If you were going to build or buy an AR pistol....

[Doc Safari]

What you you get, or build?

1. Barrel length?
2. Stabilizing brace?
3. For complete weapons, is there a particular one you prefer?


I'm a proponent of "the chart", always opting to stick to Tier 1 quality even if the price is higher.

Recently my girlfriend and I have started hearing the call of the AR pistol, so I thought I'd get some pointers before we spend the money.

I think the only "must haves" are quality, relaibility, and for it to be as compact as possible.

What say you?

By all means post pics if you have one you are proud of!

[MistWolf]

I would buy a Colt lower from Brownell's, an SBA3 brace and a Colt 6933 upper from G&R Tactical. I would clean and grease the trigger and carefully do some forced dry fire to smooth up the trigger pull. For furniture, I'd go with a Magpul Slimline handguard and a BCM Gunfighter grip. I'd consider a swap to an A5 RE with an A5H2 buffer. For sights, I'd go with an Aimpoint T2 on a Scalar Works mount and shave the FSB.

Then I'd buy a few mags, a big pile of ammo and go shoot until I started thinking about a suppressor.

The Colt lower, SBA3 brace and 6933 upper is the easiest way to get a good, reliable AR pistol up and running there is.

[hotrodder636]

BCM complete pistol lower and one of the 10.5” LMT MRP uppers on sale at Brownells for $700. SBA3 brace. Done.

[MistWolf]

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-7tq8xLF/0/d4f83103/X2/i-7tq8xLF-X2.jpg

[Kenneth]

Upper and lower set of your choice
sionics RGP 11.5 Barrel
SLR adjustable gas block
10.75 hand guard of your choice
Aimpoint T2 in scalarworks Mount
BUIS
Geissele charging handle
Dead air break/flash hider
Geissele SDC trigger
A5H2 with green spring
SBA3 pistol brace
BCM grip
Battle arms 45 degree Ambur safety

I don’t think I forgot anything. Mine would be ran suppressed.


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[Captains1911]

Here’s the one I just put together. SBA3 brace, BCM LPK, LaRue MBT trigger, Sionics 11.5” upper with RGP barrel, Sionics NP3 BCG, BCM Gunfighter CH, Holosun 503GU with ADM mount, Magpul MBUS sights, Magpul M-Lok handstop kit and rail covers. I just need an Inforce WML light and a VCAS sling and it should be done.

https://i.postimg.cc/L8Y2sxLS/EF41_ECE4-4_E61-4_BE6-_B871-2_D9_B9_AD52_A72.jpg

[MegademiC]

What you you get, or build?

1. Barrel length?
2. Stabilizing brace?
3. For complete weapons, is there a particular one you prefer?


I'm a proponent of "the chart", always opting to stick to Tier 1 quality even if the price is higher.

Recently my girlfriend and I have started hearing the call of the AR pistol, so I thought I'd get some pointers before we spend the money.

I think the only "must haves" are quality, relaibility, and for it to be as compact as possible.

What say you?

By all means post pics if you have one you are proud of!

KAC 11.5” upper.
KAC lower if you can get a pistol or non-rifle one.
If not, colt lower.
I like the shockwave brace- would look at sba3 if buying today.

[98GP]

I purchased mine...
HM Defense Raider M5

[DRJ]

I like my Springfield Saint.

[MWAG19919]

Dad and I assembled a lower using a Centurion stripped lower (thanks, Stickman!), SIONICS parts, BCM FCG, SBA3 kit, Magpul K2 grip, Springco Blue, and an H2 buffer. Then we slapped a DD Mk18 upper (new, properly gassed) on it, added an A2 birdcage, a BCM 4x4 CH, and a Toolcraft NiB BCG (temporary).

The gun has been problem free so far with 5.56, but doesn't always lock back on .223 ammo. No stoppages, just a failure to lock back sometimes. It's only been fired 200 rounds, so it's basically still new.

I plan to add Scalarworks PEAK sights, and some sort of weaponlight. For now I'm using a spare 1-4x LPV, which looks a bit obnoxious on such a small gun, but until it's been thoroughly vetted it's merely a range toy anyway...

