Let me start by adding this disclosure. When this AR pistol came in, I called my ATF agent to get the latest on shouldering an AR pistol with a brace. As I was told at the time of writing and filming this by the ATF, it was fine to shoulder an AR pistol with a brace.
I am no stranger to the type of rifle Andrew Barnes produces at Barnes Precision Machine, so I had high expectations when one of his 9mm AR pistols came in for review. At first glance, all seemed fine with the pistol, but a few range trips would tell the tale.
The heart of the BPM 9mm AR pistol is the Stern Defense adaptor inserted and locked into the magazine well via the magazine release. This relocates the magazine release a couple of inches lower and a push forward to release the magazine instead of a push-in. After a few magazines through the pistol, you get used to it. This setup proved reliable for locking the bolt to the rear on an empty magazine. The advantage of this setup is Barnes Precision Machine lowers are marked multi-caliber, so removing the Stern Defense adaptor from the mag well leaves you with a mil-spec lower for swapping other uppers of different calibers.
The BPM pistol is well appointed with a Barnes Precision Machine aluminum pistol brace and Magpul flip-up sights mounted to a full-length Picatinny Rail. The trigger broke at six pounds with some take up and a little overtravel. This is precisely where I would want my trigger for any duty or defensive pistol.
While it is a shorty, you still have MLok on the port, starboard, and bottom of the free-floated handguard with QD sling inserts. Note the standard A2 flash hider; however, the muzzle threads differ. I believe this one is one-half by thirty-six, but I have also seen them in one-half by twenty-six and one-half by twenty-four. So, if you plan on mounting accessories such as a silencer, confirm the thread pitch of any 9mm AR.
While this model is FDE with nickel accents, you can email BPM at info@barnesprecision.com to customize or change your AR as you see fit.
Three rounds fired from a rest at 25 yards
Conclusions
For the review, we fielded factory Glock thirty-one and seventeen-round magazines and the Magpul PMag seventeen-round magazine with a myriad of ammunition with zero issues in 500+ rounds and several shooters. The pistol was oiled out of the box, but no further care was performed once live fire commenced. While 500 rounds is not a torture test per say, it is plenty enough to show if there were going to be any issues. Being legally a pistol, it can be concealed with the proper concealed carry permit if that applies in your state and would serve well as home defense or self-defense alone or as a backup to your sidearm. The fact it takes Glock magazines allows you to stock up on plenty of spare magazines that are inexpensive and readily available. If your sidearm of choice is a Glock 9mm, chances are you already have a good supply of magazines; however, the magazine for the Glock 26 was just a shade too short to lock in easily. While not quite as comfortable as a standard stock on an SBR, the pistol configuration allows you to cut through a tremendous amount of red tape and, in my opinion, is worth it by far; with that said, no one found it uncomfortable to run or manage.
Specifications
Barnes Precision Machine CQB 9mm AR pistol
Caliber: 9mm Lugar
Barrel length: 7.5″
Overall length: 25″
Weight unloaded: 6 3/4 pounds
Trigger pull: 6 pounds
MSRP: $1181
- Mil-Spec 7075 forged upper/lower.
- Upper receiver, lower receiver and handguard hard anodized to Mil Spec Type III specifications.
- All BPM Inc. lowers feature adjustable tension screw and detent retention set screw for rear takedown pin detent.
- Pistol-length gas system
- BPM Inc. PSFFRS Ultra-lite Extreme 7″ Handguard complete with quick detach sling swivel inserts. (FDE Cerakote)
- Every BPM rifle ships with a Patriot AR Case with custom high-density foam inserts, a Users Manual with Warranty, and one Magpul PMAG
Acknowledgments