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So, you decided to buy an AR15 Pistol. A great choice of firearm, for sure, but one question remains: in a market so full of options, which one should you buy?
Well, you're in luck, because this article is going to show you the best AR-15 pistols on the market.
Comparison of the Best AR-15 Pistols
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What is an AR Pistol?
Here is a question enthusiasts are often asking- what is an AR 15 pistol anyway? Well, it's a pistol built with AR parts. They have the same upper and lower receivers, as well as the same BCGs. So, what is the real difference? Well, they tend to be smaller and, in some cases, will have a different buffer system.
Their small stature also means that AR Pistols tend to have shorter barrels as well. For example, 7.5-inch is the length you'd usually find on an AR rifle (the ones with .223 or 5.56 cartridges). However, the 9MM AR Pistol would have a 4-inch barrel.
Foxtrot Mike (FM) Product 9MM AR Pistol - 3"
Characteristics of Our Favorite AR-15 Pistols
Not every pistol is built the same, but all the best AR-15 pistols have at least one or more of these qualities. What are they? Well, read on!
Lightweight and Compact
The most important factor in choosing an AR pistol is finding out whether it's lightweight and compact. A lightweight AR-15 pistol is essential because, otherwise, why not just go for an AR 15 rifle? And the same goes for a compact. But how compact? Well, honestly, a 10.5-inch is probably the shortest you can go without losing any accuracy. Under 10.5 inches, you're going to make a big boom and a big flash. And if it's over 10.5 inches, well, then it's no longer a pistol.
Customizability
The AR-15 is a very customizable weapon, to begin with, but it's always good to keep in mind when you're buying an AR-15 pistol. Most of the point of buying one of these weapons (besides the fact that they are fun to shoot) is that you can interchange the parts like a bunch of legos. Look for an AR-15 pistol that's not only customizable but is also easy to customize. No use spending a bunch of time changing out BCGs or buffers.
Fun
Sure, you could get a nice and quiet 10.5-inch barrel, or you could get a 7.5 and wake up your entire neighborhood! One of the major selling points of an AR-15 pistol is that the shorter the barrel, the louder the boom! And not to mention the fireball it makes.
Review of the Best AR-15 Pistols
Let's take a look at this year's top picks.
Best Overall:
Wilson Combat - Ar-15 Protector Pistol
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
From what we could gather from the sparse reviews out there was that people were impressed with how lightweight this AR Pistol ended up being. They knew they were in for a lightweight gun, but the WC Ar-15 Protector Pistol took them by surprise.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Besides the fact that this AR Pistol is very lightweight, and has impressive accuracy, what stood out to us the most was the 2-stage Tactical Trigger unit. AR Pistols are known for being a little heavy on the recoil even with stock or brace; however, this pull was one of the smoothest on the market. We were genuinely impressed by the pull on this trigger. It was like pressing down on a cloud. A loud cloud for sure, but a cloud nonetheless. Smooth, easy, just all around a great time pulling the trigger on this gun.
Bottom Line
If you're looking for a lightweight, accurate, and easy to use AR-15 Pistol, then look no further than the Wilson Combat Ar-15 Protector Pistol. Sure, it can be pricey, but you can be pretty sure you're going to be one of the first people you know to own one! And when you do buy one, please put a review on the internet.
Runner-up:
Foxtrot Mike (FM) Product 9MM AR Pistol - 3"
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers have found that this weapon is light and compact, easy to carry around if you're looking for that kind of thing. They love this gun; however, what they are a little off-put about is the brace. A lot of people have needed to replace the one that comes with the gun.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We love this pistol a lot. It has a great price and it's reliable, but we have to agree with buyers that this is one of the best AR-15 pistols out there if you're looking for something light and compact. Short and sweet are two words we would use to describe this gun because that's what it is. If you're looking for something small to keep in your truck, under your bed, or somewhere you'd need to put a small gun (sidearm, perhaps?), then this is probably the AR-15 pistol for you.
