AR pistol build kit suggestions please?

[Tallbald]

I suppose that at some time in every firearm lover's life we all want a particular gun just because it's different and entertaining. Not necessarily "practical" but .....fun.
I read an article in The Rifleman online about building an AR pistol from a kit and I've decided that's a bucket list gun for me. Just for fun and to annoy a liberal. Palmetto State Armory has several kits minus the lower but they are all listed as "sold out" when I looked. Our beloved Ruger doesn't sell AR pistols (give them time I reckon) so I have no choice but to go it on my own.
I am AR platform ignorant folks. I'd appreciate help in identifying a kit supplier and specific kit to use as a basis. I want a 10.5 or longer inch barrel. I'm in Kentucky so parts aren't any problem.
Thanks so much. Don.

 

[tookalisten]

Look at JoeBobOutfitters.com. They have great prices and quick shipping. You can also sign up to get an email if something you want is not in stock.

 

[Kanook]

I've built from a couple of their kits with great success. My nephew is using his OCMP for competition and doing well with it. https://www.model1sales.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=239&CFID=104423839&CFTOKEN=27777822

 

[gramps]

Look up Anderson in Kentucky. They sell parts for AR builds.
gramps

 

[Mobuck]

Personally, I wouldn't go below 11.5". That length is obnoxious enough that I wouldn't care to even be near a shorter barrel when fired. Mine is set up with an AimPoint and is pretty accurate off a sandbag rest. If you have thoughts of ever going suppressed, get a carbine gas system on the 10.5-11.5" barrel(and maybe even if you're not interested in a suppressor). There's a reason places sell "pigtail" gas tubes--a pistol gas system is violent.

 

[DA_TriggR4Ruger]

I used to run a lot of 3gun, still do sometimes, so we put a lot of lead down range. It lends itself well to, being able to service and even build your own rifles. I prefer rifle length, ,18 inch barrels in ARs, but find the pistols (if configured correctly) enjoyable and not short stroked pain in the @$$es.

Just keep all the factors and variables in mind when building one, from the technical, AND legal (don't use a rifle lower for a pistol upper) aspects. LOL. And have fun and stay safe.

 

[Mike J]

I haven't ever built a pistol AR so I can't offer help about that. I would suggest signing up for PSA's E-mail alerts. That way you can hit deals when they are there.

 

[Mobuck]

As long as the lower is shown on the 4473 as "other" or "pistol", there's no problem.
Some will say that a lower that's assembled with a rifle stock can't ever be re-assembled with a pistol buffer tube. Maybe technically but it would have to be seen and recorded in both configurations before a felony could be proven.
The gotcha might be easy if the perpetrator is one of those folks who feel the urge to take pictures of everything and then post them on a public venue. Two pics showing the same SN in both configs would be proof in court IF the "rifle" config was dated before the "pistol" config.

 

[Tallbald]

Thank you all for the responses. The opinions and the technical information are really helpful. Most of the kits I see are either 10.5 inch or 7.5 inch barrels. I too would prefer the 11.5 inch barrel for a number of reasons. I'll be sure to specify the "carbine length" gas tube also. I'm following up on all the retailers mentioned in this thread. I don't see kits at Anderson but will revisit the site. Model1 also recommended by an AR fan friend has higher prices than some of the others I seemed to see. I'm sure that as with most things manufactured, "you get what you pay for". But I'd like to know the extras and such that warrant higher costs.
Honestly I feel like an un-educated infant where AR platform guns are concerned. Revolvers, a few semi-auto handguns and bolt actions have been my mainstay for 50 years now. The AR pistol idea has been brewing in my little noggin for about a year, but until now I've never devoted the time needed to learn the platform as I should before buying.
Don

 

[gunzo]

Midsouth Shooters Supply has Del Ton 11.5" pistol kits @ $489.00. That's every thing but a bare lower & rear sight. A quick look around this morning indicates that bare lowers have recently gotten a bit scarce. I wouldn't drag my feet on this if I wanted to get the parts before Nov.

 

[Tallbald]

Gunzo I forgot about Midsouth. I had looked at Midway. Thanks. Don.

 

[mohavesam]

Don't overlook the Kel-Tec option.
I have had a Kel-Tec PLR-16 with the 9.2" 1-7" twist barrel, added a modified KDF brake to add another 2.5" of muzzle length. It is obnoxious as stated above, to say the least. One gun perfectly suited for sweeping the hacienda OUTDOORS. I would never consider firing it inside. ..

 

[pisgah]

I am on PSA's mailing list, and I plan to build a pistol, too. Already have a new stripped lower and am awaiting a sale on their kits, which happens from time to time with fair regularity. Patience pays off with PSA, as long as you are ready to order as soon as you receive the e-mail saying that the kits are on sale!

