At a Glance: The Best 9mm AR-15 Uppers on the market today
Comparison of The Best 9mm AR-15 Uppers on the market today
| PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick
|
Foxtrot Mike Products – AR-15 9mm Upper Receivers M-Lok Assembled |
|
View Latest Price |
Our Top Pick
|
Stern Defense, LLC AR-15 SD MOD 4 9mm Upper Receiver 4IN M-Lok Complete |
|
View Latest Price |
|
Spikes Tactical AR-15 9mm Upper Receiver |
|
View Latest Price |
Pistol Caliber Carbines (PCCs) are becoming increasingly popular. If you want to modify your AR-15 into a PCC, then you’ll need a high-quality upper receiver compatible with pistol ammo. Seeing as 9mm ammo is some of the most affordable and widely available ammo on the market, it makes sense to opt for a 9mm PCC AR platform, otherwise known as an AR9.
The best 9mm AR-15 uppers
Converting your AR-15 into an AR9 has some serious benefits. The first thing you’ll need is a dedicated upper and lower receiver. The market for 9mm AR-15 uppers has grown a lot in recent years thanks to the surging popularity of the AR9.
If you’re stuck for choice, then fear not, we’re here to help. Here are the best 9mm AR-15 uppers that you can buy right now.
Foxtrot Mike Products – AR-15 9mm Upper Receivers M-Lok Assembled
For the PCC shooter looking for something that’s ready to go out of the box, the Foxtrot Mike Products AR-15 9mm Upper Receiver with M-Lok assembly will have you shooting 9mm rounds out of your AR platform in no time.
Designed with a Picatinny rail and an M-Lok compatible handguard, this fully assembled upper unit is perfect for beginners who just want to get on with shooting and not have to waste any time assembling their AR9 or climbing the learning curves that come with it.
The construction is mostly Melonite-finished 4150 carbon steel that you could run over with a dump truck and still not disfigure. The barrel is button-rifled and has a twist rate of 1-10″ which ensures just enough twist for 9mm rounds, which gain velocity a lot quicker than their 5.56/.223 counterparts and thus don’t need as much twist.
The Foxtrot Mike upper will go with pretty much any pistol caliber lower receiver that takes Glock magazines. The only exceptions are Spikes Tactical 9mm Glock lower receivers. The upper also isn’t compatible with aluminum ammo, although it has no problem firing any brass ammo, no matter how cheap.
The 5″ variant of this upper uses a standard AR charging handle that most of you will likely be familiar with, while the 8.5″, 10.5″, and 16″ variants use an ambidextrous, non-reciprocating forward charging handle for an added touch.
Pros
- Excellent construction
- Melonite-finish 4150 carbon steel
- 1-10″ twist
- M-Lok compatible handguard and Picatinny rail
- Pairs with most 9mm lower receivers
- Looks great
- Pre-assembled drop-in design is easy to install
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Quite expensive
- Only compatible with Glock magazines
Stern Defense, LLC AR-15 SD MOD 4 9mm Upper Receiver 4IN M-Lok Complete
For those that want something pre-assembled so they can jump right into the shooting part, the Stern Defense, LLC 9mm 4-inch upper is one helluva solution. With a 4-inch barrel, this will turn your AR platform into a formidable sub-machine gun that is capable of versatile close-quarters shooting and is the first choice for home defense. Like the company says: Get stern!
The upper receiver itself is constructed from 7075-T6 aluminum and features a 4-inch M-Lok compatible free-float handguard. The 4-inch barrel is made of Melonite steel and has a 1-10″ twist and is ½”36 threaded with a 1.75″ long attachment that directs the blast away from the shooter, ensuring that you can keep your focus fixed on the target.
Along with the upper receive unit is a standard AR charging handle and a Stern Defense Bolt. The receiver is compatible with both Glock and Colt SMG magazines, giving you more variety in how you shoot. Start by emptying off your magazine in the AR9, then pull your magazine out of your Glock 17 and load it up to keep on firing.
The short 4-inch barrel lends itself well to suppression, which can make your shooting experience way more fun. The upper receiver is made in the USA and is compatible with the Law Tactical Folding Adapter.
