Colt introduced the original AR “pistol” – the 9mm AR - SMG R0635 - in 1982. After discovering the gas impingement system in the M16/AR15, firing from an open bolt, didn’t work well they went with a blowback system, firing from a closed bolt, using a standard M16/AR15 lower receiver with an adapter to accept modified 9mm UZI magazines. Since then, and after a lot of other “experiments,” handgun caliber carbines and pistols have gained new traction, and a lot of reliability.
The Banshee I fired is the “300” series in .45 ACP. The five-inch barrel is threaded, and covered with a CMMG M-Lok handguard. The receivers are forged – with an integrated trigger guard on the lower, an ambi-safety, MOE grip, and single stage mil-spec trigger. Weight is 4lbs 9oz. with a total length of 19.2” when the CMMG “Micro/CQB RipBrace” is collapsed. A Cerakote finish tops everything off, and it’s available in a variety of colors. You feed it with Glock mags.
My shootin’ ‘n training buddy Ed brought the Banshee over to zero the red-dot. I wasn’t really expecting to like it; now I’m kinda' wishing I had one. The pistol is light, especially with standard capacity pistol mags. It was reliable, even with some very questionable old Israeli training ammo that had a weird truncated bullet. I had some nice carry ammo to test, but ran out of time.Even with I.M.I. ammo it was accurate enough to hit headshots at seventy-five yards. I have no doubt better ammo, and discovering what the Banshee likes best, would have improved accuracy.
Ed had installed an ALG Defense Advanced Combat Trigger, so getting a good clean break was no problem. The Aimpoint dot made it easy to obtain and hold a steady sight picture. Take your time, follow the fundamentals of accuracy – Aim, Hold, Press and Follow-Through – and you were rewarded with a hit every time. The light recoil made it easy to follow up with as many accurate shots as the mag held.
The more types and calibers of AR pistols I fire the more I like them. (I recently got the fire Ruger’s new PC Charger pistol in 9mm, and while not an AR platform I like it, too.). They’ve got some great application for self-defense, especially for home defense. Plus, you can’t deny the fun factor of shooting a great weapon, that’s reliable and accurate. Take a platform like this, add personal touches like light, lanyard/sling and maybe a suppressor – which really tames noise and recoil on a handgun caliber – and you’ve got a great package that fits a lot of needs. And someday, when the ammo shortage is a thing of the past, handgun rounds will still be cheaper than rifle ammo.
Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy, which is celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary. He is the author of The Book of Two Guns, AR-15 Skills and Drills, has a regular column in American Handgunner and makes some cool knives and custom revolvers. Visit Shootrite’s Facebook page for other details.