The "Cheap" Pistols

When you read the title, in all probability, an image like the one above pops into your head. If that's the case, you'd be partially correct if you think that's the topic of this post. That's because, in the last couple of weeks, I've been operating on this side of the "tracks" of the gun world.... kinda of.....  We'll start here.

A few months ago, I read an article about what would happen in the case of a perfectly legal shooting. One of the points that was made, is that in all likelihood, the gun used would be confiscated for evidence and that there would be a strong possibility that you'd never see it again. And therefore, you should look at carrying and/or using an inexpensive firearm that you'd be OK to give up. After giving it some though, I decided to look into what is available out there in the sub (or around) $200 category. I started with the Taurus, because, I had previously owned one when I first looked into conceal carry. At that time, I ended up with the PT-111 G2 because it fit virtually all the criteria (on paper) of a candidate for something to carry around regularly, and it was inexpensive. Actually, it came about as a result of a trade for a Smith & Wesson SD9 VE that I had picked up for about $150. I played with it and really didn't like the trigger much and ended up flipping it as part of getting a Kel-tec Sub2000 because I really wanted a pistol caliber carbine. The whole situation turned out well and I still have and fully intend on keeping that carbine for a very long time. Anyway, back to my story. In the end, I didn't hate it, but just wanted something else more at that time. Subsequently, my every (not school) day carry ended up being a Walther PPS/M1 which I love!

So, what happened? Well..... due to the article, I decided to look into having another 9mm that would fulfill the role of the sacrificial gun, and whether there was anything cheap out there that was worth having. And once again, the trail led me back to Taurus. But by now, they had revamped the old PT111 G2 into the new G2C. Pretty much it's exactly the same as the old gun but they removed the slide-mounted gun lock. Fine by me! Supposedly, the trigger's been improved, but not that I can tell! The capper was that I was able to snag one for about $150. I figured; at that price, I couldn't pass it up. Case closed!

.....and then this happened......

....but that's an AR.... isn't it? Well yes, yes it is.... an AR pistol upper that is. 

You might remember that I had built an AR, but then I bought another Aero Precision lower which got built as a "pistol" lower, meaning that it has never been registered as a rifle, so it can be legally built into anything. I found a KAK buffer tube, and Shockwave Blade for a good price and started building my pistol out. Along the way, I caught one of the many Palmetto State Armory (PSA) sales on a Nickel Boron coating trigger group, and threw that in there as well. I feels great. I'm hard-pressed to tell the difference between it and the pricier ALG one in my carbine. 

I found a Bushnell TRS-25 locally for $50 and it even co-witnesses with some fold-down backup irons which were another $20 or so. The other random lower parts are just leftovers from my parts drawer. When combined with the special on the pistol upper kit for $110, this whole thing got done for a total closer to $300 than $400! It's amazingly handy to carry around and has really helped me to understand what all the hub-bub on the AR pistols is all about. My CMMG 22LR conversion bolt lives in this thing most of the time, and this short little pistol is just flat-out fun to shoot!

How To Play The "Long Game"

There was a running back who played for the Dallas Cowboys back in the old days, named Walt Garrison. It was said of ole' Walt, that if you needed 3 yards, you gave the ball to Walt and he got you those 3 yards, ..... however, if you needed 7 yards and gave the ball to Walt, he'd get you 3 yards..... What's my point? That was the old days where scores resembled baseball games of the 90s and coaches believe that only 3 things can happen when you pass; and two of those were bad! So, we'll just say that scoring was a long drawn out process.

In adherence to that principle, I bought a gun..... Yeah...., that's a gun. OK, here's the story. When I originally bought/built my AR15, some things were done out of expediency. Like the "complete lower" that I was able to pick up for $135. It wasn't everything I wanted, but it had good bones (a Aero Precision Gen 1 lower). I just wanted a complete AR for an affordable price. But, in the end, I'd like to have is my dream gun. So, last month, I bought a Gen 2 lower for less than $50. The plan is, over time, I'm going to build up the "dream gun" with all the parts in it that I really want, then switch the upper when it's finished. What all is going to be in this super gun?

Other than the, "next gen" lower, it's going to be built around an ALG Defense, Advance Combat Trigger (ACT). Which is "Mil-spec", but better, cleaner and lighter. That's the most expensive piece at about $70, but I'm going to use better, or more advance parts for each little piece in the lower. My plan is to have an ambidextrous safety, a Magpul BAD lever to allow bolt release from both sides as well as upgraded springs everywhere. I also plan to use either the JP Industries silent buffer or something similar to it. 

I'll finish it all off with an Aero Precision billet, enlarged trigger guard. At that point, the lower end of my M4 "Recce Carbine" will pretty much be done. So, why would I do it this way? 

Touchdown! Here's the concept. When I get the new lower completed with all the upgraded parts, and I move the carbine upper over to it, the left overs will essentially be another complete lower. Here's the important piece (legally that is). When the old lower was bought, it was transferred as a "frame" only and not as either a "rifle" or a "pistol". Therefore, I should be free to rebuild it as pretty much anything I choose, as long as it's not an NFA item). What I'd really like to have is an AR pistol in chambered in 300 Blackout. 

The "philosophy of use" for a 300 Blackout (or AAC) is to have a cartridge that is more effective on targets that are relatively heavy and dense (eg. Feral Hogs) out to 150-250 yards. This particular cartridge starts life as a cut-down 223/5.56 and thus fits an AR bolt-face and will fit in AR magazines as well. However, it's opened up to take a .30 caliber bullet thus giving it great latitude in construction for a hand-loader especially. Given the construction of the case, it's a chambering that does well in sub-carbine (<16")_ length barrels.My intention is to use a 10.5" barrel.

So, in actuality, I'm doing two builds at once. Both will be able to use the same magazines, the same bolt carrier groups and accept the same accessories as well. One will be a carbine and the other will be a pistol. I just can't mix up the uppers and lowers or I'll have an SBR and run afoul of the NFA! The M4 style "Recce" carbine will be in .223 Wylde and therefore capable of good accuracy with either the .223 or the 5.56 out to 300 yards and beyond. The pistol in 300 Blackout will be good from "close quarters" out to 300 yards and more capable of taking down heavier game.