 

[krw]

JSE Surplus.com I have had pistol AR's. They don't do anything for me. But I have a papered SBR. I have several configurations of uppers for it. I like 10.5" uppers. They are short enough but yet long enough. I have them in 223 and 300 blkot calibers. I shoot all short uppers suppressed through a SICO Omega suppressor. If you want a SigBrace I would do some tradn on a belt?? krw

 

[Mobuck]

"I am on PSA's mailing list, and I plan to build a pistol, too. Already have a new stripped lower and am awaiting a sale on their kits,"

You might consider buying a "pistol lower build kit" and the upper at different times/places. From what I've seen, the complete kits(minus bare lower) end up costing more than the parts a-la-carte.

 

[pisgah]

"I am on PSA's mailing list, and I plan to build a pistol, too. Already have a new stripped lower and am awaiting a sale on their kits,"

You might consider buying a "pistol lower build kit" and the upper at different times/places. From what I've seen, the complete kits(minus bare lower) end up costing more than the parts a-la-carte.

Oh, yeah. I am open to all options, and read the sales e-mails every day. That's how I've built 3 rifles in the past 2 years for just under $1100...

 

[exavid]

Be sure you get all the parts you need before November in case Trump loses.

 

[krw]

I would also chk the No Reserve auctions on GunBroker. Complete pistol uppers sell on there all the time for a bargain. I would also suggest using a flashcan on pistol uppers as the muzzle blast can be something.

 

[Tallbald]

Again I thank everyone for their input. Ground Zero precision has many many kits. I'm also considering their kits as an option.
A tall request, but input on one of their kits to choose would be greatly appreciated.
These are definite criteria for me:
10.5 inch or longer pistol barrel.
5.56 caliber.
Forward assist.
Carbine length gas tube.
A2 sort of configuration.

Another issue that concerns me though. If a kit doe NOT have the upper assembled, how do I know that headspace is correct? A trip to a gunsmith? Or is an AR built with barrels just a drop-in part? Don

 

[Mobuck]

"Another issue that concerns me though. If a kit doe NOT have the upper assembled, how do I know that headspace is correct? A trip to a gunsmith? Or is an AR built with barrels just a drop-in part? Don"

Quite often, (common)AR barrels have the barrel extension installed and headspace set based on a "bench bolt" known to be in-spec. As long as you don't start mixing used parts, there's not usually any problems. In a very few combinations, tolerance stacking MAY put headspace at close to the limits on either end but again, this is a very rare occurrence. High end barrels really should come with a "fitted bolt" to which the chamber has been specifically headspaced.
I often buy uppers w/o the bolt carrier group and/or BCG alone to add to these uppers. In the process of assembling 25-30 AR's, I've had only a couple that resulted in what I considered to be "too tight" headspace and none that displayed excessive headspace symptoms. Keep in mind, I only do this with new(known origin) parts. Once the combination has been fired 50-100 times, I don't change anything unless there's a major problem.

 

[JOHNNY WACKO]

THE BARREL IS PINNED AND THAT SETS THE HEAD SPACE YOU CAN'T GO WRONG IT ONLY FITS 1 WAY . i SOMETIMES USE BEAR CREEK UPPERS BUT I TAKE THEM APART AND CHECK BARREL NUT IS TIGHT AND ALL IS RITE . sorry cap was on . i had 2 come back with loose barrel nuts so i check them all .But i do buy parts and build my own uppers to. all anderson lowers . stay away from 223 wylde if you don't want to only have to shoot brass case .steel will stick in chamber so your limited on ammo choice .

 

[JOHNNY WACKO]

THERE IS NO HEAD SPACING, IT IS ALREADY SET BY THE PIN ON THE BARREL BUSHING THAT COMES ALREADY SET AND PINNED AND RECEVER HAS A SLOT FOR PIN TO SEAT . sorry cap. A monkey could build a ar15 only thing to make sure is gas block is in line with barrel port and your good to go . i collected for 30 years with no ars now i got over 10 and have payed off my house building for people .You have to have them do the ffl on lower receiver and i have them wait while i build it so no over night keeping there gun so no ffl needed . i have cut back but have done like 60 or so in 5 years .As long as they do ffl to them and are there when you build it as helper?? it is ok with no ffl .but if you keep there receiver and build it alone you will need a ffl or manufacturing license . i build my rifles and pistols to match have 556 set 300bo set 762x39 set and a single 458 not pictured and a few a2 rifles in 556 that dont match . I got Anel and sold my lowers and went with consultive ser# now on mine also

 

[NikA]

THERE IS NO HEAD SPACING, IT IS ALREADY SET BY THE PIN ON THE BARREL BUSHING THAT COMES ALREADY SET AND PINNED AND RECEVER HAS A SLOT FOR PIN TO SEAT

This is incorrect; AR headspace is set by the relation between the barrel threads, the barrel extension threads, shoulder, and locking lugs, and bolt locking lugs and bolt face depth. The barrel extension pin relates to gas port alignment only. The headspace dimensions on an AR are difficult to adjust but can be done with the correct tools; most people don't have them and so just swap parts until they are in tolerance.

