AR9 Pistol Advice

[JohnnyTyler]

Been thinking recently I'd really like an AR9 pistol. Probably wouldn't have a dedicated purpose, maybe HD but probably just a range toy. I'm thinking I'd rather have a Shockwave blade over an SB brace but don't have real experience with either so tell me if I'm wrong. Also want it pretty compact so I'm going back and forth between a 4" or 8" barrel. Any advantages of one over the other? Will probably end up being one of PSA's offerings unless I stumble on something on the secondary market. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[BigWaylon]

I run a JSE upper on mine. I’d check them out as well.

 

[ThinkTankFullOfSharks]

In for PCC recommendations.

 

[JRHorne]

I think the biggest choice is Glock Mag vs Colt Mag lower. Other than that, once dialed in, they are all a blast. I have 3 uppers for mine, a 4.5", an 8.5", and a 16". I love them all. IF I had to have just one, it'd be the 8.5". However, once I get my Omega 9K approved and I have a tri-lug on the 4.5" shooting 147 grain subs, I may change my answer.

 

[JohnnyTyler]

I think the biggest choice is Glock Mag vs Colt Mag lower. Other than that, once dialed in, they are all a blast. I have 3 uppers for mine, a 4.5", an 8.5", and a 16". I love them all. IF I had to have just one, it'd be the 8.5". However, once I get my Omega 9K approved and I have a tri-lug on the 4.5" shooting 147 grain subs, I may change my answer.

Pretty much decided on Glock set up. Already have a 16" AR9 rifle, a Ruger PC Carbine and, well, Glocks so I'm kind of married to the platform. That reminds me, I need to order some more Glock mags.

 

[JRHorne]

Pretty much decided on Glock set up. Already have a 16" AR9 rifle, a Ruger PC Carbine and, well, Glocks so I'm kind of married to the platform. That reminds me, I need to order some more Glock mags.

Magpul just released their 27 rounders!

So I'd just find whatever lower you want and build you a 4.5" or 5.5" upper. The 4.5" does somewhat limit your rail choices, although there are more out now than when I built mine a year ago. The 5.5" opens up more options from SLR and a few others. I documented a lot of my research here: https://carolinafirearmsforum.com/i...-colt-pattern-lower-super-short-barrel.11346/

Granted it was for Colt mag lower options, but most of it applies for the upper.

 

[Jabroni]

I had a shockwave on my 8.5" and swapped it fir an sba3. The shockwave is hard plastic not flexible unlike the sba3, which has some give...i.e. more comfortable...to me at least.

No glocks for me, so built on a dedicated spikes colt style lower. No really issues with mine, had to lower the tops of the feed ramp so the reciever halves would close with the bolt in the gun (few seconds of work via my bench sander), and the firing pin was a little long causing pierced primers (some file work) but after that, its smooth sailing.

They are a ton of fun, you will definitely be happy.