AR Pistols in 5.56

[CB3]

Terminal Effect SBR 556

Here’s a link to a small study of the effectiveness of 5.56 ammunition in gel at 10 and 83 yards. Conclusions? Based on this Limited performance test, 7” and 10.5” barrels still provide 100% expansion and beyond 12” of penetration, basically pistol like performance. They will not have the velocity to create the shock wave of the small high speed bullet From a longer barrel, but they have greater accuracy, capacity and range than a handgun.

AR-15 Pistol Ballistic Gel Testing | Active Response Training

 

[bulletslap]

I have a SBR lower with a few uppers; 10.5" & 14.5" in 5.56, 9" in 300BLK, 5" & 9" in 9mm. The 14.5 5.56 is the only one I shoot in 5.56, the 9" 9mm I shoot, and my favorite is the 9" 300BLK. If I were going with a AR pistol I would go with a 9" 300.

 

[CustomChevyGuy]

Finally got my last parts for the AR pistol build on July 2nd. This is what I ended up with
-PSA 10.5 FN barreled upper, 12" Mlok hand guard, Magpul Flip-up sights,
-PSA Nitride coated BCG (MPI & HPT)
-PSA flat faced drop in 3.5lb trigger
-Magpul hand stop
-Spikes Tactical Crusader 80% Lower (originally I was set on the basic Anderson Lower, but this wasn't much more at the LGS, and I just really liked the shield, not to mention a local Fl business)
-Spikes Tactical buffer tube kit
-UTG "Sniper" Over-molded AR grip

I haven't had the chance to shoot it yet, but I love how it feels. Compact, well balanced and natural. I also picked up a SBA 3 brace, for a good deal. If anything it'll get put on my next pistol build.

 

[hittman77]

I use a Kel Tec PLR-16.

Some would argue it's not truly an AR pistol but it works for me.

I put on it a cheap red dot that's really designed for the rail on your pistol but it fits great on the factory rail and works fine so far.

 

[wood714]

Short barrel AR's are just too cool.

One on the left has a 16" barrel. One in the middle is a CMMG with a dedicated 22 upper and 11.5" barrel. One on the right has a 10.5" barrel.

The CMMG has honestly never failed shooting CCI subs or SV ammo. Suppressed or not.

 

[Injunbro]

I have 10.5" .556. It's a Jeep gun for coyote hunting & short enough it doesn't bang on the roll bar or a pain pulling it from behind the seat. I've got about $350 into it including dot sight, back up flip sight, wrist brace & sling. Weighs 7.5 lbs. Part of the reason I bought it was a good price & 5.56 is a good coyote caliber (not good for much else including home defense IMO). For home defense I'd go w/ a 9mm - they're lighter, have fewer parts, little recoil, don't over penetrate, cheaper to feed. A plus in my mind is a mounted weapon light (try to open a door w/ a gun in 1 hand & a light in the other).

 

[acpjim]

Check out the CMMG Banshee

If you want something other than 5.56, check out the CMMG Banshee pistol in 9mm, 10mm, 45 acp, or 5.7. I have a 5’”barrel Banshee in 9mm and just bought another in 5.7. Took the 5.7 to the range yesterday for the first time. Ammo is expensive, but it shoots like a .22 rf (although louder and more powerful, virtually no recoil). Since it is centerfire, it is much more reliable than a .22 rf. I put a Silencerco Sparrow on mine and it is a real *****cat to shoot. Perfect AR format Hd gun for a lady or small person. I also have 5.56 in 7.5 and 10 inch barrels, but as others have said, I would hate to use them in an enclosed space without a suppressor. CMMG also sells 40 round 5.7 magazines that will fit a standard AR lower. This allows you to buy just the CMMG upper and use on any standard AR lower pistol, SBR rifle lower, or M16. Yes, I did put the 5.7 upper on an M16 lower yesterday and shot it in full auto. It was a hoot. (an expensive hoot, but still).

 

[4506517]

I had a few, but they're all SBRs now.

I'm not chancing the fickleness of the ATF.

I've worked with enough to know I dont trust their grasp of the law.