Best AR-15 Pistols in 2024

Virtually all major AR-15 manufacturers now offer an AR-pistol option. This makes it simple to obtain a copy of your main rifle as a pistol.

It’s a great GREAT experience to build your own AR-15 or AR pistol, but we don’t all have the space or time.

With that in mind, we cover the legality of AR-15 pistols, how to build your very own AR pistol, accessories/upgrades, and some great complete AR-15 pistols you can buy right now.

How We Tested The Best AR-15 Pistols

This is a meta analysis based on Pew Pew Tactical’s experience over many years with AR pistols.

How to Choose, which follows this article, explains the criteria that we used to select these AR pistols.

• Caliber
• Barrel & Barrel Length
• Brace

We asked our editors and writers for their opinion on the best parts and accessories, after defining our criteria. You can also access a full hands-on test to get more information about our recommendations.

Best AR-15 Pistols

1. Daniel Defense DDM4 PDW Editor’s Choice

The DDM4 in.300 Black is an excellent buy.

This is a small package with a 7″ barrel and a 20″ overall length. The ergos are all there, which is what you’d expect from DD. It feels like a full-size DD.

Daniel Defense includes everything a high-end Ar pistol should include, from the linear compensator and hand stop to a PDW brace.

Johnny went to the range with it and wrote a full review. The short version of this review is that the AR-style pistol is the best on the market. It will set the standard for other AR-style guns.

2. Palmetto State Armory 10.5-inch – Best Budget AR Pistol

PSA offers a wide range of configurations, based on the barrel length, caliber and brace options.

You can get an AR-15 gun for a very low price if you come up with the right combination.

This is our review of the 7.5-inch and 10-5-inch uppers. Our thoughts on fit/feel and reliability as well as accuracy, accuracy, and shootability are included.

3. Sig Sauer MCX Rattler – Most Versatile

The Rattler is a smaller pistol that was added to the MCX line for those who wanted something more compact. This gun is perfect for that.

The gun is compact, concealable and easily tucked in a backpack. Although it had a bit of oomph, it was a very accurate firearm.

It can, however, be a bit nitpicky about the ammo. It struggled to shoot subsonic ammunition without a suppressor during our tests. It ate supersonic ammunition like a champ. The moral of the story is to test it with different ammo and see what it likes before you use it for home defense.

It’s worth noting that this AR isn’t cheap, but it’s a decent one that we enjoyed.

Best AR-15 Uppers & Lowers

4. PSA AR15 Complete MOE EPT SBA3 Lower – Best Complete Lower

Palmetto State Armory provides a complete AR-15 Lower equipped with an SB Tactical SBA3 Brace. This lower is already paired with an AR upper, giving you a complete AR pistol.

The Enhanced Polished (EPT) Trigger Group is included as well as a Magpul trigger guard and grip.

The SB Tactical SBA3 adjustable brace is available for a reasonable price of under $250. This is not a complete setup out of the package, but if you happen to have an extra upper lying around, or want something that is in stock, then this is the best option.

5. Aero Precision AR 10.5” Upper – Best Upper

Another of our favorite makers that ranks highly in our best bang-for-the-buckness is Aero Precision’s line of AR Pistols.

Their ARs are always flawless and the finish is great.

The 16-inch M4E1 is a great product. Full Review ), and we wholeheartedly recommend their shorter pistol versions…especially the balanced 10.5-inch version we’re running.

6. BCM Recce

The BCM recce is a rifle that goes beyond the budget-end of the market. A sleek design and quality parts are combined with a high level of craftsmanship.

We love the full-size Recce-16. The BCM Recce Series is a series of weapons that offers endless possibilities.

7. Daniel Defense MK18 Upper

Daniel Defense, a manufacturer of firearms, has decided to put the MK18 on the back burner.

If you want the look of DD but have a lower already in place, then the MK18 will still be available. It is available in either a complete upper setup or stripped. We found the 10.3-inch barrel to be a nice size and fun to shoot.

In a few days, we ran over 2,000 rounds through the MK18 at a shooting range. It was reliable, accurate, and held up well.

We have a complete review as well as a video dedicated to MK18.

Best AR Pistol Braces

Many manufacturers have been competing to create the most simple, lightest and stock-like designs. In our Best AR-15 Braces, we cover them in more detail.

SB Tactical

They are the original inventors, so you can be sure they’re great. They offer so many options today, not just for ARs.

SB has designed HK, CZ and AK. Mossberg 59, and Kriss Vector Braces . I like their SOB model. This is the skeletonized version of their original design, and it comes in both black and FDE.

Best AR-15 Pistol Optics

Optics has become my favourite accessory and research topic over the last year.

These are incredibly important, and they can make or ruin a firearm. The main factors to consider when choosing an AR pistol are the size and zoom.

Consider how far and under what conditions you will be shooting.

Holosun 510C

It is a less expensive holographic, but it has a wide-sight image that makes it easy to use. You can also choose a 2 MOA dot, or an entire ring.

Aimpoint Patrol Rifle Optic

The battery lasts for 3 years and the device is durable. This is the gold-standard for red dots. The dot makes it easier to acquire targets and is more visible than you could imagine.

This optic is a beast. EOTech has a reputation for producing high-quality optics, and the EXPS is no exception.

Trijicon ACOG

This platform is best suited to fixed power, particularly with the rugged and functional optic.

Vortex PST Gen II 1-6×24

The Vortex PST makes a fantastic optic and is perfect for shooting out to 300 yards. The 6x zoom is a great feature that will allow you to do countless things.

Check out our Best Optics 1-6x for a detailed and hands-on look at the Vortex PST.

