Are you looking for the best AR-15 pistol braces? If you are, there’s a good chance that you’re not the only one. Finding the best out of the many that flood the market today is a challenge. But if you know which features to look out for and which ones will match your personal needs and preferences, the search is easy enough.
To get you started, we’ve hand-picked six of the best AR-15 pistol braces that are considered the best on the market right now. These are head and shoulders above the rest of the pistol braces on the market, many of which are considered low-quality and ineffective.
Before we get to our list, let’s talk about what a pistol brace is. Then we’ll talk about their intended purpose and how you can choose one for your own use.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for AR15 Pistol Braces
Comparison Chart of the Best AR-15 Pistol Braces
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What is a Pistol Brace?
A pistol brace is used to help stabilize the pistol’s hold while you’re using it. Originally, these pistol braces were designed when one man named Alex Bosco was out on a trip to a shooting range with a friend who was a disabled veteran. The range session was cut short when the latter was having little to no control over his AR-15 pistol.
This would lead to Bosco designing a strap that would not only accommodate his friend but also other disabled veterans across the country. Not only has this been helpful for those who have a handicap, but it has also been an acceptable substitute for stocks. That’s because if a stock is attached to an AR-15 pistol, it would be considered a Title II weapon in accordance with the National Firearms Act of 1934, thus creating legal headaches.
What to Expect From a Pistol Brace?
When you choose a pistol brace for your own AR-15 pistol, you’ll experience some benefits and advantages that would otherwise be considered non-existent if you had neither a brace nor any other accessory that allowed for more support. Here’s what you’ll expect:
Better “Running and Gunning”
If you’re at an outdoor range where you are “running and gunning”, chances are that you may have difficulty doing so if you’re using an AR-15 pistol. Having a brace attached will make sure that you are able to move around smoothly while maintaining complete control over your pistol. You’ll be able to move around more freely and draw your weapon much more quickly. This is an excellent advantage to have if you’re in a self-defense situation.
Better Accuracy
This is an obvious no-brainer. The better control you have over your AR-15 pistol, the better chance your shots will be more accurate and precise. With little or no control, you won’t be able to hit the targets at all. These braces will allow you to even rest your cheek in an area that would otherwise be occupied by a buttstock. However, you can draw your AR-15 pistol to a position that is most comfortable on your end.
Aesthetically Pleasing
Okay, so looks may be important to you. But they aren’t to a whole lot of others. The braces do make the AR-15 pistol look a little cooler, we’ll admit that. Consider looking at it as if it were something that would come in handy in the times when you need it the most. After all, your AR-15 pistol should be absent of a buttstock, so consider it as something that you can use to be creative with. Especially when you’re spending a day out on the range.
KAK Industry Llc. - AR-15 KAK Shockwave Blade Pistol Brace
What Makes a Great AR-15 Pistol Brace?
It might be tough to distinguish a high-quality AR-15 pistol brace from something that is considered to be low-quality and crappy. But it’s important to know which features and functions will best fit your personal needs and functions. This list is compiled by those who are past buyers of AR-15 pistol braces. This should also be a guide to you in finding the one that is right for you (assuming that you are a first-time buyer). Here’s what you need to look out for while you’re finding an AR-15 pistol brace:
Material
Some pistol braces will include durable fabrics or fibers to ensure that it won’t rip or fray. In this case, nylon and polymer are among the two best materials for the brace straps, simply for their ability to resist damage. The buffer tubes and attachments that come with it will either be made from hard polymer or aluminum. Either way, they are built to last you a long time.
Adjustable Positions
Some pistol braces are “one size fits all”. But there is a handful of them that will be adjustable in a number of ways. If you have small hands, you may want to find one that is adjustable so it can fit you perfectly. The same deal if you have medium-size or large-size hands.
Installation
Almost every pistol brace on the market is easy to install in a matter of minutes. In fact, there are so many of them that are easy to install, that it should be considered a default feature. But nonetheless, it’s one of the things that makes a pistol brace such an outstanding accessory to have with your AR-15 pistol.
