In my LEO days, I was at a ballistics seminar the FBI put on. Their agent was bemoaning the use of short barreled AR platforms. He went on an on about how much power was lost in sub 16" barrels. "You just cannot guarantee a one-shot stop with these numbers," he said. "Yeah," said a SWAT guy with a tiny AR. "But that's why I can just pull the trigger 29 more times." FBI guy: "Fair point..."
At my first police department in MN, about 50mins away from DPMS’s original factory by St. Cloud, they traded almost all of their full auto HK MP5s direct to DPMS for 16 inch rifles and Kitty Kats. My understanding is the Kitty Kats were primarily used by the motorcycle unit. So Harleys with Kitty Kats strapped to the side…
Imagine going into fucking Applebee's and worrying about your rifle on the motorcycle. Don't say it never happened. I promise you some irresponsible officer did.
@@MFKR696 Hey buddy? If anybody is looking like the new guy who overcompensates by acting like a know it all here, its you. Especially with the Zoomer "Mall Ninja" line.
@@operationalaf3414 Yeah and SBR should be a marketing term not a regulatory classification. But like the old saying goes. Wish in one hand and shit in the other, see which one fills up first.
We tested 62gr Fusion from a 7" in real 10% ballistic gelatin on the Arfcom channel a little while ago. It's still pretty rowdy. Obviously less spicy than a longer barrel but not exactlya Nerf dart.
I dropped a buck with a 62gr fusion from a 20" AR @ 200ish yds DRT; it's become my favorite AR round. I suspect the results would be the same as a 7" pistol within 50yds
Most 55 grain soft point rounds are still going to have far better terminal ballistics. If you watch the Po' Boy Special channel, he does a lot of ammo testing through a 7" SBR with probably the most data of any channel on 7" AR's. The issue with 62 grain rounds is that the don't hit the 2200 FPS threshold for consistent velocity based tissue destruction on al types of body tissue. This can happen at lower velocities, but just not consistently on all types of human tissue. I use PPU 55 grain soft-point ammo in my 7" AR pistol for home defense and it gets close to 2300 fps. It also does devastating damage in ballistics gel. The reason why people dismiss these shorties stems from military people who won't touch them. They are correct in that after 50 yards, they lose a lot of terminal ballistics capability. However for home defense where you're not likely to shoot at a target past 25 yards, it will definitely do more damage than a 9mm carbine or pistol. For the issue of its notorious fireeball, I bought a Stoner linear compensator that did an excellent job of pushing forward all of the blast while keeping decibel levels lower by the shooter's ear. So I got the noise level down to that of about a standard AR-15. Still loud, but definitely a LOT less loud than before. That, a AFG, a flashlight, and a holosun red dot, make it a very maneuverable home defense firearm that allows me to keep the barrel pointed up towards danger areas as I move through tight doorways and hallways. The downside is that the short dwell time means that it really slams the bolt hard and causes premature wear on the parts. So things break faster and you have to keep on top of it by always inspecting it after every range grip and cleaning. But overall I think it's worth it.
@@wigon I get wanting to move through your home, clearing rooms, and all that jazz (I have done it too). But I’d just offer this bit of unsolicited advice: doing CQB (or whatever acronym is “in” these days) alone is a sure fire way to lose any home team advantage you might have, especially if you’re outnumbered. Secure your family, friends, gerbils, whatever, and set up an ambush point (preferably from a fortified/armored position). The odds will be greatly in your favor, regardless of how well trained your opponent(s) might be. As for the topic at hand, I agree that it’s ballistically superior to most handguns and most handguns calibers, offering many advantages but also a few disadvantages.
@@Hoplopfheil how about the heaviest 5.56 load shoot that from short barrel. In theory heavier bullet tries to stay in barrel longer thus absorbing more pressure inturn pushing bullet out faster🤔 see what performance you get from chronograph with heavy load in 556 vs 300
This is actually the content I like the most from you. It's not just about sharing niche info or showcasing obscure guns, but it's the admiration for them and the very personal thought process behind that.
@@justinjohnson202 I used to buy trail mix for you guys as a bribe to get my orders shipped to customers, LOL The munchies were in the file cabinet where the orders were.
Yeah I keep seeing UA-camrs talk about this retro AR tend trend that’s “everywhere”. What we have PSA putting out their H&R stuff and that’s it. Hopefully PSA pushes other companies to start a retro line. I mean PSA of all companies are more in tune with what is going on, strange times.
@@Localjadedealer Honestly the fact that retro ARs ever went out of style is a shame. They're far classier and in some cases more reliable than all the Gucci modern shit.
One of my friends used to check one out of his department armory. It was awesome in same way a portable repeating flash bang: HK51 was. The gun ran good for the first 8-10 mags. After that reliability plummeted unless cleaned or at least lubed. It was persnickety on what mags it liked, strong springs were a must, but was a hoot when it ran.
Friend of mine has a 7.5" set up. it is indeed goofy. I still have a hard time with "rifles" that have a barrel shorter than the shoulder thing. Still though, these things were an aesthetic, like Clear and Present Danger, with the OA-93.
