Description
The Harrington Richardson TIA Pistol is a compact 10-inch 5.56 NATO AR pistol from Harrington & Richardson, the historic brand now revived by Palmetto State Armory. It combines an M16A2-pattern upper and H&R’s special forces-inspired COTS-marked M16A2 lower with a pencil-profile barrel and a distinctive TIA flash hider, giving a short, light, early-1990s look.
Harrington Richardson TIA Pistol Overview
Most retro AR pistols use a round six-hole handguard, but this one wears the seven-hole carbine handguard with aluminium heat shields, an A2 upper with M4 feed ramps and the adjustable A2 rear sight. The 10-inch barrel is 4150 chrome moly vanadium steel, chrome lined and Parkerized, with a 1:7 twist, 1/2×28 threads and a rifle-height front sight base on a carbine-length gas system. The buffer tube carries the H&R HAR-15 adjustable blade, styled to resemble a CAR-15 sliding stock, and the A2-style grip and mil-spec trigger keep the controls familiar. Overall length is about 31 inches.
What a 10-Inch 5.56 Pistol Is Like
Running 5.56 NATO through a 10-inch barrel works, but physics extracts a price. Velocity drops well below rifle figures, and the unburned powder exits as a large fireball with sharp concussion. Expect heavy muzzle blast on covered firing lines and indoors, and wear good hearing protection with a backup plug if you shoot with others nearby. In exchange you get a very short, easy-to-maneuver AR that still uses common rifle magazines and ammunition.
Chrome Lining and Ammunition
The chrome-lined bore resists corrosion and makes cleaning easy after long sessions. A 1:7 twist handles 55 grain range ammunition through heavier 62 and 77 grain loads, and because the chamber is 5.56 NATO it fires .223 Remington safely too. Short barrels are hard on bullet fragmentation, so if you plan any defensive use, choose loads designed to perform at reduced velocity.
The HAR-15 Blade and the Law
The HAR-15 is an adjustable stabilizing blade. Brace regulation has changed repeatedly, and the 2023 ATF brace rule was vacated by a federal court in 2024, though the topic remains active. Installing a true stock on this 10-inch barrel without an approved ATF Form 1 or Form 4 would create a short-barreled rifle under the NFA. The threaded muzzle can also host a suppressor, which requires its own approved Form 4 and state legality.
Sights and Setup
The carry handle and A2 rear aperture provide a robust, adjustable sight that works well at the distances where a 10-inch gun makes sense. A carry-handle mount can hold a red dot, though it sits high over the bore. A two-point sling makes the pistol far easier to control, and the A2 grip and standard controls accept common aftermarket parts.
Build and Care
Receivers are forged 7075-T6 aluminium with black anodizing, and the full-auto profile bolt carrier uses a Carpenter 158 steel bolt. Short gas systems run hotter and dirtier than rifle-length ones, so clean the bolt and chamber regularly and keep the carrier well lubricated.
State Laws and Ownership
AR-style pistols are restricted or banned in several states, including California, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Illinois and Washington, and many states cap magazine capacity at 10 or 15 rounds. Local rules on braced pistols and threaded barrels can differ from state rules, so confirm what applies where you live before ordering. Your receiving dealer can refuse a non-compliant transfer.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Harrington & Richardson (Palmetto State Armory)
- Model: TIA complete A2 pistol, SKU HR51655158872
- UPC: 810141222700
- Caliber: 5.56 NATO / .223 Rem
- Barrel: 10 inch pencil 4150 CMV, chrome lined, Parkerized
- Twist: 1:7
- Muzzle: TIA-pattern flash hider, 1/2×28 thread
- Gas system: carbine length, rifle-height front sight base
- Upper: M16A2 with M4 feed ramps and carry handle
- Lower: H&R M16A2 COTS pattern
- Handguard: carbine with heat shields
- Brace: H&R HAR-15 adjustable blade
- Bolt carrier: full-auto profile, Carpenter 158 bolt
- Trigger: mil-spec
- Overall length: about 31 inch
- Magazine: one 30-round
Before You Buy
Federal law requires that handguns, including AR-style pistols, be transferred through a licensed dealer to buyers 21 or older who pass a background check. Check your state rules on AR pistols, braces and magazine capacity, and plan for significant blast from the short barrel.
Who It Is For
The Harrington Richardson TIA Pistol is a great fit for retro AR collectors who want a distinctive early-1990s short build, and shooters who value a compact 5.56 pistol that uses standard AR magazines.
Buy the Harrington Richardson TIA Pistol at MAG5 Firearms
MAG5 Firearms is a family-owned FFL in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Order the Harrington Richardson TIA Pistol online and ship it to your local FFL dealer, or browse our full selection of firearms for more pistols. For factory details, visit Harrington & Richardson.
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