Pistol Calibers in Rifles

[asdaven]

Thinking about building an AR in a Pistol caliber or buying a Pistol Caliber Carbine. Has anybody done any testing at distance with a Pistol Caliber Carbine comparing say a .45 ACP, .40 S&W, 10mm, 9mm, and .22 LR to compare? Obviously the most common choice if I go the AR route is 9mm. 10mm probably has the most power and reach out the most. I already have an .223 and .22LR AR, as well as other intermediate caliber rifles and .22s. Just looking for something different. I realize PCC's aren't going to have the reach of intermediate calibers. But, my main question is what pistol caliber has the most reach out of a PCC and most velocity gain out of a 16" barrel? Also, which would be the most accurate? Im suspecting 9mm being the lightest and higher velocity. 10mm would be nice, but im trying to figure out the best power/accuracy/cost/parts availability ratio and 10 mm isn't cheap and there aren't many PCCs in that caliber. I like the looks of the Beretta CX4 Carbine, but all the plastic is kindve a turn-off. Same with the SUB 2000. The Hi-Point Carbines seem more durable, but I wouldn't get one due to only 10 rounds capacity with no higher capacity magazines. Theres the JR Carbine, but at that point id just rather build the real thing (9mm or other pistol caliber AR). Interchangeability with pistol mags is a non-issue as I don't own any handguns. Id rather build a Colt Pattern AR than the Glock AR, they look better IMO and the magazines are cheaper than Glock mags. Plus theyre metal mags over plastic.

If I decide to build a 9mm AR, does anybody have a lead on slim cut 9mm lowers? Ive looked and looked online. Double Diamond was making them, but it sounds like theyre out. A new company Black Creek Precision in Florida is making them for only $189.99. But, theyre out of stock and their policy says they don't ship "AR-15 lowers" to Maryland. I wonder if they would consider a 9mm lower that can't accept 5.56 mags, an "AR-15 lower"? I contacted them twice saying I was from Maryland and they never responded. QuarterCircle 10 makes a really nice billet slim-cut lower, but their site doesn't state their policies, its also $100 more than the Black Creek one. Im also checking GunBroker, but no luck, mostly just complete rifles. The CMMG lowers get good reviews at a good price point, but not slimcut, which is my main gripe about the 9mm ARs is the skinny magazine coming out of a big magwell. Its a shame about Black Creek because theyre the same cost of a CMMG lower. I wonder if they distribute to anyone where I could get one of their lowers through a secondary source?

Thanks for any suggestions-

 

[dontpanic]

9mm is the cheapest and most available. It is also the most time tested in an AR platform.

Glock mags are cheaper than 9mm USGI mags. But I still would not want a 9mm AR that took them. (If I owned a Glock, maybe I would think differently)

I went with the CMMG lower. Price and availability are great. (2A usually has them in stock). The only thing I would have done different is get a Rock River upper reciever. Thier's does not have a forward assist.

 

[Flipz]

5.5" & 8.5" 9mm barrels are in stock at 2A Sales. 9mm BCG's are also in stock.

 

[Wendigo]

Atlantic Firearms(IP) is getting ready to release their 9mm AK(Colt mags) that will be cash and carry in MD. They have a thread on here about it somewhere.

 

[TheBulge]

my main question is what pistol caliber has the most reach out of a PCC and most velocity gain out of a 16" barrel? Also, which would be the most accurate? ...im trying to figure out the best power/accuracy/cost/parts availability ratio

Generally, I think lighter/faster loads will see more velocity gain out of the longer barrel. On your list 9mm will likely see the most gain going out of a 16" barrel. Don't expect too much though. You will be lucky to see an additional 200fps. It is all very dependent on the actual load and firearm combo used.

A lot of good info on this subject here
http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/index.html

As for the power/accuracy I think any difference will be minimal. They are still pistol calibers after all.

Cost/parts availability drastically favors 9mm and its not even close.

 

[jimbobborg]

If you're worried about price/performance, get a Rossi 92 in .44 Magnum.

 

[Bertfish]

5.5" & 8.5" 9mm barrels are in stock at 2A Sales. 9mm BCG's are also in stock.

They don't happen to have the magazine well blocks too do they?

 

[erwos]

my main question is what pistol caliber has the most reach out of a PCC and most velocity gain out of a 16" barrel?

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/

Also, which would be the most accurate?

There is no practical accuracy difference between the centerfire pistol calibers.

As for your AR-15 lower, you are looking for one of these:
http://www.qcircle10.com/

 

[Biggfoot44]

I think the OP answered his own question, that he wants an AR pattern 9mm .

You can't generalize about the velocity gains, it is highly variable depending on the specific powder used.

 

[spitfire481]

I have a quarter circle 10 9mm lower on the way. Colt magwell

 

[Jimbob2.0]

I built a lone wolf, haven't had time to run it yet.

 

[Wfilardo]

What do you mean Q Circle10 doesn't state their policies?

 

[Magnumite]

From a velocity gain or maximum velocity obtainable you would be looking at a 10mm caliber carbine. It knocks out its little brother, the 40 S&W simply because of the larger case volume and same class high pressure range. The 9mm case volume is small so would be potential for appreciable increases in velocity since it already a higher pressure cartridge. Cost to shoot...9mm wins.

An earlier poster mentioned a 44 Magnum lever carbine but that is not in your option list. It shows large velocity gains in carbine length barrels... since it burns alot of powder and is high pressure. I shot a Ruger 44 Carbine for a couple of years. A good bit of velocity gain was observed according to the chronograph.

