[Review+Video] Angstadt Arms UDP-9: High-End AR-9
Are all pistol caliber carbines created equal? We hands-on review the high-end Angstadt Arms UDP-9 to see if it's worth the extra money.
PRS/NRL22/Brutality/2-Gun Competitor. Career firearms writer. Former Boy Scout
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Finding the balance between price and quality isn’t the easiest thing to do, and sometimes you just gotta pony up the dollars to get what you want.
But are you really getting what you pay for?
I mean, it’s just an AR-9, right?
Johnny took the Angstadt Arms UDP-9 pistol to the range and put it through the wringer to find out!
Shooting the cheapest steel case ammo we could find, we’ll see just what a high-quality AR-9 can really do.
For the complete video review -- take a look at this!
And if you like that kind of content, subscribe to the Pew Pew Tactical YouTube Channel!
Table of Contents
Stats and Specs
If you’re looking for a top-line AR-9, Angstadt Arms has you covered on just about every front you could be looking at.
Last round bolt hold open, flared mag well, chrome-moly lined barrel, 1/2x36 threading on the barrel, Magpul grip, SB Tactical SBA3 Brace, and accepts standard Glock magazines -- including the big 30+ round happy sticks!
Weight comes in at under 5 lbs and the OAL is 22”.
At its core, the UDP-9 is a feature-rich AR platform “pistol”.
What Is It For?
Angstadt Arms makes a big deal on their site about the 1 magazine 2 guns idea. Basically, you have 2 guns that take the same magazines and assumably the same ammo also.
If you already CCW a Glock, getting an AR-9 that takes Glock mags has a lot of benefits to it.
First is cost, you don’t have to buy all new mags. But also it just makes packing easier. Be it for the truck or an SHTF box or Bugout Bag, sharing mags is just handy.
Because of this intent that this isn’t just a range toy, the UDP-9 has a higher build quality than many others on the market have.
If you want to use this as a truck gun or something, you can actually put your trust in it to work.
Range Report!
Gun Prime helped us out with this review by sending the UDP-9 for Johnny to take out on the range.
He is pleased to say that his time with the UDP-9 was nearly perfect, flat out.
Fed a constant diet of the cheapest steel cased 9mm that money can buy, it is a feat of strength for a gun to run 100% on this crap -- but the UDP-9 eat it up and spat it out.
From 10 to 30-yards, accuracy was on point and impressive for an AR-9. Ringing a steel diamond was too easy.
Honestly, it’s hard to find much to talk about since… it just ran.
Something you might want to consider as a handstop of some kind to give you a little more protection from the muzzle, while we didn’t run into issues -- the peace of mind that comes with some finger protection would be nice.
Otherwise, load up on mags and hit it!
Somethings To Love
Very often with an AR-9 pistol, you see the manufacture cut some corners. These aren’t totally unreasonable since they are trying to keep the cost down while also producing a product that doesn’t have the same economy of scale that a normal AR-15 does.
Angstadt Arms had none of that.
Everything about the UDP-9 are the little things that you would expect from a top shelf AR-15 also. Flared magwell, M-LOK handguard, even the minor details like a deep and properly staked castle nut.
This is the kind of build quality that ups the price but is what is required to deliver a gun that you can really put your trust in. Not just for a range trip, but for life.
The only speed bump we found was that the UDP-9 doesn't love to be loaded with totally full magazines on mags over 17-rounds.
This isn't uncommon for a lot of guns, so down load your happy stick by a round and you'll be good to go.
By The Numbers
Reliability: 4.5/5
Other than the full-mag issue, we could not get this gun to stop. IT RUNS.
Ergonomics: 4/5
It feels like an AR-style platform, so it is familiar. But let's not pretend the AR is all that comfy to use.
Accuracy: 4/5
For a six-inch barrel firing 9MM, it rocks. But keep in mind we didn't go beyond 30 yards.
Customization: 5/5
Threaded barrel. Full flat top. M-Lok upfront. Trigger options for days. Have fun, y'all.
Value: 4/5
You're going to pay a top-shelf price for this 9. And while it is super nice, Angstadt could do a little better than a single shorty mag and a little cardboard box.
For $1,499.00 MSRP how about three 30-round mags and a range bag?
Overall: 4.5/5
We had a blast with this one. It's gorgeous. It runs. And it's accurate. Big thumbs up from our team.
Conclusion
This isn’t the cheapest AR-9 you can find, but it is one of the highest quality and best-built options on the market right now.
Flawless reliability (even with the worst steel case ammo we could find), features that make a lot of little differences, and all delivered in a compact package.
If you need a truck gun or an SHTF/bugout bag gun that shares magazines with your Glock, this is a clear winner of a choice.
What do you think about the 1 cartridge/1 magazine 2 guns idea? Is the Old West throwback making a comeback? Let us know in the comments! For more awesome 9mm rifle/carbine PCC options, take a look at the Best Pistol Caliber Carbines!