Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles Carbine/Rifle or Pistol?

Are there any really compelling reasons to choose an AR pistol over a carbine or rifle?

Thanks.

Depends what you want to use it for. In Michigan, a gun has to be less than 26in in order to carry it under your CPL. Some people like to carry them in their car for that purpose. A rifle would have to be unloaded and readily inaccessible to the occupants. The drawbacks are less velocity and power, louder report and harder to hold steady and aim. "Arm braces" alleviate this to a degree.

General purpose use.

I have two children that will be out of the house in a few years. Presently, I own two ARs. Seems as though I'm at least one AR short, and I'm wondering whether a I should consider a pistol or just add another rifle.

You can throw it in your truck loaded if you have a permit, just like any other handgun. You won’t be doing that legally in Pennsylvania with a long gun.

A few months ago I would've thought "so what?" Not anymore....

I prefer a carbine for usage. Local laws may weigh heavily on your choice though, as already noted above.

With a extendable "brace" set up like the Ruger AR556, an AR pistol is for all practical purposes a legal, non-registered or taxed, short barreled rifle as far as I can see. Maybe worth having so that you're grandfathered in if the law changes. At least that was my thought when I bought mine.

This is exactly why I have pistol registered firearms, as long as you have a pistol brace on you can have it in your vehicle loaded. You can run a 20 inch upper if you would like.

This is exactly why I like to check in and ask questions on this forum from time to time. I hadn't considered that approach. So, as long as it's registered as a pistol, I can use an upper of just about any length but not vice versa, correct?

If I go with a pistol, would it be worth the money and hassle to get a suppressor? I just took a quick look around the Internet, and quality suppressors are selling for about as much as mid-priced ARs, not including the cost of the tax stamp.

I have a Sig MPX with a 6.5 inch barrel, 9mm that I run suppressed, it’s a pistol so I can carry it in my vehicle loaded. I also have a Sig rattler in 300 blackout with a 5.5 inch barrel that I run suppressed, it is also a pistol. And I have a few AR, pistol lowers, I Can run any upper length I want with them, i usually stick with 10.5 to 11.5. Suppressed, Still loud as hell though :-) 300 blackout and 9 mm with sub sonic ammo no hearing protection needed. I have one S BR in 5.56 which I would never do again.

A man should have both.

I couldn’t agree more, most of my acquaintances have both. Some people say a pistol is to fight your way to a rifle, Given the opportunity I’ll just start with the rifle.

Something else to consider are the laws about concealment. Here a rifle can sit in the seat next to you, loaded or not, but in a vehicle a pistol has to be concealed or holstered.

If I’ve got a long gun with me in the car it’s in the passenger seat, in the truck it’s tucked in the crack right next to the drivers seat.

CMIIW, but I believe if you leave your state with a suppressor, you have to notify the ATF first.
I'm just answering this to make sure it gets the attention it deserves, I don't know first hand.

True, you have to be aware of your local regulations. That’s a good deal you have in Texas I would take that in a heartbeat. I cannot have a loaded long arm in my vehicle. But I can have a pistol laying on my front seat, whether that would be a handgun or a pistol registered carbine .

BamBam,

Are there any shops and/or gunsmiths along the I81 corridor that you would recommend who really know their way around AR pistols and suppressors?

Thanks.

Coalcracker , Don’t know anyone up that way. I’m in Bucks County. I think the easiest way for you would be to order a pistol lower with the brace attached, ship to your nearest FFL, then buy a upper to suit your needs. As far as a suppressor I can put you in the right direction with an individual that I use, he is down by the old Willow Grove air base, straight up guy no BS. Other people will chime in with different ways of going the route that you want to go, you need to pick the Route that is the easiest and go with it.

https://www.gandrtactical.com/
Look at BCM pistol lower, SB tactical brace is one of the best if not the best brace at this time. There are other ways of acquiring A pistol carbine.,this has worked for me. You can build your own upper if you would like which I have done in the past or just buy a BCM Daniel defense LMT Colt, whatever you want.
I hope this works for you, best regards,Tom

PS :There are many on here with far more experience than me, hopefully they will chime in with other options.

Don't under estimate the capabilities of the modern AR pistols when braced. Sure I don't expect to when the black rifle challenge with one, but I can keep 20 out of 20 on man sized steel at 250 yards, and typically around 17 out of 20 at 500 meters with M855 ball ammo. Sure my rifles better, typically good for 20 out of 20 at 500, but it doesn't fit in gym bag either.

I think I'm leaning toward a .300 Blackout pistol with a suppressor.

Does anyone know whether you pay for the suppressor when purchased or when it's picked up after approval? Buying the pistol, some sort of iron sights or red dot, a suppressor and a tax stamp all at one time is a pretty big outlay.

300 blackout. Factory ammo is tough to come by right now, Even reloading components.I would highly recommend 5.56 easier to come by. Other people please chime in. The individual that I work with Will check for availability of the suppressor you are looking to purchase if he has access to it he will charge you for that suppressor. In the interim you can start your process for your paperwork. Your suppressor stays in his safe until your paperwork is complete submitted and return from the BATF. Right now wait times are 8 to 10 months some people little shorter some people little longer. I have one sitting in his safe waiting for the process to be completed. I would purchase your firearm first Get some time with it at the range, and then pick a suppressor up for it. If I can help you in anyway with your suppressor let me know I will put you in contact with the individual that I use.