How many rifles do you know that are also amazing pistols?
That is a short list.
It’s time to dive into the wonderful world of the AR-15 & AK pistol and the brace that turned a gimmick into a respectable tool for both the range and for home/self-defense.
We’ll cover a little bit on the current legalities…and then our favorite pistol braces for each weapons system. Now updated to include some Picatinny braces too!
Summary of Our Top Picks
Of course…we also have a totally awesome video that covers these awesome braces and more!
Table of Contents
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Law Background
Disclaimer…we are not lawyers so always double-check the current laws.
Typically, “short-barreled rifles” with a barrel of 16” or less were subjected to the restrictions of the 1934 National Firearms Act.
Yes, the same NFA that added extra regulations to fully automatic guns, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, and suppressors.
But thanks to one minor detail, the AR-15 pistol isn’t legally recognized as a rifle.
It might look and function like a rifle, but thanks to the fact that AR-15 pistols don’t come built with a stock, they’re legally classified as pistols – giving them a full pardon from inconvenient NFA restrictions.
However, the NFA isn’t the only set of laws you need to consider: in order for an AR-15 to be a pistol it needs to be marked as such on your DROS when you buy the lower receiver.
Generally, this isn’t an issue – except in some states such as California where there are other laws to consider.
Even if you buy a receiver that is marked as a pistol, you can still build it into a rifle if you so choose – but you cannot legally turn a rifle into a pistol.
So, as with all firearms related things: check your local laws!
While the concept of the AR-15 pistol was undoubtedly cool, it had one major flaw: the buffer tube.
As you can see, the buffer tube extends out well beyond the butt of the gun where it’s meant to be pressed against the shoulder of the shooter.
You can imagine how unnatural and uncomfortable this feels after squeezing off a few rounds.
Still, manufacturers and most hobbyists weren’t ready to shelf the AR-15 pistol just yet. Instead, they came up with a solution to make the gun easier to handle – the AR pistol brace.
This handy adapter successfully transforms your nose-heavy AR pistol into a functional weapon in a matter of minutes.
For a deeper dive into the legal history of braces check out our write-up on Pistol Braces & The ATF.
A Little History Lesson
The idea of the AR pistol brace can be attributed to US veteran, Alex Bosco, in 2012.
When getting some range time with his friend, a disabled combat veteran, he had the idea to come up with a device that could help shooters with disabilities exercise better stability over their guns.
After coming up with a workable design and gaining approval from the ATF, Bosco then co-founded SB Tactical and developing pistol braces for the AK and AR platforms.
Since then, there was a little of uncertainty about the legality of pistol braces. But in Spring of 2017, the ATF released a statement saying pistol braces do not turn AR pistols into short-barreled rifles.
And now, everyone can enjoy their AR pistol and brace without worrying. However…it’s still just a statement and you might still get in trouble with local law enforcement who aren’t up to date on everything.
Now let’s look at some braces!
Best AR-15 Pistol Braces
1. SBA4 by SB Tactical
SB Tactical is the industry leader when it comes to pistol braces, so going with one of their stabilizers is never a bad idea.
The SBA4 is designed to be lighter and more comfortable to operate than some of its predecessors. It’s a slight upgrade from the original SBM4 that we’ve been using for a while.
It also comes with a built-in adjustable nylon strap, 1” in width, which can be strapped to the forearm for increased stability.
One big fix from the SBM4 is that you can now adjust on the fly.
While some of the other braces on the market are made with a hard polymer, the SBM4 is a soft rubber that increases comfort when shooting.
This may not seem like a big deal for the average AR-15 pistol, but if you’re planning on shooting a harder-hitting AR-15 pistol chambered for .308 or 6.8 SPC, you’re going to be thankful that SB made this brace as soft as they did.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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2. SBA3X by SB Tactical
My current favorite is the SBA3X pistol brace since it updates the SBA4 with a slicker look and adjustability.
First off, it’s an awesome looking piece that makes your AR pistol look like it has an authentic stock.
Also, it’s been designed specifically to maximize comfort and ergonomics for cheek-welding, meaning you don’t have to worry about shooting unnaturally or slipping and jabbing yourself in the collarbone.
And lastly…you’re not stuck with the single length-of-pull of the old brace versions.
And now since the two models are so close in price…I would opt for the SBA3X.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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What’s your take on the SBA3X?
