Numerous submachine guns or handguns could obviously fill any role the AR pistol could, and there were already other rifle-action pistols on the market. There were also lingering questions about the designation and legality of the gun.
To top it all off, the AR-15 pistol just looks kind of funny.
The only evident advantage of the AR-15 pistol was that it was more maneuverable than the rifle versions were — and that could be helpful in close quarters or dense jungles.
Things began to change a couple of years ago. Trade publications have been writing more positive reviews of the AR pistol, gun enthusiasts began praising it and manufacturers started offering a wider array of accessories.