9mm vs 5.56/223 opinions

Sudbury shooter

Sudbury shooter

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I've been looking into getting an ar-15 but unsure if I should get one chambered in 5.56/223 or get a non restricted cx4 or keltec sub2000 chambered in 9mm. What are your thoughts? It will mainly be a range gun but it would be nice to not be limited to just the range.
 
based on what you say, I would go with a jr carbine or theuron defense in 9. think of it as an ar in sheeps clothing so the liberals let us play with it outside of the range.

but you certainly can't go wrong with an ar.
 
Get your self a vz58 in .223 I just shot my new to me VZ this weekend and I was really impressed! Beat the hell out of it and it didn't miss a beat. Accurate, powerful and it eats tannerite like no tomorrow! BOOM!!!!! lol

May as well spend an extra couple of bucks get the mag well adapter and some LAR or beowulf mags. Just my 3 1/2 cents
 
Ok first off, the Sub2000 is very light and fun to shoot.... but it has a MAJOR fault IMO that canot be overcome: it seems extraordinarily fragile. The plastic receiver just doesn't inspire any confidence in its ability to withstand a drop onto pavement.

The others you list should be fine.

Now you need to consider magazine availability. Glock mags, Beretta mags, Magpul mags, others.

Also consider that there is a big difference in power between the 9mm at 350ft lbs of power, vs about 1000ft lbs of power for the 5.56mm or .223Rem. 9mm will struggle at 50m.

.223 5.56mm will go 600m+ no problem, accuracy at distances like that will vary by shooter skill, optic sights, if its a lighter bullet or heavier one, and the design of the rifle.
 
I have a 9mm AR, a 223/5.56 AR, a 300BLK AR, and an AR-10 (308) and I've owned a Sub-2000 in the past. The sub-2000 is not anything near an AR and from the very little exposure I've had to the JR and TD I can't say I would spend the money on either of them but the TD does look a little higher quality.
I really like my 9mm AR and it's a blast to shoot at less than 100 yards. I also really like my 223 and 300BLK AR, the AR-10 is a whole new beast and is an absolute pleasure to shoot and makes me smile every time I pull the trigger.
As was said earlier, you really can't just own one AR, they are so amazing you can't get enough and will build new uppers and end up buying more and more.
If you can live with the restricted status the AR is by far the best rifle for the money available to us right now. Unlimited parts available to mod it to exactly what you want and so reliable and accurate.
I don't think I would own just a 9mm AR, if you don't have one I would suggest starting with a 223/5.56 and then down the road buy a 9mm or a 300 Blackout. Don't bother with 300 blackout unless you are a handloader though as factory loads are expensive and less common.
If you want non restricted I would probably go with the Thurion Defense, they seem well made and I've read less about people having problems with them.
 
RickR1100 said:
Ok first off, the Sub2000 is very light and fun to shoot.... but it has a MAJOR fault IMO that canot be overcome: it seems extraordinarily fragile. The plastic receiver just doesn't inspire any confidence in its ability to withstand a drop onto pavement.

The others you list should be fine.

Now you need to consider magazine availability. Glock mags, Beretta mags, Magpul mags, others.

Also consider that there is a big difference in power between the 9mm at 350ft lbs of power, vs about 1000ft lbs of power for the 5.56mm or .223Rem. 9mm will struggle at 50m.

.223 5.56mm will go 600m+ no problem, accuracy at distances like that will vary by shooter skill, optic sights, if its a lighter bullet or heavier one, and the design of the rifle.
Click to expand...

I don't drop my rifles on the pavement or anywhere, I know what your saying and the Sub-2000 does feel flimsy but what you're describing is abuse of the rifle and even though less likely to break any rifle could break if dropped. My buddy's AR fell off the shooting table at the range and the stock broke, that was only about 3 feet.

Even a 9mm AR that takes Colt pattern mags is easy to find mags for. Within a month of buying mine I had 8 mags for it and 5 of those are 10 round pistol mags.

9mm does not struggle at 50m from a carbine length barrel, it may not have a lot of thump left at that range but it can ring the gong 10 out of 10 shots at 50 yards and I can easily hit the gong at 100 yards. I've also watched videos of guys shooting 9mm over 400 yards and it punches through 2x4's and plywood no problem.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wXFf34bB34
 
Build a 223 and a 9mm... I had a lower setup with a M16 hammer and 9mm buffer, Re-moveable magwell adapter. I could put in the adapter and shoot a 9mm upper using 9mm mags, remove it and plop on my 223 upper with 223 mags.

But now you can build complete lowers for under 260$

If your only shooting paper, why you care about power?

Once ya get a setup with a range and a ATT, Bam done. Never have to worry about it till it expires.
 
I was struggling with the same but after listening to all the guys that have had both I am going 223 NR probably a MR1. 9 mm drops like an anchor after 100yds. Also look on the EE there is always a JR carbine for sale as the novelty seems to where off quick.
 
savagecanuck said:
I was struggling with the same but after listening to all the guys that have had both I am going 223 NR probably a MR1. 9 mm drops like an anchor after 100yds. Also look on the EE there is always a JR carbine for sale as the novelty seems to where off quick.
Click to expand...

There are a lot of AR's there too...

But, yeah, .223 is better out of a carbine than 9 mm. Much more fun too.
 
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