AR-15 9mm Review

Published on February 26, 2026
Duration: 8:02

Mark Serbu, a firearm designer with extensive experience, reviews a 9mm AR-15 upper. He details the use of Glock magazines with a magwell adapter and analyzes the impact of bolt velocity on trigger slap, particularly in full-auto configurations. Serbu demonstrates how a heavy buffer and stouter spring can significantly reduce the rate of fire and improve handling, comparing it to factory Colt designs and noting the jarring bolt impact even in semi-auto.

Quick Summary

High bolt velocity in 9mm AR-15s can cause severe trigger slap, especially in full-auto. Using a heavy buffer and stouter recoil spring significantly reduces this by slowing the bolt's cycling speed, leading to a more manageable rate of fire (around 500-600 RPM) and improved control.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to 9mm AR-15
  2. 00:43Glock Mags and Magwell Adapter
  3. 00:55Trigger Pack Discussion
  4. 01:11Assembly and High-Speed Video
  5. 01:26Initial Bolt Velocity Measurement
  6. 01:54Early AR-15 9mm History
  7. 02:28Experiences with Converted AR-15 9mm
  8. 02:57M16 Lower Test for Comparison
  9. 03:24Heavy Buffer and Rate of Fire
  10. 03:50Results with Heavy Buffer and Spring
  11. 04:03Final Impressions of the Rifle
  12. 04:36Design Preferences and Final Thoughts
  13. 05:32Concluding Thoughts on Rifle Features
  14. 06:09High-Speed Video Details
  15. 06:31Shooting Analysis
  16. 07:01Buffer and Spring Comparison
  17. 07:29High-Speed Video Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main issues with 9mm AR-15s regarding bolt velocity?

High bolt velocity in 9mm AR-15s, especially in full-auto configurations, can lead to severe trigger slap, causing discomfort and making the firearm difficult to control. This is often due to the bolt's forceful impact within the receiver extension.

How can trigger slap be mitigated in a 9mm AR-15?

Trigger slap in 9mm AR-15s can be mitigated by using a heavy buffer and a stouter recoil spring. This combination slows down the bolt's cycling speed, reducing the force of its impact and thus lessening the severity of trigger slap.

What is the typical rate of fire for a 9mm AR-15 with different buffer systems?

A 9mm AR-15 with a stock buffer and spring can have a very high rate of fire, potentially around 925 RPM. With a heavy buffer and stronger spring, this can be reduced to a more manageable 500-600 RPM, improving controllability.

Does the magazine type affect the performance of a 9mm AR-15?

Yes, 9mm AR-15s often use Glock magazines via a magwell adapter. While functional, these may lack the feed ramp found on original AR-15 9mm designs that used modified Uzi magazines, which were dual-feed.

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