Maybe. This article was recently in the Daily Bulletin:
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2020/06/home-defense-shotgun-vs-pistol-whats-your-best-option/
AR pistol
- Thread starter TimS
- Start date
Maybe. This article was recently in the Daily Bulletin:
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2020/06/home-defense-shotgun-vs-pistol-whats-your-best-option/
A shotgun is a viable option also, less handy but more powerful. Does not have the over penetration issues. Accuracy does not enter if you can’t hit a man sized target at 10ft, some serious practice is needed.
Rifles indoors is only for when you expect a Russian platoon coming in the door.
Most everyone is making an AR pistol these days. What's your budget?
Some forums are in love with ARs for home defense, some hate them. Very interesting.
personally I think a suppressed short 223 AR would be a great HD weapon. Just like I’ve never been over gunned in the field I doubt I’ll be upset that I just had too much available ammunition during a life and death situation.
personally I think a suppressed short 223 AR would be a great HD weapon. Just like I’ve never been over gunned in the field I doubt I’ll be upset that I just had too much available ammunition during a life and death situation.
Years ago Olympic Arms posted an interesting article on using the AR-15 for CQB. They quoted data from some local (Seattle-area) LEAs that had a history of using their AR-15s in SWAT operations. They found that typical .223 ammo was actually much less prone to over-penetrate in common home construction than most popular handgun cartridges. I would think that using a 7-11" barrel would further reduce the likelihood of over-penetration due to the reduced velocity. With proper training, a long gun (long as in SBR or SBS type weapons) can be utilized quite effectively in HD scenarios.
Just purchased a Sig MPX in 9mm with a 8" barrel. Very happy with it. The suppressor is in jail for now.
Normally I would tell a person to buy a BCM but these aren't normal times. Probably be hard work finding one in stock. In light of that, building one will be your best option with current availability. Use an SBA3 or SBA4 brace, 10.x barrel, red dot and rail of your choice.
As far as NFA vs Pistol, I think having both is the right answer. Maximum flexibility.
As far as NFA vs Pistol, I think having both is the right answer. Maximum flexibility.
nakneker
Gold $$ Contributor
I’ve never really been into ARs until recently. I thought it would be fun to build them, so I bought the tools to do it right And it’s been a blast. Building them helps you understand how they work, at least it has for me. The AR pistols are Good fun, I just built a 300 blackout, adjustable gas block and a JP captured buffer has it shooting nicely. You can always go on gunbroker and find something in stock, prices are hit and miss, more miss right now. I never really understood the attraction either but after shooting them I get it. I also bought a CMMG banshee in 45 acp, my cousin and my brother love it, probably gets shot more than anything I have other than the a Stribog.
dryhumor
When an old man dies, a library is lost forever...
Store bought upper.
Everything else was parts assembled at home. The laser is accurate to 50 yards, shooting from any position, mid chest, hip, eye level, etc. As long as correct trigger control is used, impacts are to an inch or so of POA. Butt is a Thordsen, designed as a cheek rest, not an arm brace. I have two additional uppers for it, one 5.56 with a birdcage, one 223 with a spiral fluted barrel, 11 degree crown.
Quite handy size and weight wise.
Everything else was parts assembled at home. The laser is accurate to 50 yards, shooting from any position, mid chest, hip, eye level, etc. As long as correct trigger control is used, impacts are to an inch or so of POA. Butt is a Thordsen, designed as a cheek rest, not an arm brace. I have two additional uppers for it, one 5.56 with a birdcage, one 223 with a spiral fluted barrel, 11 degree crown.
Quite handy size and weight wise.
AR Pistol - is loophole that may/may not remain permitted by ATF...only time will tell. It is the poor man's SBR with the add advantage of being treated same as pistol so if you have a carry license then you can take it anywhere you could take your Glock with no additional hassle, paperwork or notification to the authorities. Assume every adult male you see with a backpack on his back (looks out of place because not a student and at Home Depot or food store) has an AR Pistol and D60 drum magazine. It is convenient and easy answer to Truck Gun.
The main considerations for AR Pistol are:
(1) Caliber - 300BO (great in shorty), 5.56/.223, or some other flavor including pistol calibers, such as 9m, 10mm, .45ACP;
(2) Barrel Length - shorter equals more maneuverable, but also more noise and giant fire ball as unburnt powder is ignited as it exits the muzzle. There are 2 safety concerns with short barrels (1) putting your hand over end of barrel and (2) buildup of unburned powder in suppressor (short barrels don't burn all of the powder in case). For this reason I lean toward recommending minimum length of 10" or longer.
(3) Concealment (aside from barrel length) - folding stock adapter (Law Tactical) or ultra collapsible brace (Tomahawk brace)
Every AR15 manufacturer is also offering an AR Pistol in their product line. Decide the price point and that will help you decide on which gun and feature fit your budget. The only other consideration is if the AR Pistol that you are considering purchasing can use standard magazines (Pmags) or does it only operate/require the manufacturer's proprietary magazines.
If you decide to try the "Building-It-Yourself" route then keep in mind that this is never a money save scenario. It just allows you to pick each part tailored to your preference or purpose. It's rewarding, but always runs 25-30% more than your initial budget expectation!!! Ask me how I know...
High velocity 5.56 loads actually penetrate interior walls less than common service handgun loads do. They key is loading with light bullets that will achieve fragmentation at short barrel speeds.
No Step on Snek
VMax bullets are perfect for this role... lethal and don't over-penetrate (fragment on contact including drywall). The are some other specialty bullets designed for this, but hard to beat right off the shelf ammo loaded with Vmax bullets.
I personally like the pistol caliber options. I went with a 9mm to match my handgun instead of a 5.56 to match my rifle.
I don't know if you have ever shot a 7.5" pistol in 5.56... I have a couple times and I felt like somebody was slapping me in the face every shot- the muzzle blast was brutal!
My 9mm just plugs away, fairly quietly in comparison. I figured it's like shooting my sig 320, but with a longer barrel (more velocity, and quieter with blast diverter), a "brace" for much greater stability and no muzzle flip, easier to get back on target, uses glock 33 round mags, etc.
I don't know if you have ever shot a 7.5" pistol in 5.56... I have a couple times and I felt like somebody was slapping me in the face every shot- the muzzle blast was brutal!
My 9mm just plugs away, fairly quietly in comparison. I figured it's like shooting my sig 320, but with a longer barrel (more velocity, and quieter with blast diverter), a "brace" for much greater stability and no muzzle flip, easier to get back on target, uses glock 33 round mags, etc.
nakneker
Gold $$ Contributor
If you have an AR pistol with a legal brace like a SBA3 can that brace be foldable like with a law tactical. I’m in the middle of a 300 blackout build and I use the law tactical on my rifle, if it’s legal I would use it on this pistol too. I’ll ask my local dealer but thought I would ask here too.
Yes. Neither a folding buffer tube/stock adapter, such as Law Tactical, or telescoping/collapsible buffer tube has any effect on the classification of AR being a rifle or pistol. Classification is dependent upon existence of a butt pad/plate. Once a lower receiver is built out as a rifle or pistol then theoretically it is always this no matter what changes you make to gun. That said if you buy a built out lower receiver (stock attached) or a fully built rifle then you can't later convert it to a pistol. To avoid any confusion or issue with ATF, always start your AR Pistol build with a fresh new stripped lower that is clean / not designated.
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