Another vote on 11.5" 5.56 or .300 blk if a shorter barrel is desired and the price per round increase is worth it in your opinion.
Another vote on 11.5" 5.56 or .300 blk if a shorter barrel is desired and the price per round increase is worth it in your opinion.
The most powerful caliber for short barrel ARs is 6.8SPC but it has no additional merits like 300BLK going subsonic or 5.56N being available anywhere and everywhere.
I have all 3 and the one I end up shooting most often is the 5.56 because the ammo is cheap and plentiful.
Michael Bell did a decent comparison between 6.8SPC, 300BLK and 7.62x39 through short barrels..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUH0qB8dDes&t=885s
The 6.8SPC came out on top which reiterates the data published by LWRC about their UCIW 6.8SPC PDWs several years ago.
Just my opinion, quick and dirty.
AR pistols may go way of the bump stock. I don't really want rehash the whole argument but anyone with half a brain can see what's coming. Do what you will with that. I think they are a great supplement if you already have an SBR lower in your inventory for reasons outlined above. For the money I think the SBa3 is the best brace available.
Calibers in length (all just my opinion):
556 no shorter than 10" preferable 11" or 12". 10" is probably best used at 150 yards and in with the right ammo, 11" & 12" farther ( I am not talking about hitting steel at 500y, Im talking about the effective range of your chosen ammo).
300 Blk in my mind makes sense 10" and under with 9" being the sweet spot for general application. For PDW purposes 6"-7.5" work well but are limited to 100 yards and in. Best ammo I have found is still the Barnes black tips for supers. I have seen 5" that work but I dont see the point with rail length issues.
Generally you will want a tighter twist with 300. I would not do 1:8 twist in 300. Needs to be at least 1:7 and I currently run 1:6. Q's honey badger is 1:5 and in talking the Ethan at Q about twist rates he would have no issue going tighter.
I bought the PSA kit in 556. It runs well.
very informative thread.
i have built two psa 10.5" pistols.
sure enjoy them. our whole men's group enjoys them.
both are fed lots of lake city 5.56--open sights - 4-5 inch groups from 50 yards.
that is all i ask.
the advantage of buying psa (for me it's my usage)...i carry mine around the farm all day and if the dog muds it up, it get's a few scratches, stuff gets dropped on them, well, it's not a thing. they are my tools and tools get used. i get good value from them.
the 9mm & 45 pistols have 8.5" barrels and sba3 braces. purchased, not built.
one of the .223s
Last edited by vonfatman; 03-19-19 at 14:38.
My 2 cents is:
Pistol is great, I have no reason to SBR.
I'm liking 11.5" as a great balance of accuracy/velocity vs. size.
Shockwave brace works for me.
They can be built very cheaply, and still be reliable.
For me, 5.56mm all the way, already got plenty of mags and ammo in that department.
I have two Palmetto pistols and two SBR's with Palmetto uppers. No problems with any of them. The SBR's have several thousand rounds apiece on them at a fairly high shot cadence, not just a half a mag a month off a bench. All of mine are CHF barreled uppers. I honestly don't think there is a better value around for what they are.
The truth can only offend those who live a lie.
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