New Ruger PC 9 carbine...with problems...Updated

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DaStray

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Hi all,
At a local gun show this past Sunday (12/9) I purchased a new PC 9 carbine. I`d been reading about them since they were first released and had been wanting one ever since. Got it home and felt like a kid at Christmas. Got familiar with it by giving it a thorough cleaning and oiling and couldn`t wait for it to quit raining which it finally did today, Tuesday.
Took it to the range and proceeded to set the sights then get down to some serious shooting and had my first jam at 65 rounds. Wasn`t too worried about it and attributed it to new gun/breaking in and continued shooting. When it jammed again at 79 rounds, warning bells started going off but I wasn`t too worried...yet. At 84 round mark another jam. I knew something was up at this time as they were now happening every magazine or so.
Separated the barrel from the stock and all looked OK so I wiped it all down with a rag and took a closer look at the barrel nut. I noted that it was very loose and I knew that I`d tightened it down per the owners manual that I actually did read. Tightened it down again and fired another couple of rounds and yep, you guessed it, another jam.
After some serious gnashing of teeth and rending of garmets, I recovered my wits and again took a close look at the barrel nut. I`d tightened it up as much as I could previously but had noticed a slight gap where the nut should, I thought, tighten against the receiver. It remained no matter how hard I tried to tighten it, finger tight that is. (I wasn`t about to put a pair of pliers to it) The very slight gap bothered me and I thought that it was perhaps the way it was designed so shrugged my shoulders. I noticed that it also started loosening up a lot upon firing a mag full. I knew that it shouldn`t loosen up so quickly since I`d seen no mention of this happening on various forums.
Between the slight gap and loosening nut I knew something was up so I went back to the offending barrel nut and started twisting it back and forth to see exactly how far it would turn in each direction.
Lo and behold, it suddenly started turning freely and I was able to then tighten it up fully against the receiver.
Loaded another couple of mags and the thing shot just like it should without the nut loosening so I was literally dancing with excitement! Glad nobody was near as my little chicken-dance would`ve been embarrassing at the least...and maybe even illegal.
Fired another 50 rounds without any problems thus concluding my range session. Figured that a sliver of metal had gotten into the threads on the barrel nut which jammed it and kept it from seating fully against the receiver. Between my clumsy attempts and the heat from firing finally loosened it up enough to work it out. Took it home a very happy camper as I realized that I wasn`t one of "those guys" who were just unlucky enough to get a lemon from the factory that wouldn`t shoot right. (you`ve all seen them and was glad it wasn`t you, haven`t you?)
At any rate, all`s well and I thought I`d pass this little missive along to all of you who may have or am thinking about getting a PC 9. Make sure that barrel nut is fully tightened against the receiver even if it doesn`t want to move as it`s NOT the way it`s designed.
FWIW
 
Glad that all is well.

As I started reading, my thought was "read the manual about how to adjust the barrel", but it appears that you had done so, and just had a problem with whatever was stopping the barrel nut.
 
I really want one of those. I have a Marlin Camp Carbine and a Hi-Point in 9mm and they are just great fun to shoot. I wish Ruger had of made a version that wasn't take down though. I like the idea of a solid rifle.
 
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I’m really diggin what Ruger has been serving the past couple years and I’m trying to warm up to the carbine enough to jump. I got my son the 10/22 TD, a 10/22 of my own last fall, and a Predator for my daughter.
If I don’t opt for a PCC in AR form I think Ruger may just get the nod next year.

Congratulations on yours and good on you for reading to inform yourself and writing to inform others rather than ranting about a slight hiccup. I always prefer stories that end well.
 
The amazing thing is that Ruger has made these, as well as the TD 10/22s, to be rock solid.

The reason I had mentioned I would prefer the solid, non take down gun is that there was a thread over on the TFL forum and the poster showed pictures where the stud or threaded recess had came out of his gun and it was going back to Ruger. Of cours Ruger will repair it I just would rather have the one piece, barrel screwed into the receiver but the two piece set up is not a deal killer. Lack of funds, that'll do it every time.:thumbdown::(:mad:
 
Many years ago I picked up a UZI-it was a fun 10# hand gun,My kids thought a 32 rd mag was made to empty every 3 1/2 seconds. I got tired of reloading thousands of 9 MM rds. Kids were mad as hell when I sold it.--I got an offer i could not refuse & was quite happy to take it.
 
I hear you, Howard J. I`m definitely going to have problems keeping the PC 9 fed too. Now I`m looking at the takedown bag that Ruger, and others, have offered. First bought the gun, now realize that I`ll need beaucoup bullets and will probably need a red dot sight to go with it.
Where will it all end? Remortgage the house...Hmmmmm! :what:
 
