Whether you’re a pistol-caliber carbine competitor, or you just want more stability for your AR pistol, a good pistol brace is a must-have. Your pistol is just a lot less comfortable and harder to shoot, if you don’t have a brace.
That’s why we’re here to show you which AR-15 pistol braces are out there.
Best AR 15 Pistol Brace Comparison Table
SB Tactical SBA3 Pistol Stabilizing Brace
Key Specs:
- Weight:
6.75oz
- Fabric/Material:
Aluminum
- Cavidi Depth:
6 in
SPOILER: If you’d rather not become an AR-15 pistol brace expert before making your purchase, just get the SB Tactical SBA3 Pistol Stabilizing Brace. It’s an awesome brace that’s less expensive than many competitors.
If you do want to become an AR pistol brace expert, keep reading. We’ll go through all the AR-15 pistol braces. So, you can make the most informed decision when you buy.
Table of Contents
Top 5 Best AR 15 Pistol Brace Reviews: Stability is King
Our winner gets the top spot. That’s how we do things. The rest of the braces will show up in order of price. Budget braces first. Budget breaking braces toward the end.
Let’s get a hold on things.
1. SB Tactical SBA3 Pistol Stabilizing Brace
Key Specs:
- Material:
Aluminum
- Weight:
6.75 oz
- Cavidy Depth:
6 in
Pros:
- Excellent adjustability.
- Includes receiver extension.
- Integrated QD sling socket.
Cons:
- Arm wrap isn’t super supportive.
SB Tactical specializes in building AR pistol braces. The SB Tactical SBA3 Pistol Stabilizing Brace is the result of years of experimentation and iteration to produce the most comfortable and stable brace ever.
This brace is designed to work with 5-position receiver extensions. If you’re building an AR pistol, the good news is that this brace includes a receiver extension. So, you know that your brace will fit your receiver.
If you want to use your own extension, this brace also fits mil-spec receiver extensions.
Either way, the adjustment gives you enough customizability to ensure that this brace fits your body comfortably.
There’s a QD sling socket so you can carry your pistol comfortably, and use your hands for other things with your pistol slung. And, the L-shape design offers maximum stability in a variety of shooting positions.
The only drawback to this brace is that the arm wrap portion isn’t super supportive. So, it can feel a bit mushy when you’ve got it on.
If you want more support for one-handed shooting, the SB Tactical AR-15 SBA4 Adjustable Brace has a sturdier arm wrap.
Even so, the adjustability, sling attachment options, and price make this an ideal brace for anyone looking to add stability to their AR pistol.
2. KAK Industry LLC. KAK Shockwave Pistol Brace Package
Key Specs:
- Weight:
7.27 oz
- Material:
Glass-Reinforced Polymer
Pros:
- Excellent price.
- Includes all the necessary hardware. The low price is the final cost.
- 3 sling attachment points.
Cons:
- Not adjustable.
- No QD sling socket.
Most AR pistol braces are a bit pricey, because there’s some additional hardware required. The KAK Industry LLC. KAK Shockwave Pistol Brace Package solves this problem. It gives you all the benefits of a pistol brace at a much lower price than many competitors.
This brace includes all the hardware you need to mount the brace—pistol stabilizing brace, buffer tube, buffer spring, carbine buffer, and mil-spec endplate. So, there are no additional costs involved with installing this brace.
Also, this brace is exceptionally light. The brace itself weighs in at 5 ounces. So, you don’t have to worry about your pistol getting too heavy during long shooting sessions.
There are 3 sling attachment points. So, you can put the sling wherever you need it to fit your body. Unfortunately, there are no QD sling sockets.
Also, this brace isn’t adjustable. So, you’ll have to make do with a single configuration.
However, the design on this KAK Industry model offers good support and stability for almost any shooting position. And, it comes in a variety of colors to match your pistol’s aesthetic.
All in all, there are a few limitations. But, the price and performance of this brace make it an excellent option for anyone who’s looking for pistol stability on a budget.
3. SB Tactical SB PDW Adjustable Pistol Stabilizing Brace
Key Specs:
- Weight:
18.1 oz.
- Strap width:
0.75 in.
- Maximum width:
2.25 in.
Pros:
- 3 adjustment positions.
- Shorter overall length than many other pistol braces.
- Excellent stability for one or two-handed shooting.
Cons:
- Adjustment range is a bit limited due to shorter overall length.
- No sling attachment points.
The SB Tactical SB PDW Adjustable Pistol Stabilizing Brace offers a compact option for those who use their AR pistol as a personal defense weapon for home defense.
This brace is adjustable. There are 3 positions. So, you can set the brace to a length that’s comfortable for you. But, it could be more adjustable.
