.223 vs 9mm

ndb86

ndb86

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hey guys so i've been thinking of getting an ar style rifle and has seen a few 9mm arouns. it would be nice to be able to use teh same ammo and potentially the same mags in my rifle as in my pistol. how is the accutracy on the 9mm? i've only know it as a handgun cartriage and therfore am not sure how well it does a long ranges.

so anyone have both or shot both than can give me comparisons?
 
9mm is capable of sub-moa accuracy at 50 yards. Wind is an issue because of the low velocity and bullet shape. Long range not so good with the 9mm. The Sterling was fine standing unsupported at 100m vs Figure 11's. You could get a Mech-Tech upper for a 9mm pistol.
 
ndb86 said:
hey guys so i've been thinking of getting an ar style rifle and has seen a few 9mm arouns. it would be nice to be able to use teh same ammo and potentially the same mags in my rifle as in my pistol. how is the accutracy on the 9mm? i've only know it as a handgun cartriage and therfore am not sure how well it does a long ranges.

so anyone have both or shot both than can give me comparisons?
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What do you define as long range? Generally, a 9mm carbine is said to have a 100 metre effective range. +P loads are often better due to the much longer barrel. Obviously the bullet will go farther than 100M but the accuracy depends on the load, the bullet weight etc. At 100M, you should expect to hit a pie plate every time if you're doing it right. (Nine or ten inch group.) With .223 at 100M, I'd consider a couple inches to be sloppy.

If you're thinking anything like 200M+, there is no choice. .223 all the way.
 
400 yards or so thats all my local range is set up for. I kinda figured the 9mm wouldn't have the accuracy but hey it never hurts to ask. I was looking into a betta storm in 9mm or .40 as i use both in my handguns already. but it looks like a 5.56/.223 for me.
 
Virtually all pistol rounds are disappointing for accuracy at long distance... I gave up on my dream of a 9x19 200m tack driver a long time ago :)

I consider anything beyong 100m long range and only rifle cartridges can deliver at these distances with regards to accuracy (at least I've found).
 
I love 9mm. Cheep, can shoot steel targets without blowing holes in them, can use them indoors and in pistol bays.

Unless your shooting trash can lids, then 75m, maybe 100m tops. I rarely shoot past 50m.

The only good solution is to get 2 uppers!!

Gas Can
 
I had a chance to shoot an AR 9mm that was set up with Glock mags. I believe it came from Questar.

AT 100yds, is was surprising accurate offhand. No idea the ammo as I was given a couple of mags to plink and had a hoot. Clay pigeon targets would be in deep trouble.

Now I have a new Norc in 223 and really enjoying this too. I reload, so the cost between 9mm and 223 is almost zip.

Accuracy on the 223 is better but this is no match rifle and shooting FMJ's, difference is not huge. Of course, it is easier to send 22cal HV bullets way out yonder.

I like the 223. The recoil is not bad and not much more then the 9mm. They are both a hoot to play with but if you indeed want to reach out to 400yds, good handloads in a 223 is the only way to make that happen.

Jerry
 
Grab yourself the .223. the ammo is pricy at the moment but you can get it for $0.50 a shot if you look. Save the BRASS. After you have a few hundred rounds you can reload very cheaply.

If you want a 9mm Id go for a semi auto handgun
 
Get the .223 first, then grab the 9mm second, both are fun to play with, but .223 will get you 200meter+, 9mm is alot fun up to 50meters.
 
thanks guys I suppose I was dreaming thinking I'd only have to reload for one caliber in my hg and lg oh well
 
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NorCalDustin said:
Accuracy past 100yrds is hit and miss...
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no accuracy past 100 yards is SKILL- those of us with 44 mags can reach out to 250- that's the REASON for the scope- AND THE 9mm CARBINES ARE CAPABLE of doing it- my uzi has a 10 inch barrel and i've done 100 yards with it- that's why it has the 1 and 200 meter flip sights
 
You can't even compare the two calibers, 9mm will be alright for shotgun type distances, where .223 gives ur actual rifle type performance and power. Without a doubt go with .223 but 9mm are cheaper so whatever you prefer. I think they made these 9mm type ar's just to bypass the liberals and laws a little easier because stereotypes just kill our fun in firearms :(
 
Zokakoka said:
You can't even compare the two calibers, 9mm will be alright for shotgun type distances, where .223 gives ur actual rifle type performance and power. Without a doubt go with .223 but 9mm are cheaper so whatever you prefer. I think they made these 9mm type ar's just to bypass the liberals and laws a little easier because stereotypes just kill our fun in firearms :(
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no, they made the 9mm ars so that there would be a common caliber between the carbines and pistols- there are times when a pistol caliber carbine can be an advantage, esp in a entry type situation- and the " look cool" factor applies so the civilan can point to the same thing and say- see i got the same as the cops, but mine's SEMI- automatic- and in a confined space, you DON'T want a round that'll penetrate 2 or 3 walls
 
t-star said:
no, they made the 9mm ars so that there would be a common caliber between the carbines and pistols- there are times when a pistol caliber carbine can be an advantage, esp in a entry type situation- and the " look cool" factor applies so the civilan can point to the same thing and say- see i got the same as the cops, but mine's SEMI- automatic- and in a confined space, you DON'T want a round that'll penetrate 2 or 3 walls
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Yup, you got a really good point. Hmm, that got me thinking.. All of the walls nowadays are made from drywall and insulation and a few 2X4's spaced every few feet, I think every caliber is now capable of wall penetration in your typical modern home. They don't make em how they used to. Would be a nice idea for a new thread with some pictures to see how many walls each caliber can penetrate in the modern home. If a big guy can punch a hole in the wall right through I wonder what bullets can do :eek:
 
t-star said:
no, they made the 9mm ars so that there would be a common caliber between the carbines and pistols- there are times when a pistol caliber carbine can be an advantage, esp in a entry type situation- and the " look cool" factor applies so the civilan can point to the same thing and say- see i got the same as the cops, but mine's SEMI- automatic- and in a confined space, you DON'T want a round that'll penetrate 2 or 3 walls
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Well, I'm with Zokakoka on this one,, 9mm is only good under 50m, and 9mm over penetrates walls compared to a high stepping .223/5.56mm at touching distance.
If I'm in the killing game,, I wouldn't be using a 9mm carbine except for popping heads in the real close quarter battle. Overall, the 5.56mm is the better choice these days.
 
t-star said:
no accuracy past 100 yards is SKILL- those of us with 44 mags can reach out to 250- that's the REASON for the scope- AND THE 9mm CARBINES ARE CAPABLE of doing it- my uzi has a 10 inch barrel and i've done 100 yards with it- that's why it has the 1 and 200 meter flip sights
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Fair enough... But based off of my experience though, You will hit paper at 100yrds with a 9mm carbine... But I've never seen/been able to do sub 5-moa groups at 100yrds with a 9mm carbine even with a bench rest.
 
there's a DOCUMENTED case of a cop at one of the police games a few years back that had his primary go south on him, drew out his BERETTA 92 and MADE THE SHOT- THAT'S THE MAN, NOT THE GUN- the range was 250 yards
 
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