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

Mrs. CAR-10 · 03-31-2007, 10:11 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 $$$.

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.

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

Okay, forgot to add .45 as an option in my first thread and couldn't edit the poll, so I am starting a new thread per alaskapopo's suggestion. Sorry, I was stupid. Grrr.

The Knight Of Light · 03-31-2007, 10:28 PM

What's your favourite color?

Hwkeye · 03-31-2007, 10:29 PM

I think you need to make a .22LR AR-15... now that would be a rockin good time!!

**nikon777** · 03-31-2007, 11:00 PM

I question the reliabilty of pistol caliber ARs. Ive entertained the thought of a 9mm AR, still not sold on it. Just curious on you reason for not wanting the CX4 storm?

Hwkeye · 03-31-2007, 11:05 PM

Yeah... that CX storm looks sweet!!

BTW 500 Posts!!

**nikon777** · 04-01-2007, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hwkeye

BTW 500 Posts!!

Ahh, so that's why you've been such a lil post whore.....trying to hit 500.

Hwkeye
Join Date: 03-05-2007
Total Posts: 510 (18.99 posts per day)

hikeeba · 04-01-2007, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikon777

I question the reliabilty of pistol caliber ARs. Ive entertained the thought of a 9mm AR, still not sold on it. Just curious on you reason for not wanting the CX4 storm?

I was in jib-jabbing at a local shop/range this last week asking AR questions. This place has an Olympic Arms 9mm AR in their rental fleet. They said the 9mm AR gets rented out A LOT, and everyone really enjoys shooting it. The shop has had it for about a year, and it has been cleaned maybe 3 times. They said it has been extremely reliable with no reported hiccups. For what it's worth...

**Alaskapopo** · 04-01-2007, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikon777

I question the reliabilty of pistol caliber ARs. Ive entertained the thought of a 9mm AR, still not sold on it. Just curious on you reason for not wanting the CX4 storm?

Not much to go wrong on a blow back 9mm carbine. Hell even High point can do it right. I had a Colt 9mm Ar and it worked fine. I just don't care for pistol caliber pop guns.
Pat

jeff221 · 04-01-2007, 05:58 AM

I've got two solutions for you...

1) AR Pistol - Chambered for .223. this is my next investment, it looks like it will be a ton of fun to shoot, and chamber for .223 it an excellent home defense weapon.

or

2) Bushmaster .22LR Carbon-15, I've got one, they are a LOT of fun. Only downside is you can only get 10-round mags, so reloading every 10 kinda sucks, but it's .22 LR, you can guy 500 rounds for $10. Can't beat it.

**Alaskapopo** · 04-01-2007, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff221

I've got two solutions for you...

1) AR Pistol - Chambered for .223. this is my next investment, it looks like it will be a ton of fun to shoot, and chamber for .223 it an excellent home defense weapon.

or

2) Bushmaster .22LR Carbon-15, I've got one, they are a LOT of fun. Only downside is you can only get 10-round mags, so reloading every 10 kinda sucks, but it's .22 LR, you can guy 500 rounds for $10. Can't beat it.

I have to disagree with you on the AR pistol. The .223 loses much of its effectiveness from such a short barrel. Everytime you fired it inside it would be like a Flash Bang going off next to your face. Plus any pistol that can't fit in a holster is not really a pistol.
Pat

View Poll Results: .45, 9mm, or .223 AR
.45	12	22.22%
9mm	22	40.74%
.223 (see first post regarding .223 not being my first choice)	25	46.30%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 54. You may not vote on this poll

03-31-2007, 10:11 PM	#1
Mrs. CAR-10 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 354	AR Build - .45 or 9mm 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 $$$. 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. So please vote and chime in on pros/cons of either! Thanks. Okay, forgot to add .45 as an option in my first thread and couldn't edit the poll, so I am starting a new thread per alaskapopo's suggestion. Sorry, I was stupid. 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

03-31-2007, 10:28 PM	#2
The Knight Of Light XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Posts: 8,675 Blog Entries: 12	What's your favourite color? __________________ No Matter Where You Go, There You Are. USPSA #L3077 What a great number!!! http://theknightoflight.blogspot.com/ Creator of TOP 'O' THE PAGE!!! Moose Fight

03-31-2007, 10:29 PM	#3
Hwkeye XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: In my house. Posts: 1,219	I think you need to make a .22LR AR-15... now that would be a rockin good time!! __________________ -Justin Glock 22 Smith and Wesson 442 1877 Remmington Single Shot 20 Guage 1899 Winchester 02-22, single shot .22 "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." -Ephesians 6:11-12

03-31-2007, 11:00 PM	#4
nikon777 XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Cleveland, OH. The Danger Zone. Posts: 6,750	I question the reliabilty of pistol caliber ARs. Ive entertained the thought of a 9mm AR, still not sold on it. Just curious on you reason for not wanting the CX4 storm? __________________ Clinging bitterly to guns and religion since 1977.. My Blogspot.

03-31-2007, 11:05 PM	#5
Hwkeye XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: In my house. Posts: 1,219	Yeah... that CX storm looks sweet!! BTW 500 Posts!! __________________ -Justin Glock 22 Smith and Wesson 442 1877 Remmington Single Shot 20 Guage 1899 Winchester 02-22, single shot .22 "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." -Ephesians 6:11-12

04-01-2007, 05:58 AM	#9
jeff221 XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 2,364	I've got two solutions for you... 1) AR Pistol - Chambered for .223. this is my next investment, it looks like it will be a ton of fun to shoot, and chamber for .223 it an excellent home defense weapon. or 2) Bushmaster .22LR Carbon-15, I've got one, they are a LOT of fun. Only downside is you can only get 10-round mags, so reloading every 10 kinda sucks, but it's .22 LR, you can guy 500 rounds for $10. Can't beat it. __________________ Springfield XD40 Sub-Compact Bi-Tone (.40S&W) Springfield XD9 Tactical Black (9mm) Springfield G.I. Milspec Stainless 1911-A1 (.45 ACP) Kimber Raptor II 1911 (.45 ACP) Kel-Tec P-3AT (.380 ACP) Charter Arms "Off Duty" Revolver (.38 Spl) Ruger 22/45 Mark III (.22 LR) Smith&Wesson M&P15A 16in AR-15 (.223/5.56 NATO) BushMaster Carbon-15 (.22 LR) BushMaster XM15 E2S 20in AR-15 (.223/5.56 NATO) Stoeger P350 Tactical Pump Shotgun (12 Gauge) Winchester Black Model98 Canon (10 Gauge)

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