AR Pistol

[wsmc98]

I have been seeing numerous AR pistols in gun shops throughout the Southland. I think they are cool, my comment or questions is can we build our own from a FFL purchased lower. The shops say that theirs comes with a single shot magazine, 1. Where do we get one to cover that aspect. 2. they say we can put a 10 round magazine on one and remain legal. What I am sure of is we can not put a stock or a forward vertical grip, Any insight on these issues

[notme92069]

I'm interested in this too!

[Paper Boy]

Yes you can convert from a Single shot to a 10 rounder with a bullet botton. No to the stock. I belive no to the forward grip.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=115364

[Rekrab]

I have been seeing numerous AR pistols in gun shops throughout the Southland. I think they are cool, my comment or questions is can we build our own from a FFL purchased lower.

No, stripped lowers cannot be rostered and therefore cannot be transferred through a dealer unless through PPT. If you know someone with a legally registered pistol lower, they can transfer it to you, or if a parent or child from out of state wanted to gift you one that would also be possible.

Your best option is to build from an 80% lower if you really want to build a pistol. However, at some point you will need to build it as a dimensionally compliant, single-shot pistol. To do this, as you complete the build, install a fixed, zero-rond sled, and work the action a couple times. Congratulations, you've got an AR pistol.

The shops say that theirs comes with a single shot magazine, 1. Where do we get one to cover that aspect.

If you were to build your own pistol you could take an existing mag, pull out the baseplate, and weld the follower to the top of the mag.

2. they say we can put a 10 round magazine on one and remain legal. What I am sure of is we can not put a stock or a forward vertical grip, Any insight on these issues

No forward pistol grip, no stock. No stock because that would be considered a Short Barreled Rifle. No forward vertical grip because that would be an AOW. Learn and love the Pistol AW ID Flowchart at the top of the forum

[Paper Boy]

Your best option is to build from an 80% lower if you really want to build a pistol. However, at some point you will need to build it as a dimensionally compliant, single-shot pistol. To do this, as you complete the build, install a fixed, zero-rond sled, and work the action a couple times. Congratulations, you've got an AR pistol.

Info on what it takes to do that

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=364513

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=271990

[FNH5-7]

Op, if you're a law enforcement officer you can DROS an AR pistol lower as a pistol and build it at home but if you're not LEO you would have to have an 07FFL build you an AR pistol. If you're going the building route you have three options:

1. Buy all the parts and have an 07FFL build you an AR pistol out of one of their lowers

2. Buy all the parts, have an 07FFL build you an Ar pistol out of a stripped lower that you have shipped to them from an out of state dealer. If you go this route, their FFL info WILL HAVE TO BE engraved/written into the lower. So in addition to the original manufacturers marks on the lower from factory, on the other side of the lower there will be the marks from the 07 FFL that assembled it.

3. 80% is another route but you'll need access to either a mill or a CNC machine. Using this route you can build your own AR pistol. Keep in mind you'll probably need to have a finish applied to the 80% lower once you're done.

The easiest route would be to buy a complete Ar pistol, sell the upper and build what you originally wanted.

[notme92069]

Is there a problem with AR pistols cycling with such a short barrel and gas tube?

Also, a friend of mine I have known for 30 years told me he has a milling machine and I can use it any time I want!

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

Is there a problem with AR pistols cycling with such a short barrel and gas tube?

I run 11" and 7 1/2" pistol uppers with a Spike's buffer tube assembly. Both run perfectly. The Gunsmoke Enterprises short pistol buffer assembly had a bad reputation for reliability, but IIRC their newer version works okay.

Also, a friend of mine I have known for 30 years told me he has a milling machine and I can use it any time I want!

Well, what are you waiting for? Do it!

[Josh3239]

Any gas system will need some kind of tuning. These are easy fixes; correct the gas port size, adjustable or fat gas tube, adjustable gas block, buffer and buffer spring weights, AR15 or M16 carrier, or muzzle boosters.

[notme92069]

I run 11" and 7 1/2" pistol uppers with a Spike's buffer tube assembly. Both run perfectly. The Gunsmoke Enterprises short pistol buffer assembly had a bad reputation for reliability, but IIRC their newer version works okay.

Thanks! I'm familiar with Spikes and put it on my buy list

Well, what are you waiting for? Do it!

Tactical Machining has the templates marked as out of stock. I'll call this week an put it on backorder.

[notme92069]

Any gas system will need some kind of tuning. These are easy fixes; correct the gas port size, adjustable or fat gas tube, adjustable gas block, buffer and buffer spring weights, AR15 or M16 carrier, or muzzle boosters.

Thanks Josh. Unfortunately I've figured that out on my 7.62 x 39 carbine. I was just trying to get a step ahead on this one.

[1911su16b870]

I have had excellent results with RRA's pistol receiver extension and carbine buffer/spring system on my 7.5 and 11. I've tried the GSE shortened system and did not have the same reliability. I just saw the LWRC pistol shortened bolt/buffer system at Rifle Gear...[cue Borat accent] "very nice!"

[notme92069]

I have had excellent results with RRA's pistol receiver extension and carbine buffer/spring system on my 7.5 and 11. I've tried the GSE shortened system and did not have the same reliability. I just saw the LWRC pistol shortened bolt/buffer system at Rifle Gear...[cue Borat accent] "very nice!"

Thanks! I was just cruising the RRA site and noticed they have a pretty complete line of AR pistol components. I was actually wondering if I should just use their buffer tube and use a Wolff buffer spring and a Spikes tungsten buffer or just use the RRA system.

Can you tell me your thoughts on 7 vs. 11??

[Cokebottle]

Any gas system will need some kind of tuning. These are easy fixes; correct the gas port size, adjustable or fat gas tube, adjustable gas block, buffer and buffer spring weights, AR15 or M16 carrier, or muzzle boosters.

+1

Any gas system length will cycle with any caliber. The parts just have to be matched up properly.

And even some popular combinations are not proper matchups. The popular 16" carbine upper is overgassed for a standard carbine buffer tube... you need to go to a heavy buffer to counter that.
Moving out to a mid-length 16" helps to correct it.

I'm running a 14.5" mid-length and an RRA carbine buffer assembly and it is ejecting at a perfect 4:00 with ATI 62gr 5.56.
The same lower with a 16" mid-length might eject at 3:00 (still okay), and a 16" carbine upper might eject at 2:00 (overgassed).

[CHS]

The Gunsmoke Enterprises short pistol buffer assembly had a bad reputation for reliability, but IIRC their newer version works okay.

The problem with the GSE system is that there actually is no buffer, just a recoil spring. The lack of buffer contributes to really bad bolt bounce, which causes reliability issues.