AR pistol build options.

[ridiqls]

Is building an AR pistol the same or similar to building a regular ar15? Or is everything different? I know the lower is registered as a pistol but what about the parts and uppers, etc.? Need a bullet button I am guessing and are there any other rules that apply to building an AR pistol but not to the regular ca-legal ARs?

[TurboChrisB]

All the same rules apply. Nothing extra or different other than the dros'ing as a pistol.

[TurboChrisB]

and that much/all of it is Young Manufacturering where as the JSE is all Del Ton is a bonus as well. Really the more you do the math....the better the deal it is.

YM (I believe) Chrome BCG
YM Rail
YM (GSE Gen 2 Type) Short Buffer Setup

All for what? $150 more than the JSE upper?

While the JSE is the Cheapest upper I could find out there....I think the Marks Armory is the best deal.

The fact that includes the chrome BCG and the short buffer tube make that a pretty good deal too.

Hmmmm.

[ridiqls]

All the same rules apply. Nothing extra or different other than the dros'ing as a pistol.

So you buy a ar-15 lower receiver but have it registered as a pistol when you dros or you buy an actual pistol marked lower receiver to build one?

[jak77]

So if you build an AR pistol in CA, can you put a rifle stock on it and register it as an SBR if you moved to a free state?

[Anchors]

So you buy a ar-15 lower receiver but have it registered as a pistol when you dros or you buy an actual pistol marked lower receiver to build one?

It doesn't matter whether it says "pistol" or not on the receiver.
However, you can't DROS a normal lower as a handgun because it isn't on the safe handgun list and CA has no option for "other" (like ATF form 4473 does).
So in a free state you can use any lower, in CA you have to make one out of an 80% lower or buy one PPT/singleshot exemption because it isn't on the roster.

All stripped lowers in CA are recorded as longguns on the DROS.

So if you build an AR pistol in CA, can you put a rifle stock on it and register it as an SBR if you moved to a free state?

If you move to a free state with it, then yes you can submit the paperwork and if approved put a stock on it and SBR it.

[DNA]

Basically, that would be plus $35. The normal one they include is $85.
So that's $120 for a DPMS Chrome BCG (the cheapest chrome one).

I can get a BCM for $140. I've read about DPMS having issues, never heard that with a BCM (even after tens of thousands of rounds).
For $20 I'll splurge on a nice BCG.

Oh, and the GSE buffer tube is only 3-4" long, so it barely sticks out. It's cool.
You don't have to get a proprietary bolt with the Gen 1.

My only problem is wait for the stainless steel or get the black barrel.

Umm.. according to their site, it's $35 extra tacked on to the $330 for the upper, so it'd actually, be $365. So your BCM is $105 more, but if you go premium, why not get a AA piston conversion kit for $250 which would only be $110 more than the BCM and even better in nearly every regard as far as reliability etc.

The GSE buffer isn't as reliable as the RRA buffer tube, since you're planning on spending that extra coin on the BCM BCG, why waste money on a tube that isn't as reliable as the RRA tube when you just spent $105 more to get a more reliable BCG?

Dan

[Anchors]

Umm.. according to their site, it's $35 extra tacked on to the $330 for the upper, so it'd actually, be $365. So your BCM is $105 more, but if you go premium, why not get a AA piston conversion kit for $250 which would only be $110 more than the BCM and even better in nearly every regard as far as reliability etc.

The GSE buffer isn't as reliable as the RRA buffer tube, since you're planning on spending that extra coin on the BCM BCG, why waste money on a tube that isn't as reliable as the RRA tube when you just spent $105 more to get a more reliable BCG?

Dan

The chrome BCG is $35 extra, but the included BCG is $85.
If you go on there, it has a "no bcg" option and they subtract $85 from the total.
So that means the base BCG is $85 and the chrome is $120.
I can get a BCM for $140. Why not?

That sucks about the GSE I really want a short buffer tube.


The Adam Arms kit is $560 http://www.adamsarms.net/details.asp?sku=PPS-D-ADA

[hardertr]

I bought the one of the JSE uppers a couple of months ago when they were selling them for $300 (the uppers selling for $330 now). I added the chrome BCG and went with the Gunsmoke Gen 1 buffer. I had is shipped with the A2 flash hider and crush washer detached (sold them for $10) and added my own BattleComp 2.0. I mounted everything on a Plum Crazy lower. TOTAL for the build including shipping and FFL fee was under $550.

