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Posted: 11/23/2025 8:37:27 PM EDT
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My 10 year old daughter has told me its time I build her a gun. She doesn't hunt but currently shoots steel challenge using a 10/22, she has expressed interest in moving up to 9mm. Before you get any ideas, she is not some savant shooter, she is very very average for her age. But she loves it and I love watching her compete so Im dumping a bunch of cash on a cool ar build. This is what is more or less set in stone: Quentin arq-9 receiver set Radian ambi safety Rise Charging handle PSA custom ar trigger Cryptic PCC dragons breath? Carbine buffer tube Strike mod 2 Need some input: What buffer set up? I'm leaning on maxim roller delay but it doesn't look like its adjustable for light loads. Otherwise kynshot 5015HD hydraulic buffer with a spacer and flat wire spring Barrel? Its really between the odin super light and taccom super feed 10/16 Handguard: I think the Aeroknox would look good but the sotmfg firestorm is cool as well (might have to file down/off tabs) open to suggestions. |
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Looks mostly good. I would suggest the PSA ARV receiver set, I checked a few days ago and it was around $300. Personally I think glock mag PCCs look horrendous and scorpion mags can be had for cheap. Cryptic coatings is a botique brand selling fancy finishes at too high of a markup. It won't look anywhere as pretty a few hundred rounds in and those finishes lead to reliability issues since they don't retain oil like phosphate does. |
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I think this is awesome and glad she wants to shoot! Being a girl dad that has daughters that shoot/hunt/fish, this will be fun. I went Aero EPC9 and would again. RISE PCC trigger is great, drop in, would do again for sure. Regarding buffer, I went with blowback9's advise with an A5 tube, flat wire and the 5015 +1 weight. Love it. I am interested in some of the other buffers that have come out. Good luck! |
Then President Biden added “The only garbage I see floating out there is [TRUMP] supporters.
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Assuming you’re going with a “blowback”, these are the numbers I’m using. Bolt weighs about 13.6oz, and the buffer is about 8.4oz. So, a total of 21.7. That might be a little light, but it’s working . I have used a heavier buffer(10.8oz), and while it works, ejection did not seem real positive. That’s with a 16” barrel. A shorter barrel may require a lighter buffer. BTW, the formula used that comes close to the requirement is: BWG/435.7 x fps /17.5=weight(combined weight of bolt and buffer) Explanation: Bullet Weight in Grains divided by number of grains per oz, multiplied by the approximate velocity in “fps”, divided by action velocity of the AR pattern rifle. I’ve seen two numbers for the action speed, 17fps and 18fps. So, splitting the difference gives 17.5fps. For example: 124/435.7 x 1400 /17.5 gives 22.75oz. Obviously, using a lighter bullet, or having a lower Muzzle Velocity, less weight may be needed. |
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I can't advise you on the AR9 platform, as I have been personally so very averse to the idea I've never owned one. That said, for my equivalent project, my daughter was drawn to a feminine paint scheme. A good Cerakote guy and a little imagination can work wonders in this regard. Here's my daughter at the range with her "Kitty-15" rifle: Attached File I once saw a Mac10 that had a My Little Pony paint job at a gun show, but I can't find any photos of it online. I did get ChatGPT to whip up a concept (although the design impracticably interferes with the grip): Attached File |
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Originally Posted By Jake1989: Looks mostly good. I would suggest the PSA ARV receiver set, I checked a few days ago and it was around $300. Personally I think glock mag PCCs look horrendous and scorpion mags can be had for cheap. Cryptic coatings is a botique brand selling fancy finishes at too high of a markup. It won't look anywhere as pretty a few hundred rounds in and those finishes lead to reliability issues since they don't retain oil like phosphate does. Sadly looks like the PSA is out of stock. As for the cryptic BCG, I do realize they are just tool craft bolts with fancy coatings. I have one in another build and seems to work fine. I probably have 800 plus rounds through it in FRT and still looks new. No issues with reliability. |
