Don’t think 5.56 NATO is your only option if you want to build an AR style platform, or that a gas system is, for that matter.
There are 9mm AR parts out there (as well as whole platforms) that offer you a lot of flexibility and versatility you might not get from 5.56 or .223 alone.
Here are some of the best reasons to look into a 9mm AR build, whether it’s a PCC or not.
Ammo Is Cheap
There are few centerfire cartridges cheaper than 9mm Luger, and if you buy FMJ in bulk, you can seriously keep costs down. In some cases you can beat the price of .223 or 5.56, and other centerfire rifle cartridges by a long margin. It’s also relatively cheap in the world of handgun cartridges, too.
This makes 9mm ARs attractive to those who own for sporting and recreational uses and those who do a lot of high-volume target shooting.
Recoil Is Low
Not that the recoil from 5.56 is bad – it’s one of the most manageable out there when it comes to centerfire rifle cartridges – but for all intents and purposes, 9mm is even lower.
We know what sort of detriment that can be to shooters who are smaller-framed or just recoil-sensitive, but the truth is that no one is immune to recoil fatigue, especially through long sessions.
Going with a handgun cartridge, especially one like 9mm, is a sure-fire way to keep recoil fatigue at bay.
Minimal Risk of Overpenetation
Of all the many attributes that make 5.56 such a solid, versatile cartridge, there is a very real risk of overpenetration, especially at close quarters.
The wider, slower bullets of 9mm help alleviate this concern, especially with appropriate hollow-point loads that are designed more for dispatch than for penetration.
If you are building a defensive platform, 9mm may make a much more reliable choice, and one that presents a much lower risk of overpenetration, than a rifle-caliber AR, not just one chambered in 5.56 or .223.
Ideal for Close-Quarters Engagements
You can make an AR pistol, but it won’t handle as well in close-quarters as a 9mm AR, especially a 9mm AR pistol. Besides that, 9mm performs well from a short barrel and 5.56 does not.
This falls in the same camp as the considerations with respect to overpenetration. It’s arguably better for close-quarters engagements even if the stopping power is lower.
Go Roller Delayed Blowback
If you are going to build a 9mm AR, whether you want to build a PCC or an ARP, don’t forget that you are not shackled to a gas system.
But don’t assume you’re shackled to direct blowback either, which is what a lot of bufferless 9mm ARP uppers use.
A better option would be a roller delayed blowback action, which is precisely what Zenith Firearms uses.
Roller delayed blowback is smoother, more reliable, and produces less recoil than direct blowback, while being cleaner than gas impingement. It also suppresses better. Roller delayed blowback actions also have components that tend to last longer than those associated with gas systems.
Give it serious consideration if you intend to build (or buy) a 9mm AR instead of one in a rifle chambering.
Explore 9mm AR-Style Platforms
Thinking about an AR-style platform but prefer pistol calibers? Zenith Firearms is introducing the ZF-9 and ZF-10, MRDS PDWs chambered in 9mm and 10mm that use a roller-delayed blowback system for consistent, low-recoil operation. Explore detailed specs and availability on their website or contact their team for updates.
For more information about MP5 Gun and Mp5 Accessories Please Visit : Zenith Firearms