Pros
- Solid 7075-T6 aluminum construction
- Pre-assembled, the drop-in design is quick and easy to install
- Turns your AR platform into an effective SMG-style weapon
- Perfect for home defense
- Accepts both Glock and Colt SMG magazines
- M-Lock compatible handguard
- Blast directed away from the shooter
- Ideal for suppression
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Not for you if you want a ‘rifle design’
- Quite expensive
Spikes Tactical AR-15 9mm Upper Receiver
For the more experienced shooter who is looking to custom-build their own unique AR9, the Spikes Tactical AR-15 9mm Upper Receiver is a stand-alone upper that can be installed alongside a wide range of other components. This is the same upper receiver that Spikes uses in their own highly-renowned builds.
This isn’t an ideal choice for the beginner who is looking to simply take their upper out of the box and be shooting ten minutes later. This is more for the project weapon builder who wants to create something of their own design and specifications. We have to say, this is one of the better looking uppers we’ve seen. The finish is excellent and the materials are clearly very durable.
Built using 7075-T6 aluminum and weighing in at just 7.5 ounces, the Spikes Tactical 9mm upper features an ejection port door with spring and rod, and a shell deflector. You’ll need to invest in the rest of your AR9 setup from here, allowing you the maximum potential for customization.
The Spikes Tactical AR-15 9mm Upper is an affordable choice for the shooter who wants to have the freedom to customize their weapon in any way they see fit. It’s compatible with a variety of 9mm lowers, although it does obviously pair particularly well with Spike’s own dedicated 9mm lower receiver.
Pros
- Affordable
- Stand-alone upper receiver allows for maximum customization
- 7075-T6 aluminum construction
- Stylish matte black finish
- Shell deflector and ejection port door included
- Lubrication finish inside
Cons
- Not pre-assembled
- Not suited for beginners
- Some users have reported issues attaching handguards
CMMG AR-15 Banshee Upper Receivers w/ Mags 9mm
When you want the finest construction and all the bells and whistles, the CMMG AR-15 Banshee Upper Receiver is there waiting for you to discover it. This upper receiver comes pre-assembled with either a 5-inch or 8-inch barrel, an M-Lok handguard, a mil-spec charging handle, and a bunch of free 30-round 9mm magazines included.
What really makes the CMMG Banshee stand out is the patented Radial Delayed Blowback system, which makes your weapon more reliable, accurate, and delivers a higher velocity to your 9mm bullets when fired.
The M4-type upper receiver and handguard are both made of 7075-T6 aluminum and are hard coat anodized for extra durability. The 8-inch variant also features a mil-spec charging handle and two 9mm 30-round AR conversion magazines, while the 5-inch variant comes with an ambidextrous charging handle and three 30-round 9mm AR conversion magazines.
The barrel has a 1:10 twist that offers increased accuracy for 9mm rounds, and the end of the barrel features ½”28 threading giving you the option to attach a suppressor or flash.
While this is one of the more expensive options, the construction, free add-ons, and overall style of the CMMG AR-15 Banshee Upper Receiver, plus the ease of installation, makes it one of the best choices of 9mm AR-15 uppers currently on the market.
Pros
- Superior build quality
- Pre-assembled and easy to install
- M-Lok Handguard
- Free 30-round AR conversion magazines included
- Patented Radial Delayed Blowback system improves your shooting experience
- Looks awesome
- Oversized mil-spec charging handle
Cons
- Expensive
Angstadt Arms, LLC AR-15 0940 9mm Stripped Upper Receiver for Glock™ Magazines
If you’re loading Glock mags into your AR9, then you’re going to want a dedicated upper receiver. The Angstadt Arms, LLC AR-15 9mm Stripped Upper Receiver is purpose-built to take Glock magazines, giving you the edge when shooting and allowing you to use your handgun magazines in your AR PCC.
This is a stand-alone upper receiver, made in the USA, from the company that brought you the UDP-9. Angstadt Arms, LLC is renowned for its superior quality firearms, and this upper is no exception.
The stand out feature here is compatibility. This upper will take 9mm, 40 S&W, .357 SIG, 45acp, and 10mm pistol caliber ammo allowing you much more flexibility when building your PCC AR. The Angstadt Arms 0940 upper will also fit any Mil-spec lower receiver, as well as any 9mm lower.
