A few months ago, I had the opportunity to review the Micro Roni Stabilizer, and I really like it.  So much so that I purchased one for myself, slapped a red dot and a flashlight on it, and I now consider it my go-to home defense option when paired with my Glock 19.  I even said it would be one of my primary recommendations for folks looking for a Glock conversion that would allow them to turn their pistol into a carbine.Now, I’ve been fortunate enough to get my hands on the NFA version of the Micro Roni, and a 16 inch IGB barrel for my Glock to make it legal (I didn’t feel like getting a tax stamp for a review, sorry guys).  Big thanks to the folks at YRS Inc for getting this out to me to take a look at.I grabbed this still from YouTube since I never actually assembled my Micro Roni without the sixteen inch barrel (hear that, ATF?), which would require an NFA stamp. I grabbed this from YouTube since I can’t actually assemble the Micro Roni without the extended barrel for legal reasons. Be sure to check that link if you want to see the gun perform without the extended barrel.So, how did it perform?Let’s take a look.
Overview of the Micro Roni
Just like the Micro Roni Stab version, this Micro Roni allows you to place certain pistols (Glock 17, 19, 22, 23, 31, and 32 depending on which version you have) inside a frame that turns the gun into a small pistol caliber carbine. Â
With other options that also take Glock Mag like the Ruger PCC coming out all the time to compete in this space, it’s nice to see that there are still some great options out there for people that want a carbine conversion, rather than an entirely separate firearm.I said in my previous review of the stabilizer brace version that it was one of my top recommendations for a Glock conversion.Let’s see how the Micro Roni stacks up against other conversions, and the Stab version ($355.00) we reviewed previously.
Design
Like the Stab version, the standard Micro Roni has a charging handle that slips down over the cocking serrations at the rear of the gun.  You then press a button on the bottom by the stock that opens a latch that allows you to slide the pistol right in.  You can also see a QD cup for a sling attachment there as well.Pressing this button allows you to quickly and easily unlock the latch to slide your pistol into the Micro Roni.That latch then flips closed and slides forward and locks the pistol into place.  The front of the gun locks into the brace automatically, and that’s really all there is to it.  If you’ve seen the Micro Roni Stab version, its the exact same.  The lockup is rock-solid, and there is no wiggle to anything.  To get the pistol back out, press the button to release the rear locking latch, pull down on the two takedown tabs at the front, and simply slide the pistol right back out of the conversion.  From there, just slip the charging handle attachment off your pistol and put it back in the conversion where it remains captured so you don’t lose it. That’s basically it.  I’ve done this process so much with my own personal Stab Brace that I can do it blindfolded with one hand.  It really is straightforward and intuitive, and I like that it’s simple enough to be done in the field, without tools, and without requiring you to disassemble the pistol itself.The latch operates in the exact same way between the Micro Roni and the Micro Roni StabThe one thing I really don’t care for is the fact that you have to disassemble the locking latch, which requires tools, in order to use the Micro Roni with a 16 inch barrel to keep it from running afoul of the NFA guidelines.This is kind of a huge bummer for me, and really dings my overall desire to own one.  That being said, NFA stamp times are getting shorter and shorter, so you could just as easily pay the tax stamp and not bother with the 16 inch barrel.You could also just get the normal stabilizer version and not worry about it at all.  I wish you could use the 16 inch barrel (which looks positively silly on a Glock 19 without the conversion) and not have to disassemble the conversion, but it is what it is.You can see the ambidextrous charging handle hear attached to the back of my Glock 19.Maybe that’s something they’ll look into if they ever update it.The 16 inch barrel really takes away a lot of its use as a home defense gun or executive protection option as well, as you lose a lot of that maneuverability when working in tight spaces, like a narrow hallway, or when exiting a vehicle.My buddy Travis also tested the Micro Roni for The LoudoutRoomThat all having been said, the NFA ruling isn’t really a fault of the Micro Roni, I just wish they could figure out a way to make it work a little bit easier with the 16 inch barrel for the civilian market.A military or law enforcement environment is really where the Micro Roni shines. For a military or LEO application though, this thing would be an absolutely awesome way for personnel to essentially have a backup carbine stashed somewhere that used the same mags as their sidearm, but without actually having an entire second gun.
