• Watch Out for Scammers!

    We've now added a color code for all accounts. Orange accounts are new members, Blue are full members, and Green are Supporters. If you get a message about a sale from an orange account, make sure you pay attention before sending any money!

Build tips for an accurate AR-9 PCC

Blue72

Private
Minuteman
Mar 27, 2020
79
26
Looking to build a 9mm 16” ar-9. However, most that I shot in the past resulted 3-6 MOA groups at 100 yards

anybody have any parts tips or loads to shrink groups down to 2 MOA or less?

thanks
 
The best way to shrink the groups is to pick up a rifle in a rifle caliber.

That said, some gains can be made by handloading, but you're on your own to find an accurate PCC load, no two guns are alike.
And none of them will be real rifle accurate, 3 MOA is doing really well in a PCC.
 
Looking to build a 9mm 16” ar-9. However, most that I shot in the past resulted 3-6 MOA groups at 100 yards

anybody have any parts tips or loads to shrink groups down to 2 MOA or less?

thanks

IDK, have someone who can shoot give it a go..? :p

The biggest thing is the trigger, nothing helps as much as that. If you're not already running something nice, that might be all you're missing.

Realistically though, PCCs are for shredding, not precision at range. AFAIK there aren't really any ballistically sexy 9mm projectiles...

Honestly, I'm not really sure what size groups mine are capable of... but I know I could land a full mag's worth on an IPSC at 100yrds in a matter of seconds if I had to.
 
I would suggest trying some of the common "tricks".
Lap the uppers face, snug fit between the upper and lower, a quality barrel... and "match" loaded ammo.

I'd bet the biggest issue would be match quality ammo.

Maybe some Atlantic Arms ammo would be worth trying. https://atlantaarms.com/products/elite-9mm-115gr-fmj-match-amu.html
I will say , the most consistently precise ammo I have shot out of my 16" 9MM PCC is a bonded factory load , Federal 135gr +P Tactical Bonded Remember, typical 16" 9MM loads shoot very much like a 16" 22LR, trajectory wise. They drop fast past 120ish yards.

FWIW... here is a bunch of factory loads chrono'd out of my 16" ( 129 different factory loads )
https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/-/16-712312/?page=1&anc=7429025#i7429025
 
Last edited:
I do not think 2MOA is possible at 100yds in 9mm. Gusts of 5 MPH alone would be a deal breaker. Small variances in bullet velocity will cause vertical stinging.

I have a 9mm 16" Mechtech with 1-4x scope that is maybe 2MOA at 25yds, posibly even at 50yds on a calm day with ideal ammo, but never at 100yds.

Here is a good read on the subject.

 
Last edited:
Tight groups at 100yds with a 9mm is beyond the scope of the caliber/weapon. Now, a 50yd group is another thing all together and is completely possible. Once the 9mm starts to loose velocity, it starts to drop quickly. Add in all the other variables like wind, load consistency, etc. and it just isn't realistic. Steel at 100 yes! Tights groups not really!
 
Looking to build a 9mm 16” ar-9. However, most that I shot in the past resulted 3-6 MOA groups at 100 yards

anybody have any parts tips or loads to shrink groups down to 2 MOA or less?

thanks
Why 9mm?
If you spend $1500 on a top quality 9mm like from JB, it might be as accurate out to 100yds as a low end $500 AR-15 in 5.56 that can shoot to 500yds.

It is just the wrong tool for the goal.
 
Purchase a stainless steel Noveske barrel and develop hand-loads for it using the Hornady 125 grain HAP bullet.


noveske_9mm_barrel_003__resized-2280699.jpg




121_hap_01-2221123.jpg




10-shot group at 25 yards; extreme spread = 0.413".


125_hap_group_22-1619400-2198239.jpg




10- shot group at 50 yards; extreme spread = 0.849".


125_hap_measured_10_shot_group_at_50_yar-2198238.jpg



....
 
  • Like
Reactions: Blue72
Purchase a stainless steel Noveske barrel and develop hand-loads for it using the Hornady 125 grain HAP bullet.


noveske_9mm_barrel_003__resized-2280699.jpg




121_hap_01-2221123.jpg




10-shot group at 25 yards; extreme spread = 0.413".


125_hap_group_22-1619400-2198239.jpg




10- shot group at 50 yards; extreme spread = 0.849".


125_hap_measured_10_shot_group_at_50_yar-2198238.jpg



....
What kind of velocity are you getting with the hand load?
 
Purchase a stainless steel Noveske barrel and develop hand-loads for it using the Hornady 125 grain HAP bullet.


noveske_9mm_barrel_003__resized-2280699.jpg




121_hap_01-2221123.jpg




10-shot group at 25 yards; extreme spread = 0.413".


125_hap_group_22-1619400-2198239.jpg




10- shot group at 50 yards; extreme spread = 0.849".

125_hap_measured_10_shot_group_at_50_yar-2198238.jpg



....


thanks…..that should work!
 
Why not just do a 300BLK?

A PCC isn’t going to be accurate with any ball ammo so if you’re going to load anyway might as well do 300BLK. You get better ballistics, better bullets which means better accuracy, and you don’t deal with trashing trigger groups and all the other BS that comes with AR-9’s.
 
Why 9mm?
If you spend $1500 on a top quality 9mm like from JB, it might be as accurate out to 100yds as a low end $500 AR-15 in 5.56 that can shoot to 500yds.

It is just the wrong tool for the goal.

because I’m tired of the obnoxious loud boom of shooting 223 indoors and 9mm ammo can be half the cost

plus I shoot 22lr, subsonic 300 blackout, 9mm the most. Since they have almost identical trajectories, I only need to learn one set of holdovers
 
Why not just do a 300BLK?

A PCC isn’t going to be accurate with any ball ammo so if you’re going to load anyway might as well do 300BLK. You get better ballistics, better bullets which means better accuracy, and you don’t deal with trashing trigger groups and all the other BS that comes with AR-9’s.
Because it gets expensive sometimes and ammo availability isn’t always there…especially in subsonic
 
Because it gets expensive sometimes and ammo availability isn’t always there…especially in subsonic

So load for it. You’re going to have to do that to get the accuracy you want with a 9mm anyway.

If it’s just a range gun and you want to blast factory ammo you’d be better off with a 22 TBH.
 
because I’m tired of the obnoxious loud boom of shooting 223 indoors and 9mm ammo can be half the cost

plus I shoot 22lr, subsonic 300 blackout, 9mm the most. Since they have almost identical trajectories, I only need to learn one set of holdovers
I have 2 9mm SBRs for those reasons, but they have RDS and mostly shoot 25yds and under.