I remembered reading somewhere the Gunsmoke buffer takes a little "breaking in" which was somewhere in the range of 200 rounds. Sure enough, somewhere between 150 to probably 175 rounds later, she started running smoothly!

I ordered 2 of those uppers from them with the chrome BCG. I had/have some issues with one of the bolts not unlocking. I actually had to take a wooden spoon and a hammer to break it free. I swapped the chrome out with another standard JSE BCG I had, and it works fine. The chrome BCG that stuck works fine in one of my carbine upper.

I don't know if everything about this build is legal in CA because I'm fortunate enough to live in NC for now.

Even with the upper being $30 more now, I think I would still go that route.

[k1dude]

I bought the one of the JSE uppers a couple of months ago when they were selling them for $300 (the uppers selling for $330 now). I added the chrome BCG and went with the Gunsmoke Gen 1 buffer. I had is shipped with the A2 flash hider and crush washer detached (sold them for $10) and added my own BattleComp 2.0. I mounted everything on a Plum Crazy lower. TOTAL for the build including shipping and FFL fee was under $550.

Pics or it doesn't exist!

[TurboChrisB]

Here's my budget build. I bought the upper from Marks Armory...milled out a 80% lower, Emgo grip, DD LPK and a cheap red dot till I upgrade. Total cost under $700.

[Anchors]

^Is that the Gen 1 or Gen 2?

I bought the one of the JSE uppers a couple of months ago when they were selling them for $300 (the uppers selling for $330 now). I added the chrome BCG and went with the Gunsmoke Gen 1 buffer. I had is shipped with the A2 flash hider and crush washer detached (sold them for $10) and added my own BattleComp 2.0. I mounted everything on a Plum Crazy lower. TOTAL for the build including shipping and FFL fee was under $550.

I remembered reading somewhere the Gunsmoke buffer takes a little "breaking in" which was somewhere in the range of 200 rounds. Sure enough, somewhere between 150 to probably 175 rounds later, she started running smoothly!

I ordered 2 of those uppers from them with the chrome BCG. I had/have some issues with one of the bolts not unlocking. I actually had to take a wooden spoon and a hammer to break it free. I swapped the chrome out with another standard JSE BCG I had, and it works fine. The chrome BCG that stuck works fine in one of my carbine upper.

I don't know if everything about this build is legal in CA because I'm fortunate enough to live in NC for now.

Even with the upper being $30 more now, I think I would still go that route.

Well. As this build evolves you basically just described where I am at.
I have a plumcrazy lower now with the LPK installed. No buffer tube assembly or upper yet.
I'm still planning on getting the JSE upper, but now I'm not sure if I should get the BCM bolt or just get the chrome upgrade from them?
I still want the GunSmoke Gen 1 shorty buffer tube.
Any problems so far with yours since the ones above?

Pics or it doesn't exist!

I agree, post pics!

[hardertr]

Sorry, I forgot to "subscribe" to this thread, so I haven't been following it. The pics I have aren't the best, but I can send you some more if you want.

Here's a pic of the pistol I talked about above (the one on the left is a Bushmaster Carbon 15, the one on the right is my "build":



And here's another one I did with another one of the JSE uppers, a regular pistol buffer set, a Noveske Flaming Pig, and mounted on a PCF lower. The EOtech cost almost as much as the entire pistol did:

http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l597/hardertr/JustinsPistol.jpg

I haven't fired the 2nd AR yet. For the first one, it's working great! I have since taken off the BattleComp and put a Flaming Pig on it too. The Pig is BIG, but it does a much better job at cutting down the blast felt when you shoot it. The BC did a pretty good job (not NEAR the thump in the chest you get from a standard A2 brake), the Pig just takes it one step further. I don't like the bigger comp on the end of my barrel, but I'll keep it there when I plan on doing a lot of shooting. The compensators are easy to switch out, and going back-and-forth can be done at the range or at home in just a minute or 2. Once you figure out exactly how many of the little shim washers you need for your pistol/carbine the BC is easy to get back on correctly. Getting it figured out for the first time takes a little bit though.

[Anchors]

Wow those are all awesome.
I see the Gen 1 Gunsmoke Enterprises buffer on the "build" on the right.

Which buffer tube make/models do you have on the Carbon 15 and the PCF?
That buffer on the Carbon is barely longer than the Gunsmoke buffer, I wonder if you can buy that buffer and use it on any AR pistol?

[rareair]

For those serious shooters, Noveske/Troy collaboration-