Every year it seems like something new sweeps the gun world and takes every gun enthusiast in our country by storm. In the past couple of years, AR-style pistols have been the new and shiny toy that we all want. AR-style pistols are classified as any rifle barrel that is less than 16" with an overall length of less than 26".
Those specifications alone qualify dozens of rifles to be in this class. However, we want to keep our focus on that around 10.5" or less and require a brace for added control and precision. are different than most machine pistols because they are often chambered in either 5.56 NATO, 5.7x28mm, 7.62, or 9mm.
Machine pistols are typically only chambered in 9mm and can be fired accurately with one hand (no brace). We chose the PSA Marauder, PSA 2A Armament, Scorpion Evo 3 S1, HK SP5K, Sig Sauer MPX, CMMG Banshee, and the PSA KS-47.
PSA Marauder SOB
The PSA Marauder is chambered for a 5.56mm NATO bullet and specifically designed to be used with a red dot or holographic optic. The barrel is made from a Chrome Moly Vanadium steel that has been treated with nitride to make it durable and improve longevity. The upper receiver features a shortened, pistol-length gas barrel with a Magpul MOE M-LOK handguard. The M-LOK gives shooters a chance to mount any type of light, laser, grip, or sight to their Marauder for an incredible level of customization. The SOB Stock is made from SB Tactical and gives you a skeletonized pistol brace for added control and accuracy. It’s only 7.1 oz in weight and gives the shooter a rigid and sturdy firing platform to control the heavier and more powerful 5.56mm NATO bullet.
The CZ Scorpion Evo 3 S1 is a semi-automatic 9mm carbine with a 7.75" barrel and an 11" Picatinny rail for mounting optics, ambidextrous controls, a swappable non-reciprocating charging handle, and adjustable trigger reach. The Scorpion Evo 3 S1 is a blowback-operated with 21 round magazine capacity that is capable of being emptied with 1.5 seconds with deadly accuracy.
You can use many different braces, which we’ll get into more later this week, but it comes with a very strong and durable polymer brace. You can even adjust the grip radius to fit your hand size (small or large) to improve overall ergonomics. The only issue with the Scorpion is the fact that it’s only legal (at the moment) for military and law enforcement. However, as gun laws change and more states give more freedom to their people, this gun will be able to order for all civilian use with special permits.
If you’ve read any of my work, you know by now that I love everything Sig Sauer makes with a passion of a fanboy. The MPX K features an 8" barrel and is chambered in 9mm Luger. You get 31 rounds with the standard magazine and an M-LOK handguard for easy attachment of lights, lasers, grips, and optics. It’s a gas piston, a closed-bolt operating system to ensure reliable feeding, extraction, and reliability.
The best feature of the Sig MPX K is the Timney trigger that is incredibly smooth and crisp with a phenomenal reset that offers unmatched speed. It features an ambidextrous selector switch, magazine release, charging handle, and bolt release. One of the coolest features is the short-stroke gas piston that is capable of shooting any weight or style of 9mm ammo.
The CMMG Banshee MK57 is one of the most unique weapon systems on the market today. As someone who researchers, fires, and writes about guns for a living, I can tell you, there are no new weapons that are chambered in a 5.7x28mm, especially carbines. Personally, a 5.7mm bullet is not my favorite choice because it’s harder to find and often more expensive than 9mm and on the same level as 5.56mm.
However, it’s a powerful bullet that will increase your range and stopping power, without feeling too much of a recoil. It’s built with a 5" barrel, Tailhook MOD 2 Pistol brace, and has a Magpul handguard for easy attachment of lights, lasers, optics, and grips. One of the underappreciated features is how versatile this gun is. It’s completely ambidextrous with the charging handle, selector switch, and sling plate.
Specs
Barrel Length
5"
Overall Length
19.2"
Barrel Finish
Cerakote Standard
Chamber
5.7x28mm
Twist Rate
1 in 9"
Muzzle Device
thread protector
Capacity
20+1 rounds
Gas System
Gas Piston
Weight
4.6 lbs
Brace
CMMG Micro/CQB RipBrace with 5 Position Enhanced Receiver Extension and Ambi Sling Plate
The HK SP5K is the civilian answer to the operational MP5K that is used by special operations forces worldwide. The SP5K features an incredibly short 4.5" barrel and overall length of 13.9". It’s also built with a navy-Style threaded tri-lug adaptor, paddle magazine release for quick access, and a fluted chamber for better reliability and longevity. The Sling Swivel on the back of the SP5K allows for the easy and quick installation of the bungee sling that comes with it.
It uses the famous delayed blowback operation system to significantly reduce the felt-recoil and amount of carbon that stops up the operation of the gun. It also improves the accuracy of the gun by reducing the muzzle flip and recoil, so you can put shot-after-shot on target.
The KS-47 Gen2 SBR from Palmetto State Armory is chambered in 7.62x 39mm for the most stopping power of any of the AR-Style Pistol on this list. Normally, AK-47’s have the barrel pressed into the receiver to be able to control the heavier load of the 7.62 bullets and maintain the famous reliability of the AK-47. However, the KS-47 is built with an AR-style barreled upper receiver and a lower receiver that contains the fire control group and magazine. This modular design gives the KS-47 incredible versatility and customization opportunities to use different barrel configurations without changing the lower receiver. The KS-47 uses a 30-round Magpul magazine and allows for almost ay AK-47 style magazine to be used with the rifle. The barrel of KS-47 is nitride finished to provide the durability and reliability that made the AK-47 so famous and it’s built with a 5/8-24 thread A2-style compensator to allow a flash-hider or suppressor.
An AR-style pistol is a gun with a barrel less than 16" that can be chambered in 9mm, 5,56mm NATO, 7.62x39mm, and 5.7x28mm. For an to be practical it needs to have a brace that either attaches to your forearm or rests in your shoulder. These braces allow you to control the recoil and power of a higher caliber bullet fired from a shortened barrel. Palmetto State Armory, CZ, Sig Sauer, H&K, and CMMG add tremendous versatility to your collection.
AR-style pistols are going to be relatively more expensive than pistols and standard AR-style rifles, but I believe they’re worth the money if you can afford them. As you can expect, the legality of AR-style pistol is a hotly contested topic within our country and are illegal in many states. If you’re concerned or interested if they’re legal in your state, read our blog, “Size Matters| Short barrel Rifle(SBR) Laws.
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