Pistol's shorter.

That dimension makes it quicker, easier to move around in my home.

Much depends on your home. If you live in a show place, go with the rifle/carbine to handle the ballroom, large patio/swimming pool, gardens and expanse of lawn between the stone privacy fence and the private road.

If you live in an inexpensive older suburb like I do, your maximum distance for expected defense is maybe 30 yards from front door to across the street/intersection.

 

Ok, but still what advantage does it have at shorter diatances? I can shoot 30 feet with my carbine.

The shorter length can be particularly handy if you choose to go the suppressed route. And indoors, your ears and those of your loved ones would appreciate a suppressor.

Ok, I give you the advantage of the suppressor host, but without a suppressor it has the opposite effect making it louder.
Don't get me wrong I didn't start this to be argumentative, it's a serious question that I'm asking. In a home defense situation and someone picks up his carbine will they really think heck I wish I had my AR pistol.

 

The shorter length can be particularly handy if you choose to go the suppressed route. And indoors, your ears and those of your loved ones would appreciate a suppressor.

 

The advantage is to get a shorter package overall, particularly to suppress, because I don't think I would consider it without a suppressor if we're talking rifle calibers.

 

So you get an AR pistol because it's shorter, and then add a suppressor which makes it longer? Sounds logical to me.

If you shoot an AR pistol indoors, you WILL damage your hearing.

I wouldn't use an AR. A regular Glock type pistol is fine for home defense. But if I did use an AR, it would be 16 inch length.

 

Although I have a number of full size, loaded, AR's and several AR (223) pistols around the house ..........

I don't consider the AR pistol a good choice as a home defense gun.

The main reason is the LOUD ear shattering, blinding flash.

 

Although I have a number of full size, loaded, AR's and several AR (223) pistols around the house ..........

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I don't consider the AR pistol a good choice as a home defense gun.

The main reason is the LOUD ear shattering, blinding flash.


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An AR is not my first choice either, I keep one of my handguns close at all times but my question still stands.

 

With a suppressor yes. While it will still be loud, you get a carbine sized package.

 

An AR pistol as shown in the images above are fun, but IMO it stops there.

An AR pistol with brace becomes an a short defensive tool that can be shouldered fir the added stability. The short length offers advantages over carbine or rifles as follows:
1. Maneuverability: short abs easy to maneuver in tight spaces while still giving the added stability of being shouldered. There is a reason the MP5 was CQB king till the MK18 and shorter AR sizes became reliable.

2. Suppression. With an added can you are back at the length of an unsuppressed carbine for the most part. Add a can to a carbine and it’s longer than a pistol with a can.

Essentially, short easy to maneuver, shoulder mounted weapon is going to make CQB easier than a longer version if the same.

However, an AR indoors, even with a can is going to kill your hearing ASAFP. Without an effective flash hider it will blind you probably. All this is doubly true for a pistol.

 

I understand what you are saying but to the average Joe is a little shorter barrel going to make a real difference. I also understand in combat you want all the advantages you can get but would a combat trained soldier feel less armed with a carbine in close quarters.

 

Inside a room, the flash and blast of that thing is enough to disconcert the shooter, I would think.

 

I use a suppressed 10.3 inch “pistol” for home defense. As others have said, that’s where AR pistols really shine. You have a weapon that is the same length as a standard carbine, but it is much quieter with almost no blast or flash. Ballistically it’s not as effective as a full sized carbine, but at hallway distance it’s still plenty effective, and worlds above any handgun duty round.

 

An AR used indoors without ear protection will shred your hearing. Plenty of weapons will get the job done without leaving you with a permanent disability.

The solution to every problem is not always the biggest hammer.

 

This:


Leads to this:

Haven't read all the comments but sure it has already been covered. I would not use an AR Pistol in 5.56 for HD but an AR Pistol in 300blk, 9mm, 45acp, etc. makes for a good tool for HD and better than a carbine IMHO. Clear corners faster and safer. On average you will be more accurate with a AR pistol over a handgun (I know OP didn't ask) Can you use a carbine for HD? Sure, but if given the choice, I wouldn't and I don't. A PSA AR pistol in 300blk with a light, sling, and RDS is almost always close by to me in the house. Paranoid? Maybe but doesn't mean folks aren't out to get me + my neighborhood is ok but get out of it and it immediately turns to chit.

