Most ARs are built in 5.56 or .223. Perhaps you already have one in these chamberings, or in a hybrid chambering, like .223 Wylde, in your collection.
If so, don’t make more of the same. Start your next build with a 9mm AR upper. Here are all the best reasons why you should do so.
9mm Offers Plenty of Firepower
There is a reason that 9mm Luger is one of the most popular handgun cartridges in America, and the front-and-center reason is that it has more than enough firepower for most defensive engagements, especially with good shot placement. The fact of the matter is that while it doesn’t deliver the same power as 5.56, realistically, it’s all you need and more. Some might even argue that 5.56 is too much firepower for most close-quarters engagements.
Less Recoil
A 9mm AR build is going to produce significantly less recoil than a rifle or especially an ARP chambered in 5.56 which means you’ll be able to shoot for longer with less fatigue. It will also make the build more accessible for lighter and smaller-framed shooters.
Lower Risk of Overpenetration
The fatter, wider, slower bullets fired by a 9mm AR will not penetrate as far, either in intended or unintended targets, than the faster spitzer bullets of 5.56, or pretty much any rifle caliber for that matter. For defensive platforms or those that will be intended to be used indoors or in close-quarters engagements, this makes the handgun cartridge superior.
Ammo Is Cheap
Typically 9mm ammo is cheaper than 5.56 and you can usually get bulk deals on either of them. Also, 9mm is objectively one of the most affordable calibers on the market right now and it pretty much always has been, even when we were dealing with that ammo crisis a few years back.
And There Are Lots of Different Types
In addition to the fact that 9mm is available and affordable, there are many different types of loads that are readily available, from low-cost FMJ and TMJ rounds to wadcutters for competition and all sorts of hollow points and defensive +P ammo.
Ammo and Mags Are Lighter
Not only are 9mm rounds lighter (generally) than rifle rounds, loaded pistol mags are certainly lighter and take up less space, which makes it more economical to build any PCC, whether it’s an AR-style platform or not.
You Won’t Have Trouble Finding Ammo
Pretty much every gun shop in the United States sells 4 things: .22LR, 12 gauge target loads, 5.56, and 9mm. If it sells ammo, you’re pretty much going to find 9mm there. You might not necessarily get the 9mm you want, but the shop should have some.
Lots of Different Use Cases and Applications
Another great thing about 9mm is that it has so many different applications, and it’s suitable for so many shooting disciplines. For one thing, it is a good defensive cartridge, given an appropriate load, but it can also be effective for certain competitive disciplines.
Because it is cheap, available, and produces little recoil, it can also be a solid choice for drilling and training, along with any other high-volume shooting discipline.
And on top of that, 9mm can also be used for certain sporting applications like hunting, where legal. An AR-style platform in 9mm might not be the best choice for that but for some it might be, and it might also be effective for varmint control.
It’ll Handle Well
The low-recoil of 9mm makes it a natural mate for an AR style platform because it will be compact and handle well, especially if it is designed to serve as a defensive platform.
Bufferless 9mm AR Uppers Are an Option
Another really cool thing about the prospect of building a PCC or 9mm ARP is that some 9mm AR upper are bufferless.
The cool thing about this is that a bufferless upper, which will generally utilize direct blowback, will completely forego the gas system of a traditional AR or ARP. This simplifies the action but it also means that you won’t need a buffer tube or system, which will make the whole platform even more compact.
The bottom line here is that bufferless 9mm AR uppers are among the most compact and lightest AR uppers of all.
Start with a 9mm AR Upper from MCS Gearup
If you haven’t gotten the full picture yet, the point is that a 9mm AR upper can be used to create a pretty awesome platform, and there are tons of practical reasons as well.
Shop our full collection of complete assembled uppers and AR build kits and if you have any questions about parts or compatibility, or still aren’t sure if you want to build a 9mm, get in touch with us and we will help.