quote:

Originally posted by hrcjon:
if the PSA are picky, time to get something else.

That’s just it, I don’t know enough about them to know if they are.
I know some folks who went with the Glock mag lowers had issues when using uppers that didn’t have BCGs designed for Glock mags.
But my knowledge is pretty limited where AR9s are concerned.
Given that the Colt style mag setup was the original style I kinda figured most quality uppers would run just fine.
But I don’t actually know that for sure and really don’t want issues if they can be averted.

I too waited a long time for the PSA Colt sytle lowers to come back in stock.
Last spring, I bought two complete 10.5" AR9's and one lower from PSA.
I was trying to build an AR9 for my gun club's PCC steel competition.

The first one ran flawlessly:

However, that combination of barrel and handguard made the pistol excessively front front heavy. PSA's 10.5" barrel is a chunky piece of steel! It didn't swing well between targets.
I also hated that KAK brace as it moved around every few shots. It dug into my shoulder with every shot.
I must say though, that there is a healthy velocity increase with the 10.5" barrel over your average handgun.

The second one jammed frequently and mangled brass. PSA sent me a call tag and I shipped it off to them. They did fix it and sent it back, after which it ran well too.
I sold the two 10.5" AR9's and built up the lower I had left.


I used a Spinta Precision 7" stainless CHF barrel.
I added a Spinta BCG, a Spinta linear compensator and an Armaspec SRS-9 captured recoil spring.
The upper is a CMMG upper that I picked up when Primary Arms had a great deal on it.
The 7.5" MLOK handguard is their AR-Stoner brand from Midway USA. The SBA-3 brace works very well compared to the KAK brace.
Magazines are Metalform.
I added an ALG Combat trigger.
This one runs extremely well, is reasonably quiet and lightweight.
It also swings well between targets. It has run everything from my light steel shooting rounds, Russian Steel cased (Tulammo) to several brands of self defense hollow point rounds. I've even run the execrable Winchester steel cased crap with no issues.

One thing to keep in mind when building an AR9 is that there is no barrel extension.
So say you buy a 7" barrel; only 6.5 inches will stick out the front of the upper receiver.
Keep that in mind when buying a handguard or else your handguard will be too long.

I have an Anderson MIL Spec lower with a PSA LPK, AERO assembled upper, and all the rest is Foxtrot Mike components. I run the MEAN Arms Endomag for 9mm. It has been flawless through 500 rounds. I cannot speak highly enough of FM Products 8.5" lightweight barrel, BCG, and buffer components.

Ordered the PSA AR9 Colt Lower a week ago, received UPS notification that it was delivered to my local FFL today. Hope to pick it up in the next few days.

Also signed up for a "notify me" email for one of the PSA 8" upper assemblies. Did not receive an email yet, but was just browsing their site and saw that they now have an 8" upper in stock. Just placed my order for one of those.

https://palmettostatearmory.co...er-with-bcg-ch1.html

Anxious to get it put together. Still need to order some mags. I plan to put a Romeo 5 on it that I've had laying around. If this works okay and it turns out to be a "keeper", I may likely SBR it.

quote:

Originally posted by Merc50:
Ordered the PSA AR9 Colt Lower a week ago, received UPS notification that it was delivered to my local FFL today. Hope to pick it up in the next few days.

Also signed up for a "notify me" email for one of the PSA 8" upper assemblies. Did not receive an email yet, but was just browsing their site and saw that they now have an 8" upper in stock. Just placed my order for one of those.

https://palmettostatearmory.co...er-with-bcg-ch1.html

Anxious to get it put together. Still need to order some mags. I plan to put a Romeo 5 on it that I've had laying around. If this works okay and it turns out to be a "keeper", I may likely SBR it.

I’m going the opposite route. Have a factory CMMG SBR that is a great shooter, but I’m ditching it for a 9mm AR pistol. Just don’t want to deal with he NFA travel restrictions. YMMV

That upper looks perfect to me. I’m considering one for my SBR’d lower for use with an Endomag. What buffers do you guys recommend for AR9 use?

quote:

Originally posted by barndg00:
That upper looks perfect to me. I’m considering one for my SBR’d lower for use with an Endomag. What buffers do you guys recommend for AR9 use?

