Another AR pistol question

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

RobC

Sharpshooter
Supporting Member
Special Hen Supporter
Joined
May 28, 2006
Messages
2,467
Reaction score
0
Location
Baton Rouge
The thing about the logo was tongue in cheek.

It sounds like you are on the right track for reliability. I have never owned an AR pistol, but I have two SBRed lowers and have experimented with numerous uppers. I have had a couple of 7.5 inch DPMS Kitty Kat uppers, and while they were kinda fun, they were brutal to shoot. Even with the Noveske KX3 on the muzzle, it was like getting punched in the chest every time I squeezed the trigger. With that said, it makes for a mean looking little package, and I admit that every time I think about it, I consider getting another Kitty Kat upper.

Given that this is going to initially be a pistol, you might consider a 7.5 inch barrel. It will make for a slightly smaller overall package, though not by much if you elect to go with a KX3...and I would. There will likely be some people to come by shortly to tell you that 5.56 from a 7.5 inch barrel is ballistically worthless, but I'm sure that they would not volunteer to take a round or thirty. Besides, these are toys. Also, some will say that the 7.5s are not reliable. Well, in my experience, they are as reliable as any of my other uppers. Granted, I only shoot decent ammo, and always 5.56, never .223. I also had KX3 brakes on them that increased back pressure.

If you are serious about an SBR, I would opt for a 10.5 or 11.5 inch barrel. LMT makes pretty much the standard 10.5 inch upper right now. Everyone has one. I have had three or four in the last four or five years now. They have a reputation for reliability and are a part of the Mk18 that NSW Crane builds for VBSS and SEAL teams. Another option is a light weight 11.5 inch barrel, which I have come to enjoy lately. Colt 6933's upper is a favorite and CMMG makes a virtually identical upper. There is another member of this board with a CMMG light weight 11.5 inch barrel, and he is happy with it. I have heard that Bravo Company does now, or is planning to make, a similar upper.

The longer barrels are generally considered to be more reliable, and they obviously offer better ballistic performance. Although my experience with the very short uppers has not given me any reason to question their reliability. It is going to be a plain and simple noise maker, I might get a 7.5, just for the sake of converting powder into noise and muzzle blast on a crowd pleasing level. If you think that you want to do anything more serious, consider 10.5, 11.5, 12.5, or even a 14.5 M4. Also remember that the longer barrels generally equate to quieter performance if you buy a suppressor, and the suppressor will certainly last longer on a longer barrel. My KAC NT4 is at midlife after about 4,000 rounds through 10.5 inch barrels.

As for going to an A2 receiver...you should be sure that you do not want to run optics before you do that. The options for running optics on an A2 rifle are crummy at best, although workable. There are no good ways to use optics on an A2 pistol. With that said, I am an iron sight kinda guy. I have owned all of the big named AR optics and I keep coming back to iron sights. In fact, my very favorite AR right now is a 10.5 inch SBR with a slick side A1 receiver. My next build is likely going to be a 20 inch A2 rifle. Even though I know that red dot sights are faster, I simply prefer shooting with iron sights.

If you use quality components, make sure to use an M16 BCG and an H2 or H3 buffer, I doubt that you have any trouble with reliability. If you do have trouble with it, there are numerous people on this board that can diagnose and help.

I can't resist posting pictures of my favorite shorty. The rifle and can look so new in this pic. I should upload a more current picture.
[Broken External Image]

[Broken External Image]

Here it is sporting a different suppressor, my AAC Ranger II. It has since had almost all of it's finish cooked off by this gun.
[Broken External Image]


Rob
 

RobC

Sharpshooter
Supporting Member
Special Hen Supporter
Joined
May 28, 2006
Messages
2,467
Reaction score
0
Location
Baton Rouge
If you don't mind me asking, where did you find a Kitty Kat? If my spare SBR lower does not sell, I may pick up another Kitty Kat upper.



Thanks,
Rob
 

Shoot Summ

Sharpshooter
Supporting Member
Special Hen Supporter
Joined
Dec 24, 2006
Messages
6,259
Reaction score
1,367
Location
Tulsa
If you don't mind me asking, where did you find a Kitty Kat? If my spare SBR lower does not sell, I may pick up another Kitty Kat upper.



Thanks,
Rob

I'm urging him to buy your lower, that is a good deal on it, if Mike doesn't jump on it I will....
 

WhiteyMacD

Sharpshooter
Special Hen
Joined
May 11, 2009
Messages
8,173
Reaction score
60
Location
Mustang
If you have a AR Pistol that is marked pistol and other AR's, is it legal to own an additional 7.5 upper that isn't on a rifle?

I dont think it would be any different if you had 2 shorty uppers for an SBR with non stamped ar in the house. I was informed by ATF that wouldnt be a problem so I would assume goes for pistol and non stamped rifle.

Keyword: ASSUME.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom