What Is an ARP? The Complete Guide to AR Pistols in 2026 Introduction: What Does ARP Mean? If you've been browsing gun stores, firearms forums, or online marketplaces and kept seeing the acronym ARP, you're not alone in wondering what it means. ARP stands for AR Pistol — a compact, AR-platform firearm that meets the federal legal definition of a pistol rather than a rifle or short-barreled rifle (SBR). At first glance, an ARP can look like a shrunken AR-15 rifle, which leads to a lot of c …

If you've been searching for an AR pistol build kit, you're probably looking for a compact, hard-hitting build that doesn't require NFA paperwork. AR pistols have exploded in popularity over the last few years — and for good reason. This guide covers everything you need to know: what's in a kit, what to look for, legal basics, and how to put it all together. What Is an AR Pistol? An AR pistol is an AR-15 style firearm with a barrel shorter than 16 inches and no stock. Instead of a traditi …