@@jackjohnson291 if you grin like a little schoolgirl when you pick it up, you've done it correctly. 😂 Also, the reason I could feel the muzzle blast on my teeth, because I was grinning the whole time. Just like an hk53
Man, you mirrored my comment! Shotgun News, porn for reclusive introverts who liked guns more than girls. And to this day none of my firearms has wrecked my credit or acted like a psycho.
Honestly, Hop, I think I understand what you mean about this one. While I'm no gun hipster in my preference, one of the really short CAR-15s, it's definitely in the same world, I believe.
not at all. car-15 would have the moderator to add to reliability like a booster making m4 length (true 14.5 m4) no adjustable stock. he could move the brace out to make longer lop. that muzzle brake...no 7.5in barrel....also NO,. forget the a2 sights, grip, handguard (drilled and fluted free float tube), non tear drop forward assist its literally just a short, fast bastard of parts thrown together best for range fun
Looking at some ballistics charts, it seems like depending on the ammo this is still slightly more powerful than 5.7x28 out of the same length barrel, although certain configurations (like the p90/p50) achieves almost identical performance out of the same length guns. Very interesting but definitely highly effective even out of a short barrel.
It was a comparison between bullet weights rather than ammo types, 5.56 does have much more power. It has more powder and usually a heavier bullet, but since the bullets fired out of this short ar aren't reaching adequate speeds for what 5.56 was designed to do, (ideally 2300-2450 ish) is the minimum where the round can still dump enough energy to create wound cavitation and fragment, but even with 55 grain stuff unless you were to handload it would be coming out at just under 2200 fps at the muzzle. Something lighter would get you back to that ideal number but thats where 5.7x28 comes in. When you get to these really small grain amounts the difference between 350 and 450 foot pounds of energy is significant, but you could just as easily do those numbers with 9mm. The application for this isn't really about maximizing energy transfer, it's armor penetration in cqb situations, and if you have a 31 grain 5.7 vs a 45 grain 5.56 pill traveling between 100 fps difference. You gotta look at what you're working with. Yes, it's more powerful, By 14 grains and 100 fps. But they are doing the same job with much more potential downsides. That's why it's an interesting comparison!
@Peenus_cancer oh definitely, I'd still take a p50 with a brace and suppressor than this, it's definitely got potential though, with the right ammo and muzzle break/suppressor at least inside cqb distances this thing is pretty neat.
Cool beans on Hops for switching to Safe before re-engaging. I usually just put finger off, then pointed muzzle to the ground for safety, but you went beyond.
I think you somehow understated the blast from a 7” AR. I got a BCA side charger on super mega sale and thought it would make a nice backpacker. It was just a magazine fed flash bang. The concussion under a covered shooting bay made follow up shots almost impossible. For lulz I stuck one of the eBay tank style comps on it and I may have permanent sinus damage from that. Fun to bring out in the range and dare my buddies to shoot it. Stick with a caliber made for dummy short barrels kids.
I had a 7 inch AR, a PWS Diablo- awesome and fun gun. I put a griffin armament hammer comp on it and it seemed to increase the blast by about 3 billion percent. Completely impractical but oh so much fun to shoot. It felt like something was trying to punch it’s way out of your chest and sinuses when firing it- so weird.
I had urge to wear ear pro just for watching this video lol. I also found out that I am somehow unsubscribed to this channel. UA-cam is at it again. Love your work
I had a Thunder Technologies (Oregon mfg) 7" AR; a very well-machined product, but its reach exceeded its grasp. The semi-direct gas impingement (yes, I mean that) of the AR requires a certain barrel length for the powder to burn off and appropriate gasses to develop and expand. While I don't know what that precise length is, I can say from experience that 7 inches is far below that threshold. I'd estimate that any barrel length less than 18 inches probably needs a piston system to function reliably. That in itself begs the question of why try to force-meme an AR into what is at that length Krinkov territory. I'll see myself out now...
These were rare, because they were before the internet, and before pistol braces. We would use a pistol buffer and a table leg rubber foot, or foot for a bar stool to cover the buffer tube. These had a ferocious muzzle blast. Everyone is aware of the inefficiency of velocity, but it still is able to put a 77gr bullet on target at 1800fps+ in an MP5 sized package that takes common M16 mags and ammo. I've had several now, I currently have a PWS Diablo mk107 as well as an extar, and Aero COP, and a few short 300blk guns with huge concussion with super sonic ammo. I would love an HK51, just for fun. They just lack long range. Deafening. I have an old Oly Arms "kitty kat" in 45acp now with a carry handle, that utilized the 7.5 inch barrel better, less muzzle blast. They are fun. And they are a blast at an indoor range
For science I put my ears on the line and fired an 8.5 inch AR with an aggressive muzzle break, with no hearing protection. It already generated an extremely unnerving pressure wave that washes over anyone standing nearby, but after firing it once I set it on safe, put it on the truck tailgate, and ran around screaming while holding my ears for a minute or two. Imagine having ice picks stabbed into your ears, or putting q-tips in them while Robert Downey Jr does a Sherlock Holmes "Discombobulate" on you. That's what it felt like, I thought I ruptured my eardrums. These short ARs are essentially repeating flashbangs in addition to being rifles. It's incredibly fun, as long as you're ears aren't open.
Hearing loss is cumulative, you really shouldn't have done that. I know people who are already deaf in some frequency ranges because of their military service.
