AR9 Build

[Candyman]

I've beed having fun building ARs and decided to build one in 9mm. PSA had a sale last week on a complet upper for $320 so, I ordered one.
This is what I got.

PSA 16" Carbine 9mm 1/10 Melonite Freedom Upper with Ramped BCG and CH.

Lets just say I was not happy. Oh, there was nothing wrong with the upper, it looked great. What I didn't like is it came with a slick side upper. I didn't take a good look at the pics when I ordered the upper and didn't realize that upper was a slick side. So you can say that I was more unhappy with myself.
I called PSA and asked if there was anything different about the 9mm uppers and was told that barrel would work on any mil-spect upper. That made me happy because I had a new upper in my parts box.
I went into my shop and in a few mins I was happy with the new upper.



There is nothing wrong with a slick side upper, but I need to have a dust cover. ARs just look funny without one.



The AR9 is a blow back and doesn't need a gas tube so PSA used a screw to hold the front handguard ring in place.



The bolt is pretty solid.







I was going to order one of the PSA lowers with the 9mm insert but read that most of the problems with that type of setup is the magazines. Some brands are not so good and they can cost a bit.
So I looked into the lowers that use the Glock magazines and found that JoBob Outfitters had Bilit lower for $150 with free shipping. It showed up today.
Here are a few more pics.













Now for the rest of the build. I have all the parts to finish the build, I just need to deside on the stocks.

[randy]

Probably a good thing I don't have any money, otherwise this thread would cost me all of it. Always wanted a 9mm carbine (that took BHP mags, but that ain't likely to happen).

This would cost me 1) the amount for the carbine and 30 rd mags.
2) the Glock 17 companion piece and all associated stuff
3) another carbine once Darlin' Daughter got her hands on "mine". (Another couple of years before she can own a handgun, so some breathing room there )

[Steamforger]

Quarter Circle 10 takes Glock mags. Nice 33 rnd, reliable, cheap enough Glock mags. The angle of the mag in the well is a little funny looking, but I'd be willing to live with it. I've not researched if the Quarter Circle 10 setup requires any special work done to the bolt like the Lone Wolf setup does, but I'm definitely interested.

This way your Glock 17 and carbine could share 33 rnd mags.

[JAG2955]

Quarter Circle 10 takes Glock mags. Nice 33 rnd, reliable, cheap enough Glock mags. The angle of the mag in the well is a little funny looking, but I'd be willing to live with it. I've not researched if the Quarter Circle 10 setup requires any special work done to the bolt like the Lone Wolf setup does, but I'm definitely interested.

This way your Glock 17 and carbine could share 33 rnd mags.

QC10's website says that the bolt has to be cut to accept Glock mags.

Candyman, is the PSA bolt already cut?

Wait, it's not a QC10 lower...or is it?

[Steamforger]

Quarter Circle 10 takes Glock mags. Nice 33 rnd, reliable, cheap enough Glock mags. The angle of the mag in the well is a little funny looking, but I'd be willing to live with it. I've not researched if the Quarter Circle 10 setup requires any special work done to the bolt like the Lone Wolf setup does, but I'm definitely interested.

This way your Glock 17 and carbine could share 33 rnd mags.

QC10's website says that the bolt has to be cut to accept Glock mags.

Candyman, is the PSA bolt already cut?

Wait, it's not a QC10 lower...or is it?

I've never seen a lower at PSA that didn't require the insert and didn't use Colt mags. Since he's using an insert in the lower, I think it's safe to assume it's a standard lower???

ETA-Pics are not showing for me here, so going strictly off text.

[randy]

I've never seen a lower at PSA that didn't require the insert and didn't use Colt mags. Since he's using an insert in the lower, I think it's safe to assume it's a standard lower???

I think you missed the part where he said:

So I looked into the lowers that use the Glock magazines and found that JoBob Outfitters had Bilit lower

[Steamforger]

That's what I get for answering emails on one screen and surfing TGC on another.

[HTRN]

QC10's website says that the bolt has to be cut to accept Glock mags.

Those Rainer Arms lowers are interesting - especially the large frame ones. Did you know that RNW makes DI pistol caliber uppers in a variety of calibers, including 10mm and 460 Rowland?

[Candyman]

When I was doing my homework I found out that you needed a ramped bolt carrie group with the lowers that takes Glock mags.
Ramped BCGs sell from $169 to $190. When I saw that PSA had the complet upper with the ramped BCG for $320, I got excited. Just the bolt and a barrel without a front sight tower would have cost me over $300.
Here is a link to the lower.
http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Spartan ... artan9.htm

[JAG2955]

QC10's website says that the bolt has to be cut to accept Glock mags.

Those Rainer Arms lowers are interesting - especially the large frame ones. Did you know that RNW makes DI pistol caliber uppers in a variety of calibers, including 10mm and 460 Rowland?

While it is would make a nice companion piece to my non-working .460 Rowland revolver, when I compared RMW's prices to buying a .458 SOCOM upper, it's a bit of a wash.