3. Shockwave Blade by KAK Industry
The Shockwave Blade is a very basic and functional pistol brace for your AR-15 platform. It accommodates buffer tubes up to 1.25” in diameter and is designed to help increase aim and support when firing your AR-15 pistol.
It’s the most affordable AND the Shockwave Blade is incredibly effective at making your AR pistol easier to handle.
Installing the part is quick, easy, and can be completed in about one minute. All you need to do is slip it on the buffer tube and tighten the screw in the center of the brace.
And if you’re someone who likes shooting with a gun sling, the stabilizer has three separate attachment points for slings (top, center, and bottom).
Overall, the Shockwave Blade is incredibly light and weighs a total of 5 oz, making it perfect for the shooter who’s trying to minimize unnecessary weight.
The cheekweld isn’t great but it wasn’t really designed for that in the first place. Comparable to a regular Magpul MOE.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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4. SBPDW by SB Tactical
If you’re wanting the coolest look and going ultra-compact…check out the SBPDW.
Another awesome creation from SB Tactical…the SBPDW (personal defense weapon) has three positions of length.
The longest gives your cheek unfettered access to the buffer tube.
And the shortest (it can actually go a little shorter than this…I have an extended takedown pin that was blocking the rods a little).
You don’t need a castle nut for installation since everything is built in…and overall installation was no harder than switching out a buffer tube.
Even though it looks super cool…one thing you’ll want to think about is the cheekweld.
In the middle setting (that I like) you’re going to be touching three different heights of metal. However…if you’re PDW-ing…you’re probably going to be holding your head relatively high with an adequate sight.
It’s much more expensive…but worth it for the looks and adjustability.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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5. Maxim Defense CQB Pistol PDW Brace
As you can tell, the Maxim Defense PDW pistol brace is probably one of the most expensive pistol braces out on there…
Understandably, a lot of people cannot justify spending nearly 400 bones on something to make their AR pistol function more like a rifle.
For this reason, I only recommend serious fans of the AR pistols to invest their money in the CQB – it’s not for the casual shooters with their range toy.
Now that I’ve gotten my negativity out of the way…I want to be completely honest. The PDW pistol brace is, hands down, the Rolls-Royce Wraith of pistol braces.
Born with a partnership with SB Tactical (that’s why it looks like the SBPDW)…
The PDW is made mostly from a durable aluminum alloy designed to handle whatever in-the-field roughhousing you throw at it.
If you’re wondering where the PDW’s metal design makes shooting with this pistol brace uncomfortable, the answer is no.
The actual brace part of the attachment is made from a soft and flexible rubber that’s gentler than some of the polymer-only stabilizing braces you might have seen.
But what really makes this brace stand out from the rest is its additional adjustability.
Simply pressing on a lever on the side of the brace allows you to adjust the positioning of the “buttstock,” and with four available positions in total, you’ll have no problem finding the right setup specifically for you.
Attaching the PDW brace is pretty much as painless like the SBPDW.
And you get additional QD mounts on the side and a proprietary buffer tube and spring system with the JP Silent Capture Spring System. Which ROCKS in my regular AR-15.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Best AK Pistol Braces
6. SOB47 by SB Tactical
There are not too many AK braces out there…and the SOB47 is the best I’ve tried.
Like its AR brother…it’s a no frills but highly effective pistol brace.
On AKs…you attach it under the pistol grip with the “U” prong which has stayed surprisingly in place for me.
Cheekweld is just ok…maybe a little narrower than the Magpul MOE. But the height is perfect for both irons or a low red dot.
My solid pick for the best AK pistol brace.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Best Picatinny Pistol Brace
7. FS1913
Got something non-AR or AK that has a Pic rail on the back? You’ll want to check out the FS1913.
Plus it’s an easy-to-use foldy-boi to really make your pistol compact.
Check it out here:
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Setting the Record Straight
If you come across older videos, reviews, and publications about AR-15 pistol braces, you’ll notice how people talk about how you shouldn’t shoulder your AR-15 pistol or they never mention shouldering it themselves.
That’s because prior to April 2017, pistol braces existed in legal uncertainty and people in the industry were unsure whether shouldering their AR/AK pistol made them culpable for illegally operating a short-barreled rifle.
Luckily, the ATF cleared up that misunderstanding when they released a statement regarding pistol braces. Long story short, you can shoulder your AR-15 pistol without any issues, so shoulder away!
But still…there’s still uninformed people and law enforcement out there…so still, user beware.
However, what you should never do is modify your pistol brace in any way that makes it work better as a stock. This is a big no-no.
