Working out a project for an AR15 pistol? Besides the AR15 pistol upper, lower, (or AR build kit), mag and accessories, it helps to be ready with some knowledge.
So we put together this list of some of the more commonly encountered questions with respect to AR pistols. See if yours is here and contact us if it isn’t.
What’s the Point of an AR15 Pistol?
AR15 pistol calibers are often the same as full-size AR rifles. As a result, the main draw of building one has to do with its compact footprint and concealability. They’re also smaller, lighter, and easier-handling, making them great as truck guns or for defensive applications.
Why Complete an AR Pistol Build with a Short AR Upper Assembly?
The size AR15 pistol upper you choose, which in turn impacts barrel length, will impact handling, weight, concealability, and in fact, performance.
The longer the barrel, the more powerful the AR15 pistol will be. The shorter the barrel, the less powerful, and the more it will kick. Shorter barrels, such as those that are a part of 5 inch AR pistol uppers, are actually so short that the propellant doesn’t even completely deflagrate before the bullet leaves the barrel.
A 5 inch AR pistol upper offers ultimate concealability, but a longer upper, like a 7 or 10 inch upper, will offer more power.
What Comes with an AR15 Pistol Upper?
Most AR15 pistol uppers come with the same parts as their full-size counterparts. You can expect an AR15 pistol upper to include a stripped upper receiver, a barrel, a muzzle device (if applicable) and a handguard. It is also common for an AR pistol upper to come with a bolt carrier group, ejection port cover, charging handle, and a gas system, if the platform is gas-actuated.
Do I Need a Micro Buffer Tube for an AR Pistol?
If you have a gas system in your AR pistol build, then you will need a buffer tube. Some builders prefer short buffer tubes, even AR micro buffer tubes, for this purpose because they decrease weight and the overall profile of the platform even further. However, some AR pistols are bufferless, in which case no micro buffer tube, or buffer system at all, is necessary to complete the build.
How Do Bufferless AR Pistol Uppers Work?
That really depends on the action mechanism of the platform. For instance, some AR15 pistol uppers are bufferless and have a blowback action, in which case the blowback works similarly to how it does on other blowback and blowback-inspired actions like those of the MP5. The lack of a buffer tube also makes the platform even more compact.
How Much Do AR Pistols Cost?
It depends on the features of the AR pistol, but like rifles they vary in price, and pretty widely. You can expect to find market prices of anywhere between $300 on the very low end all the way up through $1500 and even higher for custom builds. You may also be able to engineer costs down if you build your own with a high-quality AR build kit.
Do AR Pistol Builds Use Full-Size Lowers?
As long as the other parts are compatible (such as caliber) then yes, an AR15 pistol upper will be compatible with a standard lower.
What’s the Best Caliber for an AR Pistol Build?
That depends on what your intended purpose is. Are you building it for sport? For fun? For defensive purposes? Oftentimes, AR15 pistol uppers are chambered around the same rounds as their full-size rifle counterparts, like 5.56 NATO and 7.62 Soviet. However, there are also pistol-caliber AR pistols chambered in 9mm and similar cartridges.
What’s the Point of an AR Pistol Brace?
First off, an AR pistol brace is not a stock. The purpose of an AR pistol brace is to attach to the shooter’s forearm, improving stability while the platform is fired with one hand.
Why Are AR Pistols So Loud?
Because their barrels are so short. Generally, the shorter the barrel, the louder the muzzle pop will be. Running a suppressor on a threaded barrel can potentially help with this, though.
Is a Skeleton Grip for an AR15 Pistol a Good Idea?
Since the whole point of an AR15 pistol build is overall weight (and size) , if you can get a skeleton grip for your AR15 pistol, why not. In fact, we sell kits that contain not only skeleton grips for AR15 pistols, but skeletonized AR pistol braces and charging handles.
Getting Started with an AR15 Pistol Upper
Ready to make the first move so you can personalize and assemble your own AR15 pistol? Get the AR15 pistol upper, lower, and parts here. We carry all the AR parts (and build kits) you need to create a completely customized rifle, down to anodized parts and skeleton grips for AR15 builds. Check them out here and get in touch with us if you have any questions.