FWIW, I tried the pistol caliber carbine thing a couple times, two class of guns, one caliber. Looking at ballistic charts, trajectories, and effective ranges I realized I didn't have appreciably more capability than with a pistol... even at long range. I needed rifle cartridges to go to the 'next levels', of firearm performance, be it small or large bore centerfire guns. They do reduce likelihood of over penetration in serious applications and conditions. Otherwise, the only application I can see for them is carbine class at steel shoots... and there the 22LR guns answer the task.

 

[redeemed.man]

Thinking about building an AR in a Pistol caliber or buying a Pistol Caliber Carbine. Has anybody done any testing at distance with a Pistol Caliber Carbine comparing say a .45 ACP, .40 S&W, 10mm, 9mm, and .22 LR to compare? Obviously the most common choice if I go the AR route is 9mm. 10mm probably has the most power and reach out the most. I already have an .223 and .22LR AR, as well as other intermediate caliber rifles and .22s. Just looking for something different. I realize PCC's aren't going to have the reach of intermediate calibers. But, my main question is what pistol caliber has the most reach out of a PCC and most velocity gain out of a 16" barrel? Also, which would be the most accurate? Im suspecting 9mm being the lightest and higher velocity. 10mm would be nice, but im trying to figure out the best power/accuracy/cost/parts availability ratio and 10 mm isn't cheap and there aren't many PCCs in that caliber. I like the looks of the Beretta CX4 Carbine, but all the plastic is kindve a turn-off. Same with the SUB 2000. The Hi-Point Carbines seem more durable, but I wouldn't get one due to only 10 rounds capacity with no higher capacity magazines. Theres the JR Carbine, but at that point id just rather build the real thing (9mm or other pistol caliber AR). Interchangeability with pistol mags is a non-issue as I don't own any handguns. Id rather build a Colt Pattern AR than the Glock AR, they look better IMO and the magazines are cheaper than Glock mags. Plus theyre metal mags over plastic.

If I decide to build a 9mm AR, does anybody have a lead on slim cut 9mm lowers? Ive looked and looked online. Double Diamond was making them, but it sounds like theyre out. A new company Black Creek Precision in Florida is making them for only $189.99. But, theyre out of stock and their policy says they don't ship "AR-15 lowers" to Maryland. I wonder if they would consider a 9mm lower that can't accept 5.56 mags, an "AR-15 lower"? I contacted them twice saying I was from Maryland and they never responded. QuarterCircle 10 makes a really nice billet slim-cut lower, but their site doesn't state their policies, its also $100 more than the Black Creek one. Im also checking GunBroker, but no luck, mostly just complete rifles. The CMMG lowers get good reviews at a good price point, but not slimcut, which is my main gripe about the 9mm ARs is the skinny magazine coming out of a big magwell. Its a shame about Black Creek because theyre the same cost of a CMMG lower. I wonder if they distribute to anyone where I could get one of their lowers through a secondary source?

Thanks for any suggestions-

I have the CX4 Storm and the Sub2000. They are plenty durable. Not trying to talk you out of the AR though.

 

[Rack&Roll]

+1 for the CX4 storm in 9mm. Got to take a turn with a buddy's CX4 at the range this weekend and I shot the lights out with it. Used Beretta 92FS mags not the CX4 mags. Lightweight and swings nicely, and although it appears fragile, it is solid and durable.

Cool that you can flip the charging handle to the opposite side for left-handed use fairly easily at home. It even has a retractible pictinny rail that disappears into the front of the stock right under the muzzle when you don't need it, and pulls out when you have a tac-light or laser you want to hang on it. Very nicely thought out.

And you can't beat having a 30 round mag which doesn't stick out much at all. The 20 rounders are basically flush with the bottom of the grip. At the Chantilly show today I saw boxes full of military contract 92FS 15-round mags for $12. What's not to like?

 

[j_h_smith]

I've got a few, the one I don't have is a 45acp. I may build one in the Spring.

Jim Smith

 

[BlackBart]

If you're worried about price/performance, get a Rossi 92 in .44 Magnum.

I have a Puma stainless made by Ross in 44, probably overpaid for it BUT I like it.

 

[traveller]

I have a 9mm AR. At 100 yrds it drops a foot. Good if you want to practice long distance shooting but you dont have a 600-1000yrd range.

I would like to build a .40 6in suppressed SBR that takes Glock mags. Longest distance in my house is 12yrds.

 

[jking22sf]

I have a cx4 storm in 9mm and I really enjoy shooting it. I usually go to indoor ranges out of convenience so Ive only ran it to about 25yrds but it is very accurate and a very well built gun. I also have a cmmg 9mm complete pistol lower just trying to figure which upper for it. Right now I'm looking at something in the 7 or 7.5in range. I choose 9mm as it is a lot cheaper to shoot, have a lot of it, and the velocity is pretty decent out of a 16in barrel. I would rather have gotten a lower that excepts glock mags though as I have a bunch of them

 

[Coffee]

Another 9mm CX4 owner here, and very happy with it. I haven't upgraded any of the internals, but if you have concerns about some of the components, I've heard great things about Sierrapapa's CX4 upgrades.

I'll probably look into their metal triggers/hammers and steel guide rods somewhere down the line. Even without those upgrades though, the CX4 hasn't give me any reliability issues.