…but we’re going to call it that because I’m lazy. So a while back I found an 80% Hybrid Polymer kit pretty cheap and picked it up, less because I wanted one than that I was curious how difficult it was to complete one. I answered that question here.
For assorted reasons I decided to make it into a 9mm range-toy/PDW/home defense gun. I ordered a bunch of parts, put them together and it worked. It’s fun to shoot and I am not hopeless with it.
For other reasons I have not been entirely happy with the adapted mag-well. It works fine the parts are good quality but I never liked the look. *Shrug* I didn’t dislike it enough to do anything about it. It worked fine, which was what really mattered.
Then the BATF launched another game of ‘No-it-isn’t-Yes-it-is’ about braces being stocks and making these guns illegal SBRs. I’m getting sick of this and was considering just filing for an SBR and calling it good, but that spooky receiver might be problematic. Then I had an issue at the range which I erroneously attributed to the magazine-well adapter. Chris at McCallen Defense had a purpose-built 9mm lower right there for $140, and no mag-well adapter meant no issues with one, so…
The lower in question was the Aero Precision Enhanced Pistol Caliber unit. I’ve had good luck with AP products, they come highly recommended and they’re local. I had to ask online what was enhanced, and there’s quite a bit, actually. My friend and gun demi-god Tim informed me, “Enhanced equals billet machined, integral trigger guard, set screw for takedown detent spring. We sell the 556 version, very nice.”
It certainly looks very nice. After dinner I took the gun and lower and headed out to the shop to swap things over. This was accomplished with no particular drama, and I was impressed with the construction and details of the lower.
In a reasonably short time everything was back together and functioning correctly. I really, really like the look; it makes a handsome gun. Tomorrow it’ll be back to the range for test firing, but I am confident it will work as it should.
So, to recap the build-
Aero Precision EPC lower and lower parts kit.
Foxtrot Mike Glock-Compatible 5″ M-Loc Upper with blast-can
SBa3 Brace
Timney Impact Single-Stage trigger and 45-degree ambidextrous safety
Magpul handgrip
Angstad 5.4 oz. 9mm buffer
ETS 31-shot clear composite magazines (which will be replaced by Glock magazines eventually…)
Bushnell TRS-25 red-dot optic
Monstrum quick-release riser
Generic pop-up iron sights that co-witness with the optic.
Here’s some pics of the finished build-
So, there it is, struttin’ in its new suit and looking good. Tomorrow we’ll see how it works.
Stay safe and take care,
Michael Tinker Pearce, 15 January 2022
If you like what you see here please consider supporting me on Patreon by clicking the link above, and look for Tinker talks Guns on Youtube! Early days yet, but more content is coming!