@@ChucksSEADnDEAD I’m deaf in some frequencies from not being taught the importance of hearing protection as a youngster. Of course, had I known then how deaf my father was at the time, I might have taken a clue. Live and learn…
yes i remember these, a few got imported to switzerland and a friend had one. the firing pin was a pot metal around a nail like object and did wear out fast. the thing did never really cycle and back then we did not had any pig tail gastubes. but it sure was fun to look at.
When I was 18ish I took my mom to work one day while her car was in the shop, and my route back out of the downtown area took me by my state's capital building. I assume someone of some importance was visiting that day since there were a large number of cops standing around the perimeter of the building armed with MP5s, 16" ARs, and one SWAT member who had for some reason decided it was a good day to break out a DPMS Kitty Kat with a Beta C-Mag.
Damn that sucks, my Oracle upper was garbage. Gas key came lose within 100 rounds and the gas block was barely screwed in. LGS ripped me off during COVID
years ago i had an xp100 in 221fireball. had a lot of fun with it. i sold it and a few years later i wanted another one. i found one but 221 was pricey and although i have dies i’m lazy. i took it to a gunsmith and for 15 dollars he rechamberd it for 223. dirt cheap ammo was everywhere and it wasn’t that different than the 221 except for the huge flame. good times.
5:50 The AR57 upper is back in production, and old production is still available! Great option for a short build, and the price of 5.7 is ever lowering.. and it's just cool to run a P90 mag on top of an AR..
My first AR build in early 2010 used a Kitty Kat barrel, a BCM upper, a Spike's Tactical Lower, BCG, and pistol tube, DD Lite Carbine rail, DD fixed irons, and a DPMS linear comp. It was a gnarly little pea shooter.
The cat is not a "jerk", it is a cold blooded psychopath, that would just as soon eat you the moment you cease to be source of food and/or acceptable petting. I know, I have two. Anyway, DPMS had some really cool/wacky stuff.
I like it. Not so much the gun, but just that Hop found himself a dream gun. My reasonable dream gun is just a modified Blood Diamond carbine. The 'Blood Diamond: Director's Cut' as I'll call it, because it's going to be a midlength gas system with an A5 buffer. I'm still doing the proper handguard (already made them) and getting the little details correct, I'm just waiting for the A2 upper and A1 lower to be available before I sent the barrel off to get done up.
I just built my first little AR a couple weeks ago. Its very loosely inspired by the OA 93 and the Big Boss AR pistol from Metal Gear Solid 3 with a 4.5 inch .22 slick side upper I threw together with printed HK style iron sights, a tubular metal handguard and KAK short flash can on a printed pistol lower with a mil spec parts kit and CMMG style printed mags. Since the brace fiasco happened I have a single point sling mounted to the rear and I keep it adjusted tight enough to rest my cheek on it when I push forward on the gun to line up the sights. Its probably one of the most fun guns I've ever had in my life.
Love this thing, and I am actually astounded at your AR15 and Platform Knowledge. Not a lot of younger gentlemen know the things that you do. Oh, and I love the Cat almost popped you.
I actually have always kind of liked this little pistol AR's, with the carry handle and classic AR sights / look to it. Had a 7.5 inch Springfield Armory Saint Victor, which is alright but almost would have preferred this one instead. However there's really absolutely no need for multiple guns this size, in 5.56 maybe a 300 Blackout or 7.62 x 39. But even then, I think I'd have to go with at least a 9 , 9.5 or 10 inch barrel.
Whoever edits these videos, THANK YOU for using yellow text over a black shadow - it's nice that I can actually read the corrections rather than hoping for the best with other Guntubers
I have an original DPMS Kitty Kat AR Pistol. 7.5” barrel. So loud in 3gun that even with muffs AND plugs the range officers really REALLY hate you. Shots so loud it screws up the shot counters during the match. LoL.
Hop, another incredible video dude! I learned so many new things today as I had never heard of this gun. Keep doing videos like this. You rock! You still have my favorite channel on UA-cam.
Pretty much the idea I have when I discuss PDW/PCC for home defense or truck gun. Distance isn't the issue, suppression and potential mobility are. And if you're worried about a group in body armor knocking in your door, instead of punks with bricks at the driver's side door, step it up to rifle caliber. Nice choice, Hop.
My first AR was a 7.5" AR pistol with a Ergo pic rail handguard I got at a gun show when I was 21. Had to swap out the shotty airsoft red dot and carbine buffer for a 510C and a H2 buffer and honestly? I really like it. I laughed so hard when I shot a full mag through it at the range and turned around to see tears in my little brother's eyes from the concussion. I was laughing until he was the one behind the trigger, then I felt his misery.
I've been in the planning stages of a very similar build for about the past two years. I think a mini Delta/Gothic Serpent Colt 723 setup would be a perfect baseline. Start with a Colt C7 upper and Colt lower receiver. Find a quality 7" or 7.5" .300BLK barrel or have one chopped/threaded (preferably 1/5 but 1/7 could still work). Build the lower with either an LMT or LWRC PDW buffer system and a chopped CAR stock. Modifiy a pair of skinny 6 hole handguards to fit. Add an Aimpoint 9000SC in a set of Leupold 30mm rings w/ a Weaver carry handle mount. Throw on a @turquoise_paintpen/OnyxArms reproduction SF 660 body with a Modlite head. Lastly, finish it off with an Otter Creek Labs Lithium 9 suppressor. Thanks for reminding me to spend more money..