Even if the stabilizer on your pistol brace is uncomfortable because of a slight angle, you don’t want to take the sandpaper to it. Leave it be or find a new brace that works.
Last Thing on the AR-15 Pistol
The AR-15 pistol is one of those guns that you love or hate. Initially, I viewed it as one of those quirky, different-than-usual guns that were fun to shoot at the range but didn’t have much to offer in a practical setting.
But after playing around with a couple of AR-15 pistols fitted with braces, along with the freedom to shamelessly shoulder and fire my weapon, I’ve come to love the AR pistol.
It’s not the kind of gun you’d want to take on a hunt or run through a 3-gun competition with, but it’s fun to shoot and it will probably be able to stand out in a tactical situation in close range, like a home-defense scenario.
Check out our picks of the Best AR-15 Pistols that are already assembled.
And There You Have It
That’s my list of AR-15 pistol braces for people looking to go cheap, mid-range, or spend the big bucks.
My overall favorite for the AR is the SB Tactical SBA3X for its adjustability and cheekweld.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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And the SOB47 for AK pistol builds.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
If you’re currently shooting an AR (or AK) pistol…is it just a range toy or do you get some serious action out of it? Then check out our AR-15 Ultimate Resource for all the best upgrades and articles.
57 Leave a Reply
ATF proposed rule 2021R-08 could go live anytime. As I read the proposed regulation, owning a pistol brace would become somewhat like owning a full-auto sear. You'd better not get one unless you plan to register your pistol as an SBR. I'd like to see some discussion at Pew Pew about this regulatory change and whether existing braced pistols will be grandfathered. I don't think so. This is a scary issue and folks should be careful about buying these braces.
Your updated article unfortunately failed to mention anything about the ATF Proposed Rule 2021-12176 which, if adopted, would effectively re-classify virtually every current AR-15 pistol configuration into a “short barreled rifle”, requiring registration and a $200 tax stamp from the ATF. This rule was proposed in June of 2021 and its status is uncertain at this time.
What is a DROS? Does this mean that you can't take a standard multi cal marked AR-15 lower and make a pistol?
Thank you for this well written article, but it comes across as a SB Tactical promotion when the #1 brace, the Gearworks Tailhook, is left of the list. IMHO, SB Tactical has way too much flimsy rubber and velcro straps to be practical.
Personally I love the look of the Blade braces. But it's all a matter of opinion and preference for what you want. I have a little of everything becuse I like variety.
How in the heck is the tail hook not here lol. None of this brace are half as gd as the tail hook. Just saying
I wholeheartedly agree. It's not cheap, but is by far easier to use as a brace to shoot one handed than any shown here. Heather Works Facebook brace. Check it out
I think it would be better to create an updated guide that divides braces based on attachment method, and that goes into adapters a bit. Buffer tube braces sure are plentiful - but there are also a lot of 1913 pic rail braces, and Tailhook adapters exist for every stock under the sun.
The PDW is made mostly from a durable aluminum alloy designed to handle whatever in-the-field roughhousing you
through<<<<OOPSY! copy editor! wtf!
at it.
Yous guys/gals are awesome. Keepnup good work.
Thanks!
I'll fix that now also ;)
CNC Warrior makes a GREAT folding ak pistol brace. Don't think I could ever go with another ak brace after using it. Runs about $170 if i remember correctly, but got mine at about 150 on sale
Ditto on the CNC folder. Aluminum and steel construction, not a piece of plastic anywhere. Worth every penny and I would buy it again in a heartbeat. I added a hard foam fishing rod handle for cheek (and arm?) comfort. Made my M92 complete. All from a great and overlooked company.
It is funny, I was just thinking about this myself!!
He says right below it that that only applies to California.
Really liking the design of the SBPDW’. Especially the Maxim variant.... thinkin a .300 Blackout.
Love the sp3
Still no love for the Tailhook Mod 1 and Mod 2?
DROS... this is a California thing, correct? I don't know about Cali! But in the rest of America, a stripped lower will be transferred as an "other". You MUST build it as a pistol first... no stock when completed, if you intend to make it in a pistol form. A finished lower will be a pistol or a rifle when purchased. If a pistol you can convert it go a rifle (16" barrel or longer with a stock) but you CANNOT convert a rifle to a pistol (< 16" barrel) without going the Form 1 / SBR route.
No SBA4?
Exactly! The SBA4 was announced 5 months ago and has been widely available well before this review was published.
