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Posted: 5/21/2026 12:11:40 PM EDT
| I was gifted an Aero 9mm barrel and bolt and I want to build an inexpensive truck gun 9mm AR. I am looking for reliability with Glock mags but I don't care about/need LRBHO or an FRT. Just mainly inquiring about receivers and any specific things to avoid. Is a run of the mill standard lower ok? Do i need a magwell adapter or is it a definite improvement/necessity to go with a Glock mag compatible, purpose built lower? I'm well enough experienced in assembling regular ARs but the pcc stuff is outside my wheelhouse. Thanks in advance for any recommendations/tips! |
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I built a cheap 9mm using a standard AR stripped upper and lower. The most expensive part of it was the Stern magazine adapter for Glock magazines. I chose the Stern over the cheaper Sylvan. I had read that the Sylvans may have fitment issues with some Glock style magazines. I’ve used only Glock magazines, and I have had no problems so far. |
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I have the stern adapter on a regular AR lower, and I also have a dedicated glock lower from Palmetto. They both work fine, the adapter is a very well engineered device to convert a 5.56 AR, but if you can get it, I think a purpose-made glock lower receiver is better just because it avoids the addition of having conversion parts in the lower. I'd buy another Palmetto lower, and a buddy bought a similar glock lower from Joe Bob Outfitters, and his build functions just fine also and the JBO was a better price. I definitely recommend assembling one, I shoot mine the most often since 9mm ammo is cheaper than 5.56 and there's less high pressure blast so to me it's more enjoyable to shoot. I like the faxon 9mm barrel, because it works well and is one of the lightest barrels, so you can make a nice, light carbine. |
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I have an AR-9 from PSA. It is great but limited to Glock mags. Which is fine. After my duty gun became a CZ, and wanting a PCC to be able to work with it, I put together a lower that uses a Stern Defense adapter. While CZ75 style mags are not listed as an option this one takes my P-07 and CZ75 mags without issue. This one also works well, no issues to date. Between the two... I like the dedicated 9mm Glock style lower better. I love the ingenuity of the Stern adapter and the flexibility it allows but the mag release is not as intuitive as the PSA. Cost differences were negligible. I did use an Anderson Arms for the lower to save money and all other parts are pretty generic "Mil-Spec" with the exception of some Magpul furniture parts. |
Joined:
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PA, USA
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I have a stern block in a standard lower with a foxtrot Mike 9mm 16 inch upper and 100% of my problems have been qc issues on the upper. The block runs like a swiss watch and is an extremely well made piece, you just have to pay attention to the manufacturer's notes on compatibility between the block and certain bolts. I have no dedicated 9mm lowers, I have an OCD thing about every upper in my safe being able to run any upper in the safe that I need it to. |
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I started 9mm back in late 2002 / early 2003 with A std 556 lower, VM HYTECH mag block and std UZI mags (no cuts needed) Ran that all way to maybe late 2024, when I acquired an AERO EPC 9 lower for GLOCK mags, and found a supposed "BLEM" FM9 bolt in AIM Surplus in a bin on showroom floor dirt cheap. Had to get a mag release from Rudy @ MACON ARMORY to hike the mags up for better feed geometry into chamber and eats HP now BEWARE of SPIKES, mag sits low, and COLT style ejector is off by a mile, so we have ejection concerns. Son has one, and he dont use it. We try 1 time to adjust ejector finger, but broke it, and SPIKES did send us a new 1 at no charge, though I did yell them I broke it trying to adjust |
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