistol.
That 5” barrel is where things get complex on the AR.
Good luck !
Bkmrk.
I built an AR-15 by assembling pieces. A great way to become very knowledgable. Go for it.
ping for later
You can buy AR-9 receivers and AR-9 kits. If you can assemble something from Ikea, you are overqualified to assemble an AR platform.
Some of you have said that tools are needed to assemble weapons like the one I have described. I had not anticipated that. My problem is I have zero workspace. I live in a small apartment in NYC, and I only have tools necessary to hang pictures on my walls.
At this point I may purchase a complete firearm that meets my criteria while developing a solid plan for building an AR9/AR15 in the future.
As expected, your advice and insights did not disappoint. Any further comments, feel free!
Are you fishing to for an alternative motive? Why would a Popo officer ask for advice about firearms on a blog? Lastly, if you are that behind the power curve I would recommend you buy a factory build. I have a hunch your intent does not match your written intentions. Why else would you specifically ask about AR-9 and SBR’s. We all know the Freeper is a conservative site that gets infiltrated quite frequently. Your question looks more like a sting operation that is poorly concocted by a collage student needing extra credit from the social engineering professor.