Posted by on 3/14/2022 to
An AR-9 is similar to an AR-15 except it fires 9MM ammunition and as such has a 9MM compatible Barrel, BCG, Buffer System, and Magazine. There are a lot of advantages to having such a rifle. For one thing, using pistol cartridges in a rifle makes them easier to use. With multiple points of contact, a rifle is easier to aim and hold steady. The added weight of the heavier rifle also means there is less felt recoil. Many of these advantages, especially pertaining to felt recoil, are due to pushing a pistol load through a rifle designed for cartridges with hotter loads. The size of AR-9s can be the same as any other AR-15 but tend to be smaller with shorter barrels. This makes them great for home defense.
The 9MM is a sub-sonic round which has advantages and drawbacks. Being sub-sonic, it creates less recoil but also has less power. Also if you are wanting to use a sound suppressor the sub-sonic quality of this cartridge pairs well with that, creating a quiet overall round. Less power does mean less range. However, an AR-9 should be accurate up to 100 meters, which is certainly acceptable for many circumstances. The price of 9MM does tend to be less than any AR-10 or AR-15 cartridge which is another big reason why it is so popular.