What are practical differences between SBR and an AR Pistol in SHTF context?

[ArcadiaGP]

I'm putting together some items and whatnot for a BOB/GHB/Car Bag/Go Bag/3DB/INCH sort of thing... and I'm starting to consider the "compact" rifle to accompany it.

I know this is probably a newbie question, but when it comes to usefulness and practicality, what is the main difference between having an SBR, or having an AR Pistol with an "arm guard" or something similar on it? Does one fire differently than the other?

If I wanted to get an affordable SBR or AR pistol, what would I expect to spend... ballpark? AR pistols seem pretty cheap... I've seen people convert them into SBR-status... does that make it a true SBR, or are manufactured SBR different in some way?

Thanks

 

[HamsterStyle]

Function wise, I would say that they are the same thing when all is the same except stock/brace. Cost wise, same thing minus the stamp. In my opinion, whichever you shoot best would be the best option. As far as switching a pistol to an SBR, it is actually a rifle once a stock and stamp are added.


Edit: cost, I think you can pick up ar's now for $4-500. I assume a pistol setup would be the same. If not, add the cost of a pistol buffer tube ($30 or so) and sell the stock off of it to recoup some costs.

 

[CPT Nervous]

Function wise, no different. From a practical standpoint, no different. You just wouldn't be able to have a collapsible stock, but you could still have a "rifle" that fits in a backpack or wherever else you want to stow it.

 

[Yeah]

If I wanted to get an affordable SBR or AR pistol, what would I expect to spend... ballpark?

$500

 

[Ruffnek]

I've never shot an AR pistol so this may sound stupid, please forgive me if it does. Why couldn't one just shoulder the tube or even the Thordsen saddle?

ETA: I know the controversy over the Sig brace, but a plain tube and the Thordsen device don't look like stocks.

 

[bwframe]

Since this is the SHTF preparation as mentioned;
You are on record with the SBR, twice if you bought the lower from the gun store.

[video=youtube;3OaF-j8x5Vc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OaF-j8x5Vc[/video]




Question to those up in it;
Is it clearly determined that the sig brace pistols are legal? Or are we still speculating, hoping, guessing?

 

[Hop]

Does SHTF mean you bug out across state lines? If so when things calm down you have transported an NFA item across state lines without permission from the man. Of course carrying a pistol out of state without LTCH reciprocity can get interesting as well. You know... all that shall not infringe stuff never gets in the way of the man.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

I've never shot an AR pistol so this may sound stupid, please forgive me if it does. Why couldn't one just shoulder the tube or even the Thordsen saddle?

ETA: I know the controversy over the Sig brace, but a plain tube and the Thordsen device don't look like stocks.

You can. It's just not as good as a real stock IMO in terms of things like cheek weld and stability for recoil control. Think of trying to hold a pool cue under recoil vs a pool cue with a big flat rectangle on the back. Which is easier to brace and stop left/right movement?

 

[Grease]

Yall do realize the if SHTF bad enough to grab your BOB and SBR, what the man thinks should be the least of your concerns right?

with that being said, SBR all day long. NFA only covers the receiver, not the upper so, if you have say, 3 AR15's and you bought one from Johnny down the road on a bill of sale, the man knows nothing about it. If you have to, turn in the NFA lower and keep the upper. If SHTF, drop that pistol upper on your lower and roll out.

 

[Kutnupe14]

Yall do realize the if SHTF bad enough to grab your BOB and SBR, what the man thinks should be the least of your concerns right?

with that being said, SBR all day long. NFA only covers the receiver, not the upper so, if you have say, 3 AR15's and you bought one from Johnny down the road on a bill of sale, the man knows nothing about it. If you have to, turn in the NFA lower and keep the upper. If SHTF, drop that pistol upper on your lower and roll out.

This!

 

[jd4320t]

$500-$600. Add another hundred if you want a pistol brace.

I like my SBR's but my next build will be a pistol with brace or Thordsen device for my trunk gun.

 

[ArcadiaGP]

Yall do realize the if SHTF bad enough to grab your BOB and SBR, what the man thinks should be the least of your concerns right?

with that being said, SBR all day long. NFA only covers the receiver, not the upper so, if you have say, 3 AR15's and you bought one from Johnny down the road on a bill of sale, the man knows nothing about it. If you have to, turn in the NFA lower and keep the upper. If SHTF, drop that pistol upper on your lower and roll out.

Yeah, in the scenario that I guess I was thinking of... I'm worried more about my safety than I am about laws.

 

[bwframe]

The other side of the coin. What if SHTF IS gun confiscation?

 

[Alpo]

The other side of the coin. What if SHTF IS gun confiscation?

I used to worry about this until I had that terrible boating accident off the coast of Florida in a sudden squall and lost my firearm inventory. I was lucky to survive. Now? I just have a bow and arrow........one arrow...with a suction tip.

 

[CPT Nervous]

I used to worry about this until I had that terrible boating accident off the coast of Florida in a sudden squall and lost my firearm inventory. I was lucky to survive. Now? I just have a bow and arrow........one arrow...with a suction tip.

A high capacity automatic assault bow with cop killing heat seeking suction tip?

 

[Spear Dane]

Does SHTF mean you bug out across state lines? If so when things calm down you have transported an NFA item across state lines without permission from the man. Of course carrying a pistol out of state without LTCH reciprocity can get interesting as well. You know... all that shall not infringe stuff never gets in the way of the man.

SHTF means you give no ****s at all about what 'the man' thinks, you are in survival mode.

 

[CPT Nervous]

SHTF means you give no ****s at all about what 'the man' thinks, you are in survival mode.

You are still responsible for anything you do, should order ever be restored. That is, if you're caught...

 

[Spear Dane]

You are still responsible for anything you do, should order ever be restored. That is, if you're caught...

Absolutely. However I see it as something similar to the 'better tried by 12 then carried by 6' cliche.

 

[The Bubba Effect]

My "go to" guns are 16" AR's with collapsible stocks. If SHTF, I'm grabbing one of them if I can. That said, I have a 12" Pistol with a sig brace and I cannot imagine it being any different on a practical level than an SBR. Aside from keeping panties unbunched, I do not think the SBR has anything over the AR Pistol with sig brace.

 

[daddyusmaximus]

I have been wanting a brace for my pistol, but just can't imagine them being near as stable as a real stock. Sold off the pistol, kept the SBR. Now, to find a private sale lower... Somebody has my old lower on a private sale.

Hey, Let's all trade lowers...