Do You Own a Ruger PC9?

[Capybara]

I've been looking at PCCs, everything from the Hi-Points to the new Smith FPC to the Ruger PC Carbine. I am beginning to hone in on the PC Carbine since I have several Rugers and like them and I have a Glock G17 and I could use my Glock magazines with the PC9. It seems as if there are a lot of variants, stocks and layouts of the PC Carbine. I wouldn't spend the money to make the PC9 look or handle like an AR, I have plenty of ARs to do that. Which variant do you have? Have you been happy with the performance of your PC Carbine?

This would be mainly for plinking at 100 yards and closer and for introducing new shooters to rifles after they have shot my .22s. So not for HD, possibly might use it as a backpacking gun if I do some more of that in the near future but mainly just for plinking and fun. The takedown feature could be handy, largely for storage as my gun safe doesn't have any more rifle room in it but it has a shelf where this might fit when broken down.

So what say you about the PC Carbine?

 

[DesertFox]

Have a Camp 9 here so I'm in a different position than most when it comes to PCC. That being said, the Ruger is popular and current production. The alternatives are the likes of Kel-Tec Sub2k or a TNW.

Heard not so great things about Ruger PCC accuracy however that was many moons ago. Perhaps they have upped their game.

But for me there's only 1 PCC and that is the delayed roller locked sweetness of MP5. Once realized, you'll leave every other PCC at home or sell them as they just don't hold a candle to the fun of shooting MP5 even semi auto.

 

[Hugger-4641]

I have the Ruger PCC 9 and the Kel-tec sub2000. Both take Glock mags, I have Red Dots on both.
The Pc9 is more accurate and more pleasant to shoot, probably because it is heavier.
If this is just going to be range toy, HD, and occasional truck gun, the PC9 may be a better choice. If you are going to do much back packing, the Sub2000 may be a better as it is lighter. With the 2000, you have to spend another $150+- to get a swivel mount for a red dot. With the PC9, you don't have to do anything extra to add an optic, but you can spend another $200 and get the Mag-pull back packer stock that let's it fold up into one piece and has mag storage.

 

[GRIZ22]

I have a PC9, Kel Tec, and Hi Point. All seem to group 4-5" at 100 yds no matter what ammo I use. I consider that reasonable accuracy for what the rifles are. Each has its good points. All are reliable.

Among the 3 I like the Kel Tec the best. It is the easiest to deploy from the folded position. I moved the stock to the shortest position as it makes it shorter and I pick up the rear sight easier when hugging the stock.I like the PC9 as it has a M1 Carbine feel to it. I still like the M1 carbine. I like the Hi Point as it was so stupidly cheap but I don't think the sights would sustain rugged field use.

I have no reservations using any of the 3 for SD.

 

[American_Fusilier]

I've got one, just the basic model, and I really like it. It's accurate and so far reliable.

 

[Capybara]

The most recent tests and reviews with the PC Carbine point to it being plenty accurate for what I would want it for.

MP5s and even their Turkish clones, to me, are really great, I've shot the full auto versions of the machine pistol and submachine gun carbine, but in semi auto, but the MP5 and clones strike me as a terrible value equation,
they seem to be way overpriced.

My experience with KelTec hasn't been good so I wouldn't even consider it. OTOH, my experience with Ruger over decades has been 100% positive.
Right now I have a 10/22, Red Label Sporting Clays and a Max 9 and I have owned the P95DC, RPR and the SR22 so adding another Ruger to the stable seems
like a net positive.

 

[zaitcev]

So what say you about the PC9?

It's not "PC9", that's what. The PC9 was out of production for many years now. This is "PC Carbine".

I have both PC Carbine and Charger, and they are okay. However, no tacticool mall warrior would ever touch one of them: they are far too civilian, and often not in a good way. The field stripping is done with Allen head bolts, pins fall out on their own, tiny little plastic C-clip holds the recoil spring in place and you have to twist it to remove the bolt. The cross-bolt safety is not ambidextrous. TBF, the aftermarket is there to fix some of the issues. You can buy a rotating safety, and TK sell pins with ball detents. But really, was it okay for Ruger to design a gun this cheap? Frankly at this point I'm looking forward to Henry Homesteader. The grass sure looks much greener on that side.

P.S. The takedown mechanism on Ruger PC is somewhat impressive, but requires an adjustment by the user in order to retain zero (your optic stays on the receiver). Certainly it's an accomplishment that it works at all, but on the other hand, was it really that necessary?

P.P.S. It's extremely annoying that Ruger refuse to sell parts. They will send you things for free, just ask. But not sell! If anything goes bad beyond completely trivial matters (one the idiotic pins jumps into a crevice on your floor), you have to send the whole gun to Ruger. There's no other way. Even Glock does better.

