We already wrote an article about the best Pistol Caliber Carbines you should own in 2023 as their popularity is rising.
The main difference between caliber carbines and rifles is the caliber chamber used in production. For example, AR15 rifles can use different rifle calibers. On the other hand, PCC uses pistol calibers like 9mm for example.
This makes them a great choice as they offer various benefits over rifles like ammo availability, ammo cost, less recoil while shooting, and many more.
Another great thing is you can build your own PCC at home based on the AR platform, however, you have to pay attention to part compatibility.
Regarding all of the above, we will start with a list of the best 9mm AR barrels for your next build.
How to Choose AR PCC barrel
There are lots of different barrels for PCC on the market and there’s a good reason for that.
Each barrel has its own pros and cons and is made for different purposes. For example, longer barrels are heavier which adds weight to the front of the pistol and helps in recoil management.
Also, having a longer barrel will result in improved accuracy and velocity of the bullet which in certain situations like long-range shooting plays a crucial role.
However, on the other hand, for home defense situations where handling the weapon is very important, shorter barrels come as a better solution especially as the home defense situation is a close-quarter fight.
Best 9mm AR Barrel Length
“What is the best barrel length for 9mm?” is a common question, but nobody can give a straight answer. Why? Each barrel has its own specifications, so depending on your needs, different barrels may fit your PCC.
There are a few most popular PCC barrel lengths:
- 4.5” - This is the shortest possible barrel for PCC. It’s great for home defense as it doesn’t get enough velocity for long-range targets.
- 8.5” - Longer barrel with improved accuracy and velocity and also a great choice for adding a suppressor.
- 10.5” - This is the most popular PCC barrel out there. It doesn’t give a great difference compared to the 8.5” barrel but is still compact and great to use in most situations. Recoil management is also better.
- 16” - Not the longest possible barrel for PCC out there (there are models 18 inches in length) but a great choice for long-range targets. Also, more weight means better recoil control, and length provides better velocity and accuracy.
Twist Rate
If you’ve read our blog recently, you could find our article about AR15 barrels where we explained what the twist rate is.
If you’re choosing a PCC barrel for your build, then the most common twist rate you’ll find among barrels is 1:10 meaning that the bullet makes one full turn in 10 inches.
The reason most 9mm barrels have this twist rate is in fact they have the best performance with this one so when choosing your next barrel, twist rate shouldn’t concern you - 1:10 is most common and the best for 9mm ammo.
Other things to consider
Bullet velocity is also a very important thing to keep in mind. For example, if you’re shooting long-range targets, you’ll need higher velocity. To achieve this, you’ll need a longer barrel.
Heat absorption is another important factor. As you constantly shoot, the barrel gets hotter. Larger barrels for example have better heat absorption.
However, we don’t suggest that longer barrels are always the best option. It all depends on your needs and purpose as well as where you plan to use it.
5 Best 9mm AR Barrels
- Rainier Arms UltraMatch MOD2
- Faxon Firearms AR-15 9mm
- Kaw Valley Precision 4150 QPQ
- Quarter Circle 10 Barrels
- Shooting Innovations AR-15 9MM Ramped Barrel
1. Rainier Arms UltraMatch MOD2
Let’s start with our UltraMatch MOD2 barrel. We already mentioned a similar model earlier, just with a .223 Wylde chamber.
This time, we are writing about the barrel for shooting 9mm ammo. Barrel is fluted meaning it has grooves cut to reduce the weight of the barrel. It’s made of high-quality match grade steel giving the barrel strength, durability as well as resistance to corrosion and wear.
As with most 9mm barrels, MOD2 also features a 1:10 twist rate.
The coating is available in two variations: bead blasted and polished finish. Bead blasted is good but doesn’t have a reflective texture. Also, for example, in comparison with QPQ coating, it requires more maintenance as it’s less corrosion-resistant.
On the other hand, a polished finish has a reflective texture.
The thread pitch at the front (1/2x28) allows you to attach various muzzle devices including suppressors. However, if you’re considering a suppressor as the next item to purchase, check state laws as they differ from state to state.
Price: $209.00
Get yours here!
2. Faxon Firearms AR-15 9mm
If you’re not a newbie in the firearms world, then you probably know about Faxon Firearms Company whose products are widely known for their quality and reliability.
The same goes for their AR barrels line. The 9mm barrel is not any different. It’s made of 4150 steel, well known among many barrel constructors. This material provides durability and strength to your barrel. On the inside, you can see button rifling which is better in terms of maintenance as it’s cleaned easier and won’t leave traces of gunpowder compared to traditional rifling where angles can contain small traces even after cleaning.
The barrel comes with a 1:10 twist rate which is, as we said earlier, a great rate for 9mm ammo. In combination with 10.5” in length, this barrel delivers a good balance between accuracy and ergonomics.
Also, if you’re going to attach muzzle devices, just so you know there is a muzzle thread at the front end of the barrel with 1/2-28 threads per inch. This opens a door to many options like adding various muzzle devices, including all the more popular suppressors.
Now, the main feature is QPQ NItrid finish inside and out which requires less maintenance as it has great corrosion resistance. In combination with the abovementioned button rifling, you won’t have a hard time cleaning your barrel and preparing it for the next shooting session.
Price: $124.20
Get yours here! Currently out of stock. Check this alternative.
3. Kaw Valley Precision 4150 QPQ
If you’re looking to build Colt or Glock Style AR-9 then Kaw Valley Precision barrel is a great choice.
It’s made of 4150 CMV steel which makes it strong and durable. It will serve you for a long time after purchase, especially if you maintain it regularly. As for the maintenance, the barrel has button rifling which is easier to clean, while the inside and outside finish is the same - Black QPQP Salt Bath Nitride. The finish is very resistant to corrosion and wear.
However, the barrel is shorter with a length of 8.5 inches. It’s not a great option for long-range targets, however, for close-quarter encounters and home defense, this barrel will do the job.
Price: $104.95
Get yours here!
4. Quarter Circle 10 Barrels
The Quarter Circle 10 barrels come in different sizes so starting with the shortest of 3.5 inches only to a 16-inch barrel made for long-range shooting.
The barrel is made of 4140 chrome-moly steel. The 4140 has good wear and corrosion resistance. It also features a melonite nitrocarburized protective layer that is characterized by high hardness, low friction, and great corrosion resistance.
With Quarter Circle barrels you get various options for building your AR rifle, however, the price may be a little bit high as it starts at $170 for the shortest barrel (3.5 inches) and gets higher as you increase the length.
Price: $170+
Get yours here!
5. Shooting Innovations AR-15 9MM Ramped Barrel
The Shooting Innovations AR-15 9MM Ramped Barrel is available in 4”, 6”, 8”, and 16” lengths giving you various options when you decide to make another AR build.
It’s compatible with most modern muzzle devices and suppressors thanks to a 1/2x28 thread pitch so this also gives you a variety of options to customize your PCC in a number of ways.
As for the length of the barrels, each length weighs differently. The 16” barrel weighs 1lb 7.3oz making it heavier but it strikes a great balance between handling and stability. The 8” barrel is lightweight at 14.2oz making it a good choice for agile setups.
The other two barrels are light with 12.5oz for a 6” barrel and 9.2oz for a 4” barrel which are better options for easier maneuvering.
Price: $139.49
Get yours here!
Final Words
Choosing the right barrel for your PCC build is one of the most important steps as the barrel choice greatly affects the firearm performance.
With this in mind, approach carefully when you decide to purchase a barrel for your PCC build or you can just pick one barrel from the list we made above.
Additional Reading
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