I am thinking about getting a 9mm upper. What do yyou guys prefer?
What mags are you using and how much do they cost?
I would get a colt But if your just looking around for fun check these guys out
Metalform are highly recommended for a colt magazine. $40
http://www.shop.doublediamondsupply.com/AR15-9mm-32rd-Magazines-MFAR9mag32.htm
Some will say that C-Products magazines are garbage but I have 5 of them, worked for me, and all have the orange follower that allows a LRHO. I’ve used these on both a magwell block and a dedicated 9mm lower with no issues.
Or…you can 9mm 32rd Glock magazines and get a Double Diamond lower.
http://www.shop.doublediamondsupply.com/AR15-Glock-Mag-Lower-Receiver-DDARGL.htm
There’s so many options now with pistol caliber carbines with their increasing popularity.
You should try a barrel from yankee hill, I heard they’re great.
RRA has 9mm uppers, but they require a magwell insert in the lower. They will also require a 9mm specific hammer. RRA run on modified uzi mags. Also if you don’t have a carbine length buffer tube, there isa 9mm buffer you will need (only if you have a rifle length buffer tube).
I know I’ll catch a flaming for using the name RRA (anything not the big 4 always catch a flaming on this forum), but the RRA 9mm uppers are readily available.
Tag.
I want to do a 9mm SBR build.
Build your own:
JSE has 9mm barrel for about $100
Would like some Metalform mags, but the price turns me off. Picked up some C-Products for about $11 each. Worked fine for me so far.
- RRA or Colt upper and Carrier
- VM-Hytech Block
- UNMODIFIED mags
A) You don’t need a 9mm hammer, any standard hammer will work.
B) The weight is more important than the type of buffer. Don’t know about rifle length 9mm ARs. Only SBRs make sense.
C) RRA has actually made themselves to be somewhat of a 9mm AR expert firm… which is kind of cool, IMO.
Spike’s 9mm billet upper.
If you’re lucky to find one, get it!
I held out until I found one. A definite keeper.
SCatalyst,
Do you like the Spike’s that much better than the Vltor Mur? I have looked around for a Spike’s but have had no luck. I think I will just bite the bullet and go with Vltor. What ya think?
David W.
“Rather fail with honor than succeed with fraud” Sophocles
The MUR-1S is nice. I’m actually collecting parts for another 9mm AR right now. And since I have a colt pattern lower already, I’m doing a Glock lower with matching Vltor receivers.
I have a MUR-1A on a CNC AR45 now.
If you’re ready to dump cash on a project now, start building with a Vltor. When I come across other Spikes 9mm it’s used (they’re all used by now) with blemishes and they want $200-275.:fie: So yeah, maybe holding out is not a good idea. Unless you really like the design and think it’s worth the $275.
If you go the MUR-1S route, maybe by the time you’re done with the build, Spikes will restart their 9mmV2 project. Then you’ll have 2 9mm ARs with the latest and greatest.
SCatalyst,
I read that post about the v2, it looks like I will be going Vltor route:)
Thanks for insight,
David W.
Anytime brother.
ANY 9mm built on a 5.56 lower will require a insert in the magwell. The only way to get around this is to use a 9mm dedicated lower. RRA’s and every other Colt pattern lower use either Metalform, modified Uzi, Cpro, ASC or Promag magazines. Metalform mags are the gold standard but I’ve never had a issue with Cproducts or RRA’s Uzi mags. It’s easy enough to make the mag catch cutout with a Dremel so you can mod your own Uzi mags. The templet is everywhere on the net. I have a RRA SBR thats yet to have an issue. Standsrd RRA buffer spring and bolt. Seems the more people try to mess around with coins, spacers, buffers etc. the more problems they have. If it really worked that much better, doncha think Colt, RRA, CMMG, DDLES and others would be doing it?
Vltor MUR-1S $175
RRA/CMMG 9mm Bolt $200
Vltor Charging Handle $50
Total $425 or for $125 more you can try this out.