Ergonomics
Where the standard Micro Roni differs from the non-NFA Stab Brace version is in the forend and the stock.On the Stab Brace, you don’t have a stock you have, well, a brace.  While it can be shouldered, depending on the ATF’s mood, it’s primarily designed to be used as a brace strapped around your forearm.On the regular Micro Roni you have a true folding stock reminiscent of some H&K aftermarket models for the MP5, a stock that works well with a chest rig or plate carrier. The Micro Roni has a really excellent folding stock.The stock, for me at least, shoulders well, and while the butt is relatively thin which can be a bit less comfortable if you’re shouldering tightly, recoil from a 9mm is going to be so light it’s not really going to be much of a problem.  I fired well over 200 rounds from this thing over the course of a long afternoon at the range and I felt no real discomfort. Recoil is basically negligible. Lockup on the stock is firm and very tactile, with no wiggle.  I’m impressed that they managed to get the overall conversion so very light at only a little more than 3.5lbs, yet still have a frame with so much strength in the stock and body.  That says a lot for not only the design of the Micro Roni, but also the advancements in polymer for firearm applications, which also makes things like polymer AR lowers possible. I also really like the design of stock because it allows you to use the gun with the stock folded.Like the Stab Brace, the Micro Roni has an aluminum spine, and a full-length rail up top, as well as rail sections at the three and six o’clock positions of the forend.  You also have a spot directly below the barrel for one of CAA’s purpose-built flashlights that slide into the frame of the conversion.  I really like the flashlight, and I honestly recommend it over a rail-mounted light simply because having it inline with the majority of the frame and directly under the barrel is going to improve the balance of the weapon, and leaves your other rails free for other things, like the cool thumb rests that you can get from CAA.Honestly, I’m not 100% sure how much of a difference it would make, but it looks cool, and I want it. Which is a perfectly reasonable position when it comes to gun stuff.The other key difference between the Stab version and the Micro Roni is the forend.  The Stabilizer brace, by dint of its design, can’t have a vertical grip on the front.  This would make it an SBR rather than a pistol.  Without a 16 inch barrel, the Micro Roni is an SBR anyway because it has a stock that is designed primarily to be shouldered, so it can have a vertical foregrip to really help you get the most out of maneuvering it in tight corners while holding it very, very steady.It isn’t just a foregrip however.  It actually comes equipped with a friction slot that holds an extra magazine in reserve and gives the conversion something of a Kriss Vector look that I really like. The retention on that backup mag is very stiff, which is good in that it ensures the mag isn’t going to fall out, but it does make it a little difficult to pull the mag out, and I wouldn’t want to have to do it quickly in any kind of combat situation, especially with wet hands. That being said, the magholder works, and will almost certainly break in with use, I just didn’t have mine quite long enough, though it did get much easier to pull out with some time. You can also of course use 33rd, or even 100rd mags to make reloading even less of an issue as well.
Finally, if you remember from my last review, I had a bit of an issue with the edge of the frame above my strong hand being a little sharp. Â Â Because of the way the Micro Roni is designed however, this issue is non-existent.
Accuracy
Of course, the big benefit of having a carbine over a pistol is going to be shootability and accuracy.So how does the Micro Roni perform?Well, for a comparison, let’s revisit my testing results from using the Micro Roni Stabilizer version.
Accuracy Testing Methodology
Everybody has their own way of doing accuracy testing. Â Your way might be better than mine. Â I try to do things as fairly as possible.
I started with a box of ammo I know my Glock likes: Remington Golden Saber 147gr BJHP ($25.00).
From there, I wanted to test accuracy under a variety of different conditions. Â I wanted to try the Micro Roni shouldered vs used as a brace vs freehand shooting vs shooting off a bag. Â Then, for shiggles and gits, I decided to break the freehand category into shooting one handed and shooting two handed. Â Here’s what I found.
Glock 19 w/Roni Brace Shouldered (25yds)
Glock 19 w/Roni Brace Used as Brace
Glock 19 Off Sandbag (25yds)
Glock 19 One Hand (25yds)
Glock 19 Two Hand (25yds)
2.25″
3.06″
2.35″
3.55″
3.11″
2.38″
3.29″
2.56″
4.12″
3.48″
2.13″
3.48″
2.02″
3.68″ (discarding one called flyer)
3.67″
Avg Group: 2.25″
Avg Group: 3.27″
Avg Group: 2.31″
Avg Group: 3.78″
Avg Group: 3.42″
Now, as we can see here, my accuracy really improved with the Stab Brace, especially with it shouldered, which is what you would expect. Now, let’s take a look at the standard Micro Roni (bearing in mind that this is with a 16 inch barrel, so I’m getting a bit more velocity than you normally would, but it’s not going to do much for accuracy inside 25 yards. I’m also reusing the accuracy numbers I got from before as a control. Same gun, same range, same conditions, same ammo, same shooter.
