Building a 9mm AR
- Thread starter FyreFighter
- Start date
Mike, I usually value your posts (particularly when you remind people of guns which blow up) but your posts about the Angstad are not remotely relevant to the topic at hand: building a 9mm AR. I'm asking about modifying a Dodge Ram and you're talking about buying a F-150.
FF
i know, sorry im off topic here.
p.s, no blown up guns for a bit now
I have no experience with 9mm ARs but I want one. Found those mags surfing the net trying to find all the parts. It is frustrating that you can't seem to find all the parts at one or two dealers. I am kind of worried I will start buying parts and then not be able to source a key component.
I still can't decide on what style to buy, Colt mag version which is much better looking IMHO or Glock mag version which would be more practical as I have several Glock mags.
The Glock mags are less expensive and more readily available, but if I am understanding correctly, you have to have a dedicated lower. A mil-spec AR lower cannot be converted to accept Glock mags as the magwell isn't wide enough. The single stack Colt mags however need to have space taken up and so a block works.
FF
FF
This took me 2 years to build/ acquire all of the parts,
the reason you cannot use glock mags in a reg lower is because of the feed angle from the mag,
using a mag block works however you need to drill a hole in the magwell as so that the mag well block can be rollpinned in place (using the hole you drilled) its not an easy convert back to 556.
you need a dedicated buffer system and bolt, barrel and break.
if you go the colt style way like I did mags are pinned to 5 rounds
if you go the glock style way your mags are pinned at 10.
if anyone has any questions ill try and look back here to help out future builders
building this rifle taught me a lot about the AR platform.
the reason you cannot use glock mags in a reg lower is because of the feed angle from the mag,
using a mag block works however you need to drill a hole in the magwell as so that the mag well block can be rollpinned in place (using the hole you drilled) its not an easy convert back to 556.
you need a dedicated buffer system and bolt, barrel and break.
if you go the colt style way like I did mags are pinned to 5 rounds
if you go the glock style way your mags are pinned at 10.
if anyone has any questions ill try and look back here to help out future builders
building this rifle taught me a lot about the AR platform.
All colt parts except the lower
The lower is a CQ 10 9mm colt lower
This gun runs on colt 9mm AR mags
The Colt mags are not single stack, they are double just like a Glock mag, as was said they just have a different angle. They are also 5 round as only magazines designed and marked for pistols are 10 rounds. Questar is your best source of parts for a 9mm build but it is expensive.
When I got my 9mm AR I was going to build one but after adding up the cost of all the parts it was way cheaper to just buy a used one off the EE and then modify it to how I wanted it.
I ended up buying a damaged one for a great price and replaced a few parts to get it running and it's been great since then. Super reliable and very accurate within 100yds.
If I was building one I would definitely go with a dedicated 9mm lower that takes Glock mags as they are much easier to find and they're all 10 rounds.
The RRA block I bought does not require any modification to the receiver. It is held in place by allen screws putting tension on the inside faces of the magwell.
I would think that the angle of the feed lips could be compensated for by the dimensions of the block. Weird.
As for me, I like the look of the Uzi-style mags and while not as available as Glocks, they are still readily available. I also like the fact that if necessary, the receiver can be reverted to basic AR.
As of now, I have the upper, lower, receiver extension + spring, magwell block.
Will order the barrel, and bolt next week.
FF
I would think that the angle of the feed lips could be compensated for by the dimensions of the block. Weird.
As for me, I like the look of the Uzi-style mags and while not as available as Glocks, they are still readily available. I also like the fact that if necessary, the receiver can be reverted to basic AR.
As of now, I have the upper, lower, receiver extension + spring, magwell block.
Will order the barrel, and bolt next week.
FF
I can't help with who sells them but I like drop in mag blocks. I think mine is ASA but Hahn makes them too.
You lose the bolt hold open but it takes two seconds to take it out.
