I’m addicted to building AR’s. I admit it. I’ve been actively searching for a support group to get help. Unfortunately, they all meet at my local gun shop and we end up walking out with lower parts kits, bolt carrier groups, and triggers. It’s not helping.
For my latest build, I went after another AR pistol(aka legal SBR). I’m not going to go through every pin, spring, and part as it was put together. That’s boring and will take too long. Here are the basics with a summary at the end:
Lower: 80% non-serialized, completed to 100%
Upper: Mid State Firearms 10.5″ SS 5.56/.223 Slanted Hybrid Keymod & Flash Can with Phosphate M16/AR15 Bolt Carrier Group
Trigger Group: HIPERTOUCH EDT
Charging Handle: Strike Industries AR Charging Handle with Extended Latch
Lower Parts Kit: Basic Anderson kit
Bolt Release: Strike Industries Extended Bolt Catch XBC
Fire Control Pins: KNS MOD-2 Anti-Rotation/Anti-Walk Pin Kit
Stock/Brace: Sig SBX15 Brace with KAK Buffer Tube Kit
Optic: Sightmark Wolverine CSR
SLIDESHOW
So – why did I build this gun? Did I have some objective? Is it in my arsenal to fill a specific role?
Come on. I built it because I wanted to!!
AR pistols are some of the most fun firearms you can own. They can serve numerous functions when it comes to self-defense as well. In fact, my “SHTF Go To” gun is an AR pistol.
The barrel is 10.5″ in length. For a “pistol” build I prefer 10.5″ as it is MUCH quieter and has MUCH less concussion than a 7.5″ and retains better ballistics as well. The Sig brace was chosen as I wanted to do something different. Previous projects used the Shockwave Blade. I didn’t think I would care for the Sig brace however after putting it to use I love it. So comfortable and makes for a great cheek weld.
The Phosphate M16 Bolt Carrier Group is a budget bolt however it works. I have one in another gun with many rounds through it and so far so good.
The Hipertouch EDT trigger is phenomenal. Crisp, short reset, almost no take up at all, and breaks at around 5.5 pounds. For around $90 it is a bargain. I use it in my of my AR’s.
The Mid State Firearms upper has performed perfectly. The front handguard is extremely comfortable and lends itself to a c-clamp grip. The Sightmark CSR optic so far has done well. Seems very well built and has stayed zeroed through a few hundred rounds. The red dot has a slight touch of flaring but nothing that will be an issue for ranges this gun is likely to see. Controls are perfect. 50,000-hour battery life is nice.
The flash can helps drive the concussion and noise forward. I struggle to tell a difference but it certainly protects the muzzle.
Summary:
As with all AR pistols, this project is small, light, portable, and incredibly handy.
Why the antirorational pins? Is that a product of finishing an 80 percent lower? The tolerance not tight enough? Or just something you wanted?
When things heat up things move in strange ways.
GreenTip – I think it really is a fad for the most part. I’ve never heard of pins coming out. I kinda like the way it looks and have seen many builds recently with them so I decided to try a set. Simple enough and does serve a function but not a big one.
I like it, very nice. That is what I’d like to have. Suggestions on what to buy over the counter? I’ve never built one before. Thanks for all the hard work you put in educating us and making us think!
– Keep Looking Up
Any name brand AR pistol JBernDrApt should be good.Sig has been making them for awhile and are high quality items but up there in price.
JR,
What tools would you list as essential for building an AR? I have thought about building and then see in some instructions all sorts of tools that would cost quite a bit and wondering if they are all needed vs other commonly available ones. Don’t want to spend
more at Brownells than the piece I’m working on. Perhaps its unavoidable, what say you?
My favorite 2 AR building books:
The ar-15 complete assembly guide, Walt kuleck and Clint mckee
The Competetive ar-15 builders guide, Glen Zediker
Especially helpful- descriptions and pics, but certainly some the tools and techniques for doing thing right the first time. And don’t shoot your eye out with pins flying out either (covered in book). A few of the right tools greatly simplify!
You and I think a lot a like. My first AR build was a Pistol in 300 BLK. Many of the same parts you used. I also added a SI. Cookie Cuter Comp. It’s ugly but man dose it work.
Any plans to build a 9mm AR pistol in the future?
Not at the moment but I am sure it will happen eventually.