Thinking of putting together a pistol AR in .300 BLK, with a piston gas system, so as to avoid having the buffer sticking out the back.

Thoughts?

At the moment, thinking an 8" or 10" barrel... PSA lower/upper...

*nods* I can also see the value of it as a counterweight to the barrel (and possibly a can).  But I think I'd rather leave it off and practice sling use.

I got to thinking of this 'cuz Winter Is Coming... which is to say, there's a infinitesimal chance that Atlanta will get snow this winter, but very few people here know how to actually cope with the s___ (including our esteemed Governor), but when it does fall, it's not hard for the city to be Absolutely Shut Down (see: Snowpocalypse '14). A friend of ours was trapped in her car (True Story = had to pee in a bottle. This is wellll outside her comfort zone.).

Anyway.  Should things get that fubar'd again, I was thinking of what I'd prefer to have on hand to make the Long Walk back to the house (18 miles, as the Google maps), leaving the car behind.  Georgia law does allow me to have a weapon on campus, so long as it is locked up in my vehicle, 8 ways from Sunday.  As fond of the Kahr as I am, and as comfortable with it as a "get back to the car and haul patootie" weapon, I'm not sure I'm comfortable with it for a Long Walk.

So, I got to thinking of alternatives.  I'd rather get something that's a caliber I'm already stocking.  So, either 9mm, .300 BLK, or 7.62 NATO.  I want it to be compact enough too stow easily.  Light enough to carry easily.  Able to mount a light and/or laser to it.  Able to sling it.

Unfortunately, an MP5 is outside my price range, soooooo...

All piston systems that I know of still require a buffer tube of some sort to provide room for the bolt carrier to reciprocate.

I say spend $200 for the SBR stamp and get an Uzi. This then gives you the right to wear a trench coat, grow a rockin' mullet and mustache, and wear those huge, dark 80's sunglasses.

Seriously though, have you looked at the CZ scorpion evo? That sorta fits your requirements and I've heard good things.

How about an underfolder AK with a short barrel and gas block mounted front sight and a 20 round mag? Still need a SBR stamp.  Hard to beat that for compact efficiency. 

Naw, I want to stick with ammo I already buy: 9mm, 300 BLK, .38 Spl ( a Rossi Mare's Leg was contemplated), and 7.62 NATO.

One of the other critters I've considered is a Beretta CX-4... share mags and ammo with my 92A1...

Do you not already have a Cx4?  I thought you do (or did).



Kaso

Nope, not yet.

Really?  I thought for sure that you and I were the Cx4 club of WTA...



Kaso

I am going to recommend you either go bigger or smaller, but not go with an AR pistol.  Why?  An AR pistol gives you an increase in range, definitely, but only a very minor advantage in engaging targets at distance.  Combined with the fact that this would be solely for self defense, (and thus not used at distance) I don't think it is worth the weight increase over a full sized 9mm pistol.  That is what I would do:  A fighting-size pistol in a shoulder holster that is sized to fit over your winter coat.  This also has the benefit of being easier to stow discreetly in your vehicle.

If you do feel that you need a larger gun than that, either a Cx4 or a .357 lever action.  Or a cheap Mossy pump shotgun.  I realize that you don't want to stock another caliber, but if we are honest, a few hundred rounds of assorted ammunition is enough for a shotgun that rarely leaves the trunk.  The rounds and the gun, combined, are most likely going to cost less than any of your other options will. (for just the gun only)  If you do go with a long arm, Get. A. Sling.  With a hike of up to 18 miles ahead of you, that sling will be gold.

Then there is the question of can you even hike 18 miles?  This is something that you need to ask yourself privately, not something that we need to know.  18 miles is a looong way, let alone in a few inches of white stuff.  My advice would be to have your wife drop you off at work next Friday morning, (so you have all weekend to recover) and after work...  Just walk home.  Carry a pack equivalent to you trunk BOB, and wear boots like you would have stored in your trunk.  Carry your cell phone, and have the Mrs on standby to pick you up midway, should you need it.  You might be surprised, pleasantly or not, but I would consider this more important of a test than what hardware you might pack.



Kaso

Was reading in a gun magazine where a guy used a single point sling for a Draco pistol with a 20 round mag (underneath a coat) for concealed carry. Strange, but cool.

I also think a mares leg in .44 magnum or .357 using the single point sling idea beneath a coat would be awesome. A lot of horse power (pun!) there and even more compact than the AK pistol.

Huh, maybe he does have the PX4. What happened to Khorne and the other guys? In fact, where's Unkle Musket? I miss that guy. Even if he does type in old english and find most of our firearms as sacrilege  .

I miss a lot of the old regulars, and a few I really don't, but people change and move on.



Kaso

Then there is the question of can you even hike 18 miles? 

Oh, no, I couldn't do that in one day - it'd be a camping trip (though I could probably make it to a friend's house the first day, then hike home the next - it's close to halfway).  The good thing is that, with the roads closed, I'd be able to follow them, instead of cutting cross country.

The other option would be hoofing it a few blocks to a hotel... but most of the hotels near work are a touch ritzy.

You thought I had a CX4 because I've posted about them a fair amount... I still intend to get one, but I don't think it'd do for this.  At 29.7 in OAL, it's longer than I'm wanting.  I can beat that by 4-5" going with a 300 BLK SBR.  I have seen AR pistols without the buffer... not sure what parts are involved in getting that to work.   

My other interest in going AR is financial - after my wife's house sells, my finances will free up enough to buy a few parts a month, and build it when I have everything. Hard to do with anything off-the-shelf (and I think Sean would have a fit if I got my hands on a Skorpion before he did).

With a long-arm, I'd probably sling'n'scoot (which reminds me to double-check GA and local laws regarding long arms... ).

I talked to the wife about it today, and in exasperation she said "Just get another Beretta!"

Capital idea, honey...

 

I talked to the wife about it today, and in exasperation she said "Just get another Beretta!"

If she meant another 92, I agree with her.  A pistol will give the same firepower as a PCC, but weigh a whole lot less and be a lot easier to stow in your car.  Much easier to carry concealed, too, which if you want to get any friendly 'come in for 10 minutes to get warm' invites, will probably be important.

Another Beretta - either another 92 or a Cx4 - is going to have the additional perk of magazine commonality. 

Yes, definitely check the laws regarding open carry during a declared 'state of emergency,' which is what Georgia is going to call more than an inch...  Honestly, the only reason I would go with a long arm is if you have to walk through shady areas, and want to have a visible deterrent to criminal aggression.  This cuts both ways, of course, because if a perp is willing to stick you up in a snow storm for your wallet, he is probably also willing to pop you for your gun.

It's all up to you, of course.  I just think the way you are leaning is a lot of extra aggravation for little gain.



Kaso