Pretty cute! I’d take a 300 version for sure. Years ago I built a cmmg 12.5” kino upper and put an a1 carry handle on it. B5 mid length hand guard. Had a nice retro mid-length dissipator vibe. BCM is selling an upper now!
I have some time using one years ago and yeah they are loud. As far as accuracy they do OK out to 200 yards as long as its 55 grain 5.56 being used. They do have a sharper recoil compared to a 11.5 barrel SBR which is punchy as well.
hop the type of guy to say "good grief"
i dont even think it would sound silly when he says it
4:49
"Does help mitigate recoil by directing it all into your teeth...."
Line of the day. You are funny.
I feel like 20 years from now you’ll be waxing nostalgic over today’s Kel Tec meme guns
The world will be a very different place when Kel-Tec eventually run out of the strategic cocaine stockpile.
P50?
There won't be internet In 20 years
@@overspray709 Don't be silly, the internet will still live on well after the human race is extinguished.
I had a Tec-9 and it fucking sucked. sold it for what I paid pre coof. Take your gangsta pics then get rid of it
In my LEO days, I was at a ballistics seminar the FBI put on. Their agent was bemoaning the use of short barreled AR platforms. He went on an on about how much power was lost in sub 16" barrels. "You just cannot guarantee a one-shot stop with these numbers," he said.
"Yeah," said a SWAT guy with a tiny AR. "But that's why I can just pull the trigger 29 more times."
FBI guy: "Fair point..."
Less powder more mass, quieter also. Subsonic 50 caliber FTW. Oh yes.
@@weareallbeingwatched4602 12.7x55, the up scaled 9x39
556 in any thing less than 13 inch is PURE SHIT
Did I see hop smile?
Is this what brings him joy?
Now we know it takes just 7 inches to please hop
Dear God..what have I done?
😂 “how small is yours?”
@@Semiautoautomatic_shaman I shoot a 20 inch the way Eugine Stoner intended.
@@TheMsdos25
Indeed. Classic pencil barrel ftw.
@@onpsxmember faxon makes a 20" gunner barrel that's 26oz. Thinking about putting one on my WWSD
Someone needs to mod this into Ready or Not
Woot. This looks fun. The CQG grip is a nice touch
Ha I tried it but did not care much for it.
@@Hoplopfheil no? At least it looks cute on there. They’re small, but I like them on certain setups.
The useless bayonet lug gets me
At my first police department in MN, about 50mins away from DPMS’s original factory by St. Cloud, they traded almost all of their full auto HK MP5s direct to DPMS for 16 inch rifles and Kitty Kats. My understanding is the Kitty Kats were primarily used by the motorcycle unit. So Harleys with Kitty Kats strapped to the side…
Imagine going into fucking Applebee's and worrying about your rifle on the motorcycle. Don't say it never happened. I promise you some irresponsible officer did.
My department still has 3 round burst kitty kats. They are loud as hell. We also had full auto 9mm Colt SMGs.
which of those were better entry weapons out of curiosity
@@cookie5535 Both are outdated. If I had to pick though, it would be the kitty kat.
@@BadShot10 did the dept use the kitty kats in actual raids / entry?
@@cookie5535 every officer was issued either kitty kat or colt smg so, yes.
It warms my heart to see Hop using a FRT at 1:40
Yeah he hates his lmao, it's been through a few owners and is sloppier than a 2 dollar hooker, barely works
It SHOULD be full auto with a sear.
@@MFKR696 drop in auto sears exist mate, he was saying how it's dumb that we can't own full auto
@@MFKR696 Hey buddy? If anybody is looking like the new guy who overcompensates by acting like a know it all here, its you. Especially with the Zoomer "Mall Ninja" line.
@@operationalaf3414 Yeah and SBR should be a marketing term not a regulatory classification. But like the old saying goes. Wish in one hand and shit in the other, see which one fills up first.
DPMS. I was so glad they were around as a broke 20 something. I used to look at their advertisements in magazines for long moments with great longing.
The original owner of DPMS now has LUTH AR
Old dpms wasn't that bad. They made unique stuff too back then..
They had a white AR, I forget what they called it. I now have a white AR as a tribute to it!
"Douchebaggery" and "You can feel it in your teeth". Now that is quality dialogue! Awesome stuff man, thanks.
We tested 62gr Fusion from a 7" in real 10% ballistic gelatin on the Arfcom channel a little while ago. It's still pretty rowdy. Obviously less spicy than a longer barrel but not exactlya Nerf dart.
I dropped a buck with a 62gr fusion from a 20" AR @ 200ish yds DRT; it's become my favorite AR round. I suspect the results would be the same as a 7" pistol within 50yds
Imo, as long as it's better than a pistol cartridge, it justifies its existence.
That was a great video. I've used it many time when arguing with 300hype-out fan boys
Most 55 grain soft point rounds are still going to have far better terminal ballistics. If you watch the Po' Boy Special channel, he does a lot of ammo testing through a 7" SBR with probably the most data of any channel on 7" AR's. The issue with 62 grain rounds is that the don't hit the 2200 FPS threshold for consistent velocity based tissue destruction on al types of body tissue. This can happen at lower velocities, but just not consistently on all types of human tissue.