Bottom Line
What else is there to say about the Foxtrot Mike (FM) Product 9MM AR Pistol that hasn't already been said? Sure the brace kind of stinks, and the trigger sometimes can be a little stiff, but for a 9MM AR-15 pistol, it's one of the best we've seen. Small, decently priced, and reliable. What more could you want?
3.Ruger AR-556 5.56 NATO 10.5" Pistol
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers adored how compact this AR-15 pistol ended up being. You can pretty much bring this thing anywhere, they cried, which is probably one of the best selling points for any AR-15 pistol. The Ruger AR-556 5.56 NATO 10.5-inch Pistol also ended up being pretty lightweight as well. It honestly was the best of both worlds.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Honestly, we just loved how this gun seemed to be the best starter AR-15 pistol on the market. The price was great, and it was, of course, very compact and light. This pistol is the one you'd a friend start with. We knew once we looked closer at the Ruger AR-556 5.56 NATO 10.5" Pistol that it should be on our list no matter what, and at the end of the day, we made it our runner up. Seriously, this is a great gun, not to be looked down upon just because it's number two.
Bottom Line
The bottom line is this: if you're looking for an AR-15 pistol to start with, then pick up the Ruger AR-556 5.56 NATO 10.5-inch Pistol. Pick it up, and then put it in your car. So what if it’s not the fanciest of guns? Since when were we judging guns based on bells and whistles anyway?
Best for the Money:
PSA 8.5" Pistol-Length 5.56 NATO 1/7 Nitride
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
A lot of buyers seemed to focus on how well this gun is concealed. They were putting the Psa 8.5-inch Pistol-Length 5.56 Nato 1/7 Nitride 7-inch Lightweight M-Lok Classic Sob Pistol everywhere – under beds, in closets, and especially in trucks. A lot of reviewers were pleased with this gun as a truck gun.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It is all about that fit and finishes combo for this gun, and this is one of the best we've ever seen. A nitride barrel, a Hardcoat Anodized black receiver, all of it is forged aluminum from the buffer to muzzle, and it's impressive. We always thought that you should try and buy guns made from forged metals, so here we are once again touting that.
And, of course, we would be remiss if we didn't mention the price. For the enthusiast looking to save some money, we have to recommend this AR-15 Pistol. All in all, the Psa 8.5" Pistol-Length 5.56 Nato 1/7 Nitride 7" Lightweight M-Lok Classic Sob Pistol is awesome.
Bottom Line
The bottom line is this– this is a great priced gun. It's easy to conceal, and the fit and finish are one of the best we've seen on the market today. If you don't mind a little boom (well, a big boom) and want to save some cash, this may be the pistol for you. Just be careful, it gets hot!
Best Diamondback AR-15 Pistol:
Diamondback Firearms DB15
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
What surprised a lot of recent buyers was just how light this gun is really. At only an average of 5 pounds, this is one of the best guns you can buy if you need something to carry around. Great as a sidearm, great for on the go.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This gun stands out for a whole lot of reasons, mostly with how light it is, which is what a lot of recent buyers are saying. However, we were struck by the finish. Honestly, we have a hard time recommending any gun not made of forged steel, but this one got past our, well, forged-metal hearts.
Sure the frame is made of forged aluminum, the barrel is 4150 Chrome Moly, and the receiver is made of the same stuff as the frame (i.e. aluminum). But, we managed to get past all that and were impressed by the overall finish on this AR-15 pistol. Not bad, Diamondback Firearms, not bad.
Bottom Line
If you want a great gun with a good finish, look no further than the Diamondback Firearms DB15. It's light, fun, and an all-around great AR-15 pistol. All right, yes, it is a bit on the long side, and the forged aluminum is a letdown. However, this is a stellar gun with a lot of character.
Comparison Overview
Still not sure which is the best AR-15 pistol for you? Here are some direct comparisons to help you decide:
AR Pistol vs SBR
The main difference between an AR Pistol and an SBR comes down to two things:
- Buttstock. An SBR has one, but an AR Pistol does not.
