9mm AR Carbines; Effective Range, Brands, etc.

S

Sgt.Fathead

Moderator
Since my wife and i both have S&W M&P 9mm pistols, I'd like to get a couple AR platformed 9mm carbines. They intrigue me no end. I've owned AR style rifles in 5.56/.223 and 6.8 but I really like a long gun in a pistol caliber, too.

We won't be using these for any long distance target or competition shooting, probably just plinking, HD, what-have-you. She loves her Savage .308 and I'm more of a pistol and shotgun shooter. I'm satisfied with my Mossy 12 pump for up to 100 yards with Sabot slugs. She's good to 200 with that Savage and doesn't hunt anyway.

So, anyone have an idea what kind of range I can expect with this type of carbine? I'm a Bushmaster fan and their models look good but I am open to suggestions.

Thanks.
 
So, I got an answer via a telephone call from a friend of mine. He has a Ruger PC9 (which he bought years ago when I bought my PC4, now sold) and also has a Beretta 9mm carbine. He's saying about 100 yards, ammo choices, bullet weights, etc., aside.

That's fine for what I want!

Now do I get an AR in 5.56 and get a 9mm upper? Hmmmm......
 
I am curious as to how the firing pin strikes will work on small pistol primers. We know that for 5.56 uses some thick primer cups to keep slam fires from happening. I know from experience that using 5.56 primers in 9mm will keep the 9mm from reliably firing in handguns. So, will the small pistol primers of 9mm factory ammo suffer from slam fires because they are more sensitive than 5.56 primers?
 
Depends on how much you want to spend. Personally, I don't much care for the AR platform and would therefore urge you to explore other options. First I would say to look at a Hi Point 9mm Carbine. I know the pistols have a questionable reputation, but I have literally never heard of anyone that wasn't tickled to death with theirs. In fact, there is an older couple that have matching Hi Points with red dots that go to the range together that live in my area.

The next option I would explore is the Beretta CX4 Storm. Pricier than the Hi Point but gorgeous and well thought of.

Of course, you bring up an excellent poimt yourself - if you get a decent AR lower, you can swap uppers around for different calibers. I believe you could get a 6.5 Grendel upper from Alexander Arms, they're supposed to be excellent. They're based where I live, and I've met the chief engineer (charmimg guy with a British accent) at the range testing parts. The AR platform offers a lot of versatility, and would do the job for 9mm without a doubt. You're just going to pay for it!
 
Pistol Caliber Carbine

The only way a pistol caliber carbine makes sense to me is if it takes the same magazines as your sidearm. I think the benefits are obvious for this kind of logistical thinking.

With that said, the Beretta CX4 makes a perfect compainion to a Beretta 92FS.

My 9mm sidearm is a Glock. Therefore, my only requirement in a Carbine was to share the same magazines.

I decided to go with a dedicated 9mm Lower that utilizes Glock Magazines.

Whichever way you decide to go, a 9mm Carbine is a lot of fun to shoot!!
 
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