AR15 Pistol Use

Am Shooting Journal ^ | 5/9/2017 | R Pincus

[w1n1]

AR-15 pistols are popular for several good reasons. The ability to have a compact firearm with the performance and ergonomics of the AR-15 rifle is very attractive for those looking for potent vehicle or home defense options. AR pistols carry specific reliability, performance, legal and training issues.

For many pistol users, the AR15 pistol makes a lot of sense economically and for personal defense. A key thing to remember is that it is a pistol even if you have a 14 inch barrel on it and train it as such. Put it through the rigors of scenarios for home defense and vehicle defense. One method with the use of a sling can help stabilize the AR15 pistol for quick accurate shots, you perform this by doing the point and shoot. See the rest of the AR15 pistol video here.

[Pollster1]

I like hitting what I shoot. While the standard 30 round capacity sounds nice, I can quickly hit the 9 or 10-ring every time with my 1911 in .45 Auto, and almost as well with a 9 mm Glock 17. I cannot imagine ever controlling shots that well with an AR pistol.

What am I missing on the advantages of this AR?

[petro45acp]

“What am I missing on the advantages of this AR?”

Absolutely right on the magazine capacity for a PDW. A bit more energy at the muzzle is gained, along with some range and barrier blindness. With the mobility over a full sized rifle, they are a niche tool.

So long as it goes bang every time....

KYPD

[DCBryan1]

So long as it goes bang every time....

Yep: Which is why you buy an Arsenal Krink SBR (or if an SOT, build a Post 86 DS) !

[ETCM]

"What am I missing on the advantages of this AR?"

The AR "pistol" is a loophole weapon that is popular for 2 reasons.

First, Short Barrel Rifles, SBR's are either totally banned or regulated as an NFA firearm, depending on where you live. Get rid of stupid SBR laws and 90% of AR pistol owners would swap to SBR.

Second, they can be used in some states for hunting during pistol season. Pretty much cheating if you ask me...

Basically, it's an SBR that is seen as a pistol under the law. People attach a "stabilizing brace" to make them even more like an SBR. Google "shockwave blade" or "Sig SBX" and it becomes pretty clear.

[Pollster1]

That makes sense; thank you. I don’t think in terms of shooting through glass and doors, since I foresee a narrower range of missions for my situation, but I can see the niche applications.

[RC one]

I have an AR15 pistol. It's this one:

I bought it because some liberal mayor called it the most deadly weapon in America way back. Mine doesn't stabilize 62 grain NATO SS109s well. I have been planning on testing it with some 40 grain varmint bullets. I think it would be more useful this way.

I also have a 100 round drum magazine for it. I think that has potential for repelling multiple armed home invaders but I like my PTR PDW better for that now as it's chambered in 7.62 NATO.

PTR PDW chambered in 7.62 NATO

I think with a 100 round drum magazine filled with 110-130 grain varminter bullets, the PTR PDW would be about the ultimate weapon for repelling multiple armed home invaders. I don't think it will stabilize the larger projectiles either. But honestly, I much prefer full size rifles with 16-24" barrels

So what are the uses of these kinds of weapons? They are primarily useful in situations where you need to lay down a lot of lead fast inside of 100 yards or less. A sniper would be well served with a setup such as this if he found his position being overrun. If you had to repel multiple armed home invaders, this would be the ticket. If you needed something to lay down heavy suppressive fire as you extricated yourself from a near ambush, this would be the ticket. If you needed to pump 100 rounds of 5.56 or 7.62 out of a car window, one of these weapons would be the ticket.

[Pollster1]

Good answer.

[lavaroise]

If you put the sling in tension pulling forward firmly, it is quick and accurate fast fire point shooting. In this mode you can go full auto and hit the 10 ring with all the bullet with some models with good brakes.

[schurmann]

“...I think that has potential for repelling multiple armed home invaders but I like my PTR PDW better for that now as it’s chambered in 7.62 NATO...”

How’s your 7.62mm PTR pistol in reliability? Accuracy? Will it handle a variety of bullet weights and shapes? Muzzle blast? Recoil?

The CETME/HK design can be quite forgiving, but I’ve had suspicions about moving so far away from the original (rifle) dimensions, so I’ve hesitated.

[RC one]

I bought it brand new from Cabelas but it was AFU from the start so I had to send it back to PTR for work to make it run. Not sure if it was Cabelas fault or PTR's but the inside of the receiver was rusted on this brand new weapon so the bolt mechanism wouldn't slide forward properly. It would jam every other round or worse. PTR was good about fixing it though. They sent me a video of them firing it with a full auto sear installed after the repairs. It ran flawlessly. Here's the video. I got it back and it ran flawlessly for me as well. Like I said, it was jamming every other round or worse.

It is so loud that it kind of makes you nauseated. Lots of muzzle flash. lots of concussion sensation. I think it would definitely have a psychological effect on anyone it was directed at especially at close range. It would be shocking.

I kind of lost interest in it. I'm pretty sure it would prefer lighter bullets though based on previous experiences with the 5.56 pistol which would key hole SS109s. I have a bunch of light weight varminter bullets that I'm playing with for a different rifle. I suppose I should run a box or two of them through the PDW too just to see.