Pistol caliber carbines, (PCC), why? In ‘Rifle’, the July 2025 issue, they have a write up of one of Ruger’s, https://ruger.com/products/pcCarbine/specSheets/19115.html I had one, this version, https://ruger.com/products/pcCarbine/specSheets/19100.html Key word, “had”.
They’re 9mm, blow back operated carbines, that weigh 7lbs out of the box. The typical AR15 carbine, is 6.5lbs out of the box, with many companies offering light weight versions which are 6lbs or under, and they shoot 5.56mm.
In the ‘Rifle’ article, the writer says how light recoiling the Ruger is. Sure, it doesn’t bruise your shoulder or anything, but neither will an AR15. However, it’s blow back operated, think your typical semi auto .22LR. Whereas an AR15 is gas operated.
A properly gassed AR15 carbine, with a mid length gas system, using full power Winchester Lake City M855 recoils less than a Ruger 9mm PC Carbine. Don’t believe me? The AR15 doesn’t have a 2lbs chunk of steel cycling back and forth inside the receiver each time it’s fired.
And by “recoil”, again, it’s not shoulder pain/bruising, I’m talking about muzzle climb. An AR15 carbine, with a mid length gas system is easier to keep on target.
The Ruger I had was reliable, with properly spec’d 9mm, cheap out of spec import ammo never worked, even domestic “range” ammo from Blazer and Federal often failed. I shot the PC Carbine lots and lots. But I could never get over how much muzzle climb there was. Mine had the forearm, and that came loose a lot and had to be lock tighted on periodically, and the little metal ring around the screw hole sucked heat down, and would burn your support hand.
It got sold, simply because, it’s just is heavier than an AR15 carbine, more muzzle climb and it’s got a 75 or 100 yards max practical range. Whereas, an AR15, well we all know what the 5.56mm can do.
I guess people want PCC’s as range toys, which makes sense, basic 115gr FMJ, Federal, Winchester or Remington 9mm’s half the price of Win. Lake City M855, but, I wanted a dual purpose carbine, defense and fun. The PCC didn’t cut it either way, as I could shoot any of my AR15 carbine’s faster as well.
Some companies are now selling gas operated PCC’s. Others sell civilian legal MP5’s. Those may be better, but I’ve never shot one. In the end, I don’t see the utility in anything that’s pistol caliber and bigger than a pistol, without it being in violation of NFA and Hughes… MP5’s for instance, small, soft recoiling- so they appear on guntube, and full auto, and while technically a blow back, the whole roller delayed aspect is a totally different system than the Ruger PC Carbine blow back or anything you’ll find on a typical semi auto .22LR.
Heavier, more muzzle climb, and 1/4 or less, the max practical range for a PCC versus an AR15 carbine chambered in 5.56mm… PCC’s are not for me. I believe in general purpose weapons. I want a do everything carbine, that’s great at nothing but pretty good or ok at most things. The AR15 carbine in 5.56mm fits the bill. A PCC doesn’t.
Also, if viewing a PCC as a defensive weapon, and not merely a range toy, consider, the Militia aspect. They fail miserably, from a combat stand point, when compared to the AR15 carbine or any other for that matter, 5.56mm carbine. Being apart of the Militia, includes individual defense but also include collective defense.
You are the Militia. Equip and train accordingly.
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