Description
The Great Lakes AR15 Pistol Charcoal Green is a compact 223 Wylde AR pistol with a 7.5 inch stainless barrel, a muzzle brake, a pistol brace and a charcoal green Cerakote finish. It is built in Sparta, Michigan by Great Lakes Firearms and Ammunition and ships with one 30 round magazine.
Great Lakes AR15 Pistol Charcoal Green Overview
The distributor model is GL15223SSPBCHG: SS for the stainless barrel, PB for the pistol brace, and CHG for charcoal green. 56 chamber. 750 gas block. 5 to 6 pounds, and there are no sights, so plan on an optic.
Charcoal Green Cerakote
The receivers and handguard wear a muted charcoal green Cerakote that sits between OD green and gray. It is less loud than the brighter GLFA colors and pairs well with black furniture. Cerakote resists solvents and corrosion well, but the finish can wear on edges that rub a case or sling mount. Expect a slight shade difference from the photos.
Barrel, Brake and Handguard
At 7.5 inches the barrel gives up meaningful velocity compared with a 16 inch rifle, which matters for terminal performance with lighter bullets. The included brake reduces recoil but sends significant muzzle blast sideways, so anyone beside you will notice. The maker lists a 7.125 inch aluminum handguard with a full Picatinny top rail, while one retailer lists a much longer M-LOK handguard; we expect the shorter rail on a 7.5 inch build and will confirm on request.
The Pistol Brace
This configuration ships with a pistol stabilizing brace on a pistol buffer tube. Federal rules on braces changed in 2023 and that rule was later vacated by a federal court, so braced pistols are currently treated as pistols, but the situation has shifted more than once. Do not add a shoulder stock: doing so on a barrel under 16 inches creates a short-barreled rifle that requires prior ATF approval. Adding a vertical foregrip to a handgun can also create an NFA problem.
Who Should Choose an AR Pistol
A short AR pistol is handy in a vehicle, around a farm, or for home defense in tight hallways. The trade-offs are concussion, flash, and noise that is punishing indoors without hearing protection. Many owners eventually look at a suppressor, which is an NFA item requiring an approved ATF Form 4 and state legality. If you want maximum velocity or a quieter gun, a 16 inch rifle is the better choice.
Honest Caveats
Great Lakes is a smaller, value-priced maker, so resale value trails the established AR brands. Retail specs for this model disagree on handguard length and list weight at about 5 pounds with a 23.5 inch overall length. Check that your optic and light mount fit the shorter rail. Break it in with a few hundred rounds of quality brass-cased ammunition before relying on it.
State Laws and Ownership
Because it is built as a pistol, this firearm is regulated as a handgun. California, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Washington, Illinois, Delaware and several other states ban or tightly restrict AR pistols, and many of those also cap magazine capacity, so the included 30 round magazine may be illegal where you live. Pennsylvania allows AR pistols, but carrying one loaded in a vehicle requires a license to carry. Check your state and local laws before ordering.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Great Lakes Firearms and Ammunition (Sparta, Michigan)
- Model: GL15223SSPBCHG
- UPC: 638457794946
- Caliber: 223 Wylde (fires 223 Rem and 5.56 NATO)
- Barrel: 7.5 in. 416R stainless, 1:8 twist, 1/2×28 threads
- Muzzle device: Muzzle brake
- Gas system: Pistol length, 0.750 gas block
- Receivers: 7075 aluminum, charcoal green Cerakote
- Handguard: Aluminum, full Picatinny top rail (maker lists 7.125 in.)
- Trigger: Mil-spec, about 5.5 to 6 lb
- Brace: Pistol stabilizing brace
- Magazine: One 30 round
- Sights: None
- Overall length: about 23.5 in.
- Weight: about 5.0 lb
Before You Buy
Federal law requires handgun buyers, including AR pistol buyers, to be 21 or older and to pass a background check at a licensed dealer. This firearm ships only to an FFL.
Who It Is For
The Great Lakes AR15 Pistol Charcoal Green is a great fit for shooters who want a compact 223 Wylde AR pistol for home, truck or range and understand the blast and legal trade-offs.
Buy the Great Lakes AR15 Pistol Charcoal Green at MAG5 Firearms
MAG5 Firearms is a family-owned FFL in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Order the Great Lakes AR15 Pistol Charcoal Green online and ship it to your local FFL dealer, or browse our full selection of firearms for more pistols. For factory details, visit Great Lakes Firearms and Ammunition.
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