Made of 7075-T6 aluminum with a hard coat anodized finish, the matte black upper receiver is built to withstand even the harshest of abuse. It features an ejection port that doesn’t come with a dust cover door or side assist.
If you’re looking to customize your AR9 to the highest specifications, then this is a great place to start.
Pros
- Excellent construction
- Compatible with a variety of calibers
- Pairs with any Mil-spec or 9mm lower receiver
- Free to customize to your own desires
- Looks great
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Expensive
- Only takes Glock magazines
- Doesn’t come with a barrel or handguard
Rock River Arms A4 9mm Upper Receiver
Last but not least, we have the Rock River Arms A4 9mm Upper Receiver. This is a pre-assembled, drop-in design that is easy to install and includes a Wilson 1-10 Twist barrel, colt and carrier, a handguard, shell deflector, and an A1 flash suppressor.
If you’re looking for something high-quality adhering to military specifications while not breaking the bank too hard, then this is a great middle-ground between premium and affordable. The flattop will accept most aftermarket add-ons that fit on a Picatinny rail.
The construction on the A4 upper is solid, using 7075-T6 aluminum with a matte black finish that won’t reflect light and give away your presence when you’re in the field. This is an incredibly solid product, you won’t find any looseness anywhere with this upper.
The Rock River Arms 9mm AR-15 upper is ideal for beginners who are looking to create a high-quality carbine with parts that are made in the USA.
Pros
- Well constructed
- Pre-assembled drop-in design is easy to install
- Mil-spec components included
- Flattop Picatinny rail supports most aftermarket accessories
- Threaded barrel for attachments
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Quite expensive
But what are the advantages of using a 9mm AR-15 upper?
Switching to a 9mm upper on your AR-15 has many benefits, especially for pistol shooters who are just dipping their toes into the AR platform.
- Less recoil: Your accuracy depends a lot on your ability to control recoil when you shoot. Using a 9mm AR-15 upper will significantly reduce the amount of recoil you have to contend with. This makes the 9mm AR-15 upper ideal for short-range target shooting and repetitive firing.
- Quick firing: Thanks to the lack of recoil and the smaller caliber ammo being fired from your rifle, 9mm AR-15 uppers lend themselves to quick firing. This makes them ideal for competitions and 3-gun games.
- Cheap ammo: One of the main reasons that people make the switch to PCC is to save money over time. Putting a 9mm upper receiver on your AR-15 doesn’t cost a lot and you’ll save tons of money on ammo over time. Put simply, 9mm ammo is much cheaper than the standard 5.56/.223 Remington rounds you’d be loading into a traditional AR-15.
- Fewer restrictions: Many indoor shooting ranges will allow you to shoot a PCC, while they generally don’t accept a traditional AR-15. You’ll find that the same applies to a lot of competitions. Basically, you’re able to shoot the thing a lot easier and cheaper, which means more practice for you.
What is a Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC) and why are they popular?
A Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC) is a rifle or carbine that has been converted to shoot pistol-caliber ammunition. PCCs have become significantly more popular in recent years thanks to their cost-effectiveness, ease of use, and frankly just for how God damn fun they are to shoot.
A PCC has the benefit of being more compact and lightweight than a traditional AR-15, plus it has significantly less recoil and lends itself much better to shooting indoors. You can easily take a PCC down to an indoor range and pop off some steel targets, whereas most ranges would never let you do this with an AR-15. Another great advantage of the PCC is that it can accept pistol magazines. You can empty your mag on your PCC, then pull one out of your handgun and load it straight into your carbine to carry on where you left off.
PCCs also lend themselves to home defense, unlike any other carbine or rifle. They’re easy to use in confined spaces and you can quickly place several accurate shots on a home invader. A huge benefit of using pistol ammo for home defense is that it has less penetrative power and thus you’re much less likely to shoot through a wall and into your neighbor’s leg while they’re brushing their teeth.
For the beginner to the AR platform, PCCs will allow you to learn quickly and practice more freely. So long as you’re not shooting past 200 yards, a PCC is an incredibly versatile and effective weapon.
What to look for in a 9mm AR-15 upper
Choosing an upper receiver for your PCC AR platform isn’t too difficult. You’ll want something that is purpose-built, but the differences really aren’t staggering between 9mm AR-15 uppers and regular AR-15 uppers. Still, there are a few points to consider.
