Spend enough time tinkering around with AR platforms and it’s only a matter of time before your forays have you crossing paths with things like AR pistols and braces.
But what is an AR pistol brace? Why would a shooter want to use one if the whole point is to make a pistol in the first place? Doesn’t that defeat the point?
Sort of, but not really. Here’s what to know.
Why Would You Want One?
The first thing you need to understand (if you’ve never used or handled an AR pistol brace before) is that a brace (also called a stabilizer or stabilizing brace) is not a stock.
It is fixed to the AR pistol, and it does brace against your arm, but it’s not designed to be shouldered.
Basically, an AR pistol brace is a fin that attaches to (or rests against) your forearm, providing slightly better stability when firing an AR pistol with one hand.
For the most part, they’re designed for people who bring their AR pistols to the range and want to actually be able to control the thing when shooting. AR pistols can kick, and can be a little tough to control one-handed. A brace helps with that.
But again, they’re not stocks and AR pistols are not designed to be shouldered. It’s really just about affording a little more stability when shooting one of these platforms with one hand.
Given that, and since AR pistols are inherently less stable than full-size rifles, why would you want to build or buy one in the first place?
What’s the Selling Point of an AR Pistol?
There are numerous attractive aspects of AR pistols as compared to their full-sized cousins, or even to carbines.
One is that AR pistols give you rifle-like firepower in a much smaller, much lighter, far more compact footprint. Many AR pistols are chambered in rifle calibers, like .223, 5.56, or 7.62 Soviet. So you can get a rifle’s power in a much smaller package.
The small size also makes AR pistols a lot easier to conceal. They’re not really easy to carry, so for concealed carry they don’t make too much sense, but as a truck gun or a platform for home defense, they’re lightweight, compact, and maneuverable in tight quarters.
Is It Better Than a Rifle?
Now that some of the selling points of AR pistols have been cleared up, we need to pump the brakes a little. It’s not as if these are unequivocally better than their larger counterparts.
For one, they don’t handle as well and they’re not as stable. It is much, much easier (AR pistol brace or no) to shoot a stocked AR-15 rifle accurately than it is to shoot an AR pistol, especially at intermediate ranges.
Another is that AR pistols shoot dirty – there’s not enough room in the chamber and barrel for the propellant to deflagrate fully before the bullet leaves the muzzle, so that means a lot of fouling for you. It also means the shorter the barrel, the less FPS you get. This means that full sized rifles are technically more powerful, all else being equal.
Where to Get an AR Pistol Brace (Or Parts for a Build)
Here because you’re looking for high quality AR pistol parts, including uppers, barrels, and handguards? Get them online at MCS Gearup. They carry a wide range of gun parts as well as shooting accessories, along with build kits. They even carry parts for short-barreled rifle builds. If you’re interested in making your own AR pistol or just customizing a build, check their online store first – chances are they have what you need and then some.
