Best AR Pistols

When it comes to the AR-15 and AR pistol market, there are almost limitless options and variations to choose from. For beginner shooters getting into the sport, it can be almost impossible to figure out what you want or need when it comes to an AR pistol. Everything from barrel length, furniture, and rail choice starts to come into play when looking for the best option. Everyone will land on a specific model for one reason or another, but let’s look at some of the best AR pistols on the market based on what the TFB staff uses on a daily basis.

Geissele Super Duty 11.5”

When it comes to a quality ARs its hard to not talk about the Geissele Super Duty especially the 11.5” model. When I asked what everyone’s favorite AR pistol was, a few people including myself thought the Super Duty line of ARs should be on this list. Geissele has been a leader in the AR components market for twenty years and, over the last couple of years, has moved into creating full rifles and pistols as well. I recently uploaded a range review of this firearm on YouTube, so if you’d like to check that out, it may show you just how smooth of a shooter this firearm is for the price.

In short, though, it’s a very soft shooter with an interestingly sized gas port, with a heavier buffer and braided buffer spring. On paper, I wondered if it would cycle properly, but even with a lower-powered 223 Remington, the Super Duty performed without a hitch. If you’re interested in checking out my full write-up, be sure to click the link here. MSRP is fairly high at $2,473.99, but it’s a fantastic choice for what you get right out of the box. There are a few other fantastic options on the market, so let’s take a look at those.

BCM RECCE 11.5”

When it comes to a reliable, trustworthy AR pistol, BCM would have to make the list. While they aren’t known for being flashy or full of features, BCM is known to make a simple, reliable firearm that is obtainable in most budgets. If you ask a real gun guy what a simple, no-frills, reliable rifle would be, they most likely will answer BCM. BCM comes with an 11.5” barrel with a 1/7 twist, along with their MCMR handguard with MLOK as standard.

The RECCE 11.5” also comes with a chrome-lined bolt carrier group with a full auto profile, carbine gas system, as well as their own trigger, charging handle, grip, and furniture. Most RECCE 11.5” models come standard with an A2 bird cage flash suppressor, which can be switched out for an aftermarket muzzle device if you want to add a suppressor or blast deflector down the road. If you’re new or looking for a rock-solid option that doesn’t break the bank, I would certainly consider looking at these firearms for their legendary reliability and durability.

IWI Zion

For those of you who want a really solid AR pistol but can’t afford a high-end model, I would certainly go with the IWI Zion-15 AR pistol with a 12.5” barrel and mid-length gas system. The Zion pistol comes standard with its barrel being 1:8 twist instead of 1:7 like other options on this list, making it better for lighter varmint cartridges, and typically, 1:8 is better for a wider variety of bullet weights. Other features include B5 Furniture with an SB Tactical SBA3 brace, with the option of no brace depending on what you need. When it comes to the rail, IWI put an 11.5” free float rail with M-LOK slots to allow for whatever accessories you need.

If I had to purchase an AR pistol right now for under $1,000, I would certainly be choosing the IWI Zion over other options. The free float handguard has always felt really solid on these, and the overall build quality resembles rifles that are more in the $1,200-$1,500 range rather than sub $1,000. I think this is one of the best bangs for your buck out there in the AR market. I’m sure some of you will bring up cheaper options, but as a rifle you can buy and just throw accessories on and go to the range, it's hard to beat this one.

TYPE-A PRO Rifle

The one AR pistol and now SBR for me, that I tend to travel with as well as take as a main firearm for training, is my 11.5” TYPE-A PRO model. I did an initial review of this model back in February of 2021, after 7 months of testing. If you happened to miss that article, I will leave a link to the original article here to check it out. Fast forward 4 years, and this rifle is still one of the main AR pistols that I use on a regular basis. When it comes to my personal firearms collection, I keep a spreadsheet of every firearm and its round count to make it easier for scheduled maintenance to occur.

According to my log, my PRO rifle has roughly 11,217 rounds through it over the last 5 years. The only change I have made to this rifle is switching out the HUXWRX muzzle for a DeadAir Silencer muzzle device to run the new Sandman X suppressor. Everything else is the same configuration as when it left the factory. I have changed the gas rings out, which is fairly normal, but everything else is running strong. These, like the Geissele rifles, are at a higher price point, but they are well-built and reliable rifles. I opted for the larger maritime controls with a checkered texturing. I also went with the MK quad rail, but they also offer the MK2 rail with MLOK only or SPR, which is a hybrid rail. MSRP on these PRO rifles is $2,099 to $2,200. If you're looking for a quality AR pistol, these are a solid choice with a number of options.

Daniel Defense MK18

One of the best military-accurate AR pistols you can get is the classic MK18 line from Daniel Defense. These are the classic 10” barrel with either a RIS II quad rail that made the MK18 so widely known or the new RIS III option, which is the MLOK version to cut down on weight while improving functionality when adding accessories. These AR pistols come standard with an SB Tactical SBA3 and Daniel Defense furniture as standard. The 10.3” barrel does allow for a short compact package, but this will certainly cut down on overall performance, especially at distance, which is something to consider when looking at your needs from an AR pistol.

The Daniel Defense MK18 will come with a 32-round magazine that comes standard with all Daniel Defense complete firearms. If I had to pick between the Picatinny rail or RIS III MLOK rail, I would have to go with the original Picatinny RIS II rail. Other features like the cold hammer forged barrel and A2 birdcage keep things simple while offering exceptional durability, ensuring you will be able to use your MK18 for years to come without worry. MSRP on these is at a higher price for $2,249.99, but for this price, you get so much military history along with a quality product.

Overall Thoughts

There are some fantastic choices on the market when it comes to AR pistols. These have proven to be some of the best on the market and each one has its own place, no doubt. These are the top five options on the market, in my opinion. There are certainly other options that may fit someone's needs better, but these were the top picks for the TFB staff, which I feel confident in. Let me know what your favorite AR pistol is down in the comments below. If you have questions about AR pistols or firearms in general, feel free to shoot me a message on Instagram @fridgeoperator. Stay safe out there and we will see you in the next one.

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