- Meets Mil-spec standards for an AR-15 upper: You want your 9mm upper receiver on your AR-15 to meet all the military specification standards to ensure that it’s a high-quality product.
- Compatible with your lower: Not all upper receivers are compatible with all lowers. You’ll obviously want the one you buy to be compatible with your lower receiver, or you might as well just throw it at your target.
- Caliber: AR-15 PCC uppers come in a variety of calibers. While we’re talking about 9mm AR-15 uppers here, they also come in .45 ACP, 40 S&W, and more. Make sure yours is built for your chosen caliber.
- Rails: The rail on your upper receiver will most likely be an M-Lok or a Picatinny and you can use either to mount a scope or optic.
- Installation: Some 9mm AR-15 uppers will come as a set of parts that you’ll have to assemble yourself, whereas others are sold as pre-assembled drop-in uppers. Assembling it yourself will give you more of an idea of how your PCC works, but a drop-in upper is easier to install and has been assembled by professionals.
Choosing the right 9mm AR-15 upper receiver is much easier if you know what you’re looking for. If you’re new to the AR platform, then get a drop-in variant that comes pre-assembled, ideally with a charging handle, ejection port, and perhaps even a barrel and handguard.
The legality of 9mm AR-15 uppers
It’s important that you’re aware of the specific regulations for firearms in your state, as there are some laws that restrict PCC ARs.
Having a legal PCC in California requires that it begin its life as a PCC. Building a PCC from a stripped or complete lower receiver in California is not legal as it is considered a short-barrelled rifle, which legally speaking is as bad as owning a machine gun.
There aren’t many restrictions on 9mm AR uppers in the US. In fact, many indoor shooting ranges will allow you to use a 9mm AR platform indoors, whereas this is pretty much unheard of for an AR-15.
Intro to 9mm ammo
One of the great benefits of shooting a PCC is that you can burn through ammo without burning through your wallet. Most 9mm ammo is cheap to shoot and the versatility that 9mm ammo gives you means that you will be able to choose affordable ammo for training and more premium ammo for home defense.
Good 9mm ammo has a penetration of between 12 and 18-inches. Anything above 18-inches and you risk having your round go straight through your target and hit something else behind it, while anything less than 12-inches and you’re at risk of not doing enough damage.
You also want your ammo to have good velocity and decent expansion when it hits the target, especially if you’re using these rounds for home defense.
The price will also come into play, but in general 9mm ammo isn’t expensive.
Here is a quick guide to some great 9mm ammo choices for different scenarios.
| Best 9mm ammo for plinking | American Eagle 9mm 115g |
| Best 9mm ammo for home defense | Speer Gold Dot 9mm |
| Best 9mm ammo for penetration | Federal HST 9mm 124g |
| Best 9mm ammo for velocity | Magtech Guardian Gold 9mm 155g |
| Best 9mm ammo for reloading | PMC Bronze 9mm |
It’s important to choose a 9mm ammo that you enjoy shooting. You want to be confident and know exactly how your ammo is going to feel when you shoot it. It’s also important to get in as much training with your weapon as you can, so opting for budget-friendly plinking ammo will definitely be of great benefit. That being said, make sure you’re familiar with your home defense ammo as well.
Stripped uppers vs completed uppers
Whether you choose a stripped or complete upper receiver for your AR PCC will depend on how much experience you have with the AR platform, as well as how much you want to learn about your weapon. Completed uppers are more convenient and better for beginners, while stripped ones allow for more precise customization.
You’ll want to buy a completed upper if:
- You’re looking for convenience
- You’re new to the AR platform
- You want the guarantee that your upper was put together by a professional
You’ll want to buy a stripped upper if:
- You want to specifically modify your PCC
- You want to learn exactly how the whole thing fits together
- You have a lot of experience with the AR platform
- You want to save money
Conclusion
After considering all the 9mm AR-15 uppers that we tested, we conclude that the CMMG AR-15 Banshee Upper Receivers w/ Mags 9mm is the best choice to convert your rifle into a PCC. While this is on the more expensive end of the spectrum, the patented Radial Delayed Blowback system alongside the excellent construction and Mil-spec components ensure that this upper will be the building block towards making a formidable pistol caliber carbine out of your AR-15 rifle.