If I could do it over again I'd definitely do the same thing. I wish the SBA3 was sold as a brace only, because I'd go A5. It's not worth the cost IMO to buy the whole kit AND A5 stuff. However, now that I already have a Mk18, I've been ogling a BCM 12.5 Kino

https://imgur.com/a/Ul7LzXz

[indianalex01]

I like my Springfield Saint.

I’d got with a more hard use AR then the Saint but if you are just plinking then it will do fine.. Colt 6933 HB FBI profile upper on Colt lower. SB Tactical brace. Holosun Red Dot. 53894

[Beat Trash]

I bought a factory built Daniel Defense V7 pistol and swapped out the included brace for an SBA3 brace. These DD guns are not as over gassed as they were just a year or two ago. If it were an option, I would have preferred a 11.5" barrel, but I'm ok with the 10.3" setup on this gun. I'm extremely happy with the setup.

[Doc Safari]

I notice most people are mentioning the SBA3 brace. What makes it superior to, say, a blade brace?

(And we all know people are shouldering these things).

[indianalex01]

I notice most people are mentioning the SBA3 brace. What makes it superior to, say, a blade brace?

(And we all know people are shouldering these things).
Already hundreds of threads comparing braces. Google that.

[MWAG19919]

I notice most people are mentioning the SBA3 brace. What makes it superior to, say, a blade brace?

(And we all know people are shouldering these things).

The SBA3 uses a regular receiver extension instead of some weird pistol tube, adjusts just like a real stock, has decent cheekweld, and even has QD sling points. I don't think another brace comes close in terms of function, and even if one were buying a brace as a stepping stone to a full SBR, the fact that the SBA3 uses a regular RE is awesome.

[Captains1911]

The SBA3 uses a regular receiver extension instead of some weird pistol tube, adjusts just like a real stock, has decent cheekweld, and even has QD sling points. I don't think another brace comes close in terms of function, and even if one were buying a brace as a stepping stone to a full SBR, the fact that the SBA3 uses a regular RE is awesome.

Pretty much the same thing I was going to say. I never had any interest in pistol braces until the SBA3 came along, for all of these reasons.

[WickedWillis]

I’d got with a more hard use AR then the Saint but if you are just plinking then it will do fine.. Colt 6933 HB FBI profile upper on Colt lower. SB Tactical brace. Holosun Red Dot. 53894

I would go with a more hard use optic than a Holosun as well, but to each their own.

I have built mine from the ground up as an AR pistol. The SBA3 is the third brace I have used on it to this point, (KAK blade, SBM4) and my favorite so far. I started with a stripped Seekins Billet lower, I assembled it using a BCM lower parts kit, with BCM PNT trigger. Bought a BCM 11.5 upper, with the KMR and have been very happy with it so far. Aimpoint T1 on top, Surefire M300U light currently (Streamlight TLRx in the pic), and it's my truck gun now. I am working on an SBR project for legalities right now, but I am a fan of quality AR pistols with quality braces.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1890/44831160041_d23bf69982.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2bizpZc)2018-09-21_02-53-07 (https://flic.kr/p/2bizpZc) by Willis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/140211446@N06/), on Flickr

[indianalex01]

I would go with a more hard use optic than a Holosun as well, but to each their own.

I have built mine from the ground up as an AR pistol. The SBA3 is the third brace I have used on it to this point, (KAK blade, SBM4) and my favorite so far. I started with a stripped Seekins Billet lower, I assembled it using a BCM lower parts kit, with BCM PNT trigger. Bought a BCM 11.5 upper, with the KMR and have been very happy with it so far. Aimpoint T1 on top, Surefire M300U light currently (Streamlight TLRx in the pic), and it's my truck gun now. I am working on an SBR project for legalities right now, but I am a fan of quality AR pistols with quality braces.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1890/44831160041_d23bf69982.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2bizpZc)2018-09-21_02-53-07 (https://flic.kr/p/2bizpZc) by Willis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/140211446@N06/), on Flickr

I hadn’t heard anything saying holosun wasn’t hard use. Very good optic. What issues have you had? In Minnesota St. Paul PD uses Holosun

[JediGuy]

I don’t think you’ll find anyone here who’ll say Holosun is duty grade for red dots.