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Originally Posted By LFOD1776: I can't advise you on the AR9 platform, as I have been personally so very averse to the idea I've never owned one. That said, for my equivalent project, my daughter was drawn to a feminine paint scheme. A good Cerakote guy and a little imagination can work wonders in this regard. Here's my daughter at the range with her "Kitty-15" rifle: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/134711/IMG_1985_jpeg-3664344.JPG I once saw a Mac10 that had a My Little Pony paint job at a gun show, but I can't find any photos of it online. I did get ChatGPT to whip up a concept (although the design impracticably interferes with the grip): https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/134711/4F2A6E94-102A-4E87-874D-9F676998CFA1_png-3664343.JPG Love the hello kitty set up! Very well done. |
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In order of favorite 9mm PCCs You can build, but if you don't want to do anything other than slap in some pins and maybe a RDS, I'd recommend the following: JMHO: 1. MP5 Clone - AP5 2. Fox Trot Mike AR-9 3. Scorpion Evo 4. Beretta CX Storm, might be too long for her. I own 1-3, traded the Beretta of to fund the AR-9... 1-3 All get the Silco Octane 45 with Tri-Lug. Steel plates with any of them is a hoot!!!! |
LARUEMINATI
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Originally Posted By Boom_Stick:
""AKs are for villagers you have to tell not to shit in their water supply.""
NRA Endowment Life Member
Originally Posted By Boom_Stick:
""AKs are for villagers you have to tell not to shit in their water supply.""
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I would love a nice 9mm build, but if you want light, cheap, simple, and low recoil, Extar EP9 pistol fits the bill, add a heavy rifle charging handle weight and the recoil impulse gets even softer. Doesn't @ somethingEngineer? use and recommend Kynshot hydraulic buffers? |
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My youngest son is now 14 but has been to a few SMG matches with me since he was 12 or so. I also have a buddy that brings one of his daughters since around that age as well. My son doesn't have enough upper body strength to charge the bolt with the standard rear charging handle. The setup pictured below is what he uses. Ca$h9K suppressor is very lightweight as well as the entire setup so he handles it all fine. I have some info on it on my site here: https://c3junkie.com/?page_id=2747  I know you are looking at straight blowback and somethings to think about. With straight blowback: 1. It must use more reciprocating mass than a delayed blowback setup. Around 24oz of reciprocating mass. My setup picture above is around 15oz total. 2. You typically have to tune / align the fixed ejector in the lower with the bolt in the upper. With the FE CMMG Banshee setup the ejector is in the upper and already aligned with the BCG. 3. OOBD are way more common with a straight blowback. Maybe not an issue for slow fire. However, almost impossible with the delayed blowback setups like the CMMG RDB where the bolt must rotate inside the extension for the FP to protrude enough to set off the primer. I am more careful with what configurations my son uses as I don't want him scared or turned off with an OOBD. 4. With a straight blowback with a hydraulic buffer like the RB5015HD, it takes like 10lbs to compress that buffer head in addition to the force required to charge the buffer spring. You see several posts of people complaining about that. Your daughter may not have the strength to overcome that. With straight blowback 9mm AR's, they are configured to short stroke the action for 2 reasons (1. Eliminate a rare malfunction where the spent case can end up behind the ejector 2. Due to the heavy reciprocating mass, you don't want all that mass slamming into the LRBHO and snapping it). Both of these are non-issues with a delayed blowback setup. This link: https://c3junkie.com/?page_id=2757 discusses my preferred buffer, buffer tube and spring setup. I mention doing an ARS-EX where I extend the stroke length of the BCG. When you do this in conjunction with the CMMG RDB setup, you don't have the issue of encountering additional force when charging the bolt with a hydraulic buffer. 5. If you do plan on suppressing in the future, straight blowback doesn't suppress as well. Regarding Glock mags, I agree I think they are ugly in a PCC....However, they do work extremely well and they place the round the closest to the breach with no need for a feed ramp where rounds are not controlled during feeding. This also means if the gun is dirty it doesn't have to travel back as far to strip a round off the mag. My picture below illustrates that:  Here is a high speed video showing what the recoil impulse looks like of this setup: This recent thread also discusses some build details: https://www.ar15.com/forums/AR-15/CMMG-sale-My-9mm-build-in-the-works/15-790965/ I also have various pages that you may find helpful on my site here: https://c3junkie.com/?page_id=164 Let me know if I can help. Great to hear you daughter has interest in shooting! |
