9mm AR Carbine Build (Glock magazine compatible)

I’ve concluded there’s not many things more fun in the world of AR’s than a simple and reliable 9mm AR carbine.

As mentioned in a recent article on carbine caliber ARs, I had decided to build a 9mm AR carbine as a range toy. My goal was to keep costs around $1,000 and come away with something that used Glock mags and could compare with my B&T APC9, which impressed during a comparison I did with carbines vs. the 300BLK SBR.

In response to that article, AR15Discounts was kind enough to send me parts for a build…and I’m pleased to report the pistol has turned out even better than I could have hoped.

Now, let me be clear up front: For defensive purposes, my 300 Blackout AR remain king of the castle, with less recoil and report than the 9mm.  But, for plinking and fun, this 9mm AR Carbine build is a no-brainer.

9mm AR Carbine Lower and Upper Receiver

When I received the packages of build parts in the mail, what stood out most was the beautiful receiver from Dirty Bird Industries. Full disclosure, ARBuildJunkie is sponsored by AR15Discounts/Dirty Bird Industries, so please keep that in mind as you read the following article.  As with any firearms purchase, do your research before you buy. Never rely on a single source of information.

The new Dirty Bird DB9 receiver set has some of the best build quality I have seen in a pistol caliber lower.  It’s machined by New Frontier Armory from a solid block of 7075-T6 alumnium, and has a black anodized coating.  The lower also accepts Glock magazines, which was a key requirement for me.

On the range, this receiver set impressed. My mags dropped easy and free using both standard and extended factory Glock mags. With its use of a standard mil-spec bolt catch, last round bolt hold-open was also flawless over the course of 30-plus magazines.

Also worth noting, I built the receiver up with an NBS ambi safety selector, a Strike Industries Extended Latch Charging Handle, and a Magpul MOE pistol grip.  Finally, a simple pair of Magpul MBUS was added.

Trigger

In discussing this build with AR15Discounts, I decided I wanted something slightly better than mil-spec, but nothing too expensive, as again, I was trying to beat the B&T APC9 for HALF the cost.

Going overboard on a trigger didn’t make much sense.  Frankly, I’m fast-slapping a trigger to hit large steel plates at 15-20 yards…To me, the ALG ACT Combat Trigger was an ideal solution.  It’s basically like cleaned up mil-spec trigger, minus the grit.

9mm AR Carbine Bolt Carrier

I’ve heard a lot of good things about the ODIN Works 9mm bolt carrier group and was not disappointed when it arrived.  It is a 9mm blowback type bolt carrier advertised to work well with Glock-compatible lowers like the Dirty Bird.

At the range, the gun ran like a sewing machine.  Some credit must go to this bolt, which has an external M-16 style extractor, vs. the possibly problematic internal style.

Barrel

For the barrel, we ended up going with the Ballistic Advantage 8.3” 9mm modern series. Now that I plan to keep the pistol suppressed full-time, I’m thinking a shorter 4” barrel underneath the handguard with an Octane 9 suppressor peeking from underneath might look pretty slick.

For now though, I like the overall profile. It’s a great barrel for simple builds, as it is compatible with all styles of bolt carrier groups and both Colt and Glock magazines.

Handguard

I was sent the FDE version of the Strike Industries Strike Rail M-LOK Handguard at 10”…with the idea being the inside dimensions of it at 1.57″ would accommodate my Octane 9 suppressor with some room to spare.  The outer dimensions of that particular can is around 1.37. 

This was my first experience with the Strike Industries Handguard and I was quite surprised.  To be honest, I had heard a bit of negativity over the fact that it’s imported…but to its credit, the rail had a great fit and finish and went on without any issues.  The FDE also looked wonderful.

When the suppressor is not on the firearm, I opted to put a Blitzkrieg Tactical Flash Can on it.  It has a nice look.  If I pretend hard enough, it is about what it would have looked like had we gone with the 4” barrel plus the suppressor.

Stablizer, Etc.

I’d seen the KAK Shockwave before, and for a no-nonsense, inexpensive stabilizer it does not disappoint.  It compares very favorably with the stabilizing brace on the APC9.  In practical terms when comparing the two while shooting, you don’t notice a difference.

The KAK Shockwave was installed onto a KAK Shockwave Pistol Reciever Extention/Buffer Tube paired with a mil-spec carbine buffer spring.  Inside sat an extended KAK 9mm Carbine Buffer.

AR15Discounts sent me this extended version because, in a 9mm AR Carbine, the 9mm BCG travels farther back into the buffer tube than a 5.56 BCG typically does.  Due to this overtravel, there is potential to damage the bolt catch by placing undue stress on it. In addition to the extended buffer, I was also sent a heavier buffer as well, just in case I had issues.

Range Test

For the first range test, I was very anxious to see how this build functioned.  To be honest, this is the first blowback AR I have attempted, so fingers crossed, I went to my favorite part of my range, the steel section…

I brought along 10 boxes of 115-grain UMC and another 10 boxes of 147-grain along with a pile of new Glock mags.  The 9mm AR Carbine was lubed somewhat liberally with Break Free CLP and firing commenced.

During this range session on the 25-yard steel range, the gun performed flawlessly.  1,000 rounds fired without malfunction. 

Just as pleasing was the fact eyes closed, you wouldn’t necessarily be able to tell a difference between this carbine and the more expensive B&T.  So far…Mission accomplished!  The gun was just as smooth, just as accurate with the Magpul MBUS…and simply about as much fun as you can have with an AR.

In the next few weeks, I look forward to spending more time with it, getting a feel for its accuracy on paper and putting as much ammo through it as I can.  Down the line, I might also consider swapping out that 8.3” for the 4” barrel and seeing what, if any, differences I feel.

Regardless, the 9mm AR Carbine build so far is an absolute joy…both on the pocketbook and at the range.  If you’ve been on the fence, I’d recommend taking a look at this build and seeing if it might be right for you.

Thanks again to AR15Discounts.com for the parts.  Links to the parts and their store can be found below.

9mm AR Carbine Complete Parts List

• Dirty Bird DB9 9mm / Pistol Caliber Receiver Set
• Strike Industries Strike Rail M-LOK Handguard
  
• Dirty Bird AR-15 Lower Parts Kit Minus FCG & Pistol Grip
• Ballistic Advantage 8.3″ 9MM Modern Series AR-15 Barrel
• Blitzkrieg Tactical Flash Can – Regular 1.360″ OD 1/2 – 28
• Strike Industries Extended Latch Charging Handle – FDE
• AR-15 Mil-Spec Carbine Buffer Spring
• AR15 9MM Carbine Buffer – Extended
• KAK Shockwave Blade Pistol Stabilizer – Black
• KAK Shockwave Pistol Receiver Extension / Buffer Tube
• Magpul MBUS Front Flip-Up Sight Gen 2 (Black)
• Magpul MBUS Rear Flip-Up Sight Gen 2 (Black)
• Magpul MOE Pistol Grip – Black
• NBS Mil-Spec Style Ambidextrous Safety Selector
• ODIN Works 9mm Black Nitride Bolt Carrier Group
• ALG ACT AR-15 Combat Trigger