I recently got my hands on the Bear Creek Arsenal Bufferless AR9, and it’s been loads of fun at the range. This AR9 drops the traditional buffer tube, making it super compact and easy to handle—perfect if you want a 9mm pistol-style build that’s lightweight and maneuverable. Whether you’re into home defense, range days, or just want something different, this bufferless setup brings a fresh twist to the AR9 world. Let’s dive into what makes it tick.
Bear Creek Arsenal Bufferless AR9 Specs
The Bear Creek Arsenal Bufferless AR9 is a complete 9mm pistol featuring a 7.5-inch heavy barrel made from parkerized 4150 chrome moly vanadium steel with a 1:10 twist rate. It operates on a blowback system and includes a right-side Gen 2 charging handle. BCA equipped it with a billet M4 flat-top upper receiver and a 6.5-inch M-LOK split rail handguard for accessory mounting.
The lower receiver is a bufferless billet AR9 design, resulting in a more compact and agile firearm. Interestingly, it accepts Glock-pattern magazines, but none are included. The grip is a BCA-branded grip with an American flag motif, which looks and feels great. The pistol also includes a flash hider and bolt carrier group, making it a fully assembled and ready-to-use firearm.
My BCA AR9 setup, as delivered for testing
Bear Creek Arsenal included a few extras to make my testing easier. On top was their CYT red dot sight. This compact optic features a 3 MOA dot, shake-awake tech, and up to 60,000 hours of battery life on a CR2032. It has a rugged, waterproof 6061-T6 aluminum body and normally includes both low and absolute co-witness mounts. The 17mm lens offers unlimited eye relief and is great for fast, close-range targeting.
Another bonus was the SB Tactical folding brace. Since the BCA AR9 has a rear Picatinny (M1913) interface on the receiver, it’s a natural fit. It locks securely in both folded and extended positions, features a steel hinge, comes with an adjustable nylon strap, and like the BCA AR9, is proudly made in the USA. Thanks to the inclusion of the brace and optic, all I had to supply was magazines and ammo.
Functions
Anyone who has shot an AR will be right at home with the controls. Safety selector works the same, as does the magazine release. One minor difference is the right-side charging handle, but it’s actually more convenient than a standard one. The trigger isn’t any different, though to BCA’s credit, this one seems nicer than a basic mil spec trigger. I don’t have an exact pull weight, but it certainly wasn’t heavy enough to cause accuracy issues.
Range time
After giving it a once-over to check that everything was tight, I lubed up the bolt and hit the range. A friend with plenty of PCC experience mentioned sticking with OEM Glock magazines for best results. Well, I brought Glock mags, Magpul mags, and even a Korean-made 50-round drum. And I had cheap Blazer and Winchester white box ammo. Not a single hiccup, this AR9 ate a few hundred rounds and spat out empties flawlessly.
It was more than just the reliable performance that brought a smile to my face. Ringing our steel targets at distances from 25 to 50 yards was effortless. Double-taps on our “torso” target (an abandoned propane tank) at 50 were as easy as centering the dot and blasting away. And it wasn’t just me. I let two somewhat novice shooters have a go, and they enjoyed a high hit ratio as well. Over subsequent trips, we ran more than 500 rounds through it with zero malfunctions.
Options. Plenty of options
After several range trips to confirm reliability and accuracy, I started thinking of ways to customize this firearm. There’s enough room to fit a light or laser on the handguard. I added a Viridian green laser handstop I’ve been reviewing, but any stop would be welcome with the short barrel. Up top, a larger optic, or optic and flip-out magnifier could be used. Remove the brace for a more compact form factor, and add a sling to steady it.
With changes in legislation, that last bit got me thinking. Not having to pay for a stamp to SBR this AR9 is certainly appealing. There’s no shortage of firearms I’ve looked at and thought “That would make a sweet SBR”. Asking permission is bad enough, but paying $200 for the privilege was enough to dampen my enthusiasm. My experience with the Bear Creek Arsenal Bufferless AR9 pistol is making me rethink the permission part.
The inevitable comparison – BCA AR9 vs Scorpion EVO vs PC Charger
I’ve had two Scorpion pistols, and currently have a PC Charger, and between those three, shot thousands of rounds. So I’m more than familiar with both formats. Checking local prices, the CZs run $850 to $1100, while the Ruger is $729. That’s a fair amount more than the $576.95 Bear Creek Arsenal is asking for their version. Price isn’t everything though. I appreciate the use of Glock magazines, which the Ruger also offers. And the Ruger and BCA are both American-made.