Other things to think about to make it easy to switch back and forth:
Use a neutered M16 or unnotched hammer
Make sure 9mm bolt is ramped
too late I guess, i grabbed one as soon as they got them a few months ago
- Location
- Victoria, BC
I built my 9mm AR a couple years ago; runs great and is one of my favorites.
I thought about the Glock mag setup, but I like the look of the Colt mag setup better.
-CMMG M4 Upper w/M4 feed ramps
-RRA 10.5 9mm barrel (Front sight tower removed)
-RRA 9mm A1 Flash hider
-RRA 9mm case deflector & ejection port door
-Troy MRF-X 10” Rail
-LMT Charging handle
-Yankee Hill/CMMG 9mm Bolt Carrier group ramped for use w/M16 hammer
-Spike’s ST-15 Multi cal lower w/color safe/semi bullet markings
-RRA Lower parts kit
-RRA Ambi selector switch
-Spike’s 9mm mag block
-Spike’s ST-9X heavy buffer
-Magpul grip and stock
-5/30 steel mags from Irunguns
Some information on my build here:
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-494235.html
Good luck
I thought about the Glock mag setup, but I like the look of the Colt mag setup better.
-CMMG M4 Upper w/M4 feed ramps
-RRA 10.5 9mm barrel (Front sight tower removed)
-RRA 9mm A1 Flash hider
-RRA 9mm case deflector & ejection port door
-Troy MRF-X 10” Rail
-LMT Charging handle
-Yankee Hill/CMMG 9mm Bolt Carrier group ramped for use w/M16 hammer
-Spike’s ST-15 Multi cal lower w/color safe/semi bullet markings
-RRA Lower parts kit
-RRA Ambi selector switch
-Spike’s 9mm mag block
-Spike’s ST-9X heavy buffer
-Magpul grip and stock
-5/30 steel mags from Irunguns
Some information on my build here:
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-494235.html
Good luck
What are the advantages of a restricted 9mm AR vs a non-restricted carbine that takes Glock mags?
I can't believe the shorter barrel would be any more accurate.
http://www.tnwfirearms.com/v/vspfiles/photos/ASRX-CPLT-9445-###X-###X-2.jpg
I can't believe the shorter barrel would be any more accurate.
http://www.tnwfirearms.com/v/vspfiles/photos/ASRX-CPLT-9445-###X-###X-2.jpg
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Nothing to do with accuracy but long barrels are not more accurate than short barrels, it's the opposite actually. The reason long distance shooters looking for accuracy use long barrels is the increased velocity from a long barrel which translates into a flatter trajectory and a bullet that is less effected by wind. For short range a shorter barrel of the same contour has less barrel whip and will be more consistent.
I think 99% of people with a 9mm AR already have other more practical rifles and the 9mm AR is just for something cool and fun. Until you shoot one you may not understand the appeal. I love my 9mm AR, I've owned other pistol carbines and even though some were non restricted the AR and my Vector are the only ones left in my collection.
Jeepers, get some new rings, that scope is so high. That's a chin weld not a cheek weld with that one. Nice setup other than that though
I have three 9mm AR carbines so I have a pretty good idea of what's what with them. They are an Olympic Arms 16", a 10" Rock River upper mated to an Armalite AR lower with a mag well block and a 10" PSA dedicated Glock mag lower and PSA 9mm upper.
The OA unit works very well but uses STEN mags which are getting tougher to find. It also uses a different kind of mag well block. It's ejector system is completely different than the RRA/Colt/PSA system but it does works just as well. I have never had a single FTF or FTE with this gun. On the down side I don't think they make one shorter than 16".
My RRA carbine uses Colt style mags (or converted UZI mags) with a Hahn bottom loading mag block. It is held in by a "roller retention device" and requires no drilling or pinning (in fact stay away from any mag block that needs to be drilled and pinned). The Hahn top loading block also does not need to be pinned but is a little more aggravating if you want to take it out. You are limited to 5 rounds unless you buy the modified RRA 9mm pistol mags that Questar was selling and then you can use 10 rounders but they are quite short and look a little funky. As I recall they were also pretty pricey.
