Just trying to open up a discussion. With the advancement in accessories for AR Pistols that allow them to be shot more comfortably, is it acceptable to consider one as your go to weapon, or should one always have a go to rifle that has a legitimate buttstock? It seems like AR pistols are not the novelty they used to be, especially with more and more of them appearing in carbine classes and such. It seems like they are starting to take the form of more serious, go to weapons. If setup properly, is it dumb to make one your go to? Let’s assume tax stamps don’t exist, because for many people who build pistols, they do not have that option.
I think after weighing what you need to do with your go to weapon and training adequately an ar pistol could very much make sense for some people. Higher capacity than a 1911(or most other pistols) and better maneuverability than a full length rifle, in a state that doesn’t allow sbr’s. Sure.
My pistol is my go-to while prepare the lower for engraving/ATF forms etc. for my stamp. (the stamp we are pretending doesn’t exist) It’s short and has the silencer, RDS, and WML, so it is definitely the first one I would grab.
Maybe you should redefine what you mean by pistol AR. Is just a foam wrapped buffer tube or a sig brace AR? 7.5" barrel or a more SBR type barrel?
I do think that with some of the newer arm braces they are more attractive.
My IDEAL go to gun would be a 11.5" barrel with a pined suppressor like Griffin Spartan 3. Then you could have a one stamp gun and it’s considered a rifle. I’d like to have a suppressed rifle cartridge for home defense.
I don’t believe that the braces are very effective for home defense, when attached to the arm for stability. They limit your options for switching offhand, getting an offhand grip while sighting, etc.
People have been using them like a buttstock, which ATF had determined is illegal. If you shoulder your arm brace, it becomes an illegal SBR.
There is nothing that an AR pistol can do that an SBR can’t do better. Chances are that if you’re in a state that doesn’t allow SBRs, you’d also be stuck with a neutered AR pistol as well. If this is the rarest of cases where you can have any AR pistol configuration, but is a state where you cannot own SBRs, then an AR pistol would be fine…I would look into using one of the cheek-weld techniques, which is not illegal, as it is not “shouldered”.
I was under the impression that the terminal ballistics really suffers in short 223/556 barrels.
I’m still planning on fighting my way to a carbine if I find myself in that situation.
Braces are a joke as are pistol ar’s. If the situation calls for a pistol, a pistol is a better tool than an ar pistol.
What makes a brace a joke?
I don’t believe that the ATF would be standing there surveying how you shoot your AR pistol in the midst of a home defense scenario, nor would I even care in that instance of that is what I chose to protect my household with. “I made sure there was a 1/146th of an inch gap between the brace and my shoulder sir.” Although shooting an intruder with an ar pistol strapped to my arm like robocop is def quite the visual
The braces were a workaround, nothing more until people ruined it by constantly asking the atf if it’s ok to shoulder it. Using the brace as intended flat out sucks, although you can get a good cheek weld off it without shouldering. That said in a home defense situation, it’s not like you’re going to write the atf first. The only thing an Ar style pistol does better than an SBR is travel state lines.
I think you are misinformed regarding the use of a brace on the shoulder. The ATF states that misuse of the intended purpose does not violate the law.
http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2014/12/foghorn/calm-pistol-brace-ruling-hasnt-changed/
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Thank you very much for that post
My 11.5" pistol AR is my go to HD weapon and choice for road trips. It is actually the most accurate AR I own, ranging from 11.5 to 20 barrels…
Been meaning to do the stamp, but just cannot justify spending the money or time when I have zero complaints as is.
With the SB15, Aimpoint pro and surefire m600 this is a quick, accurate and great shooter.
I think you are misinformed regarding the use of a brace on the shoulder. The ATF states that misuse of the intended purpose does not violate the law.
Nope, they changed their minds. It cannot be shouldered.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/no-shouldered-sig-braces/
If they see you shouldering it in a home defense situation through an open window or your xbox kinect camera 
…or ask you if you shouldered it when the authorities arrive, the obvious answer is no. 'Cos who would shoulder it?
K
Even when I’m out in the desert, I make sure there is a 1/100th of an inch gap between my brace and shoulder, just in case they are surveiling me from their drone 20,000 feet in the air
If you support more against your clavicle you should be fine, lolz
There’s also no mention of the pectoral muscle. Strictly shoulder
For someone who travels a lot being able to travel state lines makes owning an ar pistol worth while. Also being able to carry in vehicle with a ccl. A good go to rifle is one that you can keep with you.
Pistols are WONDERFUL options in states that do not allow AR’s or you frequently travel out of state, or if carrying a loaded “rifle” is illegal in your area if you so choose.
Here’s why I think this. I have a pistol lower on a A2 RIFLE buffer and it is the exact length of a carbine stock pulled all the way out (how I shoot a rifle) so switching between my rifle and pistol is seamless and I feel little to no difference between the two when shooting. And I shoot both just as accurately and comfortably.
I have 2 pistol uppers now and working on a 3rd (more than I have rifle uppers) because they are so great!
8" 300BLK with an aim point micro and some Troy tritium backup sights, as well as an x300 ultra: this setup has some defensive ammo in it and stays next to my bed or in my trunk.
8" 5.56 with irons: this is strictly a FUN upper. I built it to be lightweight, shoot huge fireballs and be FUN. It’s also cheaper to train with than my 300blk (since I don’t reload and 300 is still generally expensive). I can also run a .22 bolt in it if I so choose.
6.5" 9mm: this will be a combination of the two, on the lighter side, fun, cheap, and still can be loaded with defensive ammo if I so choose. It’s also a good bit smaller than my 8" uppers.
Then I have a 14.5 rifle for everything else and a 20" with a decent scope for longer range messing around.