I use PPU 55 grain soft-point ammo in my 7" AR pistol for home defense and it gets close to 2300 fps. It also does devastating damage in ballistics gel. The reason why people dismiss these shorties stems from military people who won't touch them. They are correct in that after 50 yards, they lose a lot of terminal ballistics capability. However for home defense where you're not likely to shoot at a target past 25 yards, it will definitely do more damage than a 9mm carbine or pistol. For the issue of its notorious fireeball, I bought a Stoner linear compensator that did an excellent job of pushing forward all of the blast while keeping decibel levels lower by the shooter's ear. So I got the noise level down to that of about a standard AR-15. Still loud, but definitely a LOT less loud than before. That, a AFG, a flashlight, and a holosun red dot, make it a very maneuverable home defense firearm that allows me to keep the barrel pointed up towards danger areas as I move through tight doorways and hallways.
The downside is that the short dwell time means that it really slams the bolt hard and causes premature wear on the parts. So things break faster and you have to keep on top of it by always inspecting it after every range grip and cleaning. But overall I think it's worth it.
@@wigon I get wanting to move through your home, clearing rooms, and all that jazz (I have done it too). But I’d just offer this bit of unsolicited advice: doing CQB (or whatever acronym is “in” these days) alone is a sure fire way to lose any home team advantage you might have, especially if you’re outnumbered. Secure your family, friends, gerbils, whatever, and set up an ambush point (preferably from a fortified/armored position). The odds will be greatly in your favor, regardless of how well trained your opponent(s) might be.
As for the topic at hand, I agree that it’s ballistically superior to most handguns and most handguns calibers, offering many advantages but also a few disadvantages.
We need a size comparison with Socko
Identical
@@Hoplopfheil BIG ASS CAT
🙌🔥🙌
@ungovernable win Make it in .308! Double hearing protection won't save you.
@@Hoplopfheil how about the heaviest 5.56 load shoot that from short barrel. In theory heavier bullet tries to stay in barrel longer thus absorbing more pressure inturn pushing bullet out faster🤔 see what performance you get from chronograph with heavy load in 556 vs 300
I too love the kitty kat, which is why my very first SBR was a 7.5” A1 upper with an Adams arms piston kit. Nicknamed the Helen Keller.
Nice
Man that must have been jarring to shoot lol
@@kouger21750 I put a suppressor on it pretty quickly.
This is actually the content I like the most from you. It's not just about sharing niche info or showcasing obscure guns, but it's the admiration for them and the very personal thought process behind that.
I remember back when I toured the DPMS facility and saw a huge row of Kitty Kat's destined for (I think) Mexico. This was when they were in St Cloud.
That was probably my workbench. I used to build almost all the Kitty Kat's back when DPMS was in St Cloud.
@@justinjohnson202 nice! Where you there when Eric Iverson and Gus brought bbq pulled pork and hot dogs?
@@justinjohnson202 I think I went to almost every single Outbreak: Omega event. 😃 Good times.
@@murphykenji I was there from 2003 to 2008 and was the Military/LE gunsmith. Those were good times.
@@justinjohnson202 I used to buy trail mix for you guys as a bribe to get my orders shipped to customers, LOL The munchies were in the file cabinet where the orders were.
The energy around this whole video is perfect.
Some of your best work.
vaperwave
Took "my little armalite" to another level
Haha always go for the belly rubs on kitty cat.
Death wish
most cats hate that though, as seen on this video.
its because their belly area is very sensitible, sorry for my english.
I love your taste in strange oldish guns. Keep up the great videos.
Kitty Cat is a vibe. If PSA's DPMS doesn't release a new one, I'll be very disappointed.
Not to worry. JJE purchased Hop and moved him, and his cat, to South Carolina.
"Vibe"
Why do people insist on speaking like morons?
@@Lawlzinator My fellow Boomer Fudd, let the kids have their fun. Now let us retire to the basement to load more .45AARP and listen to FoxNews.
If I were COO of PSA I would make Hop design a gun and then review it just to watch him hate his own gun.
Oh they will 😁
We need more retro ARs. I'm talking full market saturation.
Yeah I keep seeing UA-camrs talk about this retro AR tend trend that’s “everywhere”. What we have PSA putting out their H&R stuff and that’s it. Hopefully PSA pushes other companies to start a retro line. I mean PSA of all companies are more in tune with what is going on, strange times.
@@Localjadedealer
Honestly the fact that retro ARs ever went out of style is a shame. They're far classier and in some cases more reliable than all the Gucci modern shit.
One of my friends used to check one out of his department armory. It was awesome in same way a portable repeating flash bang: HK51 was. The gun ran good for the first 8-10 mags. After that reliability plummeted unless cleaned or at least lubed. It was persnickety on what mags it liked, strong springs were a must, but was a hoot when it ran.
True story: a local department near me used these for the SWAT team, circa 2014
Badass
Fuck militarized cops.
Friend of mine has a 7.5" set up. it is indeed goofy. I still have a hard time with "rifles" that have a barrel shorter than the shoulder thing. Still though, these things were an aesthetic, like Clear and Present Danger, with the OA-93.
