Advice for 9mm PCC? Have AR Rifle Lower to build up and ideally would like to use Glock Magazines

[Shellbackitup]

mixing a few things here:

A lower reg'd as a rifle can never be a pistol - the difference between a pistol and a rifle is barrel length and buttstock vs. brace. You had referenced "PCC" and that is a term used typically to describe an AR Pistol (<16" barrel, brace etc) that shoots pistol calibers, at least thats always what it means when I have heard it. If someone is building out a rifle, they usually just call it an AR9.

The freedom mag restriction applies even to rifles, but has an exception if you build it as a featureless you can use the standard cap mags without an issue.

THAT explains it!

For me, I'm a HUGE carbine guy.

But when I say carbine I just mean a short rifle, like my lever actions, pump actions, and bolt actions with a 16" to 20" or so barrel which are all pistol calibers, or my Mini-14 and Mini 30, or SKS carbine, etc.

An AR rifle to me is already a carbine.

But a PCC was a term I'm somewhat new to. I assumed it encompassed all my pistol caliber lever action, pump action, and bolt action carbines.

I didn't realize in it's common usage that it meant an AR Pistol.

Thanks for the education!

EDIT: Now I'm even more confused, as ISPA says PCC's are rifles with a stock.

So is an AR Pistol not considered a PCC in competition, but is a PCC in common parlance? I'm getting some bad info somewhere

EDIT2: Good discussion here, I learned a lot

 

[JackRydden224]

Problem is, I don't have any AR's to begin with.

This is my first AR, and it's sat in parts in a box for many years since I mainly shoot pistol calibers and lever actions.

So all the benefits of the same motions, using mag pouches, etc. doesn't really apply to me.

I never built up my first AR because I was never a huge fan of the platform, even if I did get my ribbon with E in the Navy.

I figured using the AR Lower and Glock magazines that I already had would be a good solution.

I'm finding out it's likely not a good solution, or at least not one that anyone here seems to use or like.

Adding another magazine like the exomag is a possibility, but then I'm limited to 10 rounds.

You can use an adapter and your Glock mags but the finer options from Mean Arms or CMMG won't work.

What is your priority here? The cheapest / easiest way to get started with an AR pattern PCC or to build a nice shooter with some kind of delayed operation?

 

[RustVendor]

mixing a few things here:

A lower reg'd as a rifle can never be a pistol - the difference between a pistol and a rifle is barrel length and buttstock vs. brace. You had referenced "PCC" and that is a term used typically to describe an AR Pistol (<16" barrel, brace etc) that shoots pistol calibers, at least thats always what it means when I have heard it. If someone is building out a rifle, they usually just call it an AR9.

The freedom mag restriction applies even to rifles, but has an exception if you build it as a featureless you can use the standard cap mags without an issue.

I've never heard that, especially because USPSA PPC division requires it be a rifle. This can mean that its an SBR in states where that's legal but it can't be a pistol.

 

[Shellbackitup]

You can use an adapter and your Glock mags but the finer options from Mean Arms or CMMG won't work.

What is your priority here? The cheapest / easiest way to get started with an AR pattern PCC or to build a nice shooter with some kind of delayed operation?

My goal was to build a 9mm AR with the existing AR rifle lower that is sitting in my closet.

Since I own many std capacity Glock mags, I thought I might be able to use them.

I thought I could get an adapter for the mags and a 9mm upper that works on a standard AR lower, and wanted to see what people's experience was, and what brands they have used and like/don't like.

 

[Skilly]

I've never heard that, especially because USPSA PPC division requires it be a rifle. This can mean that its an SBR in states where that's legal but it can't be a pistol.

yeah, really I'm just referencing what Ive been exposed to when I have heard PCC referenced...which isnt worth much, beyond explaining why I immediately thought about building out a an AR15/ 9mm Pistol. lol.

 

[JackRydden224]

My goal was to build a 9mm AR with the existing AR rifle lower that is sitting in my closet.

Since I own many std capacity Glock mags, I thought I might be able to use them.

I thought I could get an adapter for the mags and a 9mm upper that works on a standard AR lower, and wanted to see what people's experience was, and what brands they have used and like/don't like.

Got it. I can't be much help if that's the route since I have no experience using a Glock mag adapter for standard AR lowers.

 

[RustVendor]

My goal was to build a 9mm AR with the existing AR rifle lower that is sitting in my closet.

Since I own many std capacity Glock mags, I thought I might be able to use them.

I thought I could get an adapter for the mags and a 9mm upper that works on a standard AR lower, and wanted to see what people's experience was, and what brands they have used and like/don't like.

honestly , I would just try an adapter and see what happens. I know there's one in the under 100$ range.

 

[Borky]

I wanted to build a featureless 9mm carbine using my legally owned standard capacity Glock mags.

