Angstadt Arms UDP-9 Review | Best Straight Blowback AR-9?

AR-9’s became a big deal in the past 5 years or so with ammo skyrocketing and their increased accuracy it’s really no surprise. One of the most popular AR-9’s on the market currently is the Angstadt Arms UDP.

Why an AR-9?

The AR-15 platform is one of the most famous firearms in the world, for better or for worse.

For all the right reasons he is a fantastic platform that allows easy customization easy maintenance and easy part replacement.

So it makes sense that it comes in all flavors and calibers, which is all the AR-9 is. A smaller modified AR-15 that shoots pistol caliber rounds, such as 9mm and 45 ACP.

These guns are often collectively called pistol caliber carbines and come in lots of different lots and features.

Angstadt Arms UDP

Caliber: 9mm
Materials: 7075-T6 Aluminum
Barrel Length: 6″

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Ergonomics & Controls

One of the many great things about the Angstadt Arms UDP-9/AR-9 platform is the controls and ergonomics are very similar to the AR-15, but with less recoil and noise.

Safety

UDP’s safety is mil-spec so it’s not all that special but that is probably done to control cost.

That leaves you open to customize the gun as you see fit. I personally love the Radian safety selectors, which is what I will probably end up throwing on this gun to upgrade the feel and function of the safety selector.

Pistol Grip

Much like it’s cousin, the MDP, it has a B5 systems grip which is by far one of my favorite grips to date.

B5 grips is 100% American made and has an abrasive grip texture that makes shooting and handling the UDP-9 that much better.

Magazine Release

One of the few things I don’t like about the UDP-9 is the lack of ambidextrous controls.

That’s not a huge deal for me since I’m right handed but when you have to switch to left handed shooting it makes a difference.

The magazine release is a standard single AR-15 style push button on the right side of the gun on the magwell.

Magazine Well

The magazine well is extremely flared which allows for a very smooth and easy magazine swap.

Since this gun runs Glock double stack magazine the options for magazine size are vast.

When I did magazine swaps the magazines funneled easily and dropped free with no snags.

Bolt Release/Hold Open

Only recently did bolt release/hold opens become ambidextrous so I won’t harp on this too much but the UDP-9 features a standard mil-spec style hold open/release.

It works well and no issues at all with the function of it holding and releasing the bolt.

The bolt is a standard AR-9 bolt with the Angstadt logo nicely lasered on the side, which is a really nice asethitc touch.

Charging Handle

The included charging handle is a mil-spec style handle with the single side release. But like the rest of the upper and lower parts you can use whatever AR-15 charging handle you’d like.

There are tons of options for aftermarket charging handles. One of my favorites is the Radian Raptor, which arguable kicked off the double sided pull charging handle craze.

Stock and Brace Option

With the recent craziness of the federal government about pistol stabilizing braces Angstadt, like many other companies, have removed the brace from their UDP pistols.

The UDP pistol ships with a standard buffer tube which leaves you options for the future when the brace ban is overturned or you register the gun as a short barrel rifle.

Alternatively, you can order the gun directly from Angstadt as an SBR.

UDP-9 Ammo

The UDP straight blowback operating system system is extremely forgiving when it comes to different ammo types.

Everything from round nose 115 range ammo to your Gold Dot hollow points should have no issues in the UDP-9.

Blazer Brass

115 GR

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AAC 9MM Ammo

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Hornady Critical Defense

115 GR

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Magtech Round Nose

115 GR

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Winchester Hex-Vent HP

124 GR

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Blazer Aluminum

115 GR

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Angstadt Arms MDP vs UDP

Angstadt currently has two major pistol caliber platforms the MDP and UDP.

Lots of people will look at the price of these two guns alone and simply think the difference is one is the base model and the other is the top of the line, which is not entirely the case.

They are both great guns however, the price difference separates them more by function than quality.

The MDP is a roller-delayed blowback gun while the UDP is a straight blowback operating system.

The MDP will shoot smoother and perform better suppressed than the UDP due to this operating system.

Both guns share a number of similar features and the lower designs are almost identical, and may be identical externally.

Either gun will serve you will but depending on your desired end use of the product will determine which will be the better option.

Angstadt Arms UDP In conclusion

I’ve shot a number of pistol caliber carbines including the PSA AR-V, AK-V, Scorpion, and Stribog, just to name a few, the UDP-9 holds it’s own being a high quality AR-9 that’s easy to customize and shoot.

If you are in the market for a good quality 9mm AR than the Angstadt Arms UDP-9 is a great option.

If you are looking for something with more stopping power the UDP does come in a 45 ACP model, the UDP-45.

Be sure to check out Angstadt’s latest creation the Vanquish ISR.