AR vs. AR pistol?

[WT_Foxtrot]

Is the difference just the barrel length? The AR pistol is something I've not become familiar with firsthand and see some deals here and there I might be interested in, but would like more info from those in the know.

Have a pretty much standard AR, but any input is appreciated.

 

[JCC]

AR pistol is usually a shorter barreled AR with a "brace" rather than a stock. Could be any available caliber.

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[twain55]

My understanding:

There are a few legal (infringement) differences that are important to know in regards to the AR Pistol because you don’t want to inadvertently have a Short Barreled Rifle (SBR) or other type of firearm that requires special legal attention. (also infringement)

An AR Pistol has a barrel length less then 16”.

Also, it CAN’T have a shoulder stock or a vertical foregrip. It CAN have an angled foregrip.

It can have a pistol buffer tube or an arm/wrist brace. (Looks almost like a shoulder stock but designed to fit against the lower arm NOT the shoulder.)

FYI. I’m not a legal expert. The above information was gathered from my own research. Please correct me (tactfully) if I’m wrong.

 

[randomthought]

Yes a pistol has a barrel less than 16 inches and has a brace, but If the overall length is over 26 inches with the muzzle device off and the brace removed ( just bare buffer tube ) than you can legally at this time have a vertical grip because then it is classified as a firearm.

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[Ioannes]

And you cannot make an AR pistol from a lower that was previously 4473d as part of a rifle. You can make one from lower or one that was 4473d as a pistol.

Supposedly you can put a rifle upper on a pistol lower, and then subsequently place a pistol upper back on it again, but this isn't legal advice, you should research it if interested

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[oldag]

An AR pistol does NOT have to have a brace. It does not even have to have a buffer tube.

You can ADD a brace, if you wish.

You can make an AR pistol from a lower that was listed as pistol or "other" (not sure the terminology is correct on the latter, but something along those lines).

 

[Geezer]

I had absolutely zero interest in an AR pistol until shouldering the brace was allowed. I now have 3 of them.

 

[Mikewood]

The thing a lot of people miss on the pistol is that the 223 and 5.56 is a rifle round. When shot from a barrel shorter than 10” there is significant velocity loss. You basically turn it into a very loud 22 magnum. Sure. It’s a lot of fun and you can stop threats with an ice pick. Just something to consider.

 

[oldag]

The thing a lot of people miss on the pistol is that the 223 and 5.56 is a rifle round. When shot from a barrel shorter than 10” there is significant velocity loss. You basically turn it into a very loud 22 magnum. Sure. It’s a lot of fun and you can stop threats with an ice pick. Just something to consider.

Still looking at 2700-2800 fps out of 10" with 55 gr. Significantly more than .22 mag.

 

[toddnjoyce]

The thing a lot of people miss on the pistol is that the 223 and 5.56 is a rifle round.

That’s what 300BLK solves for.

 

[Mikewood]

Still looking at 2700-2800 fps out of 10" with 55 gr. Significantly more than .22 mag.

That’s what I said.
Reading comprehension is important.

 

[oldag]

That’s what I said.
Reading comprehension is important.

That is NOT what you said.

Here is what you said:
"You basically turn it into a very loud 22 magnum."

Here is what I said:
"Still looking at 2700-2800 fps out of 10" with 55 gr. Significantly more than .22 mag." {emphasis added.}

Those two statements do NOT agree with each other.

You might try practicing that reading comprehension which is so important.

 

[Byrd666]

I'm supposed to have an AR pistol around here, if the canoe didn't sink. This pistol filled a niche for me, if I still have it, due to it being an AR rifle/carbine platform that was close to bullpup sizing. With the shorter barrel of 10 1/2" or so, and SBA3 brace on it, gives it a more centered point of balance and ease of movement that I couldn't get out of a 16", or longer, barrel. Meaning, it's a lot easier to use one handed. If, I didn't lose it when I was crossing the lake a while back.

 

[lightflyer1]

I bought a lower and an upper just to play with. At $300 it was a no brainer. Should be fun.

 

[Windrunner50]

I thought about building one but, if it’s anything like the HK53 I had years ago....
watch the muzzle blast! They are fun to shoot, but a brace seems mandatory. Let us know how it goes.

 

[baboon]

I thought about building one but, if it’s anything like the HK53 I had years ago....
watch the muzzle blast! They are fun to shoot, but a brace seems mandatory. Let us know how it goes.

They make various products to tame muzzel blast!

 

[Dad_Roman]

Yaaaaa. Linear Compensator is a MUST have.

I went with a Troy Claymore.

 

[Charlie]

My 300BLK pistol with my subsonic handloads using a 212 grainbullet (or close to it), is very pleasant to shoot.It runs a bit over 1000 fps.

 

[CodyK]

Just got my pistol lower today. Put a 10.5” upper on it, (5.56/.223) and took it to the range. Only put a couple magazines through it, but it’s extremely accurate at 25 yards and very easy to handle. It has the SBA brace on it, and my interpretation is that it can be shouldered. Range I use requires all firearms to be in a case when you bring them in, so I broke it down into 2 pieces, and put it in my backpack with a few magazines. Inexpensive gun case


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[SQLGeek]

Yaaaaa. Linear Compensator is a MUST have.

I went with a Troy Claymore.

It's pricey but I want the Noveske KX3.