Rock River 9mm buffer in mine with no issues.
Pretty sure I got mine from USAGold in the classifieds here but I have not seen him post in quite awhile.

I am waiting on my last bitz from brownells. After that i will put the fm products ar9 <glock mag> together.

I can post a pick of the lower if you want.

quote:

Originally posted by barndg00:
That upper looks perfect to me. I’m considering one for my SBR’d lower for use with an Endomag. What buffers do you guys recommend for AR9 use?

Foxtrot Mike's

colt. easily available and the most proven.

quote:

Originally posted by Sourkraut:

quote:

Originally posted by Merc50:
Ordered the PSA AR9 Colt Lower a week ago, received UPS notification that it was delivered to my local FFL today. Hope to pick it up in the next few days.

Also signed up for a "notify me" email for one of the PSA 8" upper assemblies. Did not receive an email yet, but was just browsing their site and saw that they now have an 8" upper in stock. Just placed my order for one of those.

https://palmettostatearmory.co...er-with-bcg-ch1.html

Anxious to get it put together. Still need to order some mags. I plan to put a Romeo 5 on it that I've had laying around. If this works okay and it turns out to be a "keeper", I may likely SBR it.

I’m going the opposite route. Have a factory CMMG SBR that is a great shooter, but I’m ditching it for a 9mm AR pistol. Just don’t want to deal with he NFA travel restrictions. YMMV

I hear you on the out of state travel and NFA paperwork for the SBR. I have been considering a hog hunt later this year, and while my .300 Blk SBR would appear suitable with the correct loads, traveling thru multiple states to get to the destination, or the risk of packing as a declared item in a checked bag if flying, does add one more level of complexity.

I ordered two PSA PA9 lowers.
I’m waiting for one of their 8” uppers to come back in stock (missed out on this last batch).
I did order a 4.75” barreled, 4” YHM upper from Mas Defense .
It wouldn’t close on the PSA lower due to the height of the PSA feed ramp.
After reworking & polishing the feed ramp & other metal on metal contact points it went together like butter.
Ran 200rds thru it today to function check it.
No issues whatsoever, but I’d forgotten my gloves & at 33° I didn’t hangout long.
:15 and I was on my way home.
I’m going to wait on the PSA upper & see how they mate up to their lowers.
The 4.75” is super compact but I’m really looking forward to the longer set up.
I’m awaiting delivery of another SBA3.


Set up at 25yrds




Ran cheap ammo looking for issues


At 21” it makes my 7.5” 5.56 look fairly big



Makes a 16” look Huuuge.
4.75”, 7.5”, 10.5” & 16”

Anyone have experience with ASC 9mm stick mags ?
I have three brands (or will when the ASC arrive).
Metalform
Brownells
ASC
Anyone have opinions on how these compare to each other in your experience?
I noticed that the Metalform mags seem to not hold the rounds as securely as the Brownell mags.

I have not had good luck with the ASC mags. But they were way cheaper so I have some and tolerate the failure rate. I've never had any issues with a metalform mag. I only have a few brownells that I got on sale and they have been fine, but normally they are the same price as metalform so wouldn't normally buy them. You didn't mention them but there are some plastic mags and they are all junk no matter who's name is on them.

I did some research on different brands this last week and ended up buying a 3-pack from Brownells for $70. I saw good reviews on them and decided to give them a shot. I'm attending the IWA show this weekend, so they will be waiting on me when I get home.

I have half a dozen ASC Mags running on a factory CMMG SBR and have never had a malfunction.

Inserting a fully loaded mag on a closed bolt, however, is sometimes difficult.

Just for perspective on ASC. I have a more than a few that I use for our local steel matches which is 16 mags (4 runs/4 mags ea.) so I can load them at home rather than the range. Using a factory colt 9mm AR I have never made it through all 16 mags without an issue. As I said I tolerate this on days when score is not important to me as it teaches you failure management. But when score is important I run metalform.

My ASC's have been dead nuts reliable.

After finishing my Pistol my partner at work dropped off two 9mm lowers and a box of parts for assembly .
He also had an SBA3 that he wanted installed.
I really liked it so I just took xl_targets advice and added one to my AR9.

Looking good, Grumpy!