Oh I get it - Kitty Kat ... glad I made it to the end
I love my kitty cat.....
Loved them in 3000 miles to Graceland
Built my kitty klone in 2020 with anchor harvey upper with the knurled free-float. It brings me joy every time I pick it up
To me, that’s what it’s all about. It’s not ideal ballistically, but it’s just fun.
@@jackjohnson291 if you grin like a little schoolgirl when you pick it up, you've done it correctly. 😂 Also, the reason I could feel the muzzle blast on my teeth, because I was grinning the whole time. Just like an hk53
I remember seeing these in my grandfather's shotgun news magazines in the early 2000's. Pretty cool little ar's.
Man, you mirrored my comment!
Shotgun News, porn for reclusive introverts who liked guns more than girls.
And to this day none of my firearms has wrecked my credit or acted like a psycho.
173dB is what we got on our 7.5" 5.56 with a SI brake. We called it "The Obnoxious" and it was a gag to let other people shoot it.
The Kitty Cat at the end is always a bonus
nice of you to show a more modern recreation of the Kitty Kat right at the end
Honestly, Hop, I think I understand what you mean about this one. While I'm no gun hipster in my preference, one of the really short CAR-15s, it's definitely in the same world, I believe.
not at all. car-15 would have the moderator to add to reliability like a booster making m4 length (true 14.5 m4)
no adjustable stock. he could move the brace out to make longer lop.
that muzzle brake...no
7.5in barrel....also NO,.
forget the a2 sights, grip, handguard (drilled and fluted free float tube), non tear drop forward assist
its literally just a short, fast bastard of parts thrown together best for range fun
Damn that shorty XR-15 bullpup is bringing me back in the day.
Comes with built in flashbang capabilities, nice
Looking at some ballistics charts, it seems like depending on the ammo this is still slightly more powerful than 5.7x28 out of the same length barrel, although certain configurations (like the p90/p50) achieves almost identical performance out of the same length guns. Very interesting but definitely highly effective even out of a short barrel.
It's still a LOT more energy than 5.7x28 from the same barrel length.
Is that commercial available 5.7 or the fancy stuff only for LEO'S? Seems like 5.7 is getting the 10mm treatment.
It was a comparison between bullet weights rather than ammo types, 5.56 does have much more power. It has more powder and usually a heavier bullet, but since the bullets fired out of this short ar aren't reaching adequate speeds for what 5.56 was designed to do, (ideally 2300-2450 ish) is the minimum where the round can still dump enough energy to create wound cavitation and fragment, but even with 55 grain stuff unless you were to handload it would be coming out at just under 2200 fps at the muzzle. Something lighter would get you back to that ideal number but thats where 5.7x28 comes in. When you get to these really small grain amounts the difference between 350 and 450 foot pounds of energy is significant, but you could just as easily do those numbers with 9mm. The application for this isn't really about maximizing energy transfer, it's armor penetration in cqb situations, and if you have a 31 grain 5.7 vs a 45 grain 5.56 pill traveling between 100 fps difference. You gotta look at what you're working with. Yes, it's more powerful, By 14 grains and 100 fps. But they are doing the same job with much more potential downsides. That's why it's an interesting comparison!
@Peenus_cancer oh definitely, I'd still take a p50 with a brace and suppressor than this, it's definitely got potential though, with the right ammo and muzzle break/suppressor at least inside cqb distances this thing is pretty neat.
@@dudesame2207 AR57 uppers are back in production, and old stock is still available. Best of both worlds... or at least a mutation of both worlds!
Cool beans on Hops for switching to Safe before re-engaging. I usually just put finger off, then pointed muzzle to the ground for safety, but you went beyond.
The most SWAT handguard ever
Socko is so adorable. All other channels suck because of their lack of Socko.
I think you somehow understated the blast from a 7” AR. I got a BCA side charger on super mega sale and thought it would make a nice backpacker.
It was just a magazine fed flash bang. The concussion under a covered shooting bay made follow up shots almost impossible. For lulz I stuck one of the eBay tank style comps on it and I may have permanent sinus damage from that. Fun to bring out in the range and dare my buddies to shoot it.
Stick with a caliber made for dummy short barrels kids.
I had a 7 inch AR, a PWS Diablo- awesome and fun gun. I put a griffin armament hammer comp on it and it seemed to increase the blast by about 3 billion percent. Completely impractical but oh so much fun to shoot. It felt like something was trying to punch it’s way out of your chest and sinuses when firing it- so weird.
cat featured. Thumbs up given.👍
holy shit it’s krinkels 😮
I rolled with a kitty kat A3 for a decade. Sold the upper last year. Can't say I miss it, but it was a lot of fun and always ate everything.
A 22lr version of the Kitty Kat is what I'd want.
I had urge to wear ear pro just for watching this video lol. I also found out that I am somehow unsubscribed to this channel. UA-cam is at it again. Love your work
I had a Thunder Technologies (Oregon mfg) 7" AR; a very well-machined product, but its reach exceeded its grasp. The semi-direct gas impingement (yes, I mean that) of the AR requires a certain barrel length for the powder to burn off and appropriate gasses to develop and expand. While I don't know what that precise length is, I can say from experience that 7 inches is far below that threshold. I'd estimate that any barrel length less than 18 inches probably needs a piston system to function reliably. That in itself begs the question of why try to force-meme an AR into what is at that length Krinkov territory. I'll see myself out now...
