Debating rifle or pistol

Cameronswmp9

Cameronswmp9

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I have a lower inbound. I don't have a plan, in fact nothing is set except I am building an AR of some sort. And 5.56.

I keep going back and forth with the rifle vs pistol, I like both, I have had rifles but no pistols. I am building my stock back up, after getting tight on the funds I sold off my rifles.

It will be a shooter, HD is taken care of, so this will be more of a toy. My kids will probably shoot it some too. It may also spend time in the truck.

Pistols are cool, but so are rifles.

Please tell me which way I need to go. Make a decision for me, otherwise I don't think I will ever make one lol. Going 5.56 for this one. Later rifles I may go other rounds.
 
10.5" Pistol while you file SBR paperwork. That way you can shoot it and tweak operating systems while you wait for your Form 1. I have 4 ARs that are rifle (3 DI, one piston), a 7.5" pistol, and am building an AR9. My next two builds are going to be pistols under 11.5" while I file paperwork. The 7.5" in 5.56 is nothing more than a toy. It is loud and crazy, but wicked fun.
 
I have been on a pistol kick lately, I built a 9mm and now I'm doing a 300 blackout. My vote would be to go pistol route with a shockwave brace. Honestly I don't see the point in doing an SBR as long as the shockwave is legal. It's cheaper that way and I don't feel like you give up much functionality, if any at all. You give up a bit in the looks department, but not a deal breaker by any means IMO. You can conceal it as well if it is left as a pistol, and take it across state lines without having to notify the ATF in advance.
 
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Personally, I see merits of having a pistol lower for transportation reasons. Yes, every year I file a stack of Form 20s for my SBR but there are times I don't want to deal or risk taking it with me so I just swap the upper on to a pistol lower and as long as the state's I'm traveling thru/to laws are followed I'm okay and not risking a NFA stamped item being lost/stolen/etc. Now if I didn't have my SBR and with the ATF's recent view on braces I'd have a braced pistol for sure at some point ... just not sure it would be before I had a carbine first. Guess my answer is depends on which way the wind blows but the AR carbine market right now is a buyer's market and you can pick up a complete decent carbine for under $500 easy. I saw a Del-Ton for $419 somewhere recently which are good plinkers and about as cheap as building one. As to pistol ARs ... definitely build to your taste with grip, brace, rail, muzzle device, etc you want because to me a pistol AR's feel does come into play.
 
M&P Sport 2s are $425 right now. Colt LE6920s with a Centurion rail are under $750 shipped. These are the times we will tell our grandchildren about. Buy lots, buy often.
 
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Build a pistol now.. You can always get a > 16" upper and a proper shoulder stock sometime down the road and assemble it as a rifle, and then go back and forth as much as you feel like. Or keep building more with spare parts.:)

If you build it as a rifle now, it is stuck being a rifle, technically.
 
Personally, I like to shoot my rifles/SBR's in matches.

So, pistols are no bueno.

I vote 11.5-12.5" SBR. Perfect size for an AR, imo.
 
SDIVER2006 said:
Ballistic Advantage .223 wylde with a 1:8, and a AAC muzzle device, and a SLR rail, CMC flat 3.5 lb trigger, Holosun Optic, LAW Folder, BCM BCG and a KAK Shockwave blade thingie
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You use the included gas block that came with the 10.3 Hanson? That's the barrel I want.
 
Built my first AR of any kind a few weeks ago now and i went with a 10.5" 55.6. Nothing fancy a cheapish PSA upper but i put a bcm bolt carrier group on an Anderson lower. I shoot a 8" steel plate at 200yds regularly without any problems. Lots of fun at the range and i keep it as a truck gun for some backup.
 
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Whats your budget? Are you looking to put a scope or a red dot on it? I have three AR rifles and one AR pistol, if I had to choose one to take to the range it would be my 16" mid length gas rifle. I have an 18" SPR with a scope that is fun for longer distances 100-300 yds but not as fun at close range. I have a 9" 300 blk pistol that is fun at 50 yrds but not that accurate after that. My 16" carbine is just okay and has an aimpoint pro, normally I shoot it from 50-100. My 16" mid length has almost no recoil and is light weight, I have an EOTech with the G33 magnifier so 50-300 is what I play with.

When you say shooter, do you mean precision or just something reliable to go to the range and shoot?
 
Sounds like you need another lower... Problem solved...

I have fairly identical lowers for the same upper, one pistol brace, one SBR... I can shoot it in matches and bring it as a rifle or keep it as a pistol for traveling/concealment purposes...
 
Milamber said:
Built my first AR of any kind a few weeks ago now and i went with a 10.5" 55.6. Nothing fancy a cheapish PSA upper but i put a bcm bolt carrier group on an Anderson lower. I shoot a 8" steel plate at 200yds regularly without any problems. Lots of fun at the range and i keep it as a truck gun for some backup.
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You have an SBR stamp?
 
hdrolling said:
Whats your budget? Are you looking to put a scope or a red dot on it? I have three AR rifles and one AR pistol, if I had to choose one to take to the range it would be my 16" mid length gas rifle. I have an 18" SPR with a scope that is fun for longer distances 100-300 yds but not as fun at close range. I have a 9" 300 blk pistol that is fun at 50 yrds but not that accurate after that. My 16" carbine is just okay and has an aimpoint pro, normally I shoot it from 50-100. My 16" mid length has almost no recoil and is light weight, I have an EOTech with the G33 magnifier so 50-300 is what I play with.

