Building New AR - 9mm or .45? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Mrs. CAR-10 · 03-31-2007, 08:14 PM

My husband is going to build me my own AR. We can't decide if it should be 9mm or a .45 caliber. I don't want the Beretta CX4. It will be something fun for me to shoot. The 9mm is cheaper to shoot, but the build would be more expensive. The .45 is a little more expensive to shoot, cheaper to build. But it is harder to find all of the necessary components, since the .45 isn't as common of a build. And I guess if the gun is ever used for self defense, the .45 would be better than the 9mm. I put .223 as a poll option for anyone who thinks a pistol caliber in a long gun would be a waste of time and $$$.

So please vote and chime in on pros/cons of either! Thanks.

ETA: Forgot to add .45 as an option, don't know how to edit it into the poll options! Sorry. Grrr.

**Alaskapopo** · 03-31-2007, 08:17 PM

You don't want to hear this but skip the pistol calibers and do the build in .223. Its a far better round that makes sense in the AR. Also .223 is not too bad to shoot for cost and its even cheaper if you reload.

But between the 9mm and the 45 in an AR get the 9mm. Its far easier to get the magazines and get the gun running right. Plus the 45 only offers a slight increase in terminal performance.
Pat

Talon · 03-31-2007, 09:13 PM

Hello Ms...

+1 to AP....

FWIW if your going to build then build for the .223 or even a .308 on the AR platform

The .223 isnt that expensive to shoot esp. if you reload..

Peace
Talon

Mrs. CAR-10 · 03-31-2007, 09:30 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. Husband already has a .308. It is too heavy for me to shoot standing up (I have to use a bipod), and it is too long for me to carry (it touches the ground when I use the sling he has on it). I have considered the .223, and want one in the future, but there are already several AR-15s and AR-10s in my family (between my husband, brother, and grandfather). I want something a little different to take to the range.

SLCDave · 03-31-2007, 09:34 PM

9mm ballistics will improve more from the longer barrel than the .45 will. It will be cheaper to choot as well. What do you shoot more of in the handgun realm? Go with that.

ScottyPotty · 03-31-2007, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs. CAR-10

Thanks for the suggestions. Husband already has a .308. It is too heavy for me to shoot standing up (I have to use a bipod), and it is too long for me to carry (it touches the ground when I use the sling he has on it). I have considered the .223, and want one in the future, but there are already several AR-15s and AR-10s in my family (between my husband, brother, and grandfather). I want something a little different to take to the range.

I voted .223 but your already answered your own question.

**Alaskapopo** · 03-31-2007, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLCDave

9mm ballistics will improve more from the longer barrel than the .45 will. It will be cheaper to choot as well. What do you shoot more of in the handgun realm? Go with that.

Thats not quite true. If you compare +p 45 ballistics they improve as much as the hotest 9mm. But the point is moot because neither improve enough to reach rifle performance. In fact their improvement is negligable at the most 200 fps.
Pat

Mrs. CAR-10 · 03-31-2007, 09:48 PM

Oops! Forgot to add .45 as an option.

Anybody know how to edit the actual poll? Thanks!

**Alaskapopo** · 03-31-2007, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs. CAR-10

Oops! Forgot to add .45 as an option.

Anybody know how to edit the actual poll? Thanks!

No just start a new thread.
Pat

Mrs. CAR-10 · 03-31-2007, 10:14 PM

Okay, I started a new poll. Sorry for the dumb mistake! Please follow link here to vote:

AR Build - .45 or 9mm

View Poll Results: .223 or 9mm AR Build
.223	9	64.29%
9mm	5	35.71%
Voters: 14. You may not vote on this poll

03-31-2007, 08:14 PM	#1
Mrs. CAR-10 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 354	Building New AR - 9mm or .45? My husband is going to build me my own AR. We can't decide if it should be 9mm or a .45 caliber. I don't want the Beretta CX4. It will be something fun for me to shoot. The 9mm is cheaper to shoot, but the build would be more expensive. The .45 is a little more expensive to shoot, cheaper to build. But it is harder to find all of the necessary components, since the .45 isn't as common of a build. And I guess if the gun is ever used for self defense, the .45 would be better than the 9mm. I put .223 as a poll option for anyone who thinks a pistol caliber in a long gun would be a waste of time and $$$. So please vote and chime in on pros/cons of either! Thanks. ETA: Forgot to add .45 as an option, don't know how to edit it into the poll options! Sorry. Grrr. __________________ XD-45 XD-9SC *** Don't go stupid places. Don't hang out with stupid people. Don't do stupid things. -- John Farnham Men are taught to apologize for their weaknesses, women for their strengths. -- Lois Wyse Last edited by Mrs. CAR-10 : 03-31-2007 at 09:52 PM.

03-31-2007, 08:17 PM	#2
Alaskapopo XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Alaska Posts: 2,645	You don't want to hear this but skip the pistol calibers and do the build in .223. Its a far better round that makes sense in the AR. Also .223 is not too bad to shoot for cost and its even cheaper if you reload. But between the 9mm and the 45 in an AR get the 9mm. Its far easier to get the magazines and get the gun running right. Plus the 45 only offers a slight increase in terminal performance. Pat __________________ Colt M16/AR15,1911 & Glock Armorer. Certified Firearms Instructor & Urban Rifle Instructor. Completed SWAT Entry Team and SWAT Sniper courses. NRA Endowment Member IDPA Expert level shooter in CDP, ESP and SSP. USPSA A 56876 IDPA A27468

03-31-2007, 09:13 PM	#3
Talon XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 443	Hello Ms... +1 to AP.... FWIW if your going to build then build for the .223 or even a .308 on the AR platform The .223 isnt that expensive to shoot esp. if you reload.. Peace Talon __________________ Take your time... Don't live too fast, Troubles will come and they will pass....

03-31-2007, 09:30 PM	#4
Mrs. CAR-10 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 354	Thanks for the suggestions. Husband already has a .308. It is too heavy for me to shoot standing up (I have to use a bipod), and it is too long for me to carry (it touches the ground when I use the sling he has on it). I have considered the .223, and want one in the future, but there are already several AR-15s and AR-10s in my family (between my husband, brother, and grandfather). I want something a little different to take to the range. __________________ XD-45 XD-9SC *** Don't go stupid places. Don't hang out with stupid people. Don't do stupid things. -- John Farnham Men are taught to apologize for their weaknesses, women for their strengths. -- Lois Wyse

03-31-2007, 09:34 PM	#5
SLCDave XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 1,983	9mm ballistics will improve more from the longer barrel than the .45 will. It will be cheaper to choot as well. What do you shoot more of in the handgun realm? Go with that. __________________ We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate. Thomas Jefferson Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

03-31-2007, 09:48 PM	#8
Mrs. CAR-10 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 354	Oops! Forgot to add .45 as an option. Anybody know how to edit the actual poll? Thanks! __________________ XD-45 XD-9SC *** Don't go stupid places. Don't hang out with stupid people. Don't do stupid things. -- John Farnham Men are taught to apologize for their weaknesses, women for their strengths. -- Lois Wyse

03-31-2007, 10:14 PM	#10
Mrs. CAR-10 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 354	Okay, I started a new poll. Sorry for the dumb mistake! Please follow link here to vote: AR Build - .45 or 9mm __________________ XD-45 XD-9SC *** Don't go stupid places. Don't hang out with stupid people. Don't do stupid things. -- John Farnham Men are taught to apologize for their weaknesses, women for their strengths. -- Lois Wyse

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