These were rare, because they were before the internet, and before pistol braces. We would use a pistol buffer and a table leg rubber foot, or foot for a bar stool to cover the buffer tube. These had a ferocious muzzle blast. Everyone is aware of the inefficiency of velocity, but it still is able to put a 77gr bullet on target at 1800fps+ in an MP5 sized package that takes common M16 mags and ammo.
I've had several now, I currently have a PWS Diablo mk107 as well as an extar, and Aero COP, and a few short 300blk guns with huge concussion with super sonic ammo. I would love an HK51, just for fun. They just lack long range. Deafening.
I have an old Oly Arms "kitty kat" in 45acp now with a carry handle, that utilized the 7.5 inch barrel better, less muzzle blast.
They are fun. And they are a blast at an indoor range
For science I put my ears on the line and fired an 8.5 inch AR with an aggressive muzzle break, with no hearing protection. It already generated an extremely unnerving pressure wave that washes over anyone standing nearby, but after firing it once I set it on safe, put it on the truck tailgate, and ran around screaming while holding my ears for a minute or two. Imagine having ice picks stabbed into your ears, or putting q-tips in them while Robert Downey Jr does a Sherlock Holmes "Discombobulate" on you. That's what it felt like, I thought I ruptured my eardrums. These short ARs are essentially repeating flashbangs in addition to being rifles. It's incredibly fun, as long as you're ears aren't open.
Hearing loss is cumulative, you really shouldn't have done that. I know people who are already deaf in some frequency ranges because of their military service.
@@ChucksSEADnDEAD I’m deaf in some frequencies from not being taught the importance of hearing protection as a youngster. Of course, had I known then how deaf my father was at the time, I might have taken a clue. Live and learn…
yes i remember these, a few got imported to switzerland and a friend had one. the firing pin was a pot metal around a nail like object and did wear out fast. the thing did never really cycle and back then we did not had any pig tail gastubes. but it sure was fun to look at.
Nothing like a video from my favorite catboy guntuber on a boring Sunday afternoon
When I was 18ish I took my mom to work one day while her car was in the shop, and my route back out of the downtown area took me by my state's capital building. I assume someone of some importance was visiting that day since there were a large number of cops standing around the perimeter of the building armed with MP5s, 16" ARs, and one SWAT member who had for some reason decided it was a good day to break out a DPMS Kitty Kat with a Beta C-Mag.
Knowing how serious and straight faced Hop is all the time it was hilarious to here him say “Kitty Kat”
Hop’s version of Forgotten Weapons = Awkward Weapons
Definitely glad PSA acquired the DPMS. I got a oracle model that I ran hard and held up pretty well.
Damn that sucks, my Oracle upper was garbage. Gas key came lose within 100 rounds and the gas block was barely screwed in. LGS ripped me off during COVID
7:21 -- Such a sweet old man 😊
years ago i had an xp100 in 221fireball. had a lot of fun with it. i sold it and a few years later i wanted another one. i found one but 221 was pricey and although i have dies i’m lazy. i took it to a gunsmith and for 15 dollars he rechamberd it for 223. dirt cheap ammo was everywhere and it wasn’t that different than the 221 except for the huge flame. good times.
This would be ridiculously fun with out the NFA and in PCC or Rimfire form!
5:50 The AR57 upper is back in production, and old production is still available!
Great option for a short build, and the price of 5.7 is ever lowering.. and it's just cool to run a P90 mag on top of an AR..
Yessss, Socko the Wondrous. Thank you for paying your cat tax.
My first AR build in early 2010 used a Kitty Kat barrel, a BCM upper, a Spike's Tactical Lower, BCG, and pistol tube, DD Lite Carbine rail, DD fixed irons, and a DPMS linear comp. It was a gnarly little pea shooter.
The cat is not a "jerk", it is a cold blooded psychopath, that would just as soon eat you the moment you cease to be source of food and/or acceptable petting. I know, I have two. Anyway, DPMS had some really cool/wacky stuff.
WHAT A BEAUTY!
I love this thing and had no idea this existed. Thank you for bringing The Kitty Kat to light
PSA brought me here today. The "coming soon" video that dropped this morning is now gone. 🤨🧐😵💫
Yeah. I saw it too. I really want it. I only got to see half of the original where they were showing off the car-15 style brace they made.
I pray it’s still coming
I have a 7" PSA Marauder, I love stupid short barrel 5.56 guns. Hopefully you're right and PSA makes a Kitty Kat, I'd love one.
My GOD!!! My ears are ringing just from watching you fire that. Quite interesting design for a niche role
I like it. Not so much the gun, but just that Hop found himself a dream gun. My reasonable dream gun is just a modified Blood Diamond carbine.
The 'Blood Diamond: Director's Cut' as I'll call it, because it's going to be a midlength gas system with an A5 buffer. I'm still doing the proper handguard (already made them) and getting the little details correct, I'm just waiting for the A2 upper and A1 lower to be available before I sent the barrel off to get done up.
