Anyone Have A 9 MM AR-15?

[billt]

I'm toying with the idea of getting one for no other reason except for the "fun factor". Both Colt and Rock River Arms make them. I read the Rock River model now has an integral magazine block built into the receiver. I was just wondering how well they run? It would be kind of nice as far as ammo cost. I can handload the .223 pretty cheap, but I doubt I can compare to the $9.47 box of 50 price for the Wal-Mart Federal Ball 9 MM. No where near the power level and range of a .223, but hotter than a .22 LR. I just wondered if any of you guys have had any experience with them? A nice local shop near me has a new RRA 9 MM Carbine for a grand and change.   Bill T.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=150592840

[ericire12]

STOP THE PRESSES! We've finally found something that Bill doesnt have.

[philw]

STOP THE PRESSES! We've finally found something that Bill doesnt have.

for how long though

[billt]

STOP THE PRESSES! We've finally found something that Bill doesnt have.

Actually Melanie would like to get it. The closest our gun club range will allow centerfire rifle to be shot is 100 yards. But they'll allow pistol rounds in rifles on the 25 yard handgun range. 9 MM AR-15's, .44 Magnum, .45 Colt lever guns and the like.  Bill T.

[kilopaparomeo]

Could it be true?  I have one...and Billt doesn't?  Then again, he's prolly got lots of stuff I don't so I'll just stop talking now before I bite off more than I can chew...  mumble, mumble, mumble  



I have an Oly Arms 9mm upper (bottom one in the photo above).  I got a very good deal on the upper several years ago as I was shooting 3 gun matches at my club back in Illinois.  The match was set up to be a modern version of Cowboy Action Shooting...same rules, just using modern arms.  Pistol caliber carbines only.  I was using my .45 Colt Winny 92 and thought I wanted something more tacticool.

It is a fun gun, but not the most reliable...the biggest issue is the positioniing of the mag in relation to the bolt.  Here's my points on the rifle:

+ The hammer had to be modified (top smoothed off to remove the little "notch" on a stock hammer) so it would reliably contact the firing pin
+ Many people have reported that they needed a pistol caliber specific buffer...my stock carbine buffer is fine
+ This upper did not come with any magazines...Oly Arms sells modified Sten mags that fit in the mag well without an additional mag well block however I haven't tried these.  I did buy a mag well block that fits in the well but it relies on modifiying the little bumps on the mag to limit how far it goes into the well during a speed reload.  it is possible to blow right through the mag catch on the block and jam the mag deep into the action...causing misfeeds and stoppages.  For this reason, the current set up is not something I'll use in competition or for home defense.
+ No bolt hold open...to me, makes it not a serious fighting rifle but a toy.  BHO is a requirement (sorry AK fans)

For a range toy, if you take the care to gently insert mags and make sure they are locked in correctly, then it functions fine.  It has surprisingly about the same recoil as a .223 because it is blowback and has a heavy bolt.   There is a much less blast of course, so the total perceived recoil (including noise which is the disconcerting thing about ARs for inexperienced shooters) is much lower.

Again, it is a fun range toy but in currrent config I wouldn't trust my life to it.  

[Sponsor]

[billt]

Thanks Kilopaparomeo,

I wonder if this newer Rock River model has better dependability with the integral magazine block? I hate like hell to take a chance on a gun that might wind up a headache. I may take a ride and at least look at the thing. I really like the concept, I just want it to work.

I balked at a Kahr Arms Thompson a while back for the same reason. The gun is beautifully crafted of nicely blued steel and Walnut, but after talking to several people who have them I passed because many had dependability issues with the gun running correctly out of the box. A few had success with them, but it wasn't a high enough ratio for me to gamble over $1,400.00 on. One would think these companies would get the bugs out of these things before going to market with them.   Bill T.

[billt]

Mel and I looked at a Colt .22 LR AR-15. It was a nice looking piece. Except for the magazine, it was almost impossible to tell from the real deal. She just thought the 9 MM would raise the "fun factor" a bit. I tend to agree. Anyway we may go and check it out later on today or tomorrow. I'll let you guys know what we decided.  Bill T.

[2HOW]

I shot a friends an AR-10 I believe its called. I thought it was pretty weak. I would buy a high point carbine before sinking money into a IMO a rifle that has no practical use. YMMV

[kilopaparomeo]

I wonder if this newer Rock River model has better dependability with the integral magazine block? I hate like hell to take a chance on a gun that might wind up a headache. I may take a ride and at least look at the thing. I really like the concept, I just want it to work.

I suspect that a gun that is built from ground up as a 9mm, including the mag well, would run.  RRA has a great reputation also.  Remember, mine is set up to run unaltered Sten gun mags so you are losing a bit of customization in comparison to a purpose built gun.

I agree on 9mm vs a 22 upper...fun factor is higher with a bit of recoil.

[billt]

I forgot to mention the obvious. I don't care for the fact it doesn't come with a carry handle / A-2 sight. If we get this thing Mel likes iron sights, and she shoots them well. I'll have to buy a carry handle / sight for it. I've never purchased one before, and I know everyone and their brother makes them in just about any price range. Can any of you guys recommend one? It doesn't have to be a top of the line model. I just want something that has good quality and sight mechanics. Comments?  Bill T.