- Legality. The AR Pistol is legal for every (American) to have, but the SBR requires special paperwork.
AR Pistol vs Rifle
Pretty simple difference here, as we have previously mentioned. The Pistol is usually smaller than the rifle and usually has a shorter barrel as well.
7.5 vs 10.5 AR Pistol
The biggest difference (besides the barrel length, the 7.5 is 7.5 inches and the 10.5 is 10.5 inches) is in how loud and how big the flash is. Sure, the 10.5 is going to make a big boom, but if you want to be the loudest thing in the city, then go with the short barrel of the 7.5. The same goes for the flash. The 10.5 is nothing to shake a stick at, but the 7.5 is like looking into the sun. No, it's like being in the sun.
Foxtrot Mike (FM) Product 9MM AR Pistol - 3"
8.5 vs 10.5 AR Pistol
Once again, you have barrel sizes, and, once again, you have how loud/bright these two guns can get (the shorter the barrel length, the louder and brighter the flash). But another factor that differentiates the two of them is that you get better downrange ballistics with a longer barrel. If that's something you might care about, then keep that in mind.
AR Pistol Lower vs Rifle Lower
Physically, the pistol lower and the rifle lower are pretty similar. However, the main difference is how each comes configured. The pistol is going to have a brace, whereas the rifle is probably going to have a stock. Besides that, however, the two are very similar in look and feel.
AR Pistol Brace vs Stock
The difference between a brace and a stock, especially for an AR-15 Pistol, is very simple. The stock is placed against the shoulder to stabilize the gun, whereas the brace usually goes around the arm. Both serve the same purpose, however– stabilization.
Conclusion
We hope this review of the best AR-15 pistols was able to provide a detailed assessment of a range of pistols to choose from! Be sure to follow our guidelines and examine the pros and cons of each pistol to ensure you get the right one for your needs. Each pistol is different and it’s important to compare and contract before making a purchase. Understanding your pistol is one of the most important factors before making a major purchase like this!
People Also Ask
Still, have questions? We have more answers. Here are some of the common things people ask about when considering an AR-15 pistol.
Can I Carry an AR Pistol in My Car?
The short answer to this question is yes (generally in the United States, check state laws), you can; however, there is a lot of controversy as to whether you should. Some groups on the internet swear that the AR-15 pistol is a great truck gun, while others think keeping that kind of gun in your car is silly. It all comes down to preference.
Are AR-15 Pistols Any Good?
An excellent question - is an AR 15 pistol any good? Hopefully, this article has answered this question with a resounding yes. Not only are AR-15 pistols great and reliable guns, but they are also a real blast to shoot, especially if you want your gun to be loud and make a big fiery flash.
What is the Point of an AR-15 Pistol?
Besides the fact that they are a cool, reliable group of weapons that are fun to shoot? Well, if you need a point, if you've ever wanted to own an SBR, then the AR Pistol is a great way to get around those pesky SBR regulations. Just don't tell the ATF we said that.
Can You Put a 16 Inch Upper on a Pistol Lower?
Here's a great question with an interesting answer. Yes, you can put a 16-inch upper on a pistol lower. However, when you do that, it's no longer considered a pistol. And, if it doesn't have stock, then it's not considered a rifle either. So what is it? Well, it's defined as an "other".
What Buffer For an AR Pistol?
Interesting wording of the question, but we get the gist. There are a lot of buffers you can go for when getting an AR-15 pistol, but the recommended one is an H2 over an H or carbine buffer because it is the most compatible with the AR-15 Pistol loadout. However, it's always best to shop around.
How to Measure Overall Length of AR Pistol
Luckily for everyone out there, our friends at the good old ATF have given us enthusiasts a helpful way to measure AR-15 pistols. They say we need to measure from the end of the buffer tube to the end of the muzzle, or muzzle device. Thanks again, ATF!