I used to think AR Pistols and AK Pistols were useless as well. Until a buddy of mine who belonged to 75th Ranger Regiment disagreed with me. He took me out to his land and ran me through some things. I was shocked at how usable an AR Pistol or AK Pistol was for close to medium range. It's on my list to build now. I'll build mine in .300 black.
I'm building an pistol with an ARAK 21 upper in 7.62x39 with a CMMG mutant lower and I want to put a folding stock (brace) on it, is that legal? And if so, how would I go about doing it?
Good Review! Of course after this article came out Strike industries has also come out with their pistol brace. I have their collapsible Viper Stock on an AR rifle. I love it! Hoping to get to try out their pistol stock somewhere before I finish my 300 BLK pistol build.
Is that Aimpoint on the bottom gun mounted backwards? lol
From the ATF site about shouldering pistol with brace.
Any person who intends to use a handgun stabilizing brace as a shoulder stock on a pistol (having a rifled barrel under 16 inches in length or a smooth bore firearm with a barrel under 18 inches in length) must first file an ATF Form 1 and pay the applicable tax because the resulting firearm will be subject to all provisions of the NFA. If you have any questions about the issues addressed in this letter, you may contact the Firearms and Ammunition Technology Division at fire_tech@atf.gov or by phone at (304) 616-4300. Max M. Kingery Acting Chief Firearms Technology Criminal Branch Firearms and Ammunition Technology Division.
I could not find it’s ok on the ATF site can you post a link saying it’s ok to shoulder a pistol with a brace without it being NFA.
The change in the ruling was issued in a letter from the ATF to SB Tactical and as far as I know does not appear on their website. However, here is a copy of that letter. The important part is at the start of page 3.
Key word: Acting chief of firearms (meaning he probably will be replaced) 2nd ATF does NOT make or right laws, period. And this topic has been beaten to death, bro its not a big deal if you occasionally "shoulder" it.
Good review, I'm suggesting that you at least make sure the optics are properly placed on the AR, the Aimpoint Pro is on backwards, if you want people to respect your knowledge you have to display proper set ups.
Lol yup, got some fun grief from IG already. Working on a reshoot!
Excellent article. I've shared this with all of my friends.
Still no Thordsen? A couple of posts like this and it's still left out... Anything with velcro to "go around my arm" moves to the bottom of my list. Thordsen achieves comfort without trying to look like a medical device.
Thordsen is a great stock, but it isn't a brace. Can't name it one of the best braces if it isn't a brace :D
Valid for pistol builds, which is the point right? Not many two armed people are using the brace function.
The Thordsen is a stock and would legally make any AR-15 it attached to a rifle, so it is not viable for a pistol build. Attaching one to a pistol length barrel would make it an unregistered SBR and that is very illegal.
Even if you don't use a brace as a brace, it is still legally a brace and can be used to make an AR or AK pistol.
Stocks and braces can't be used interchangeably due to their legal ramifications.
The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, Technology Branch has affirmed that the Thordsen Customs Buffer Tube Cover/CAA Saddle combination is a CHEEK REST and IS NOT a "rifle stock. It DOES NOT reclassify an AR/AK type "Pistol" as a "short barreled rifle" under definitions established by the National Firearms Act of 1934 or the Gun Control Act of 1968. However, BATFE does specifically warn that any misuse of, or modification to, this configuration that may cause a firearm to be used outside of its design parameters, such as being shoulder fired, may change its classification and may make a firearm subject to NFA and GCA regulations and/or illegal to possess. Click on the links below to read the letters to and from ATF.
TLDR It's a brace.
Thordsen make a stock as well as the cheek rest/buffer tube cover. It’s Basically the same concept in a sense as the Phase 5 buffer tube, which allows the shooter to utilize the buffer tube as an aid with shooting.
I have a question so can you shoulder the maxim defense (stock or brace) whatever it is I'm sure stock but can you shoulder it with out a atf form 1?
I wish you could have evaluated the SB Tactical SBA3 Mil-Spec Pistol Stabilizing Collapsable Brace for AR. Easy to place, Comes with pistol buffer tube.
Article is updated...with the SBA3!
No love for the Tailhook brace?
Trying to get my hands on one, Connor!
Boy, I just wish Brandon were as much a fan of spelling and grammar as he is shooting sports. At least have someone read your article before posting it...
Feel free to let us know if there is something we missed. Our editorial staff goes through every article several times before it is posted but mistakes do happen.