AR pistol build advice needed

[Sam Colt]

Start with a lower that didn’t start as a rifle.

 

[Otto_Mation]

I have a couple of these on some short barrel builds. They are pricey but extremely effective in reducing muzzle flash and sending the noise downrange to your target. The Area419 Hellfire Linear Flash Suppressor.

Hellfire Linear Flash Suppressor (LFS)

As the Hellfire line has grown to not only have the Flagship 3-Port Brake, but the 2P, and a wide variety of Suppressor Mounts, the need became clear for a carbine-specific muzzle device. We got requests for linear/blast-forwarding devices, as well as flash-hiders, and couldn’t decide which we...

www.area419.com

 

[Dawico]

I never had any thoughts of wanting an AR pistol, but with all of the attention the brace rule litigation has brought about, I decided to build one. I procured an SB3 brace and I’ve decided to just stick with .556 NATO caliber (or .223 Wylde). So my questions are mostly, what barrel length, twist rate and are there any tricks or things I should know, or avoid, what works best. All input is welcomed.
Thanks

What do you mean by "build"? Buying a kit or sourcing parts individually?

I bought a few build kits and have been happy with their quality and performance for the low price tags.

 

[Dawico]

[QUOTE="Coon, post: 3012742, member: 45586] As I typed that, I realized that I would probably have to buy or load specialized .556 loads for this pistol. So now I’m rethinking my caliber choice. The plan is for this to be a truck gun, but I really don’t want a pistol caliber. That ballistics table also has me rethinking my caliber choice.[/QUOTE]

Why? You plan on taking long range shots on Elk? Taking on guys in body armor? Killdozer coming at you full speed?

Factory ammo (or similar reloads) will be fine. 5.56/ 223 will be fine.

I read your OP as you just want to build a pistol to have a pistol. Just do that then. Build one and enjoy it.

There will always be a better platform. Always a better caliber. Always a better bullet. Always a better barrel length. Always a better opinion.

You can drive yourself crazy worrying about every aspect. It makes it not enjoyable anymore.

BTW a truck gun should be cheap and reliable unless you plan on taking it out of the truck every time you exit.

 

[Coon]

What do you mean by "build"? Buying a kit or sourcing parts individually?

I bought a few build kits and have been happy with their quality and performance for the low price tags.

Initially I wanted to actually build it, but I can't build it nearly as "cost effective" as a kit. Assuming I can find exactly what I want. I've bought two PSA AR rifle complete uppers that have been great. So I'm open to a kit if I can find what I want.

 

[CavCop]

Initially I wanted to actually build it, but I can't build it nearly as "cost effective" as a kit. Assuming I can find exactly what I want. I've bought two PSA AR rifle complete uppers that have been great. So I'm open to a kit if I can find what I want.

.300 Blackout is a good round for a pistol in the 8” plus range. It’s not as loud or has as much pressure/recoil as a 5.56, has variety of effective loads available, and works with a lighter buffer. Ammo does cost more.

.300 blackout I feel works better on hogs and humans than the 5.56/.223 varmint round.

 

[Havok1]

My 5.56 is an 11.5”. Shortest i would run would be ~10.5”. even my 8.5” 300blk, if I were doing it all over again, I’d get something longer.

 

[Coon]

Well, y'all have convinced me. I'm going to go .300 blk. I figure that as a truck gun, it will mostly be used on hogs and varmints (coyotes and foxes). It will come out of the truck at the end of every day, so there is the possibility of me using it out the back door for the national forest critters that come after my chickens. 11.5 inches with a linear comp.
Thanks everyone for your input.

 

[zackmars]

.300blk is expensive and rare. If you aren't already set up to reload, or have a .30 caliber suppressor, it's a big investment.


5.56 isn't the best out of >14.5" barrels, but even the cheapest m193 55gr ammo will still yaw and fragment out past 50 yards out of a 10.3" barrel. Better rounds (m855a1, mk262, mk318, gold dot, TAP, fusion, etc) will perform better.


11.5" is a good length. Velocity is already a non-issue, the real benefit with longer barrels is the increase in parts life, as shorter barrels will break bolts, extractors, and cam pins.

 

[Coon]

.300blk is expensive and rare. If you aren't already set up to reload, or have a .30 caliber suppressor, it's a big investment.


5.56 isn't the best out of >14.5" barrels, but even the cheapest m193 55gr ammo will still yaw and fragment out past 50 yards out of a 10.3" barrel. Better rounds (m855a1, mk262, mk318, gold dot, TAP, fusion, etc) will perform better.