 

[trackskippy]

I had a take down version of the PC when they first showed up here a couple of years back. I wasnt impressed with it at all and didnt hold onto it long.

Its heavy for what it is and kind of clunky. Being blowback, it has a heavy bolt which just makes the recoil of the 9mm seem more than it really is.

It didnt seem to want to repeat zero when you broke it down and reassembled it either. It wasnt way off, but it was a couple of inches at 50 yards, and never in the same direction.

I used the Glock mag well with mine and it worked OK.

It seems the price on them has shot up a bit now. I paid right around $500 for it, and the last couple Ive seen in the same shop were now going for around $700+.

I have M1 Carbines too, and I think for what you want, they would be the better choice, but I know they are a lot saltier than they used to be and the ammo is not as cheap. Better gun though.

 

[American_Fusilier]

it has a M1 Carbine feel to it.

I agree. It's a fun gun

 

[guyfromohio]

I have a Pc9 and a PC9 Charger. Fantastic guns….accurate….reliable. When I put the suppressor on the charger, I wondered why I would have ever spent $2k on the MPX or even a grand on the Scorpion.

 

[ECVMatt]

I have a PC Carbine and it has been a great rifle for me and my family. I just shot it last weekend and went through about 150 rounds with no problems. I love mine and would not part with it.

I also have a Sub2000 and it has also been 100%. Different gun for different purposes but still fun, accurate and reliable.

 

[Capybara]

It's not "PC9", that's what. The PC9 was out of production for many years now. This is "PC Carbine".

I have both PC Carbine and Charger, and they are okay. However, no tacticool mall warrior would ever touch one of them: they are far too civilian, and often not in a good way. The field stripping is done with Allen head bolts, pins fall out on their own, tiny little plastic C-clip holds the recoil spring in place and you have to twist it to remove the bolt. The cross-bolt safety is not ambidextrous. TBF, the aftermarket is there to fix some of the issues. You can buy a rotating safety, and TK sell pins with ball detents. But really, was it okay for Ruger to design a gun this cheap? Frankly at this point I'm looking forward to Henry Homesteader. The grass sure looks much greener on that side.

P.S. The takedown mechanism on Ruger PC is somewhat impressive, but requires an adjustment by the user in order to retain zero (your optic stays on the receiver). Certainly it's an accomplishment that it works at all, but on the other hand, was it really that necessary?

P.P.S. It's extremely annoying that Ruger refuse to sell parts. They will send you things for free, just ask. But not sell! If anything goes bad beyond completely trivial matters (one the idiotic pins jumps into a crevice on your floor), you have to send the whole gun to Ruger. There's no other way. Even Glock does better.

Thanks for your feedback. I was led astray by a lot of the GunTubers and reviewers referring to it as the PC 9.

 

[Riomouse911]

I bought a 9mm PC Carbine a few years ago. It’s been a lot of fun to shoot, in fact two other guys who shot mine liked them so much they now have their own.

Like many others I use the Glock magwell insert and Glock mags from 10 to 33 rounds have all worked well.

The Bushnell TRS-25 red dot wasn’t expensive and has helped me hit steel plates out to 100 yards.

The only three things that I have done is paint the front sight white and then orange to make it easier to see. I added blue Loctite to the front hand guard screw because it would loosen up after a bunch of rounds were fired. A drop or two and all has remained tight. The only other item I added is a MCarbo buffer in the action.

The PC Carbine is like a 10/22 on steroids; of course it has more weight, more bang, a bit more recoil, all for a bit heavier hit on plates than the rimfire. Kids love it, ammo is easy to locate and it can do double duty as a very effective home defense gun if a situation gets bad.

Borrowing an idea from another THR member, I put together a carry case using a Rogid toolbox and Kaisen foam. Everything juuuust fits inside .



They can’t do everything, but in their wheelhouse the PC Carbine is a fun gun to shoot.

Stay safe.

 

[Capybara]

That's a slick setup, thanks for sharing the pics!

 

[joneb]

Now we have this to add in the mix, https://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2023/03/sunday-gunday-sws-new-mp-fpc-9mm-folding-carbine/

 

[.455_Hunter]

Yes- An original PC9 that uses P89/P95 mags. Excellent gun that flies under most radars.

 

[MikeInOr]

I have owned my PC Carbine for a few years now and it is a great gun... but it is no M1 carbine. The M1 carbine is a gas operated action and the PC Carbine is a simple blow back action. The PC Carbine has a heavy bolt that slides backwards and hits the back of the receiver which sends considerable shock into the gun, through the stock and into your shoulder and cheek that is resting against the stock. It is not considerable recoil, it is considerable shock. The M1 Carbine also has very little recoil but does not have the annoying shock that is associated with a blow back carbine. Carrying a PC Carbine DOES have a very similar feel to carrying M1 Carbine as they both have a quality well machined feel to them.

