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As I mentioned in a review the other day, I believe in having multiple options for home defense. Today I’m going to talk about another one. Specifically, my AR-15 pistol.
Table of Contents
Not rifle; pistol.
This particular gun has a 10.5″ barrel, so that’s not a rifle. It’s a pistol.
In the pictures below, that is not a stock; it’s a brace. It is usable by unwrapping the strap, looping it around your forearm, and using the Velcro to hook it back up. It does work well this way, but I normally just use the brace to get a cheek weld for aiming.
I do not, however, shoulder the brace. That is illegal and, to me, not all that useful. I have a sling for the gun; I removed it for the pictures, but I normally shoot it by pushing out against the sling for stabilization and taking the cheek weld on the brace. It works quite well.
Caveat. The ATF is being ATF and there may or may not be new rules coming down the pike for braces. At the time I’m writing this, they are completely legal unless you shoulder them. Should they become illegal they’re very easy to remove.
In general, my best advice is to stay abreast of what the regulations are. They change. We must change with them.
Why Palmetto State Armory?
I’d heard a number of good things about the company and they had reasonable prices. My experience has been completely positive. The price was reasonable, the shipping fast enough, and the quality of the product is very high.
While PSA does make full AR-15 pistols and rifles, that’s not what I bought. I wanted the experience of building (more like assembling) my own, so I got a kit.
It came with absolutely everything I needed to assemble a fully functional pistol, except for the stripped lower. That’s the serialized part. The rest was delivered to my doorstep. The lower receiver, as the serialized part, must go through an FFL, unless you buy an 80% lower. Which, at this time, is still legal. Again, stay up to date on the current regulations.
This is the exact kit I bought. The stripped, serialized lower I just picked up at a local gun store for $100 or so. If I had to do it again, I’d probably make a couple changes but I’ll get to that in a few.
I also picked up a different end plate. I wanted some sling options. I’d put a link in to it but I honestly don’t remember where I got it or what the brand is. Just look around a bit. They’re inexpensive, although I’d probably avoid the “2 for $5” ones. The one I got has two slots on each side and a Quick Disconnect in the middle. That’s the one I actually use.
How hard was it to put together?
Not very. There are a number of YouTube videos that can walk you through the process. Patience is your friend.
The only real catch is that I ended up needing some specialty tools. It wasn’t a big surprise, really, but my build was delayed a couple times while I waited for something to show up.
Maybe in the future I’ll do a list of what I ended up buying and why. For now, those videos I mentioned have lists that are a good start.
The only catch I ran into was with a very slight flaw in the lower, which was not part of the PSA kit. After I got the gun together, the rear take-down pin wouldn’t stay in. It was loose and it would pop in and out as the gun was turned. It turned out there was a small piece of metal in the detent hole that didn’t get cleared during the manufacturing process so the detent wouldn’t move out far enough to engage the pin
I fixed it with drill bits. Started small and just inserted and removed the bit into the detent channel, turning it with my fingers. I went bigger until I felt something give. Then one size larger to be sure. Problem solved.
What would I do differently?
First, I’d probably go with railed instead of getting the front sight post. As with many of my purchases, I bought this when our collective response to COVID had inventories reduced. And it was my first build so I was being thrifty in case things didn’t go well and this was the least expensive that ticked the boxes.
Second, I’d probably get a different caliber. This one has a 10.5″ barrel and is in caliber 5.56 NATO. I think a .300 Blackout would be a better choice for a pistol. Under 16″ 5.56 gives up quite a bit of velocity; .300 BO does not and has a heavier bullet.
While I considered that when purchasing, the fact is that the previously mentioned COVID thing was a factor. I had trouble finding .300 BO ammo, and when I did it was up to $2 a round. I already had some 5.56, so I just went with that.
The good news is that I can go get a .300 BO upper at my convenience and just attach it to the lower. Magazines, Bolt Carrier Group, charging handle, and everything else will just work. As long as the mags are loaded with .300 and not 5.56, of course.
What about the accessories on it?
There is a Holosun red dot and a light. I’ll just say that I consider both of them to be essential for home defense but I’m not going to go into detail. Have to leave something for future articles, right? Besides, I’m going to be reworking the optic situation in the next week or two.
The fore grip is M-LOK, which was one of my requirements, so it’s pretty easy to add things onto it. The light in the picture below is just one example. The pressure pad is on the other side, where my left thumb will be. At close range, the center of the light beam is a reasonable aim point.
I ended up buying some basic PMAG FDE mags to go with the rest of the gun. Not really a nod to fashion or consistency; when I eventually get a .300 BO upper I’ll use the FDE mags for that caliber and my black ones for 5.56 so I can tell them apart at a glance.
How does it work?
Very, very well. Never had a malfunction of any kind. The controls all do what you’re used to AR controls doing. The trigger pull is 6 lbs, 1 oz., which compares favorably to some major manufacturer AR’s I’ve fired.
Accuracy is perfectly fine out to 50 yards. I really haven’t gone past that. Part of my optic change is going to be to upgrade to the point where longer ranges will be feasible.
The 10.5″ barrel makes it very maneuverable and easier to conceal in a backpack than a carbine/rifle length gun.
Conclusion
I’m pretty pleased with this purchase and I’ve made a couple others on PSA as a result. And I will, sooner or later, get the .300 Blackout upper.
The link I put in above was to the specific kit I got. The one I’m putting below is for their kits in general; pistol and rifle; lower, and compete. Take a look around; they have sales on a regular basis and I’m sure you can find something to meet your needs. Or maybe tempt you into “needing” something.
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