It disturbs me that someone that claims to have been in the business of assembling ARs doesn't have at least that level of understanding.

 

[the_leper_colony]

(Fortunately, I'm learning to check the dates on posts before I reply! ;>)

 

[RSIno1]

Have your FFL mark it down as a pistol lower to remove all doubt.
Forward hand grips are verboten since the feds define a handgun as being designed to fire with 1 hand.
A brace is handy for bracing the pistol with your arm - but the feds are making new rules for them so check the ATF website for the new point system to see if you have a handgun or an SBR which you will need to register and pay the tax on.
Midway has a complete upper for $300 - https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1022739942?pid=407235

 

[krw]

Buy a CMMG Banshee and move on. They are a worthwhile investment

 

[blume357]

I would suggest getting the small parts for an AR from Palmetto State Armory.... here is why.... back before the last election Joe said something stupid about guns, imagine that. and the folks at Palmetto State Armory created an "Angry Joe AR-14 lower."... I ordered one for some reason.... this was one with a serial number and I had to fill out a 4473 for it but it had nothing on it and so I had to figure out how to assemble an AR... I had bought one of their small AR parts kits from them at some time just to have spares for my two I already had.... the nice thing about their kit is the various parts are grouped in individual packages depending on where they go and this helped out a lot... Of course the other saving grace for me was having an AR I could compare to.

 

[Snake Pleskin]

I would suggest getting the small parts for an AR from Palmetto State Armory.... here is why.... back before the last election Joe said something stupid about guns, imagine that. and the folks at Palmetto State Armory created an "Angry Joe AR-14 lower."... I ordered one for some reason.... this was one with a serial number and I had to fill out a 4473 for it but it had nothing on it and so I had to figure out how to assemble an AR... I had bought one of their small AR parts kits from them at some time just to have spares for my two I already had.... the nice thing about their kit is the various parts are grouped in individual packages depending on where they go and this helped out a lot... Of course the other saving grace for me was having an AR I could compare to.

I have built 2 PSA kits, and owned over 8 diff AR's. The PSA kits go together well and take very little knowledge to build properly(unfortunately). I have one std AR and one "pistol style, with 11in bbl and brace. Now that i have had them for a few years, I am not sure what the point of having one is? Would I do it again, Nope, waste of time & money for a firearm that has little real world use, regardless of what others claim. There is nothing an AR does that can not be done with a bolt gun, unless you like dumping 30 rd mags, burning through $$ ammo. Then maybe you should ask yourself why you like that? I have both Ar & Ak platforms that never get used and just take up room in the safe. Time for them to go.(IMHO)

 

[JOHNNY WACKO]

NIKA I DISAGREE WITH YOU if the barrel is pinned the space is preset by that and i have never had a issue with it . the ar is designed for the space to be set and then pinned to keep it there and it has been correct on everyone 1 i built . if you buy a barrel with no bushing and have to pin it yourself then it needs set . never had a issue or popped primer.a monkey could build 1 your making it sound like it is harder then it is . the space can not be changed unless you pull that pin and reset it .if it was pinned to specs it should just go together thats part of the ease of it . pas bear creek are all OK i like anderson myself . you got your way i got mine and i really don't care what you think of me or my skills from your post i think your just a no it all type guy who's opinion means nothing to me any way .all my guns worked fine sold and my house is paid for and everyone here is happy .watch the video end of story

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...8ADE59DEA00205D215458ADE59DEA00205D&FORM=VIRE

 

[the_leper_colony]

...a monkey could build 1 your making it sound like it is harder then it is .

I used to describe building an AR15 as "adult Legos" - but that's really not true. A straight 'mil spec' build can often go together without issues, but there are times when clocking the barrel nut within the acceptable torque range (for example) can require work or parts that may not come in an average 'build kit'. Add some variables via aftermarket or used parts, non-standard barrel length or caliber, etc., etc., and you may end up with something that's more of an assembly of parts, than a safe, reliable, and accurate rifle.

That being said, I generally do recommend building your own AR15, if you are inclined to learn the process. It's a great way to learn how the rifle functions, and prepare yourself for future maintenance issues. Furthermore, it's worth remembering that factory ARs can have issues as well. There's an article at Lucky Gunner describing an ammo test they ran using four identical, brand new "big name" factory AR15s - during the testing, they discovered that two of the four rifles had been shipped from the factory with the barrel nuts torqued to just 5 ft/lbs.

Anyway, IMHO, FWIW, YMMV, etc., etc.