As much as I like my PC Carbine if I had to do it over again I would put out the extra money and get a non-blow back carbine. I would probably look at an HK roller delayed blow back (aka MP5) or a gas operated action. Recoil isn't going to be considerably different but the lack of shock from the bolt slamming into the back of the received will make for a more pleasant shooter.

Just my .02 cents.

 

[Old Hobo]

Speer Gold Dot "Personal Protection" 124gr. benefits from longer barrels. Other 9mm ammo usually doesn't get much more velocity in longer barrels ... if any increase at all.

Why is the 124gr. the "sweet spot" for 9mm carbines / longer barrels? I don't know. Maybe somebody else ...

 

[Hugger-4641]

Everything I've shot in my PCC gains 80 to 250fps over what it does in a 3" barrel pistol,
Factory Federal 115's and my 115gr handloads included. That may not sound like a lot, but it makes a big difference at 100yds.

 

[Nature Boy]

I have one and give it a thumbs up.

 

[drobs]

I was about ready to ditch my Ruger PC Carbine until I put a Magpul Stock on it. Now it's a Keeper.
It just feels more handy.

Before:

After:

I wish someone would make a Shield Arms or Glock 43X mag adapter for it.

 

[Cornhusker77]

I've been wanting the PC carbine since they came out, but something always gets ahead of it on the list.
I do have one of the original PC9s that is gathering dust in the safe. Maybe I should take it for a walk.

 

[Capybara]

Now we have this to add in the mix, https://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2023/03/sunday-gunday-sws-new-mp-fpc-9mm-folding-carbine/

Yes, I have been considering the FPC also. I am a Smith & Wesson fan as well as Ruger and I own this new gun's cousin, the M&P 12 Bullpump shotgun as well. I like the new guns Smith is bringing to the market.

My challenge is I live in California and the FPC, because of it's pistol grip, will have to wear a stupid grip fin, which is annoying, I already own a bunch of ARs that have to have the grip fin and it's really quite obnoxious for shooting, not being able to properly grip the gun. Also, I own freedom week standard capacity Glock Magazines but would not be able to purchase any new mags for the FPC with greater than 10 round capacity until our current High Capacity Lawsuit here in California goes to the 9th Circuit and it resolved.

The PC Carbine, because it will accept my Glock stanndard capacity magazines I already own and because it doesn't have a pistol grip so wouldn't need a stupid grip fin, is in the lead for me. It's just going to be a more enjoyable experience owning and shooting it here.
Once we have our Assault Weapon Ban thrown out as well as our Stnadard Capacity Magazine Ban, then I would prefer the FPC or would like it in addition to the Ruger.

 

[Capybara]

I have owned my PC Carbine for a few years now and it is a great gun... but it is no M1 carbine. The M1 carbine is a gas operated action and the PC Carbine is a simple blow back action. The PC Carbine has a heavy bolt that slides backwards and hits the back of the receiver which sends considerable shock into the gun, through the stock and into your shoulder and cheek that is resting against the stock. It is not considerable recoil, it is considerable shock. The M1 Carbine also has very little recoil but does not have the annoying shock that is associated with a blow back carbine. Carrying a PC Carbine DOES have a very similar feel to carrying M1 Carbine as they both have a quality well machined feel to them.

As much as I like my PC Carbine if I had to do it over again I would put out the extra money and get a non-blow back carbine. I would probably look at an HK roller delayed blow back (aka MP5) or a gas operated action. Recoil isn't going to be considerably different but the lack of shock from the bolt slamming into the back of the received will make for a more pleasant shooter.

Just my .02 cents.

I owned an Uzi carbine for years, the size and weight of the Uzi bolt compared to the PC Carbine bolt is considerable, the Uzi bolt is massive so I'm used to this. Not ideal but for a plinker, I can live with it. I believe there are a few third party buffer stop systems available for the PC Carbine too
that mitigate at least some of the effect of the bolt slamming back?

https://www.tandemkross.com/shock-block-bolt-buffer-for-ruger-pc-carbine.html
https://www.mcarbo.com/ruger-pc-carbine-shock-buffer.aspx

 

[Capybara]

Speer Gold Dot "Personal Protection" 124gr. benefits from longer barrels. Other 9mm ammo usually doesn't get much more velocity in longer barrels ... if any increase at all.

Why is the 124gr. the "sweet spot" for 9mm carbines / longer barrels? I don't know. Maybe somebody else ...

I carry Speer Gold Dot 124 GR HPs in my carry pistols, great round.