I have a braced AR pistol with 8.3” barrel in 9mm close by. I find it funny that half of the haters say that I should use a rifle caliber out of a rifle platform because 9mm is insufficient, while the other half of the haters say that their Glock in 9mm is good enough for home defense. Everything is a trade off, and in my estimation, the braced pistol in a pistol caliber is a good balance when it comes to capacity, handling, shootability, and lower noise levels (not to mention ease of mounting a good light and optics). I mean, it would be loud, very loud, but nothing like touching off 5.56 indoors out of a short barrel. I’m convinced that those who say that 9mm isn’t that much quieter haven’t really ever been around short barreled 5.56 guns. It’s laughable to conflate the two.

 

I can understand the interest in one but does it really have a practical advantage over the carbine?

No, but it makes you look cooler if you're a tactical mall ninja. That is literally the only value of an AR pistol.

 

.....when not suppressed.

 

I prefer 9 rounds of 32acp every time I squeeze the trigger

 

Mines loaded with 8 rounds for that even 1oz.

 

Haven't read all the comments but sure it has already been covered. I would not use an AR Pistol in 5.56 for HD but an AR Pistol in 300blk, 9mm, 45acp, etc. makes for a good tool for HD and better than a carbine IMHO. Clear corners faster and safer. On average you will be more accurate with a AR pistol over a handgun (I know OP didn't ask) Can you use a carbine for HD? Sure, but if given the choice, I wouldn't and I don't. A PSA AR pistol in 300blk with a light, sling, and RDS is almost always close by to me in the house. Paranoid? Maybe but doesn't mean folks aren't out to get me + my neighborhood is ok but get out of it and it immediately turns to chit.

 

For home defense
AR Carbine, AR Pistol, Shotgun, Full Size Pistol. In that order. Reliability, accuracy and stopping power trumps all. Concern about over penetration comes next. Then capacity and a bunch of other things before I worry about minor hearing loss. I will deal with hearing loss if my family and I survive. If the stakes aren’t that high, then I would not being using any of those things.

 

Ok, Mr G….

AR Pistol and Carbine are not really similar in length. Granted you can get different barrels for the pistol. Personally I would recommend a 10.5” barrel vs a 7.5”

Most people, even SWAT types don’t know how to break a long gun to maneuver it around obstacles in the quickest and most efficient manner, therefore the shorter barrel is beneficial in this regard. Before anyone hoots and hollers, there are actually videos online regarding how SF maneuver a weapon in CQB and SEALs. Most swat that I’ve seen model the SF model of weapon maneuvering.

The objective in ANY gun fight is to get your weapon on target and sight alignment as quick as possible while being mindful not to expose yourself too much (if you aren’t already exposed). Such as coming through a doorway or around a corner. High Port takes the win in my opinion.

Shorter barrel= louder bang. True. Can go with a suppressor, I just went with a can (not a suppressor). Cans are cheaper and no paperwork.

Barrel length, feeling “undergunned” in the outdoors in combat….well that depends on your AO. Where I live you can’t see 100yds in the woods spring-fall. So, an 18-24” barrel isn’t really necessary. But that’s where I live.

Also, an AR pistol is considered a pistol. An AR rifle can’t be carried legally in a vehicle and loaded- but a pistol can. Add to that, in a vehicle what’s going to be easier to get on target? A 7.5-10.5” barrel or 16-24” barrel??? Another consideration

 

Obviously they are not the same length but both are the same size as far as the main body of the gun/rifle. The only real weight difference is the little bit of barrel.
Don't know where you are but I'm pretty certain a rifle can be carried loaded here in NC.

 

For a multipurpose carbine, including house long gun use, I'd look hard at a bullpup, specifically the IWI X95. It has a full 16" barrel, so the 5.56mm bullets are going full velocity. And is considered a legal rifle. No tax stamp needed. No playing ATF roulette with a braced "pistol".

Downsides? It's expensive, as much as luxury AR that are probably more accurate. And you can get a better trigger on an AR. But it's short and handy for CQB and can still reach out to 400+ yards.