Glock 19 Micro Roni Shouldered (25yds)
Glock 19 w/Micro Roni Stock Folded
Glock 19 Off Sandbag (25yds)
Glock 19 One Hand (25yds)
Glock 19 Two Hand (25yds)
2.45″
3.33″
2.35″
3.55″
3.11″
2.10″
3.29″
2.56″
4.12″
3.48″
2.02″
3.48″
2.02″
3.68″ (discarding one called flyer)
3.67″
Avg Group: 2.19″
Avg Group: 3.43″
Avg Group: 2.31″
Avg Group: 3.78″
Avg Group: 3.42″
Much the same as the brace, which is to be expected.  All in all, I’m really happy with the way it performed.  Given the option, I’d much rather have to defend myself with a carbine than a handgun, especially at ranges longer than from one end of a hallway to another, so I really think this product is worth the investment.  The only trouble would be that once you factor in the cost of an NFA stamp, plus the price of the conversion itself, you’re well over the cost for a good, dedicated pistol caliber carbine.  That said, this thing is really cool, and if you’re looking for a good Glock carbine conversion and you aren’t worried about the NFA stamp costs, the Micro Roni might be the best option out there.
Parting Shots
All in all, I really enjoyed getting to test the Micro Roni with a 16inch barrel.  Thanks again to YRS Inc for sending one out.  I think the design is absolutely amazing, but the Micro Roni is definitely more useful in a Military or Law Enforcement setting, and I think I’d still recommend going with the Stab version instead for civilian use.Of course, there’s always something to be said for having the best of the best, and if a $200 tax stamp isn’t a concern for you, I’d highly recommend going for it.  Not to say the gun is unusable or not worth it when used with the 16 inch barrel, just that you lose a lot of what makes the Micro Roni really stand out.What do you think of the Micro Roni?  Which version do you prefer?  Let me know in the comments below.
Subscribe to Pew Pew Tactical's sales and deals email.
2
Leave a Reply
Bob
I wanted first to address POSSESSION of the shoulder stock version while also in possession of a pistol which will fit the stock....no assembly required, the ATF would likely find you in possession of a SBR, as admitted on the CAA site in the legal disclaimer.
I own both, and really, the stab is the way to go, and also a new extended stab is in production. You are allowed to shoulder a stab so long as not primary use, nor the stab ruled by the ATF/DOJ as a device made to be a shoulder stock, and the user not making any alterations or deletions to make it a shoulder stock.
Within those limitations, the stab gives the ability to shoulder as situation might demand, while being half the weight of the stocked version, and also shorter and handier when left unfolded, as it normally should be for instant use.
Meanwhile, the shoulder stock version makes the most sense for a superlight 16" carbine conversion with all the performance gains a longer barrel can offer
We noticed that you have previously logged in with your Account
which is linked to the same email address () - we can link both
of your accounts together.
In order to link your accounts, hit button below and log in to your
Account with the same email as above.
Account in Pew Pew Tactical means more.
Login or create a free account to get the following
Access and save hundreds of reviews, gun guides, and articles!
Let’s see how the Micro Roni stacks up against other conversions, and the Stab version ($355.00) we reviewed previously.
2 Leave a Reply
I wanted first to address POSSESSION of the shoulder stock version while also in possession of a pistol which will fit the stock....no assembly required, the ATF would likely find you in possession of a SBR, as admitted on the CAA site in the legal disclaimer.
I own both, and really, the stab is the way to go, and also a new extended stab is in production. You are allowed to shoulder a stab so long as not primary use, nor the stab ruled by the ATF/DOJ as a device made to be a shoulder stock, and the user not making any alterations or deletions to make it a shoulder stock.
Within those limitations, the stab gives the ability to shoulder as situation might demand, while being half the weight of the stocked version, and also shorter and handier when left unfolded, as it normally should be for instant use.
Meanwhile, the shoulder stock version makes the most sense for a superlight 16" carbine conversion with all the performance gains a longer barrel can offer
Good points, Bob.