9mm AR Pistol - Carbine - SBR Suggestions?

gdr_11 · Jun 2, 2020

I am looking for a short barrel home defense firearm in 9mm with high capacity. This leads me to either an AR9 pistol with brace, a 9mm carbine with a 16" barrel or an SBR which would require a tax stamp (something I am loathe to do).

I like the stability and increased accuracy of a quality of a good SBR/AR9 but don't want the time delay and cost of the tax stamp so I am leaning towards either the AR9 pistol or a carbine length 9mm.

My price point is about $800 which will leave me with enough $ to add some goodies so, with that in mind, I am currently considering either PSA for their AR9 series or Freedom for their FX9 carbine or their FX910 pistol. Both are in my price range and both seem to offer decent reliability.

Does anyone have comments on either of the above or any other suggestions for firearms I could consider? Again, something with a 10" bbl in a pistol or 16" in a carbine would suffice as long as they take a standard 9mm 30 rd magazine. If you have any particular pros/cons about either platform I would like to hear that as well.

BTW, I am looking at the 9mm because of my age and physical condition in addition to the reduced ammo cost, noise and over penetration issues with other calibers.

SQLGeek · Jun 2, 2020

AR Platform:

For that price, PSA is probably what you're looking at. I'd make sure to run a fair amount of JHP through it to make sure it'll run.

If you want to go up in price, a CMMG Banshee would be where I would be looking. Potentially even in .45 ACP.

Non AR Platform:

Ruger did just release their PC Charger pistol that you could put a folding SB Tactical brace on to have a compact package.

As an aside, you may be surprised about penetration of 5.56 vs 9mm. The blast out of a 5.56 pistol will be much louder though.

Axxe55 · Jun 2, 2020

Though it's not an AR SBR, You might want to look at the Kel-Tec Sub 2000 carbine.

https://www.keltecweapons.com/firearms/rifles/sub2000/

Friend of mine bought one late last year in 40 S&W. We had a blast shooting the thing. The accuracy was amazing. He mounted a red dot optic on his. At 50 yards, none of us missed the steel target. My wife even enjoyed shooting the carbine.

Big Green · Jun 2, 2020

I have a PSA AR9 carbine with 300-400 rounds fired so far. Mine has been great. Yes, there is no LRBHO, but that’s not an issue for me with this weapon. 33rd Glock mags make it even better.

Also have a PSA AR9 pistol but haven’t fired it yet. Probably need to get it to the range soon.

SQLGeek · Jun 2, 2020

I forgot to mention.

In non-AR platforms there are also a few other options in your price range:

CZ Scorpion Pistol
Grand Power Stribog

Not in your price range but options also:
Sig MPX K
HK SP5 and SP5K

There are also a variety of AK pistol options out there like the PSA AK-V.

lightflyer1 · Jun 2, 2020

I have a PSA pistol AR9 but changed the barrel out to a 5" threaded, for silencer use. Fostech binary trigger. 147gr are pretty quite. Glock mags up to 50 round drums. Blast indoors should be bearable unlike most anything else. Carry a Glock 19 and this and share mags/ammo.

Dred · Jun 2, 2020

I just built around a Foxtrot Mike Upper with forward, side charging. It is accurate and easy to run. Primary Arms has'm.

BigBoss0311 · Jun 3, 2020

cz scorpion. forget the ar platform

TheDan · Jun 3, 2020

gdr_11 said:
any other suggestions

macaroni

gdr_11 · Jun 4, 2020

You know, there is just something about all of those futuristic looking firearms that does not fit with my old fogey style. If I had the cash I would just go for the Wilson Combat AR9 SBR. This beauty is a classic and one that I drool over....until I look at the price tag...sigh!

rotor · Jun 4, 2020

I second the Kel-Tec sub 2000, I have the 9mm. What other gun can you get large cap mags (Glock 30+), fold up into a briefcase or backpack, technically carry as a concealed RIFLE and not be hampered by 30.06/07 regs and not even need a LTC. And not anywhere near your $800 limit. The fact that it is a rifle yet foldable small and always seems to work makes it very desirable.

TreyG-20 · Jun 4, 2020

800 limit? Stribog.

zackmars · Jun 4, 2020

Op, 9mm will out penetrate 5.56. And most 9mm PCC's have surprisingly brisk recoil given the typical direct blow back operation.

You can het around this by going with something like the CMMG RDB system, but that will put you near the top end of your budget

A 5.56 rifle, or even a pistol is a better option, the only downside is noise.

rotor · Jun 4, 2020

zackmars said:
Op, 9mm will out penetrate 5.56. And most 9mm PCC's have surprisingly brisk recoil given the typical direct blow back operation.

Is that true? I thought a 9mm wouldn't penetrate pistol body armor and a 5.56 would. Doesn't that mean the 5.56 penetrates more?

TreyG-20 · Jun 4, 2020

rotor said:
Is that true? I thought a 9mm wouldn't penetrate pistol body armor and a 5.56 would. Doesn't that mean the 5.56 penetrates more?

I believe he is referring to dry wall.

zackmars · Jun 4, 2020

rotor said:
Is that true? I thought a 9mm wouldn't penetrate pistol body armor and a 5.56 would. Doesn't that mean the 5.56 penetrates more?

While 5.56 will penetrate more armor, 9mm will go through more drywall.

9mm also tends to hold on to more energy after hitting and exiting a doft target

smittyb · Jun 4, 2020

Name me a round you’d be comfortable using for self defense that won’t penetrate 2 layers of drywall.

BuzzinSATX · Jun 4, 2020

I’m gonna save you money for ammo...

I know a few guys who have this ugly little dude, but everyone who has one loved them! They run flawlessly on Glock, Magpul, and ETS magazines.

I’ve shot them...they are way cool!!!

https://www.extarusa.com/shop/firearms/ep9

Watch this review...

zackmars · Jun 4, 2020

smittyb said:
Name me a round you’d be comfortable using for self defense that won’t penetrate 2 layers of drywall.

Any round capable of reliably incapacitating a human will go through a lot of drywall. Some rounds go through more, some less.

Just because they will both go through quite a bit of drywall, doesn't mean one won't go through less, and offer other advantages...

smittyb · Jun 4, 2020

zackmars said:
Any round capable of reliably incapacitating a human will go through a lot of drywall.

Exactly

zackmars said:
and offer other advantages...

I think one round of 556 unsupressed indoors would be enough to incapacitate the attacker and you!

9mm AR Pistol - Carbine - SBR Suggestions?

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