 

You folks arguing over length differences in common defense guns really are talking a bunch of crap. Maneuvering in your house with ANY firearm is a matter of technique and PRACTICE. The length differences between all guns--handguns included is nominal at best and the differences are easily mitigated through training and technique,

If you doubt what I'm telling you watch this short but irrefutable video that demonstrates of what I'm trying to express...

The discussion about suppressors is another matter and a moot point for most as 99% plus of you will not go out and buy a suppressor and spend $200 on a tax stamp and wait 10 months. Some will...but not many.

An AR pistols compact size is negated by the fact that you have to deploy it out in front of you like a handgun--which makes it defacto as long as even a 18-20" barrel pump shotgun...maybe longer. And I will guarantee you there is nothing faster or more deadly than a pump shotgun *or even a good semi-auto) at close range. Not even close.

 

You folks arguing over length differences in common defense guns really are talking a bunch of crap. Maneuvering in your house with ANY firearm is a matter of technique and PRACTICE. The length differences between all guns--handguns included is nominal at best and the differences are easily mitigated through training and technique,

If you doubt what I'm telling you watch this short but irrefutable video that demonstrates of what I'm trying to express...

The discussion about suppressors is another matter and a moot point for most as 99% plus of you will not go out and buy a suppressor and spend $200 on a tax stamp and wait 10 months. Some will...but not many.

An AR pistols compact size is negated by the fact that you have to deploy it out in front of you like a handgun--which makes it defacto as long as even a 18-20" barrel pump shotgun...maybe longer. And I will guarantee you there is nothing faster or more deadly than a pump shotgun *or even a good semi-auto) at close range. Not even close.

You can form 1 a can and have it in 30ish days. Same as an SBR. If you spend some time on the form 1 forums/boards you can probably even build a can that performs better than the SF ones everyone seems to gravitate to.

 

I think I'm the first one to post this, but isn't there a concern indoors about over-penetration with a rifle caliber? What about a good old-fashioned 9mm carbine, SBR, or handgun? This is INDOORS that I'm talking about, as the OP said it's about home defense.

Outside of the home, one would certainly prefer a carbine over a pistol.

 

Nope. Tired old argument.

 

That's very helpful, and makes sense. Thanks for the reply.

I suppose now if the issue is not overpenetration, it's the noise and flash.

 

I got rid of my AR pistols. I love them but they are just too loud. I think a shotgun or PCC is a better option, Ruger PC charger?

 

I would just like to say again for anyone who missed it, I'm not knocking AR pistols, I'm just questioning whether they have any real advantage over a carbine for home defense. I have always been interested in a 10 & 1/2 762X39 myself.

 

The only real advantage is you can put a can on and be the same length as the carbine but close to or possibly hearing safe spending on load.

 

Try touching-off an AR pistol in a dark room or hallway. "Disorienting" is a good word to describe the experience. "Disability" would be the second word that comes to mind.

 

Trying to look at this as the full package, I feel that the pistol form is unbalanced and awkward. I would be far more comfortable with the carbines allows for a balanced 2 handed presentation. That to me says I can control the weapon better, protect against its loss and use it as a secondary(impact, striking) weapon. But dance with the one that brung ya!

Also like the come back that your plans all change after the first punch or first shot is fired.!

 

It is abundantly clear to me that neither you nor BB have any idea how "most" AR pistol owners utilize them. They don't hold them out in front in a weaver or isosceles stance. They hold and use them like carbines. Short ones at that. The one person who posted photos earlier in this thread of the muzzle flash of these weapons is literally THE ONLY person I have ever seen shoot an AR pistol like any other pistol.

 

"Is an AR pistol really more effective for home defense?"


As far as being "EFFECTIVE" (depending on your definition of effective).......

I'm positive the .223 (5.56) AR pistol would definitely be "EFFECTIVE" on most things the shooter wants to "damage".

Even out of the short barrel pistol the .223/5.56 bullet will (most times) penetrate one side of a heavy steel pipe.

 

AR's and AR pistols have their purpose but I'd argue for me that neither of them have a place in an HD scenario.

Guns are loud as **** and I don't live on 40 acres in a 5,000 sq ft home. I'm not going to uninstall my hearing and blind myself at 0300 in the morning shooting a 10 inch AR at a tweaker, deer, etc.

G19x with a TLR-1HL and an extended mag for me.