9mm AR15... what to consider?

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fenceline

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I'm looking to add a 9mm AR to the stable, either a complete rifle or a built rifle over time. I've built a few ARs and have the tools so this is not an issue.

I understand that there are a few differences in 9mm types, as well as differences in mags used. I'm trying to figure out the pro's and con's and determine a break down of the types of mags vs barrel types (feed ramps or not) etc.

I have zero experience with 9mm ARs. Only dealt with 223/556 and 300 Blackout builds of varying barrel lengths.

I'd like to run a 10.5inch length upper. Other than that I'm open to suggestions and feedback.
 
There is a 10.5 inch barrel on the EE right now.

I just got my first 9mm AR not long ago. They are very fun and cheap to feed. Mine uses Colt pattern mags and I just bought 5 CProducts mags off the EE for $130. The Colt pattern mags seem to be the most common.
So far mine has been reliable and feeds well from the 3 Rock River pistol mags I have. Hopefully it does the same with the new mags.

I bought mine as a damaged Bushmaster carbon-15 that I had to replace the upper on. Doing a build wouldn't be any different than a 223 build other than the few specialty parts for the 9mm. I think it would end up being a fairly expensive build and for that reason I would probably just pick up one of the ones off the EE.
For an idea of what it would cost check out Questar's site and go through the parts. The bolt and mag block seem to be the most expensive things to grab.
 
What I'm looking for is the advantages of one way of doing things over the other...

Dedicated lower or a mag insert?

Ramped barrel or not?

Hammer choices?

Mag availability and types of mags used and their interchangeability between 9mm types.
 
mag insert, slight room for adjustment of the mags that may or may not feed

ramped bolt. runs way smoother and easier on the trigger pins

full face hammer. follows the bolt smoother than the stepped face ones.

get a Slash buffer or a heavy one.
 
cr5 said:
There is a 10.5 inch barrel on the EE right now.

I just got my first 9mm AR not long ago. They are very fun and cheap to feed. Mine uses Colt pattern mags and I just bought 5 CProducts mags off the EE for $130. The Colt pattern mags seem to be the most common.
So far mine has been reliable and feeds well from the 3 Rock River pistol mags I have. Hopefully it does the same with the new mags.

I bought mine as a damaged Bushmaster carbon-15 that I had to replace the upper on. Doing a build wouldn't be any different than a 223 build other than the few specialty parts for the 9mm. I think it would end up being a fairly expensive build and for that reason I would probably just pick up one of the ones off the EE.
For an idea of what it would cost check out Questar's site and go through the parts. The bolt and mag block seem to be the most expensive things to grab.
Click to expand...

Did I let you try mine? :D

My 9mm conversion is the older Oly Arms variant that used Sten mags. This worked out well for me as I already had a bunch of mags. The nice thing about this system is the mag block drops in and out of the lower very easily so I can still use the lower for other calibers.
 
Suputin said:
Did I let you try mine? :D

My 9mm conversion is the older Oly Arms variant that used Sten mags. This worked out well for me as I already had a bunch of mags. The nice thing about this system is the mag block drops in and out of the lower very easily so I can still use the lower for other calibers.
Click to expand...

No you didn't :(
Maybe next time :p
 
I had one built by TacOrd, RRA upper, Stag lower, Hahn dedicated insert etc. My problem was with the mags, the 5rd Colt's are the best but they are 5rd's, I had a couple of the 10rd mags but they didn't work well. I thought that I'd save money by shooting the 9mm, but the mags were just a PIA, a lower that could use Glock mags, the 10/33 rd'ers would be a good platform if it worked?. I just went back to the 5.56 AR and bought more ammo. IMO the idea is a good one but the mags are an issue, function & capacity.
 
The new c product mag is ####. It literally turn the gun into a bolt action. 6 range trips of cutting and modding the follower. Its now at 80%. But now its someoneelse problem now
 
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