Review of the Best AR-15 Pistol Braces
Below is a list of six AR-15 pistol braces that we believe are the best on the market as of this writing. While the list might be subject to change over time, this gives you a good opportunity to grab one of the hottest pistol braces of the year.
One of these could be yours if you’re looking for something that will give you better control, better accuracy, and most importantly a better overall use of your AR-15 pistol. With that said, let’s begin by taking a look at the best overall on our list:
Best Overall:
KAK Industry Llc. - AR-15 KAK Shockwave Blade Pistol Brace
Pros
Cons
Now, we’ll be taking a look at the KAK Industry AR-15 Shockwave Blade Pistol Brace. One thing we’ll point out is that this is a brace made from high-quality polymer. So, it’s designed to give you more of an advantage all while being a durable little unit that can stand up to all kinds of abuse and damage.
This is manufactured to match the exact tolerances of AR-15 pistols. So you can expect this to fit with almost any AR-15 pistol out there. If you’re looking for something that might be the closest pistol brace you can get to universal, the Shockwave Blade could be the best possible choice for you.
What’s even better about this pistol brace is that it won’t even take you minutes to install. All you have to do is slip this on and you’ll be ready to go in no time. Just take your AR-15 pistol out to the range and you’ll instantly experience some of the benefits that come with adding on a pistol brace.
Better control, better accuracy, and better movement. You cannot ask for anything more. Plus, it will be tough enough to handle any bumping around. So if you turn around fast and accidentally hit a wall, the brace won’t damage.
It will still give you the control that you’ll want out of any other pistol brace. You can hold it steady against your cheek and use it as if you have a stock on the end or stabilize it against your forearm. Either way, you’ll have an excellent shooting experience no matter which one you choose.
Bottom Line
This pistol brace is one of the easiest to use. Slip it on and be ready to go. No tools or gunsmithing needed. If you’re looking for a starter brace, this might be your best choice. Since it’s so lightweight, you’re not turning your AR-15 pistol into a 100-pound dumbbell.
So long as it’s light in weight, it won’t hinder your ability to “run and gun” at the practice range or in a real-life self-defense situation. Other than that, you’re going to get immediate beneficial results once you’ve added this onto your AR-15 pistol.
Best for the Money:
SB Tactical - SB Pdw Adjustable Pistol Stabilizing Brace
Pros
Cons
Now, we’ll be shifting gears and taking a look at the best pistol brace that will fit almost every affordable budget out there. This is the SB Tactical Adjustable Pistol Stabilizing Brace. One of the most noticeable features of this is it has three different positions available.
So, it will fit any sized shooter who wants to make the most out of their AR-15 pistol. Most importantly, this brace is quite comfortable to wear. If you hold comfort to a high standard, you can be sure to get it out of this pistol brace.
Even if you want to shoot it one-handed, you can be able to hold your pistol much better with the help of this brace. If you’re going to spend a long day at the range, this brace will ensure that you won’t have to deal with any kind of fatigue. That’s a godsend for those who spend a long day at the range.
This has a built-in pistol buffer tube that allows for excellent support and will stay in place once installed. You can shoulder this as if you’re using a traditional stock. That is, if you feel like it’s a more comfortable shooting position.
Alternatively, you can hold it as if you’re using a regular pistol. Either way, you have a stabilizing brace that is comfortable and is usable in so many different ways. Best of all, it’s an affordable pistol brace that will get the job done. If you’re looking for a pistol brace without breaking the bank, the SB Tactical might be the one you should keep your eye on.
Bottom Line
This is more than just a budget AR-15 pistol brace. It’s a pistol brace that has a buffer tube added on for better support and control. You can also consider this a brace that will fit just about any shooter and just about any position that you can use.
Even if you have a good amount of money to work with, you’d be crazy to pass up on the opportunity to give this pistol brace a closer look. The SB Tactical smashes the expectations of what a budget pistol brace should be. If you’re looking for something that’s easy to use, easy to adjust, and does a superb job improving the performance of your AR-15 pistol, your search ends here with the SB Tactical pistol brace.