We have a super comprehensive Best Ar-15 Scopes & Optics guide.

Accessories & Upgrades

You can add anything to your AR Pistol that you would put on an AR-15 rifle. It’s the same for slings and new BCG.

What is an AR Pistol and Is it Legal?

What is an AR? The ATF website has a detailed legal definition for a pistol. We have broken it down here.

The short answer is…an AR Pistol, is an AR-15 built to be a handgun. It has a barrel that is less than 16 inches long and does not have a stock.

The AR-15 pistol used to have a stabilizing brace in place of a stock. But things have changed.

The law and braces have been at the center of a major controversy over the last few years. The ATF first said that braces were okay, then said they weren’t. They then said again that they were OK.

The ATF issued the Final Rule in 2022 on pistol braces. It classified them under the National Firearms Act which required registration and a tax stamp of $200. The ATF’s Final Rule on pistol braces was created in 2022. It classified them under the strong>a href=”https://www.pewpewtactical.com/complete-guide-to-the nfa/”>National Firearms Act/a>/strong>, which requires registration and requiring registering and obtaining taxable stamps of $200.

In November 2023, however, a federal court ruled in favor the plaintiffs and granted a nationwide injunction. This means brace users are able to keep their braces legally for the time being while the lawsuit is still pending.

We have an article that covers the ATF vs. the pistol braces case, with the latest updates.

What to Look for When Choosing an AR Pistol and Parts

Three major factors are important to consider when choosing a pistol. These include caliber; barrel size and brace. Let’s break down each one in a moment.

You can build your own gun if buying a full-sized gun isn’t fun enough for you. The internet and the companies who have created it for consumers make building an AR pistol very easy.

If you have built an AR-15 in the past, this is basically the exact same process. There are just a few different parts. You can read the Ar-15 Definitive Resources if you need a refresher, or if it’s your first build.

Caliber

There are options available. First, I would determine what your primary purpose is. This is going to be used as a toy gun for the range, a home defense weapon or truck gun.

You can choose between 5.56, 9mm, and.300 AAC. If you want to get wild, there are also the 6.8 SPC or 7.62×39 options. Here, we’re going focus on three of the most popular options.

• 5.56 If you are not sure what to do or want a gun that can be used for multiple purposes, this is the best option. The 5.56 parts are easy to find and the ammo isn’t too expensive.
• Blackout.300: Looking for a super-short barrel or want to suppress it. You’ll want to choose this option. The.300 Blk round is larger and was designed to suppress shots. It can also be used in a shorter barrel than the 5.56. Learn all about .300 Blackout!
• 9mm : If you have a Glock, and would like to be able swap magazines with ease, this is an option. The 9mm is not as loud and less expensive to shoot as the rifle calibers, but it can be more difficult to find parts.

Barrel Length

You are bound to spark a heated debate if you ask an AR enthusiast what the optimal barrel length for.300 or 5.56 is. Here are some of the most popular barrel lengths.

• 11-inch: This is a good bet if you are looking for 5.56, as it is easy to find and the barrels can burn almost completely. The 10-inch and 11-inch rails are perfect for each other.
• 10.3 or 10.5 inches: The 10.3 and 10.5 inch rifles are common among USSOCOM rifles. They have also been making their way to the civilian market. I have a 10.5 inch in 5.56 that I love. It is loud and there are some small fireballs. However, it is comfortable for me, and I can build it lightweight.
• 9″: in 300 AAC will give you the best velocity. This is the perfect combination. This short-of-a barrel gives you the feeling of a pistol.
• 5.5″: is the most popular length for 9mm. Not much else is available. However, the Rattler has a 5.5 inch barrel for.300 Blackout.

The barrel is an important component. If you are going to spend money on something, I recommend a high-quality barrel.

Prices can vary greatly, and there are many options available when it comes down to material and finish. For a general comparison, here are some manufacturers’ 10.5-inch prices.

Ballistic Advantage

It’s impossible to go wrong. You can also find just about any combination of length/caliber, so this is the perfect place to begin if you are looking for something specific.

Rainier Arms

When you look at barrels that are shorter than a pistol, precision over long distances is not something you think about, as the barrel’s length prevents the bullet from stretching out its legs.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean the barrel won’t be able to help. You can get a little more from your 5.56 by using a.223 barrel.

Rainier Arms makes some of my favourite AR-15 barrels. They are also one of the only manufacturers of pistol-length barrels that come in.223Wylde.

Faxon

It was here that I bought my barrel. Partly because it was on sale and partly because it received great reviews, two of which came from Pew Pew Tactical.

Faxon offers a wide range of products, including Glock Barrels and AR-15 barrels with a pencil profile. They’re made in-house to high standards of quality control. Faxon is our favorite brand for everything from Glock Barrels to AR-15 Pencil-Profile Barrels.

Final Thoughts

AR pistols are gaining in popularity and for good reasons.

The AR pistol with buffer tube might be the right choice for you if waiting 10 months to pay an additional $200 is not a viable alternative.

The building possibilities are endless and the platform has quickly become my favorite.

What brace did u use? Comment below if you need more options. Browse our AR-15 Resource to find everything you need.

Latest Updates

• April 18, 2024: Replaced BCM Recce 11 KMR A and Sig Sauer Virtus with Sig Sauer MCX Rattler. AR-15 Uppers & Lowers now includes BCM Recce components as well as Daniel Defense MK18 uppers. Legality section has been updated with more information. Product sections have also received supplemental content.
• November 2023: PSA AR-15 complete lower added. A new section has been added on the recent rulings and legal battle regarding pistol braces.