If there’s truly a gun that combines fun with accuracy, low recoil, fairly inexpensive ammunition and high utility for self-defense—the best of all worlds—it’s the pistol-caliber carbine (PCC).
Know, however, that the concept isn’t new. Rifles and pistols chambered in the same cartridge date back to the old west, when many carried a lever action and revolver in the same caliber, alleviating the need to carry extra ammo of two types. It’s likely that the first was the Winchester Model 1873, which was chambered in .38-40 or .44-40, two popular revolver calibers at the time.
The World Of Pistol-Caliber Carbines (PCCs)
Nowadays, a number of companies produce PCCs, with the majority being chambered for the ubiquitous 9mm round. Some produce carbines in other pistol calibers, too, like the .45 ACP and 5.7x39mm, a spitfire of a round that is really fun to shoot and very accurate.
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Benefits of PCCs
There are several benefits to PCCs, especially for fairly new shooters. One of the biggest, of course, is the low cost of ammunition when compared to rifle ammo. Consider that 1,000 rounds of .223 ammo will cost you around $450 to $500, while 1,000 rounds of 9mm will run closer to $250, and the savings is 20 to 25 cents per round, or about half the price. One way to look at that is you can shoot twice as much ammo through a PCC, whether training or for fun, for the same financial expenditure.
Another great benefit is the relatively low recoil compared to rifle caliber cartridges. Consider that the 9mm round was developed to shoot out of handguns, and many popular semi-autos weighing a couple of pounds or less are chambered for that round.
While shooting a 9mm isn’t really punishment, the recoil can be daunting for some new shooters. Try shooting the same round out of a 6- or 8-pound carbine held snuggly to your shoulder, and the recoil is light enough that just about anyone can enjoy shooting it without worrying about the “kick.”
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These two aspects lead to the fun factor mentioned previously. Set up steel targets, knock them down with a PCC, and I guarantee you’ll have a smile on your face. What’s not to like about ripping off rapid-fire 50-yard shots at steel and hearing that ping, ping, ping!
A Few Favorites
My current favorite trend in PCCs is folding models. These are pistol-caliber carbines that have either folding stocks or that fold in front of the action. They have all of the positive aspects of other PCCs along with being easy to stow and store. That makes them excellent truck guns to have along should a self-defense need arise.
A favorite model of mine is the Smith & Wesson M&P FPC, which folds neatly in half in front of the action, leaving a folded length of only 16 3/8 inches. Chambered in 9mm and coming with two 23-round and one 17-round magazine, the gun is compatible with all M&P full-size and compact pistol double-stack magazines. They load into the grip of the PCC just like they do in the pistols.
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An in-stock magazine storage feature with a quick-release tab system allows the shooter to carry two extra mags at the ready.
Another is the Ruger LC Carbine. Originally offered in .45 ACP and 5.7x28mm, Ruger is continuing to expand caliber availability with a new 10mm model. The gun features an aluminum alloy receiver and a 16.25-inch steel alloy barrel threaded for the muzzle device of the shooter’s choice. The CNC-milled handguard is Type III hard-coat anodized for maximum durability and features M-Lok slots on seven sides.
Best of all, all three calibers boast folding stocks that are easy to unfold with the push of a button and lock into place with no wiggle.
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