Just like handguns, AR pistol manufacturers have been trying to figure out how to make their guns smaller and more compact for years now. We have seen smaller and smaller components and even guns that come apart with just a few twists and turns. And now FoldAR changes the game with its double folding AR pistol.
The Double FoldAR Pistol Changes the Game
All the other designs and ideas have seemed to die off quickly and never really catch on. Many times, the issue with these designs is the speed of deployment and/or reliability. Many times, they sound like good ideas on paper but never materialize into a very usable product when it comes to real-world application.
Being a big fan of AR pistols and kind of a nerd for innovation, I was browsing the internet one day and came across a company that is taking compact to a whole new level and may very well be changing the way we look at AR pistols forever. That company is FoldAR.
Engineering Experience
FoldAR owner Corby Hall is no newcomer to designing guns. Corby has a strong background in the industry, having helped LWRCI design its REPR in 2005. Likewise, he also had a hand in the Daniel Defense DD5 in 2011. Corby took all his knowledge and experience over to his new company, launching the Double FoldAR Pistol to the world.
The Double FoldAR pistol is the pinnacle in compact AR technology. It features a patented folding upper and Dead Foot Arms folding stock. This offers the highest level of concealability possible without sacrificing any areas of performance, reliability, weight, or safety.
The company is veteran-owned and operated, and they manufacture most of their parts in-house. Everything that is not manufactured in-house is also required to be proudly built in the U.S. or it doesn’t go on the gun.
The Double FoldAR is designed to be the most compact AR pistol ever built. The pistol looks like pretty much any other AR pistol when it is being fired, other than the little pull string hanging on the side. However, it folds down to just over 10 inches in total length and fits right into a tiny sling-style backpack for deep concealment and simple transportation.
You can even fold the pistol with a full magazine in it for even faster engagement when deploying. The pistol has an MSRP of $2,400, which is a bit on the higher side in today’s market but not terrible considering what you are getting.
Folding the Double FoldAR
To fold the pistol, all you have to do is press a little steel button on the bottom of the brace. This folds the brace in. Likewise, pull the tab on the side of the rail to open the locking lever hook assembly. This will unlock the barrel and rail from the rest of the upper and allow it to swing over and lock using a little locking lug, which fits into a hole in the rail. It only takes a matter of seconds to open or close.
The pistol also features a modified and shortened Bootleg, Inc. Adjustable gas bolt carrier group to accommodate the folding abilities of the brace.
The gun comes standard with an ALG Defense QMS Trigger, M-Lok rail, FoldAR’s own pistol stabilizing brace, and an adjustable gas system. Every Double FoldAR ships in a tactical side-pack that fits the folded pistol perfectly with the supplied 20-round Magpul PMAG in the magazine well. The pack even has extra storage for additional magazines, ammo, knives, and much more.
Shooting the FoldAR
We can talk about the features all day long, but the question on everyone’s mind is, does it run? I asked the same question and must admit that I was very skeptical when I first got my hands on the gun. I really didn’t have high hopes for it.
Don’t get me wrong, the Double FoldAR is built very well and feels great. I was extremely impressed with the fit, finish and overall build quality immediately. But no way was this thing going to work very well. I mean, it folds at the barrel and at the stock. Will it even shoot?
The answer is simple, Hell yeah, it shoots. It doesn’t only shoot, but it chews up and spits out everything you can throw at it with extreme accuracy every time you unfold it.
Shooting the pistol feels like shooting any other AR pistol. I was able to get around 1,500 rounds through it since I received it with two malfunctions. Both were caused by this garbage .223 reloaded ammo I found at a gun and knife show that had issues in two other ARs I tried it in as well.
Thanks to the current times and ammo still being a nightmare, I ran a mixture of .223 and 5.56 factory loads, and that one very bad reload. A deal isn’t always a deal when it comes to ammo.
The ammo shot through the pistol included Federal, Hornady, Fiocchi, Sig Sauer, Wilson Combat, and Remington, with bullets ranging in weight from 52 grains to 80 grains.
Performance Results
Overall, the Double FoldAR averaged 1.5-inch, five-shot groups from a standing position unsupported at 25 yards. I did push it out to 50 yards with the set of Magpul flip-up MBUS sights with the same results.
I tried folding and unfolding the gun several times to see if anything changed accuracy-wise, and I saw no difference at all. The gun truly impressed me. It just acts as if it was never folded up into a little 10-inch package and runs no matter what.
I am in Michigan and started messing with this gun in the early fall and continued playing with this gun outside in the dead of winter as well—which, if you know Michigan, that’s all in a day.
It didn’t matter what the conditions outside the gun just kept working. I ended up throwing a little TruGlo red-dot sight on the rail between the flip-up sights for a little quicker target acquisition. The TruGlo sits so low that it disappears when the Magpul flip-ups are up. For me, this setup works perfectly because I have the choice between iron sights or a red dot.
Simple & Discreet
I didn’t do any crazy distance testing because let’s face it, the gun is built for personal defense, and personal defense is what I want it for. I love the fact you can lock the bolt back and keep the pistol in the backpack with a full 20-round magazine loaded.
When you deploy it, all you need to do is drop the bolt, and you have a round chambered. Due to the design, pack setup, and proven reliability, I experienced with this pistol, I have adapted the setup as my go-to truck gun.
The pack is perfect as a grab-and-go design. I added a medical kit from Active Carry Technologies to the front of the pack, as well as my Ruger LCP in the front pocket in a little old leather pocket holster I had lying around.
I also have space for some extra loaded magazines for both the AR and handgun. My S&W knife sits comfortably in the upper pocket on the front of the pack as well. This pack stays in my truck now, so if the stuff ever hits the fan, I have it easily accessible and ready to go.
Normally a pack like this would reveal what is inside immediately due to there being an AR-15 in it. However, thanks to the concealability of the FoldAR, this grab-and-go pack was easily achievable.
I simply and discreetly can grab the pack whenever I get out of the truck. Additionally, I can carry it with me legally with my Concealed Pistol License in Michigan. When I get home at night, I grab the pack out of the truck, and it sits next to my bed in case I need to leave the house in the middle of the night in hurry.
The Double FoldAR Pistol Made it Possible
Honestly, this setup is fantastic, and I never thought it would be feasible, but the Double FoldAR made it possible. If you are in the market for an AR pistol and can afford a bit of a premium cost of the Double FoldAR, I recommend it for any AR pistol needs.
For more information, please visit FoldAR.com.
SPECIFICATIONS: Double FoldAR
Caliber: .223 Wylde
Barrel: 9 inches
Overall Length: 25.75 (unfolded), 10.75 inches (folded)
Weight: 6.2 pounds (empty)
Stock: Dead Foot Arms Folding
Sights: None
Action: Semi-auto
Finish: QPQ “Melonite” black Nitride
Capacity: 20+1
MSRP: $2,400
This article was originally published in the Personal Defense World October/November 2022 issue. Subscription is available in print and digital editions at OutdoorGroupStore.com. Or call 1-800-284-5668, or email subscriptions@athlonmediagroup.com.
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