When you say shooter, do you mean precision or just something reliable to go to the range and shoot?
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For this one, RDS. I just want something simple and reliable. Im not looking to go long range, I would say about 100 yds would be about max. As far as budget, as much as I need to spend, but not an excessive amount. While I would love a DDM4, I cant justify spending that while there are a lot of other options for a lot less.

I have one lower incoming for this (after testing this one I will order at least 2 more, then I know there will be more incoming) and will work up some other ones. I am wanting a 20 and a carbine as well.
 
Cameronswmp9 said:
For this one, RDS. I just want something simple and reliable. Im not looking to go long range, I would say about 100 yds would be about max. As far as budget, as much as I need to spend, but not an excessive amount. While I would love a DDM4, I cant justify spending that while there are a lot of other options for a lot less.

I have one lower incoming for this (after testing this one I will order at least 2 more, then I know there will be more incoming) and will work up some other ones. I am wanting a 20 and a carbine as well.
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I have the 18" DDM4V11 PRO, it's a great rifle but I'm sure a less expensive rifle would shoot just as well. It was on my bucket list so I got it.
Sounds like you plan to have a few rifles, with labor day coming up there will be tons of sales. I'd bookmark a bunch of online stores and keep your eye out for who ever has the best price. I normally don't get anything unless it's on sale or being sold used but unfired.
 
IMG_2116.JPG Well i said check rest but it is a phase 5 buffer tube and its got a foam padded area at the end
 
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I am picking up a 10.5 barrel this weekend. Have an upper in route. Lower should be getting to my FFL anytime now. just need to get some more parts on order and see what I need and want.
 
NKD said:
Cool, was just curious.

I like that Phase 5 stuff!
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I have a Phase 5 pistol I'm trying to sell on Armslist, but no takers, so far. Maybe a slow market, limited customer base, or asking too much.
 
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Primary Arms is doing bad things with their Labor Day Sales. My CC isnt happy with them now.

As far as a 'brace' for the pistol (did not want to call it a stock, as its not) Does it need to be classified as a pistol brace? I have seen some listed as stocks, like what @MadMardigan is running up there, but havent seen much listed as a brace.
 
Cameronswmp9 said:
Primary Arms is doing bad things with their Labor Day Sales. My CC isnt happy with them now.

As far as a 'brace' for the pistol (did not want to call it a stock, as its not) Does it need to be classified as a pistol brace? I have seen some listed as stocks, like what @MadMardigan is running up there, but havent seen much listed as a brace.
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https://www.sb-tactical.com/product/sbpdw/

It's a 3 position brace.
 
Let me chime in with something that probably could have ended this thread immediately: If you are anything like the rest of us, as soon as you finish building one (or maybe before if you're like me), you'll be planning a second build. Pick one option, build it how you want with no compromise, shoot the shit out of it, and build your second, third, 20th, with different parts. Then you'll find exactly what you like and maybe you'll consolidate or switch things up. Either way, my three pieces of advice are 1: don't stress over which part the interwebs says are the best/most awesome/make your pee-pee bigger. 2: Buy the best spec'd piece you can for each part. 3: Don't be afraid to admit you don't like something you bought and switch things up. If you don't love the rifle aesthetically/how it shoots/handles/what it weighs, etc, you won't shoot that bish.
 
JRHorne said:
Let me chime in with something that probably could have ended this thread immediately: If you are anything like the rest of us, as soon as you finish building one (or maybe before if you're like me), you'll be planning a second build. Pick one option, build it how you want with no compromise, shoot the shit out of it, and build your second, third, 20th, with different parts. Then you'll find exactly what you like and maybe you'll consolidate or switch things up. Either way, my three pieces of advice are 1: don't stress over which part the interwebs says are the best/most awesome/make your pee-pee bigger. 2: Buy the best spec'd piece you can for each part. 3: Don't be afraid to admit you don't like something you bought and switch things up. If you don't love the rifle aesthetically/how it shoots/handles/what it weighs, etc, you won't shoot that bish.
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Pretty much. I look back at how I started out in the customizing world. I was used to USGI/Milspec stuff and though I'm glad I never went with any 18 position green/red/laser/light/coffee maker type of junk, I did have to refine how I wanted different rifles set up for different purposes. I consider it all a sunk cost but well spent.
 
JRHorne said:
1: don't stress over which part the interwebs says are the best/most awesome/make your pee-pee bigger. 2:
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My worry with the stock/brace question is pure legality. I've seen those braces, then I see stocks that look similar. I don't want to buy a stock thinking it would be considered a brace, and have an illegal SBR because of my misunderstanding.

I've built a few, and none have been the same. Never built a pistol, so with the pistols there is an arena for mistakes that can cause the ATF to come and shoot my dog.

I was looking at either the Sig brace or the shockwave, but just looking at all options.
 
I have an 11.5" pistol, and its very handy, and plenty accurate for what it is too. Easy to shoot with a prism optic on top. I say build it as a pistol now, and enjoy it for what it is. Later you can make it real SBR or convert it to a rifle if you don't like the shorty AR.

AR building is a ton of fun. After you get that first one under your belt, you'll probably start considering others. If you're like most of us, you'll end up with several, and each one will probably be pretty different, each set up for a separate thing.
 
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^^^ That is a good deal. I'd jump on that if you didn't have a lower already.
 
That's a great deal,I do have a lower inbound though. If I didn't I would be all over that!

Build progressing with parts off the board here. PA shipping may not leave until Tuesday
 

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