ASA AR-15 9MM Side Charger Upper Receiver with Modified Carrier Gen II
Comes with bolt and charging handle. It might be the new direction I’m going for my DDLES Glock build. I saw their product in another thread, looked them up and they had 9mm specific upper (FAL and KRISS-like). I’m trying to find some reviews of it, but it looks like a fun build, with a nice FCG, rail it, and a couple of stamps.
After that, if it works well, I don’t think I’d be able to build another 9mm AR.
I did some research and I just found (you might have known already) that before Spikes had their 9mmV1 upper, they were using ASA side charging receivers for their 9mm builds!
I figured it would be safe to ask about it since they shelved their 9mm projects for the time being. I wanted them to comment on what they thought of the build since some history and reviews are somewhat limited in availability.
I would love to hear what they have to say since I think they would have more intimate knowledge and experience with the ASA side charger.
I have had a RRA LAR-9 (9mm dedicated gun) that has served me well for toying around with subsonic ammo and a silencer.
The magazines that work the best with it are Metalform’s, who makes them for both Colt and Spike’s Tactical. I have tried several other brands including ProMag (junk) and C Products (1-2 malfunctions per magazine). My Colt and Spike’s Tactical magazines are failure free for both subsonic and supersonic ammunition.
If I were to do it over again, I’d have SBR’d a standard AR-15 lower and used an insert, rather than having a dedicated 9mm SBR. You live, you learn 
When I put together my 9mm SBR, this was the biggest problem I wrestled with. In the end, and after seeing that the mag block was the single biggest problem that people were complaining about, sealed the deal for me to get a dedicated magwell lower. I hate having to tinker with a rifle to get it to function. Besides, it forced me to put together a 5.56 SBR to keep it company.
[QUOTE=SCatalyst;1379589]
Or…you can 9mm 32rd Glock magazines and get a Double Diamond lower.
http://www.shop.doublediamondsupply.com/AR15-Glock-Mag-Lower-Receiver-DDARGL.htm
There’s so many options now with pistol caliber carbines with their increasing
Thanks SCatalyst! I’ve never heard of a 9 or .40 AR lower that uses Glock magazines. I have a bit of an obsesion with having common calibers / weapons / magazines and hate adding anything that uses different calibers or magazines. My allowed calibers are .22 / 5.56 / 9mm / .40 / 7.62 x 51 / .44mag and 12 guage:) - haven’t found anything that I needed to shoot that 1 of those didn’t handle well. Have even had thoughts of getting rid of the my 3 Glock .40’s and going all 9mm.
An AR that uses Glock mags in 9mm or .40 is really interesting to me would be more of a fun toy and for some pistol caliber 2 gun games. I’m not familiar with Double Diamond Glock lowers - anybody used this? From their website below:
AR15 Glock Mag Lower Receiver
This AR-15 lower receiver is dedicated to the Glock magazine for 9mm, .40SW and .357SIG cartridges.
Price: $274.95
Yea, I’ve since SBR’d a 5.56 lower and am thinking of doing another one so I have a home for my second short barreled upper. It probably worked out better in the long run, because with good mags that dedicated 9mm gun works great.
A beautiful thing.:happy: Yeah, some smart folks at Double Diamond.
I think we’re going to see a lot of DDLES in the future. I see people getting a carbine together that shoots their favorite pistol caliber. Especially if they can get it for <$1000, even more so if they’re already Glock owners.
Whether it be in someone’s man cave or home shop table, many have already assembled a 9mm AR with their Colt and Glock lowers, and report the build was without much problem and it cycled properly.
I have plans for a 9mm rig with their components, but I’m going to hold out for their lower that will take G21 magazines before I can formulate a first hand opinion of DDLES…this is where the patience thing has to kick in.
More of these out will make bigger pistol cal competitions. More competitors makes a more fun game.