3. Double Star - Strongarm™ Pistol Brace
Pros
Cons
Next on the docket, we’ll be looking at the Double Star Strongarm Pistol Brace. This has a body design that is made from billeted aluminum, making it a durable unit that will look great on almost any AR-15 pistol. To ensure easy installation, this has easy to screw on pins that will make sure that the pistol brace is secure and won’t wiggle.
This also has a hook-and-loop strap that works to allow you to add on any additional straps that will allow you better control over your AR-15 pistol. This will fit most AR-15 pistol buffer tubes that are measured to almost 1.25 inches in diameter. Once added, you’ll be ready and raring to go for a long day of shooting at the range.
Just don’t be surprised if you notice your shots are more accurate than ever before once you’ve installed this Strongarm Pistol Brace onto your AR-15 pistol.
Bottom Line
The DoubleStar is a pretty good pistol brace to have if you’re looking for something that is reliable, easy to fit, and allows for better control and shooting. This is designed to fit almost any AR-15 pistol out there, so if a universal fit is something that you’re looking for, this Strongarm pistol brace just might be right up your alley.
4. SB Tactical - SBA3 Pistol Stabilizing Brace 5-Position Adjustable
Pros
Cons
Lastly, we’ll be taking a look at the SB Tactical SBA 3 Pistol Stabilizing Brace. This has five adjustable positions that will fit almost any shooter. It’s guaranteed to give you a very comfortable fit no matter which position fits you best.
What you’ll get out of this is very stable control and even better accuracy. On top of that, you’ll also be able to reduce a good amount of recoil that your AR-15 pistol produces. The QD socket is included to accommodate ambidextrous shooters as well.
Meaning this will be more beneficial to left-handed shooters. That isn’t to say that this will be rendered useless if you shoot right-handed. The receiver extension is a carbine length extension that is as close to mil-spec as you can get.
At just below 7 ounces, this is also a lightweight unit that doesn’t tack on any extra weight once you install it. That will make the running and gunning a lot better, regardless if you’re practicing at the range or if you’re in a real-life dangerous situation where you’ll have to rely on your AR-15 pistol.
If you’re looking for a pistol brace that is guaranteed to fit without any worry, the SB Tactical will be the best one you can find. One of the five adjustable positions might just be good enough to make your AR-15 pistol more useful for you.
Bottom Line
This is probably the closest that you can get to a tactical-style pistol brace. It does allow you the ability to shoot your AR-15 pistol from any position that you feel is more comfortable. Either way, this strap will make sure that you have a much better handle on it so you can move quickly and freely if the situation presents itself.
With five adjustable positions, it’s bound to be a good fit for you. If you’re looking for something that will make usability a lot easier on your end, then the SB Tactical could be the best pistol brace you can rely on.
5. PSA MOE EPT Pistol Lower Build Kit With SB Tactical PDW Brace
Pros
Cons
The first pistol brace we will be looking at on the list is from the PSA brand. We’ve been quite impressed with this brand in regard to so many different accessories, so we weren’t surprised to see them stand out among the rest as far as pistol braces went. This includes a receiver extension that is made from high-quality 7075-T6 aluminum.
Also included is a standard carbine buffer designed for AR-15 pistols that have carbine gas systems. This also comes with a black Magpul grip that is designed to give you more control over your AR-15 pistol. It will give you more control and in turn, more accurate and precise shots.
And let’s not forget the star of this ensemble, the adjustable and stabilizing AR-15 pistol brace. This will give you a more stable hold on your pistol without ever having to rely on a buttstock. You can rest your cheek on your shoulder if you think it is more comfortable and at the same time, gives you even better control.
If you hold accuracy to a high standard and want to test out the different ways to hold an AR-15 pistol, the PSA might be the one you exactly want. This is a total package kit with the parts that will best work with your AR-15’s lower receiver along with a brace to keep it more stable for you.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for the best overall, you’ll get it with this pistol brace. In fact, it’s a pistol brace complete with some of the most important parts you’ll need for a lower receiver.