They make the Primary Arms optics, and I had one survive a single carbine course. I have seen it suggested that they may be involved in the Sig optic that is approved for FBI use (one of the Romeo 4’s). But I don’t think many people would recommend *any of the others be used* on a life or death weapon. I think the prevailing belief is that QA is not there. Not that they aren’t good, but that they aren’t proven and known to be consistently reliable (though mine has been). I purchased a used CompM3 for $285 shipped a couple months ago, cleaned it, and absolutely love the thing; I’d choose that any day over the PA advanced micro dot.

Think of it like the weapon itself. A new Bushmaster might work fine for a police force, as may a Holosun, but why purchase questionable products when a BCM or even Aero Precision weapon is available. Aimpoint PRO’s and Trijicon MRO’s aren’t that much more expensive in the grand scheme, if to be used hard.

[Wake27]

I hadn’t heard anything saying holosun wasn’t hard use. Very good optic. What issues have you had? In Minnesota St. Paul PD uses Holosun

There are plenty of poor reviews on Brownells and/or Amazon. They seem to be similar to PSA - some of the stuff they crank out appears to be decent but some of it is DOA.


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[indianalex01]

Dad and I assembled a lower using a Centurion stripped lower (thanks, Stickman!), SIONICS parts, BCM FCG, SBA3 kit, Magpul K2 grip, Springco Blue, and an H2 buffer. Then we slapped a DD Mk18 upper (new, properly gassed) on it, added an A2 birdcage, a BCM 4x4 CH, and a Toolcraft NiB BCG (temporary).

The gun has been problem free so far with 5.56, but doesn't always lock back on .223 ammo. No stoppages, just a failure to lock back sometimes. It's only been fired 200 rounds, so it's basically still new.

I plan to add Scalarworks PEAK sights, and some sort of weaponlight. For now I'm using a spare 1-4x LPV, which looks a bit obnoxious on such a small gun, but until it's been thoroughly vetted it's merely a range toy anyway...

If I could do it over again I'd definitely do the same thing. I wish the SBA3 was sold as a brace only, because I'd go A5. It's not worth the cost IMO to buy the whole kit AND A5 stuff. However, now that I already have a Mk18, I've been ogling a BCM 12.5 Kino

https://imgur.com/a/Ul7LzXz
Nice rig. Go with H buffer if you aren’t reliable with 223. No need for H2 if you aren’t reliable with everything.

[indianalex01]

There are plenty of poor reviews on Brownells and/or Amazon. They seem to be similar to PSA - some of the stuff they crank out appears to be decent but some of it is DOA.


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Ok, I can respect your opinions. FBI and St. Paul PD approve use. Obviously they have tested them. I’m Mn it gets cold
And they were approved. If it’s good enough for FBI and St Paul PD then I am good with them. I have run them through a few courses and they have been great. I have aimpoint pro and the holosun has been as good so far. If it takes a shit on me then I have irons and a solid Colt AR. The nucleous is solid.

[Wake27]

Ok, I can respect your opinions. FBI and St. Paul PD approve use. Obviously they have tested them. I’m Mn it gets cold
And they were approved. If it’s good enough for FBI and St Paul PD then I am good with them. I have run them through a few courses and they have been great. I have aimpoint pro and the holosun has been as good so far. If it takes a shit on me then I have irons and a solid Colt AR. The nucleous is solid.

I’m not positive but don’t they have different grades of optics? Maybe that’s just the determining factor. I don’t know, nor do I really care either way, I’d probably just prefer to go to a Vortex Crossfire if I want a cheap dot.


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[JediGuy]

I’m not positive but don’t they have different grades of optics? Maybe that’s just the determining factor.

To be clear, the FBI does not approve any Holosun products, to my knowledge. They approve one particular Sig optic that is more expensive than others in the Romeo line and is assembled in the USA. Off memory alone, I think the opinion was that Holosun probably made the other Romeos and therefore the parts for the single FBI model. I can’t check now, the thread is on this sight, I think.
At the cost of that Romeo model, you’re in the territory of better optics.

I got the PA optic blemished to try out a RDS, and I found it awesome...despite being notified after ordering that the night vision settings on that model would not function (though they’ll repair it eventually!). My second was a SPARC II based on the Recoil torture test, a $100 price, and the Vortex warranty.

Sorry for hijaking the thread...