I just built my first little AR a couple weeks ago. Its very loosely inspired by the OA 93 and the Big Boss AR pistol from Metal Gear Solid 3 with a 4.5 inch .22 slick side upper I threw together with printed HK style iron sights, a tubular metal handguard and KAK short flash can on a printed pistol lower with a mil spec parts kit and CMMG style printed mags. Since the brace fiasco happened I have a single point sling mounted to the rear and I keep it adjusted tight enough to rest my cheek on it when I push forward on the gun to line up the sights. Its probably one of the most fun guns I've ever had in my life.
That Cat has a lot of whiskers....
That blast must have been all kinds of fun in rooms.
This looks like the sort of thing you end up with when you work for a place called "The firearm blog"
It is so cute. Also, it doubles as a flash bang.
The muzzle blast alone could blind combatants during CQB. Yup, it's a multi purpose platform.
Nice dude got the kitty at the end of the kitty kat video lol
Kitty kat with a yhm comp on a full auto lower or LL for peak indoor range clearing
I think Socko is bigger than the DPMS kitty Kat, he's been eating good!
Love this thing, and I am actually astounded at your AR15 and Platform Knowledge. Not a lot of younger gentlemen know the things that you do. Oh, and I love the Cat almost popped you.
I had a 7.5. Eventually converted it over to 22LR which I think works perfectly.
I think Polenar had one of those
Now thats an idea
"I can hear that in my teeth...that's something."
And i felt that.
I actually have always kind of liked this little pistol AR's, with the carry handle and classic AR sights / look to it. Had a 7.5 inch Springfield Armory Saint Victor, which is alright but almost would have preferred this one instead. However there's really absolutely no need for multiple guns this size, in 5.56 maybe a 300 Blackout or 7.62 x 39. But even then, I think I'd have to go with at least a 9 , 9.5 or 10 inch barrel.
Whoever edits these videos, THANK YOU for using yellow text over a black shadow - it's nice that I can actually read the corrections rather than hoping for the best with other Guntubers
I have an original DPMS Kitty Kat AR Pistol. 7.5” barrel. So loud in 3gun that even with muffs AND plugs the range officers really REALLY hate you. Shots so loud it screws up the shot counters during the match. LoL.
The noisy cricket. My teeth are loose from watching this and my ears are ringing
Hop, another incredible video dude! I learned so many new things today as I had never heard of this gun. Keep doing videos like this. You rock! You still have my favorite channel on UA-cam.
looks like it has a good personality
I fondly remember yutes wandering the gun shows tryi ng to trade 7.5" barrels. The sad look was priceless.
"Guns that tried their best" is what I come to this channel for
Goddamn that is spot on
Carry handles on short barreled ar just make sense to me. Perfect high mount for a red dot or prism idk in 300blk that’d be pretty pretty cool
Nice string of Ks you got there.
I seen Motorhead live, so a 7.5 barreled AR is not the loudest thing I have ever heard.
Pretty much the idea I have when I discuss PDW/PCC for home defense or truck gun. Distance isn't the issue, suppression and potential mobility are. And if you're worried about a group in body armor knocking in your door, instead of punks with bricks at the driver's side door, step it up to rifle caliber. Nice choice, Hop.
If you're worried about body armor then the best work around is to train aiming for the pelvis
My first AR was a 7.5" AR pistol with a Ergo pic rail handguard I got at a gun show when I was 21. Had to swap out the shotty airsoft red dot and carbine buffer for a 510C and a H2 buffer and honestly? I really like it. I laughed so hard when I shot a full mag through it at the range and turned around to see tears in my little brother's eyes from the concussion. I was laughing until he was the one behind the trigger, then I felt his misery.
Another 90's shotgun news enjoyer
I'm using a Kitty Kat as a .22 platform (conversion kit). Great combo.
I've been in the planning stages of a very similar build for about the past two years.
I think a mini Delta/Gothic Serpent Colt 723 setup would be a perfect baseline.
Start with a Colt C7 upper and Colt lower receiver. Find a quality 7" or 7.5" .300BLK barrel or have one chopped/threaded (preferably 1/5 but 1/7 could still work). Build the lower with either an LMT or LWRC PDW buffer system and a chopped CAR stock. Modifiy a pair of skinny 6 hole handguards to fit. Add an Aimpoint 9000SC in a set of Leupold 30mm rings w/ a Weaver carry handle mount. Throw on a @turquoise_paintpen/OnyxArms reproduction SF 660 body with a Modlite head. Lastly, finish it off with an Otter Creek Labs Lithium 9 suppressor.
Thanks for reminding me to spend more money..
Last 30 seconds is the shit that I live for.
Aero used to make a 7” upper. It appears to be dc’d, but they do still produce an 8”! I’d bet one of these would be palatable on an A2 lower.
I like it. It's good, clean, obnoxiously loud fun!
Pretty cute! I’d take a 300 version for sure.
Years ago I built a cmmg 12.5” kino upper and put an a1 carry handle on it. B5 mid length hand guard. Had a nice retro mid-length dissipator vibe. BCM is selling an upper now!
I have some time using one years ago and yeah they are loud. As far as accuracy they do OK out to 200 yards as long as its 55 grain 5.56 being used.
They do have a sharper recoil compared to a 11.5 barrel SBR which is punchy as well.