I have a featureless AR9, all it is: Ruger Complete AR lower, Palmetto State Armory 16" complete upper https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa...-13-5-hex-m-lok-railed-upper-with-bcg-ch.html , swapped the flash hider for a thread protector, swapped the grip for a Fin, and a strike industry stock stop for the adjustable stock. Currently running 10 Rnd Exomags, did debate getting the stern and running Glock mags but i don't own any other Glock mag firearms. There are cheaper ways to build one but i wanted simplicity, and the LRBHO works on the PSA upper. Running exomags you will have an easier time swapping uppers if you were to share the lower for multiple configurations.

 

[Borky]

 

[Darqhelmet]

Mean Arms bearing delayed upper using exomags are the way to go. It made the rest of my PCC’s completely irrelevant. The MPX is an overweight hog compared to it.

14.5 upper on an Aero PDQ lower

This is what I have been looking at since the Ruger is dead. Or a CMMG upper.

 

[JackRydden224]

This is what I have been looking at since the Ruger is dead. Or a CMMG upper.

It's worth the money and wait. I also have the unrivaled buffer as part of the setup and it's just fantastic with how soft it is and how little the gun moves.

The CMMG is more accessible though. Once you shoot an AR9 with a delay operation you can't go back to a direct blowback.

 

[Shellbackitup]

Great info and recommendations on uppers

Delayed action seems to be top of the line, but only works with exomags, not glock adapters. Or I can go with a blowback upper, try a glock adapter, and if the adapter doesn't work, switch to exomags.

Food for thought for sure...

 

[RustVendor]

It's worth the money and wait. I also have the unrivaled buffer as part of the setup and it's just fantastic with how soft it is and how little the gun moves.

The CMMG is more accessible though. Once you shoot an AR9 with a delay operation you can't go back to a direct blowback.

I can't remember if it was you that I was talking to on here a few months back but I've wanted to try a Mean arms just to compare to my Maxim rdb. I've tried a JP5 side by side and honestly the difference isn't drastic as far as dot bounce. I feel like just having proper framing and support support hand pressure is more than adequate to get my cheap PCC to perform to my skill level at least.

 

[RustVendor]

Great info and recommendations on uppers

Delayed action seems to be top of the line, but only works with exomags, not glock adapters. Or I can go with a blowback upper, try a glock adapter, and if the adapter doesn't work, switch to exomags.

Food for thought for sure...

actaully the Maxim RDB buffer that I recommended above is a Roller Delayed Blowback, it really does work well for the price. There's obviously fancier roller delayed systems that cost substantially more.

 

[JackRydden224]

Great info and recommendations on uppers

Delayed action seems to be top of the line, but only works with exomags, not glock adapters. Or I can go with a blowback upper, try a glock adapter, and if the adapter doesn't work, switch to exomags.

Food for thought for sure...

CMMG's Radial delayed setups will work with their Glock pattern lowers. It's more expensive for you since you'll have to buy a new lower
but it'll work.

 

[Darqhelmet]

Great info and recommendations on uppers

Delayed action seems to be top of the line, but only works with exomags, not glock adapters. Or I can go with a blowback upper, try a glock adapter, and if the adapter doesn't work, switch to exomags.

Food for thought for sure...

Going to be honest. The only glock mag AR9 I gave shot was a JR Carbine. It was a purpose built lower and was still kind of meh. Could have just been the rifle though.

 

[JackRydden224]

I can't remember if it was you that I was talking to on here a few months back but I've wanted to try a Mean arms just to compare to my Maxim rdb. I've tried a JP5 side by side and honestly the difference isn't drastic as far as dot bounce. I feel like just having proper framing and support support hand pressure is more than adequate to get my cheap PCC to perform to my skill level at least.

If you want I can probably ship my upper to you for you to try it out. We have a not so discrete mutual friend.

 

[Darqhelmet]

Great source btw:

Blowback9.com

No-BS information for the 9mm AR.

blowback9.wordpress.com

 

[RustVendor]

If you want I can probably ship my upper to you for you to try it out. We have a not so discrete mutual friend.

Lol yeah. It was him trying my PCC that got him asking about PCCs, he kept saying "why would you want a PCC" and then I showed him and he's like "ohhhhhh yeah I want one". I'm more just hypothetically curious for the moment due to how much the mean arms uppers cost though, I doubt I would buy one anytime soon I only shoot PCC matches a few times a year

 

[JackRydden224]

Lol yeah. It was him trying my PCC that got him asking about PCCs, he kept saying "why would you want a PCC" and then I showed him and he's like "ohhhhhh yeah I want one". I'm more just hypothetically curious for the moment due to how much the mean arms uppers cost though, I doubt I would buy one anytime soon I only shoot PCC matches a few times a year

My setup is an exceptionally fun plinker since I don't compete. I also wanted to consolidate guns into nicer (premium) setups as opposed ot having a bunch of mid level guns.