UN12 Pistol Brace Buyers Guide
PDW Pistol Braces
PDW-style pistols have been a hot trend for a while now and it seems to show no signs of stopping. Ever since SB Tactical received their first approval letter from the ATF, it looks as if the pistol brace floodgates have been opened, with all sorts of PDW pistols being produced. First we saw AR pistols, which were quickly followed by AK pistols. Now there are PDW pistols of every make and model, from SIGs to B&Ts, CZs and beyond. This is all made possible, thanks to the stabilizing pistol brace.
If you’ve owned an AR-pistol before the advent of stabilizing pistol braces, you’ll understand just how futile it was to shoot one with any amount of accuracy. As we understand it, the first stabilizing pistol brace was developed by SB Tactical co-founder, Alex Bosco, in 2012 with the intent of assisting disabled veterans to safely shoot their PDW-style pistols. Although Bosco’s pistol brace was approved for use by the ATF as early as late-2012, there was a conflicting opinion that was issued in 2015 by the agency about its use when being used as a shoulder support. In 2017 the confusion was cleared up when the ATF issued another letter that confirmed that shouldering an ATF compliant pistol brace would not turn the PDW pistol into an NFA weapon. Pistol owners everywhere rejoiced.
Since then, many companies have rushed to put their own spin on stabilizing pistol braces. Just like a host of other firearm accessories, pistol braces come in many different shapes, sizes, colors, and configurations for a dizzying array of applications and that means good times for us consumers. We have collected a dozen of the latest and most popular braces that would be a great fit to your PDW pistol. Which ones do you have your eye on?
Maxim Defense (BOTTOM)
Make: DoubleStar (TOP)
Model: Strongarm Pistol Brace Assembly
Application: PDW Pistols that take AR-15 Pistol Buffer Extensions
Shown with: Pistol Tube Assembly, Buffer & Spring (included)
MSRP: $187
URL: star15.com
Make: Maxim Defense (BOTTOM)
Model: Maxim CQB Pistol: PDW Brace for AR15
Application: AR-15 Pistol
Shown with: Pistol Tube Assembly, Buffer & Spring (included)
MSRP: $395
URL:maximdefense.com
Gear Head Works (BOTTOM)
Make: Gear Head Works (TOP)
Model: Tailhook MOD 2 OD Green
Application: PDW Pistols that take AR-15 Pistol Buffer Extensions
Shown with: Proprietary Receiver Extension, Castle Nut $ Back Plate (included)
MSRP: $200
URL: gearheadworks.com
Make: Gear Head Works (BOTTOM)
Model: Tailhook MOD 1
Application: PDW Pistols that take AR-15 Pistol Buffer Extensions
Shown with: Pistol Buffer Tube (not included)
MSRP: $119
URL: gearheadworks.com
SB Tactical(BOTTOM)
Make: SB Tactical(TOP)
Model: SBPDW
Application: AR-15 Pistol
Shown with: Proprietary Receiver Extension, Adjustable Nylon Strap (included)
MSRP: $300
URL: sb-tactical.com
Make: SB Tactical(BOTTOM)
Model: SBA3
Application: PDW Pistols that take AR-15 Pistol Buffer Extensions
Shown with: Carbine Receiver Extension, Adjustable Nylon Strap (included)
MSRP: $170
URL: sb-tactical.com
Strike Industries (BOTTOM)
Make: Strike Industries (TOP)
Model: Viper PDW Stabilizer
Application: AR-15 Pistol
Shown with: Viper PDW Buffer Assembly, Viper PDW Buffer Tube, Viper PDW Flat Wire Buffer Spring, Viper PDW Castle Nut, Viper PDW Cheek Rest (included)
MSRP: $ TK
URL: strikeindustries.com
Make: Strike Industries (BOTTOM)
Model: MPX/MCX Stabilizer
Application: SIG Sauer MPX & MCX Pistols
Shown with: Vecro Pad (included)
MSRP: $180
URL: strikeindustries.com
Shockwave Technologies (BOTTOM)
Make: Shockwave Technologies (TOP)
Model: Blade 2.0
Application: PDW Pistols that take AR-15 Pistol Buffer Extensions
Shown with: Proprietary KAK Pistol Buffer Tube (included)
MSRP: $77
URL: shockwavetechnologies.com
Make: Shockwave Technologies (BOTTOM)
Model: Blade 1.0
Application: PDW Pistols that take AR-15 Pistol Buffer Extensions
Shown with: KAK Pistol Buffer Tube (not included)
MSRP: $39
URL: shockwavetechnologies.com
Thordsen Customs (BOTTOM)
Make: Thordsen Customs (TOP)
Model: AR/AK Enhanced Pistol Cheek Rest Kit w/ MFT Saddle (Flat Dark Earth)
Application: PDW Pistols that take AR-15 Pistol Buffer Extensions
Shown with: Buffer Tube, Castle Nut (included)
MSRP: $85
URL: thordsencustoms.com
Make: Thordsen Customs (BOTTOM)
Model: AR/AK Enhanced Pistol Cheek Rest Kit w/ CAA Saddle (BLACK)
Application: PDW Pistols that take AR-15 Pistol Buffer Extensions
Shown with: N/A
MSRP: $65
URL: thordsencustoms.com
Text by Martin Anders / Images by Jerry Tsai