11.5" is a good length. Velocity is already a non-issue, the real benefit with longer barrels is the increase in parts life, as shorter barrels will break bolts, extractors, and cam pins.

That's good information. That's why I love this forum. The wealth of knowledge and experience available and the members here are happy to pass it on.

 

[smittyb]

I wouldn’t call 300BO rare by any means. You can walk into virtually any Academy and find it on the shelf. It will cost more than 223, but it will be there.
Using Ammoseek as a source, brass cased 223 can be readily had for 42 cents/rd plus shipping, while 300BO is at 58 cents/rd plus shipping. I wouldn’t call that exceedingly expensive.

@Coon if you do decide to go 300BO, don’t be afraid to go a bit shorter than 10.5”
If you’ll notice in the chart posted on page one, a 9” 300 can have as much energy as a 14.5” 223.
Of course it would also depend on how far out you want to try and reach critters as well. A 9” 300 is probably not going to be a great 200 yard rig.

 

[zackmars]

I wouldn’t call 300BO rare by any means. You can walk into virtually any Academy and find it on the shelf. It will cost more than 223, but it will be there.
Using Ammoseek as a source, brass cased 223 can be readily had for 42 cents/rd plus shipping, while 300BO is at 58 cents/rd plus shipping. I wouldn’t call that exceedingly expensive.

@Coon if you do decide to go 300BO, don’t be afraid to go a bit shorter than 10.5”
If you’ll notice in the chart posted on page one, a 9” 300 can have as much energy as a 14.5” 223.
Of course it would also depend on how far out you want to try and reach critters as well. A 9” 300 is probably not going to be a great 200 yard rig.

It's certainly more rare than the single highest volume centerfire rifle cartridge sold. It's certainly more rare whenever there's a panic.

That 58 cpr .300 is ammo inc, which if you factor in all the duds you'll have will put you in the high 70 cents per round

 

[smittyb]

It's certainly more rare than the single highest volume centerfire rifle cartridge sold. It's certainly more rare whenever there's a panic.

That 58 cpr .300 is ammo inc, which if you factor in all the duds you'll have will put you in the high 70 cents per round

“More rare” is obviously subjective.
223 is more rare than 22LR, I guess OP should not consider it either.

There are multiple manufacturers at that price point.

STEADFAST .300 BLK 124gr FMJ (Full Metal Jacket) - 140 rds Bulk Pack - Stillwood Ammunition Systems

STEADFAST .300 BLK 124gr FMJ is constructed utilizing a Sellier & Bellot full metal jacket projectile loaded in new brass casings.

www.stillwoodammo.com

58cpr, I’ve used plenty of it, and its good ammo.

 

[zackmars]

“More rare” is obviously subjective.
223 is more rare than 22LR, I guess OP should not consider it either.

There are multiple manufacturers at that price point.

STEADFAST .300 BLK 124gr FMJ (Full Metal Jacket) - 140 rds Bulk Pack - Stillwood Ammunition Systems

STEADFAST .300 BLK 124gr FMJ is constructed utilizing a Sellier & Bellot full metal jacket projectile loaded in new brass casings.

www.stillwoodammo.com

58cpr, I’ve used plenty of it, and its good ammo.

Subjective is one thing, but it's not all that subjective if we're talking about the two most popular rounds for the ar15.

Ok, I'll give you that your still more expensive ammo will work. Meanwhile 5.56 is still cheaper, more available, and there's an election right around the corner. Thats always good for ammo prices

 

[xkon]

It's certainly more rare than the single highest volume centerfire rifle cartridge sold. It's certainly more rare whenever there's a panic.

That 58 cpr .300 is ammo inc, which if you factor in all the duds you'll have will put you in the high 70 cents per round

I wouldn't call 300BO that rare either...it's pretty common. 223/556 will sell out first in a panic over 300BO. Don't think either of those should justify steering someone away from the catridge.

Also don't understand the dud comment for mass produced ammo from manufacturers? Doubt there will be any squib loads in there.

 

[PinnedandRecessed]

223/556 will sell out first in a panic over 300BO.

Don't have to worry about things selling out if you're already stocked.

 

[Lonesome Dove]

Just becuase of the Good/ Cool factor we also have the 6.5 Grendel a bit more umph all the way around.

 

[Lonesome Dove]

Don't have to worry about things selling out if you're already stocked.

View attachment 425632

Or just don't waste ammo just to go shooting.

 

[PinnedandRecessed]

just to go shooting.

???

 

[Lonesome Dove]

???
View attachment 425637

Yeah we po folk gotta save somewhere may as well save ammo. I've never needed to spend extra $$ during the disturbed events.