However, the limited adjustment is because this brace is a bit shorter in total overall length than some other braces. So, it makes your pistol easier to store and transport. But, it may feel a bit short if you have very long arms.
The adjustment system features two rods on either side of the buffer tube. So, this brace offers superb stability for one or two-handed shooting.
And, even though the price is a bit on the high side, this brace is a complete kit. All you have to do is screw on the buffer tube and castle nut, and you’re good to go.
Unfortunately, there are no sling attachment points. So, you’ll have to run your sling in a configuration that doesn’t use the brace as an attachment point.
But, even with the few limitations, this is easily the most comfortable and stable brace for those who want a more compact platform for personal defense.
4. Sig Sauer AR-15 Pistol SBX Stabilizing Arm Brace
Pros:
- Wide arm wrap offer exceptional stability for one-handed shooting.
- Elasto-polymer construction offers excellent comfort and durability.
- Shorter overall length keeps your pistol compact.
Cons:
- Expensive
- Not adjustable.
The Sig Sauer AR-15 Pistol SBX Stabilizing Arm Brace provides the best stability when shooting your AR pistol one-handed.
This brace is designed to be an optimal length without adjustment. So, the brace is fixed. However, the arm wrap is wide enough to add support where you need it most. So, you get a lot of stability for one handed shooting, with minimal adjustment and configuration.
However, this means that the brace is a bit shorter in overall length than a fully adjustable brace. The length is good because it makes your pistol more compact. But, it might feel too short for two-handed shooting.
It also does not fit AR-style buffer tubes designed for adjustable pistol braces.
The elasto-polymer construction is both durable and comfortable enough for extended one-handed shooting and abusive, tactical training. So, this brace will hold up, no matter what you use your AR pistol for.
This Sig Sauer brace might seem a bit pricey for a non-adjustable brace. But, it gives you the best stability and accuracy for one-handed shooting.
5. Brownells KAK Shockwave Pistol Brace & Law Tactical Folding Stock Adaptor
Pros:
- Comes with a fully functional pistol brace.
- Includes all the necessary hardware for installation.
- Works with both direct impingement and gas piston AR pistols.
Cons:
- Brace isn’t adjustable.
- Folding stock adaptor may cause reliability issues with some pistols.
Even though AR pistols are already fairly short, a folding brace makes it easier to stage your pistol in a vehicle, or store it in a tight space at home. The Brownells KAK Shockwave Pistol Brace & Law Tactical Folding Stock Adaptor gives you a pistol brace and a folding buffer tube all in one package.
First, the brace itself is the KAK Shockwave Pistol Brace, which we talked about before. It delivers great stability for a wide variety of shooting positions. But it does lack a QD sling socket and adjustability.
But, the real star of the show here is the included Law Tactical Folding Stock Adaptor. The stock adaptor adds a hinge to your buffer tube, so that it can be folded to save space.
This comes with some ups and downs.
Making your AR pistol smaller for storage and staging makes it possible to keep your rifle in a lot more places.
However, you can’t fire your pistol with the brace folded. So, account for this when considering how long it will take to retrieve your pistol and get it into action.
Also, adding the hinge changes the length of your buffer tube a bit. For most pistols, this is no problem. But, some users have found that adding the hinge can cause reliability issues. So, this kit isn’t ideal for pistols that combine a short barrel with a long gas system, such as a 10.5 inch barrel with a carbine length gas tube.
However, the folding stock works with both direct impingement and gas piston systems. So, you’re not limited in the type of AR pistol you can use.
But, if you have the right pistol for it, this Brownells kit gives you a lot more options for storing and staging your AR-15 pistol, so you can have it ready when you need it.
The Final
SB Tactical SBA3 Pistol Stabilizing Brace
- Weight:
6.75 oz
- Material:
Aluminum
- Cavidy Depth:
6 in
Pros:
- Excellent adjustability.
- L-shape design works well for multiple shooting positions.
- Integrated QD sling socket.
If you’re building an AR-15 pistol, the brace you use is a critical choice for ensuring that your pistol is comfortable and capable of meeting your needs. If you’ve already got an AR-15 pistol, a good brace will make your pistol far more comfortable and easy to shoot.
In improving your performance on your AR-15 Pistol, take into account your pistol grip to have more stability and better handles.
If you want a pistol brace that will make your pistol both versatile and comfortable, get the SB Tactical SBA3 Pistol Stabilizing Brace. It’s adjustable and offers excellent stability for all types of shooting.
If you’re still using a padded buffer tube on your AR-15 pistol, you’re just making yourself uncomfortable. Get a good AR pistol brace, and start shooting in comfort (and style).
For the full review of the SB Tactical SBA3, you can visit this page. In addition to that, we recommend you to check our article on SBA4 if you want to compare them.
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