If you’re looking for something that will give you more than complete control over your AR-15 pistol, resulting in the best shooting you’ve had in a long period of time, the PSA pistol brace might be something worth investing in.
6. Sig Sauer - AR-15 Pistol Sbx Stabilizing Arm Brace
Pros
Cons
Now, we’ll be taking a look at the Sig Sauer AR-15 Pistol SBX Stabilizing Arm Brace. Sig Sauer is proven to be one of the most reliable brands on the market. And this accessory made by them proves why they belong in the conversation of “which brand you trust the most”.
What you’ll notice at first glance is that while the fit is slim, the strap is thick enough for you to get a good amount of stability while holding your AR-15 pistol. So, you’re going to get an excellent amount of support and a huge reduction in felt recoil. As a result, your shots will be more accurate and precise regardless of which position of rest you shoot in.
This is made from high-quality elasto-polymer, making it super strong and tough to handle all kinds of shooters and their hand size. The tolerances are matched exactly to ensure that this fits almost any AR-15 pistol ever made. If you’re looking for something that’s close to universal, the Sig Sauer could be the pistol brace that you’ll want to add on.
This pistol brace is guaranteed to give you better control and better accuracy once this puppy is installed. Without it, your AR-15 may not be so enjoyable to use. Take this out to the range and give this a whirl and you’ll be one happy camper knowing that your shooting is much more precise and sharper than ever before.
Bottom Line
Excellent quality, a perfect fit every time, and much better control over your AR-15 pistol. If we had to come up with three things that make this Sig Sauer pistol brace the best choice for you, that would be it. And that’s exactly what you’ll get out of it.
No matter the size of your hands, this is guaranteed to fit you perfectly and will make for shooting to be more comfortable no matter which position you’re in. If you’re looking for a pistol brace that is strong, reliable, and makes shooting a lot more enjoyable for you, then the Sig Sauer will be your go-to choice.
Conclusion
Finding the best AR-15 pistol brace can be a challenge. But if you’re looking for a few good features that might check off the boxes on your wishlist, it won’t take you long to find the perfect one for yourself.
The end goal is simple: have a better hold on your AR-15 pistol and have better a better shooting experience each time you use it. Find the best pistol brace you can get and give it a go at the range. You’ll be amazed how much your pistol will improve thanks to an excellent accessory like a pistol brace.
People Also Ask
The following are a list of questions that are frequently asked by buyers each day. This should serve as a guide to help you along the path to finding the best pistol brace for your AR-15. Here are the questions that you can refer to:
Is it Legal to Shoulder a Pistol Brace?
The short answer: yes. In fact, the ATF confirmed in 2015 that while the pistol brace is designed to provide support for the shooter while shooting an AR-15 pistol, it was not considered to be some kind of stock that would lead it to be identified as an NFA firearm.
Are Pistol Braces Legal in the State of California?
This is a matter of debate. Despite the ATF’s ruling, the state of California does consider an AR-15 pistol a short barreled rifle. This may be considered a “shade of grey” in terms of legality. A pistol without a buttstock is not considered an SBR (i.e. an AR-15 pistol). But if in the state of California, you can use it another way that is not considered “shouldering” the brace. You can also refer to your local and state laws to err on the side of caution to ensure that no legal headaches will happen in your future.
Can I Carry an AR Pistol in my Car?
This will depend on the laws in your locale or state. You can in most jurisdictions. But things do get a little murky if your travels involve crossing state lines. Since it is a pistol (not a rifle), you can carry it as if you were carrying a handgun on your hip. Once again, err on the side of caution and research the local, state, and federal laws to ensure that you’re not unintentionally breaking the law.
What is the Difference Between an AR Pistol and an SBR?
One major distinction between the two is the measurements. In accordance with the ATF, an AR pistol will have a barrel of fewer than 16 inches in length while the overall length is below 26 inches. An SBR will have the same barrel length (less than 16 inches). But most SBRs will be measured above 26 inches in overall length. Another difference is that an SBR does have a buttstock, while AR pistols do not.
