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View Full Version : Kicking around the idea....


ray1970
11-02-2012, 06:18
of putting together a 9mm AR.


It seems my current "winter project" is darn near complete so I may have to look into another project.

Since I have never had an AR in 9mm I thought that might be a fun little project.

If anyone has any tips, tricks, or good information for me or knows a good parts supplier for the 9mm stuff, feel free to share.

Thanks. [Beer]
cstone
11-02-2012, 07:03
I would do one in .40 or .357 SIG, but they aren't cool [ROFL2]
ray1970
11-02-2012, 07:11
I'm thinking about starting with one of these dedicated 9mm lowers. But without the silly zombie markings.

And I think I'll stay with 9mm, cstone. [Beer]

http://www.shop.doublediamondsupply.com/images/VMN.jpg
Jherexx
11-02-2012, 07:19
Which system you going with, oly or colt? I have an oly system and love it, works with sten mags and runs like a top.
ray1970
11-02-2012, 07:22
Which system you going with, oly or colt? I have an oly system and love it, works with sten mags and runs like a top.

Not going with anyone's system. Going to put this puppy together one piece at a time. Probably start with the Double Diamond dedicated lower pictured above and go from there.

Still researching a little right now.

Thanks for the info. [Beer]
J
11-02-2012, 07:49
What he is talking about is the design of the system in regards mostly to mags. There are two main types of 9mm AR, the one originally developed by oly, and one originally developed by Colt. Almost all 9mm ARs are one form or the other regardless of who now makes them. There are a couple that take glock mags, but are far less prevalent.

It looks like that double diamond is a colt based design.
ray1970
11-02-2012, 07:55
What he is talking about is the design of the system in regards mostly to mags. There are two main types of 9mm AR, the one originally developed by oly, and one originally developed by Colt. Almost all 9mm ARs are one form or the other regardless of who now makes them. There are a couple that take glock mags, but are far less prevalent.

It looks like that double diamond is a colt based design.

Ah... I see. Sorry, I misunderstood the question. Also, I really know nothing about the 9mm platform so my ignorance on the subject probably contributed to my misunderstanding.

That's why I post stuff like this here. So I can better educate myself so that I can make informed decisions. [Awesom]

Double Diamond actually offers a lower like the picture I posted above but is made to take Glock 17 magazines. I might do a little research on that one.

Thanks. [Beer]
Great-Kazoo
11-02-2012, 08:39
Ah... I see. Sorry, I misunderstood the question. Also, I really know nothing about the 9mm platform so my ignorance on the subject probably contributed to my misunderstanding.

That's why I post stuff like this here. So I can better educate myself so that I can make informed decisions. [Awesom]

Double Diamond actually offers a lower like the picture I posted above but is made to take Glock 17 magazines. I might do a little research on that one.

Thanks. [Beer]

From what i remember (not much in reality) the Glock units utilize Oly 9mm uppers.
I have a oly 9 upper (10") that runs on stock sten mags. I talkd to a smith back in CT a few years ago that was doing glock mag conversions on your AR lower to use the G series 9mm mags. It required a few holes drilled and tapped, along the lines of the Colt 9mm lower that was removable.
I have owned a few "Colt" copies and they were hit or miss, so off they went to sale land.
Come on up and run a few mags through my 9 set up and go from there.
Skully
11-02-2012, 09:50
Would be interested as well, was kicking around an idea of a multiple pistol system with 300 BLK and 9mm uppers as carry around Jeep setup.

Would the block kits for a standard AR lower being cheaper, be less reliable???? I see there are parts for a dedicated hammer for 9mm as well? I was looking at this place 9mm AR (http://www.9mmar.com/)

I could kick myself, but sold some UZI mags awhile back and the guy that picked them up said they were for a 9mm AR conversion setup....... [Tooth]

Good luck Ray with your happy winter building .
ThunderSquirrel
11-02-2012, 14:41
The DDLES dedicated lower is fantastic.
However, speaking from experience, using a PWS Buffer Tube and a DD Lite Rail, you will have to do some filing, as they don't fit correct.
I mated a RRA Dedicated 9mm Upper, and it fits perfect, no wobble at all.

http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w353/crowldogg3/DSC03415.jpg
Jherexx
11-04-2012, 20:51
Would the block kits for a standard AR lower being cheaper, be less reliable???? I see there are parts for a dedicated hammer for 9mm as well? I was looking at this place 9mm AR (http://www.9mmar.com/)

I don't see how they would be less reliable, I use a mag block for mine and never had any issues. But like every new AR build, sometimes it takes some tweaking to make it run reliably, whether it be .556 or 9mm.

From the link you provided it looks like they sell mag blocks for the colt style system, make sure you mate it to a Colt style 9mm upper and not an Oly designed one, as they are different.

Before I did my build, I did a lot of research and decided to go with the Oly system as they seem to need less modifications, no special 9mm hammers, heavy buffers or ramped bolt carriers, standard LPK and carbine buffers work just fine. The only downside, Oly Arms is the only player in town for parts, while the Colt system seems to be supported by Spikes, RRA and others.
Great-Kazoo
11-04-2012, 23:06
I don't see how they would be less reliable, I use a mag block for mine and never had any issues. But like every new AR build, sometimes it takes some tweaking to make it run reliably, whether it be .556 or 9mm.

From the link you provided it looks like they sell mag blocks for the colt style system, make sure you mate it to a Colt style 9mm upper and not an Oly designed one, as they are different.

Before I did my build, I did a lot of research and decided to go with the Oly system as they seem to need less modifications, no special 9mm hammers, heavy buffers or ramped bolt carriers, standard LPK and carbine buffers work just fine. The only downside, Oly Arms is the only player in town for parts, while the Colt system seems to be supported by Spikes, RRA and others.

While there are many players for the colt system, it seems to be more prone to tinkering here, fixing there, etc than the oly.
Over on the other ar site in the pistol caliber section there are numerous (to be kind) threads regarding how do i make my 9mm with hahn block, pro mags this, upper that bolt, work.
I have owned 2 oly 9mm uppers first one i traded for a lot more than invested. The 2nd is a 10.5 upper, runs like a top. A few guys here ran it at the last PU/SU shoot and all liked it. I have tried 2 colt style 9's both had issues with the mag block-mag fit, function and ejection issues. Was more than happy to part with them asap. Of course that was 6 yrs ago, who knows they should have the bugs worked out by now. YMMV
ray1970
11-04-2012, 23:17
Man, there seem to be more differences in these things than the AR-10 platform.

Thanks for all of the advice. [Awesom]
Skully
11-05-2012, 18:15
Man, there seem to be more differences in these things than the AR-10 platform.

Thanks for all of the advice. [Awesom]

Yep, thats were I was................confusing as hell.
20X11
11-05-2012, 18:39
Skully,

Let me know how the 9mm works out for you. Looking forward to more parts for sale AND MickeyDs Chocolate chip cookies.
lol
RCCrawler
11-05-2012, 18:57
Ray I have an DDLE lower on the way, it should be here any day if you'd like to check it out, I'm in Thornton as well.