My son may be a steel target phenom in SASP (Scholastic Action Shooting Program). He’s currently shooting iron sight rimfire pistol and optic rimfire rifle.
The coaches think he’d be a good fit for their PCC squad. Our family finances weren’t necessarily ready for that. It occurred to me that maybe PSA sells an AR-9 that might be a suitable and affordable basis for a competitive carbine.
The competition gun would need to swing easily, have a 1.5-3 pound flat-face trigger, host a dot, 16-inch barrel, have no brake or compensator, need LRBHO, and chew on white box ammo for practice, while hitting the steel with competition ammo at meets.
While I am sure he can get fast and accurate with any platform, I have seen competitors use and struggle with the Ruger PC. It’s kind of an awkward rifle- reloads are just… idk how to describe it… cumbersome?
The AR platform has so much aftermarket support, options, and features; i would say keep an eye open for the AR9. Maybe even an ARV?
ive got a PCC ar9 16" carbine that PSA built for me and gave me when i first got sick with cancer. its a nail driver. and it is a blast to shoot..
I built myself a AR9 psa pistol for fun, cause it was a shorter barrel. i went with a 10.5 if i remember correctly, and i love how that pistol shoots.. its also dead on and very reliable..
both those above use Glock Magazines.. which are highly common and swappable between any of my daggers and glock 9mms that i own. which is a great thing..
i also built an ARV 9mm which uses the other magazines, by CZ, and they roll fine too. i’ve never had an issue with feeding on this gun either.. its much smaller barrel i went with a 6" and did a cloneish look of a mp5 kinda. it looks great, runs great, and is small as crap for an ar based pistol. i love it. any of these i feel would be great for competition, but id probably go with the 16" barrel for you since you’re behind enemy lines… any of them would be a great choice i guess is what im getting at.
Cool. Could you share the build specs on the carbine? Sounds like a heck of a gun.
(And, I hope the cancer’s out of your life now!)
I’m in Texas and own several SBRs. But this UIL-associated youth-focused national shooting program wants to ensure that all kids have access to the same materials nationwide (plus there’d be no end of consternation if an overzealous parent showed up with an unintentional SBR they made by putting a stock on pistol their kid uses).
Our local team is fun in that a couple times a year they have “fun days” where the kids get to shoot, um, things they would not otherwise have access to.
sure this is the build as it sits now. Note, anything listed from Strike Industries were added by me after they gave me the rifle. I added it in red, as it matched the hydro dipping of the rifle a bit more to me.
PSA Gen 4 9mm Lower Receiver SN: X9-00xxxx
PSA Gen 4 9mm Upper Receiver
Strike Industries Advanced Receiver Extension - Red
Buffer Spring
Buffer - 9 MM Carbine
Magpul MOE HydroDipped Buttstock GCO Edition
Strike Industries - Charging Handle in Red w/extended latch
Strike Industries - AR Enhanced Castle Nut & Extended End Plate - Red
Strike Industries - LINK Curved ForeGrip - Red
Strike Industries - Flip Switch Safety - Red
Strike Industries - Ultra Light Pivot / Takedown Pins - Red
Strike Industries - Extended Bolt Catch
Strike Industries - Angled QD Sling Mount - Red
BSF 416 Stainless Shrouded RED Carbon Fiber Barrell
PSA 9mm Lower Parts Kit
PSA - 2 Stage Trigger -Nickle Boron Coated
PSA 9mm Upper Parts Kit
PSA Handguard 15" Hydrodipped GCO Edition
Strike Industries Viper Enhanced Pistol Grip 15
Magpul Rear Black BUIS
Magpul Front Black BUIS
Strike Mini KingComp 9mm
ETS Smoke 30 Round Magazines
Palmetto State Armory 42" Rifle Bag
Sig Sauer Romeo5 Red Dot Optic
Korean 50 Round Glock Drum
Magpul MS3 Sling - Black
He’s been loaned a team gun to practice with. From what I can tell, this the build:
New Frontier lower
Foxtrot Mike side-charging upper
FM9 BCG
UTG Pro Forerunner MLOK handguard
Hiperfire PDI trigger
Din Works mag release & ambi Safety
Aluminum Fortis Grip
Lancer LSS Stock
Holosun HS510C on QD mount
The unknown barrel, oddly enough, seems to be about 10.5 inches, but is obscured by a 16-inch aluminum shroud that’s got brake and comp holes milled into the end. Is that common?
Here’s my 2; FM9 SCH 7.5 pistol
FM9 lower w/DDT upper RCH 16" rifle
One of my granddaughter’s have ran both of them since she was 12 yrs old…but not competition just ringing steel.
Both extremely faithful and eats CCI brass Magtech IMI AAC just to name a few.
Competition worthy? Competition faithful