Hi all,
At a local gun show this past Sunday (12/9) I purchased a new PC 9 carbine. I`d been reading about them since they were first released and had been wanting one ever since. Got it home and felt like a kid at Christmas. Got familiar with it by giving it a thorough cleaning and oiling and couldn`t wait for it to quit raining which it finally did today, Tuesday.
Took it to the range and proceeded to set the sights then get down to some serious shooting and had my first jam at 65 rounds. Wasn`t too worried about it and attributed it to new gun/breaking in and continued shooting. When it jammed again at 79 rounds, warning bells started going off but I wasn`t too worried...yet. At 84 round mark another jam. I knew something was up at this time as they were now happening every magazine or so.
Separated the barrel from the stock and all looked OK so I wiped it all down with a rag and took a closer look at the barrel nut. I noted that it was very loose and I knew that I`d tightened it down per the owners manual that I actually did read. Tightened it down again and fired another couple of rounds and yep, you guessed it, another jam.
After some serious gnashing of teeth and rending of garmets, I recovered my wits and again took a close look at the barrel nut. I`d tightened it up as much as I could previously but had noticed a slight gap where the nut should, I thought, tighten against the receiver. It remained no matter how hard I tried to tighten it, finger tight that is. (I wasn`t about to put a pair of pliers to it) The very slight gap bothered me and I thought that it was perhaps the way it was designed so shrugged my shoulders. I noticed that it also started loosening up a lot upon firing a mag full. I knew that it shouldn`t loosen up so quickly since I`d seen no mention of this happening on various forums.
Between the slight gap and loosening nut I knew something was up so I went back to the offending barrel nut and started twisting it back and forth to see exactly how far it would turn in each direction.
Lo and behold, it suddenly started turning freely and I was able to then tighten it up fully against the receiver.
Loaded another couple of mags and the thing shot just like it should without the nut loosening so I was literally dancing with excitement! Glad nobody was near as my little chicken-dance would`ve been embarrassing at the least...and maybe even illegal.
Fired another 50 rounds without any problems thus concluding my range session. Figured that a sliver of metal had gotten into the threads on the barrel nut which jammed it and kept it from seating fully against the receiver. Between my clumsy attempts and the heat from firing finally loosened it up enough to work it out. Took it home a very happy camper as I realized that I wasn`t one of "those guys" who were just unlucky enough to get a lemon from the factory that wouldn`t shoot right. (you`ve all seen them and was glad it wasn`t you, haven`t you?)
At any rate, all`s well and I thought I`d pass this little missive along to all of you who may have or am thinking about getting a PC 9. Make sure that barrel nut is fully tightened against the receiver even if it doesn`t want to move as it`s NOT the way it`s designed.
FWIW

Just a note. Paragraphs help older eyes read your post. Just hit the enter key twice.
 
HOWARD J

My brother and I have a Sterling Mk.VI that is much the same way as your Uzi: lots of WWB down range as those 32 round mags go quickly! Seemed like I was spending more time loading mags than I did actually shooting that gun!
 
HOWARD J

My brother and I have a Sterling Mk.VI that is much the same way as your Uzi: lots of WWB down range as those 32 round mags go quickly! Seemed like I was spending more time loading mags than I did actually shooting that gun!
Same story with the tec 9 i used to have. Shoot for 4sec and load for 2 min. It sucked cause I only had one mag.
 
Completely stripping the Ruger PCC receiver is not too onerous but does require removing and reinstalling the charging handle which is best done with an inch-pound torque screwdriver. The take-down feature makes the barrel and chamber of the PCC very easy to clean without disassembling the receiver.
 
adcoch1

Not a problem with the well designed Sterling mags; almost too easy to load them! And we also used Sten mags though they required a mag loader for them (have a nice Australian Austen mag loader for that).
 
So far my PC9 has been flawless with Glock 17 and 33 round mags... I haven’t used the Ruger mag tho.

Glad you found out what the issue was, nothing is worse than a new gun with an issue.

Stay safe!
 
Update
After shooting most of my available ammo at the earlier and only session and figuring out that the barrel nut was stuck, then getting it unstuck, I was thinking that the problem was cured. Shot what was left, about 40 rounds or so which ran fine. Took it home and cleaned it well and returned to the range. I figured this session would tell the tale on how lucky, or unlucky, I was when I purchased the PC 9.

Took 100 rds back to the range (Federal 115gr FMJ) and proceeded to wring it out until all were fired. I`m stoked to report that all 100 rds fired / ejected without problem! Not one hiccup or bobble. My confidence has been restored. After another chicken-dance / moon-walk, I brought it back home and cleaned it per my normal custom. I really don`t mind cleaning guns after a range trip as it also allows me to check everything to make sure all looks well and there are no odd wear patterns or potential problems in the making.

Some observations:

Make darn sure the locking ring is tight against the receiver
It`s fairly heavy but handles well
I had to crank the rear sight up about 3/4 up the rear sight slide to center the shots. Windage was fine.
Empty`s ejected at the 1-4 o`clock position
You can tell just by the "feel" of it when it locks back after a mag is empty, so no counting needed
Fun, Fun, Fun...good little plinker!

Thanks for all the responses!
 
Sorry you're having issues with your Ruger PC Carbine. I bought mine as soon as I heard they were being made and I've loved it! Just so there's no confusion, the PC Carbine is Ruger's newest offering of a pistol-caliber carbine. It's chambered in 9mm, is a takedown design, and is capable of using Glock mags. The PC9 was Ruger's pistol-caliber carbine from about 20 years ago. It was 9mm, but not a takedown and only utilized Ruger's P-series mags. I owned a couple of the old ones back then, but the poor trigger and mag limitations ruined it for me. To me, the PC Carbine solves all the shortcomings of the PC9, and it's a takedown to boot!
 
I really want one of those. I have a Marlin Camp Carbine and a Hi-Point in 9mm and they are just great fun to shoot. I wish Ruger had of made a version that wasn't take down though. I like the idea of a solid rifle.
Like Minutemen1776 said ,Ruger used to make a non takedown called the Police Carbine. I have one from 1997. I also have the Marlin Camp9 and they are indeed super fun to shoot, especially with 20 round magazines!
 
I'm loving 33 round mags in my Ruger PCC. So has everyone else who's fired it.
Yeah those 33 round Glock mags are awesome! The biggest I can get for the Marlin is 30 rounders ?(and they are hard to come by.) I have a bunch of the 20 's
 
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