Digging a little deeper, it turns out that I really like the AR9 format better than the other two. There’s the familiar controls, and ease of takedown/cleaning. It handles more like something I’ve been shooting for a few decades. Though I have installed aftermarket triggers in the other two, the BCA AR9 should have a larger choice of aftermarket triggers available. And that’s usually one of my first upgrades.
Final thoughts
First thing is the magazines. Yes, it takes Glock magazines and no, one isn’t included. Initially, this seemed so odd, as though BCA just assumes everyone has Glock mags. I don’t own a Glock, yet I have my PC Carbine, PC Charger, and “Mock 19”. So yeah, I probably have ten magazines floating around. They’re also available everywhere, as are the excellent Magpul mags, which worked flawless in my test copy. So the lack of an included magazine isn’t really an issue.
Overall, this is a proven platform running 9mm ammo that’s much lower pressure than 5.56 rifle ammo. I’d expect less wear and tear on parts, as long as it’s kept reasonably clean and well-lubricated. My testing didn’t get into the thousands of rounds, but as with any AR9, good ammo and magazines is really all you need for reliability. And maybe keep a spare extractor on hand.
Check out the full range of AR9 options on the Bear Creek Arsenal website for more info. They have different barrel lengths, and also sell the uppers separate from the lowers if you want to build your own.
As always, I’d like to thank Bear Creek Arensal for sending their Bufferless AR9 for my testing and evaluation.
User Experiences & FAQs
Real shooter experiences
- Posts on AR15.com and Reddit (r/AR9 / r/9mm) praise the bufferless format for compactness and handling compared to buffer-tube AR9 builds.
- Range reports and YouTube reviews commonly call out Glock-mag compatibility as a major convenience and reliability win – owners widely recommend using quality Glock or Magpul magazines.
- Forum threads and retailer reviews note that the right-side Gen-2 charging handle is faster for some users and less intrusive for mounted optics than oversize top-mounted handles.
- Community feedback stresses testing magazines (including drums) for feed reliability – a few users recommend sticking to proven brands for high-round runs.
FAQs (Bear Creek Arsenal Bufferless AR9)
Does the bufferless design affect reliability?
Not inherently. The bufferless AR9 relies on a simple blowback system; many owners report solid reliability so long as you use good magazines and appropriate 9mm ammo. The biggest reliability variables are magazine quality and cleanliness of the bolt face and extractor.
Which magazines work best?
Glock-pattern magazines and Magpul polymer mags tend to be the most reliable based on user reports. Drum mags can work but should be tested thoroughly – some range reports showed flawless function while others recommended sticking to proven stick mags for heavy use.
Is the right-side charging handle practical?
Many shooters prefer it – it clears top-mounted optics and is intuitive for right-hand operators. If you run larger optics or magnifiers, confirm clearance just to be safe.
Can I mount optics, lights, or lasers?
Yes. The top rail and M-LOK handguard give plenty of options for red dots, magnifiers, lights, or lasers. Consider mounting primary optics on the receiver and use quality mounts to preserve zero during heavy use.
How does accuracy compare to Scorpion EVO and PC Charger?
For typical 25–50 yd use, the AR9 platform offers very comparable practical accuracy. Owners who prefer AR ergonomics often find it easier to run fast strings and transitions versus alternative formats – your ammo choice and barrel length will influence precision most.
Any special maintenance tips for a bufferless AR9?
Keep the bolt face, extractor, and feed ramp clean and lightly lubricated. Because 9mm blowback puts different fouling characteristics on parts than rifle calibers, inspect magazines and extractor lips periodically and have a spare extractor on hand if you plan high round counts.
Is the optional brace durable and usable?
The optional SB Tactical folding brace locks securely in the folded and extended positions and is built with a steel hinge. Owners report solid day-to-day use, but inspect hinge hardware periodically and follow manufacturer care instructions for long-term durability.
Should I expect to upgrade the trigger or other parts?
Many owners list an aftermarket trigger as an early upgrade for improved feel. The AR9 format gives a wide aftermarket ecosystem – triggers are common upgrades.