The PSA gun has a lower specifically made to take Glock mags which means you can use 9mm 10 rounders (or even 40 S&W Glock mags which might bump you up to 13-14 9mm rounds). I bought this gun specifically due to the higher mag capacity.
Some of these points have already been made but bear repeating. For both the RRA and PSA style guns you will need a heavy buffer (H2 or heavier). The OA uses a standard carbine buffer. Make sure to get a RAMPED 9mm bolt carrier and DO NOT use a notched hammer (some AR hammers have a notch) as this will guarantee serious jams. While they are available (at extra cost) you do NOT need a dedicated 9mm hammer. A non-notched AR hammer or an M16 hammer will work just fine.
These guns are remarkably dependable and a lot of fun. I honestly cannot remember having a single FTF or FTE with any of them. I believe Lone Wolf also makes a dedicated 9mm AR lower that takes Glock mags but I bought the PSA because it was a complete gun and all I had to do was load up & shoot it. It does chuck the empties pretty far so I`ll be getting a heavier buffer to control that but otherwise it`s been great. I bought it from IRG and the price was very good (around $1100 all in). They jerked me around on the mags that were supposed to come with it but the gun itself has been fine.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
The OA unit works very well but uses STEN mags which are getting tougher to find. It also uses a different kind of mag well block. It's ejector system is completely different than the RRA/Colt/PSA system but it does works just as well. I have never had a single FTF or FTE with this gun. On the down side I don't think they make one shorter than 16".
My RRA carbine uses Colt style mags (or converted UZI mags) with a Hahn bottom loading mag block. It is held in by a "roller retention device" and requires no drilling or pinning (in fact stay away from any mag block that needs to be drilled and pinned). The Hahn top loading block also does not need to be pinned but is a little more aggravating if you want to take it out. You are limited to 5 rounds unless you buy the modified RRA 9mm pistol mags that Questar was selling and then you can use 10 rounders but they are quite short and look a little funky. As I recall they were also pretty pricey.
The PSA gun has a lower specifically made to take Glock mags which means you can use 9mm 10 rounders (or even 40 S&W Glock mags which might bump you up to 13-14 9mm rounds). I bought this gun specifically due to the higher mag capacity.
Some of these points have already been made but bear repeating. For both the RRA and PSA style guns you will need a heavy buffer (H2 or heavier). The OA uses a standard carbine buffer. Make sure to get a RAMPED 9mm bolt carrier and DO NOT use a notched hammer (some AR hammers have a notch) as this will guarantee serious jams. While they are available (at extra cost) you do NOT need a dedicated 9mm hammer. A non-notched AR hammer or an M16 hammer will work just fine.
These guns are remarkably dependable and a lot of fun. I honestly cannot remember having a single FTF or FTE with any of them. I believe Lone Wolf also makes a dedicated 9mm AR lower that takes Glock mags but I bought the PSA because it was a complete gun and all I had to do was load up & shoot it. It does chuck the empties pretty far so I`ll be getting a heavier buffer to control that but otherwise it`s been great. I bought it from IRG and the price was very good (around $1100 all in). They jerked me around on the mags that were supposed to come with it but the gun itself has been fine.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
I have an Oly Arms 9mm AR and it works great. Totally reliable. I got mine as an old carry handle upper and ended up moving the ejector assy over to an NEA flat top upper, which works great. Having only the upper i just assumed it would require a heavy buffer. I even made my own super heavy buffer which works great. The gun is super controllable.
- Location
- Victoria, BC
I had a goal in mind when I built mine; a short barrel 9mm AR, it didn't matter that it was restricted. I looked at the Glock mag setup, but I don't like the rake of the mag, but thats just me. If you like it, thats fine.
FyreFighter,
Whatever you have in mind, build it, shoot it, love it.
9mm ARs rock
Cheers