AR is designed for 223/556, the 1911 is designed for 45, and 9mm is well, MP5 full size clone with a folder. Every now and then 30 rd mags are in the $35 range in a BOGO type deal. Print Shoot Repeat - The HK Slap (Official Music Video) |
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Originally Posted By amphibian: I know you are looking at straight blowback and somethings to think about. With straight blowback: 1. It must use more reciprocating mass than a delayed blowback setup. Around 24oz of reciprocating mass. My setup picture above is around 15oz total. 3. OOBD are way more common with a straight blowback. Maybe not an issue for slow fire. However, almost impossible with the delayed blowback setups like the CMMG RDB where the bolt must rotate inside the extension for the FP to protrude enough to set off the primer. I am more careful with what configurations my son uses as I don't want him scared or turned off with an OOBD. This is one of the reasons I was leaning toward getting the Maxim buffer. While it probably wont completely eliminate the chance of a OOBD the roller delay should (in theory) reduce or eliminate bolt bounce. I guess my question would be if the Maxim buffer is enough of an improvement over a hydraulic set up? 4. With a straight blowback with a hydraulic buffer like the RB5015HD, it takes like 10lbs to compress that buffer head in addition to the force required to charge the buffer spring. You see several posts of people complaining about that. Your daughter may not have the strength to overcome that. With straight blowback 9mm AR's, they are configured to short stroke the action for 2 reasons (1. Eliminate a rare malfunction where the spent case can end up behind the ejector 2. Due to the heavy reciprocating mass, you don't want all that mass slamming into the LRBHO and snapping it). Both of these are non-issues with a delayed blowback setup. Not going to short stroke at this point, she isn't a fast enough shooter right now for it to matter. At this point if she cant charge the gun herself, its not a deal breaker. Either myself or another parent can always assist until she gets the hang of it. 5. If you do plan on suppressing in the future, straight blowback doesn't suppress as well. Not planning on suppressing this gun Regarding Glock mags, I agree I think they are ugly in a PCC....However, they do work extremely well and they place the round the closest to the breach with no need for a feed ramp where rounds are not controlled during feeding. This also means if the gun is dirty it doesn't have to travel back as far to strip a round off the mag. My picture below illustrates that: That is quite a difference! Now I know why glock compatible is so highly recommended. |
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Originally Posted By homebaker: [color=#de3535] Originally Posted By homebaker: Originally Posted By amphibian: I know you are looking at straight blowback and somethings to think about. With straight blowback: 1. It must use more reciprocating mass than a delayed blowback setup. Around 24oz of reciprocating mass. My setup picture above is around 15oz total. 3. OOBD are way more common with a straight blowback. Maybe not an issue for slow fire. However, almost impossible with the delayed blowback setups like the CMMG RDB where the bolt must rotate inside the extension for the FP to protrude enough to set off the primer. I am more careful with what configurations my son uses as I don't want him scared or turned off with an OOBD. This is one of the reasons I was leaning toward getting the Maxim buffer. While it probably wont completely eliminate the chance of a OOBD the roller delay should (in theory) reduce or eliminate bolt bounce. I guess my question would be if the Maxim buffer is enough of an improvement over a hydraulic set up? [/color] 4. With a straight blowback with a hydraulic buffer like the RB5015HD, it takes like 10lbs to compress that buffer head in addition to the force required to charge the buffer spring. You see several posts of people complaining about that. Your daughter may not have the strength to overcome that. With straight blowback 9mm AR's, they are configured to short stroke the action for 2 reasons (1. Eliminate a rare malfunction where the spent case can end up behind the ejector 2. Due to the heavy reciprocating mass, you don't want all that mass slamming into the LRBHO and snapping it). Both of these are non-issues with a delayed blowback setup. Not going to short stroke at this point, she isn't a fast enough shooter right now for it to matter. At this point if she cant charge the gun herself, its not a deal breaker. Either myself or another parent can always assist until she gets the hang of it. 5. If you do plan on suppressing in the future, straight blowback doesn't suppress as well. Not planning on suppressing this gun Regarding Glock mags, I agree I think they are ugly in a PCC....However, they do work extremely well and they place the round the closest to the breach with no need for a feed ramp where rounds are not controlled during feeding. This also means if the gun is dirty it doesn't have to travel back as far to strip a round off the mag. My picture below illustrates that: That is quite a difference! Now I know why glock compatible is so highly recommended. I've been running the MEAN Endo and Exomags the most lately as I don't have multiple Glock and Scorpion lowers so when my son and I go shooting we have our own setups but share mags.  |
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Originally Posted By amphibian: Have you actually tried a Maxim buffer? Here is a long thread I started on it here: https://www.ar15.com/forums/AR-15/-ARCHIVED-THREAD-Maxim-Defense-RDB-review/15-780933/?page=6 It is not that easy to charge the bolt with that buffer. I think it is better than nothing but I prefer a hydraulic buffer. With the Maxim, you must remove the weight from the bolt which also eliminates a tuning option. I have not. The only setups that I have shot are a JP5 and a basic ar-9 with heavy buffer. |
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Originally Posted By bmarshall1: I would love a nice 9mm build, but if you want light, cheap, simple, and low recoil, Extar EP9 pistol fits the bill, add a heavy rifle charging handle weight and the recoil impulse gets even softer. Beat me to it. A magnificent recommendation. Super light Super reliable Super durable Super accurate... and Super affordable Not to mention super fun to shoot. AND uses Glock mags and AR triggers, safeties and grips A perfect PCC for youngsters I have had numerous people shoot my EP9 and to a man (and two women) everybody loved it and two of them bought one. |
| Just finished up another nine for myself....Obviously I used my parts for the upper, but built with an 80% JL Billet Glock lower as people keep asking me to recommend something. First mag was full of Federal 147 HST HP ammo. Flawless! Feeds so well you cant tell if bolt is feeding a round or closing on an empty chamber. |
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OP, if you're going straight blowback, you might consider this: https://blowback9.wordpress.com/2023/05/28/9mm-ar-gentle-recoil-buffer-system-final/ @Blowback9 @Blowback_9 @Blowback-9 @Blow_back9 @Droppoint - I finally memorize your username & you go & change it! |
I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
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Originally Posted By homebaker:I have not. The only setups that I have shot are a JP5 and a basic ar-9 with heavy buffer. Don't even consider the Maxim. I can guarantee you she won't be able to charge it. Go with one of Blowback9s GRS setups. He has several versions that don't use the Kynshot buffers. |
I've actually been here since about 2004 as M90A1, but lost my original login info and can't get any help from the forum administration in getting it back!
| I followed Amphibian's advice and input when I built my 9mm upper. I bought the CMMG FE kit and a bought a 5" barrel from him. I added the A5 tube, Warthog spring and Kynshot hydraulic buffer he suggests. It runs like a raped ape with the binary trigger and the recoil is so light it's scary. He said that set up is every bit as much as an MP-5, and I believe it. A youngin would have no issues with it. |
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Originally Posted By backbencher: OP, if you're going straight blowback, you might consider this: https://blowback9.wordpress.com/2023/05/28/9mm-ar-gentle-recoil-buffer-system-final/ @Blowback9 @Blowback_9 @Blowback-9 @Blow_back9 @Droppoint - I finally memorize your username & you go & change it! I have spent more time then I care to admit today watching his videos. I think the general consensus is that there is not a lot of love for the maxim system. Looks like I will be going with a kynshot buffer system. |
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