Ruger PC9 Carbine: The Perfect Companion Carbine
The Ruger PC9 Carbine is a blowback, centerfire, semi-automatic, pistol-caliber carbine designed as a companion rifle to certain Ruger semi-automatic pistols. It uses the same 9 mm Parabellum and .40 S&W caliber cartridges and magazines of the P-Series pistols.
Both the Ruger PC9 (the 9 mm) and the Ruger PC4 (.40 S&W) are modeled after Ruger's highly-successful Ruger 10/22 rimfire carbine. It is intended as a shoulder-braced weapon for law enforcement, although it is also available for sale to civilians. The intent is that an officer will carry a Ruger P-Series pistol as a sidearm and keep a Police Carbine available (for example, in the patrol vehicle) as a more offensive weapon if needed. Since the PC-9 has a 16-inch (410 mm) barrel, it provides more muzzle energy with the same ammunition used by pistols which often only have 4-inch (100 mm) barrels (see internal ballistics), and thus greater stopping power, accuracy, and effective range than pistols.
In 2007, Ruger discontinued the original Pistol Carbine production, citing low demand. More than ten years later, Ruger introduced a new, upgraded, 9mm takedown model called the Ruger PC Carbine ("Ruger pistol-caliber carbine"). It has a 16.12-inch (409 mm) threaded barrel and accepts not only the Ruger SR9pistol magazine but also magazines from Glock, Ruger American Pistol, and the new Ruger Security-9 pistols via interchangeable magazine well adaptor inserts. In early 2019, Ruger introduced a variant PC Carbine model with a free-floating M-LOK handguard and reintroduced the .40 S&W caliber.
The Ruger PC Carbine has some unique design features. The action is a simple blowback design, which requires a robust and well-designed bolt to handle the pressure of 9mm and .40 S&W. To maintain The Carbine has some unique design features. The action has a simple blowback design, which requires a solid, two-piece bolt to handle the pressure of 9mm and .40 S&W rounds. The main body of the bolt is relatively light and located in the receiver, while the other part contains a weight located under the forend of the carbine. These two parts are held together by strong, rigid steel bars. The bolt holds the breech safely closed when firing while keeping the center of gravity forward, significantly improving handling and muzzle control.
The Ruger PC9's "dead blow" action features a custom tungsten dead blow weight that shortens bolt travel and reduces felt recoil and muzzle rise. The cold hammer-forged, chrome-moly steel barrel is also heavily contoured with fluting. The durable, glass-filled nylon synthetic stock features sling swivel studs and a soft rubber butt pad with spacers, and the grip has a proprietary texture for enhanced control. The takedown feature enables quick separation of the barrel assembly from the action for easy transportation and storage. Its CNC-milled aerospace-grade 7075-T6 aluminum billet receiver includes an integrated Picatinny rail and adjustable ghost ring rear and blade front sights. The Ruger PC Carbine also has a light, crisp trigger pull and ambidextrous controls.
Another unique feature is the bolt lock. Since blowback guns of these calibers require heavy bolts, the inertia of dropping the weapon can cause the bolt to come partially open, rendering the firearm unfirable until the bolt is manually closed. To prevent this, the Carbine uses a lock that locks the bolt securely closed so that a fall will not dislodge it. However, slight pressure on the trigger or the bolt handle will disengage the bolt lock so the bolt can move for firing or clearing the action.
In addition to caliber, the Carbine also has a choice in iron sights. The standard model uses notch-and-post sights, while the GR models have ghost ring rear sights. The ghost ring sights cost more, but they are generally considered better for defensive purposes. They allow faster sight alignment under poor lighting conditions, plus a longer sight radius for greater accuracy. The Carbine also has Ruger-style scope bases built into the receiver, allowing optical sights to be quickly and securely mounted.
The Ruger PC Carbine arrives in a well-organized box with all the necessary equipment and components to shoot, adapt, and maintain your new rifle. Although the 9mm carbine comes with a Ruger American magazine well and magazine, a GLOCK magazine well is offered at no extra expense - a tremendous value.
Its Dead blow action features a custom tungsten dead blow weight that shortens bolt travel and reduces felt recoil and muzzle rise. The cold hammer-forged, chrome-moly steel barrel is also heavily contoured with fluting. The durable, glass-filled nylon synthetic stock features sling swivel studs and a soft rubber butt pad with spacers, and the grip has a proprietary texture for enhanced control. Easy takedown enables quick separation of the barrel/forend assembly from the action for easy transportation and storage. Its CNC-milled aerospace-grade 7075-T6 aluminum billet receiver includes an integrated Picatinny rail and adjustable ghost ring rear and blade front sights. The PC Carbine also has a light, crisp trigger pull and ambidextrous controls. This model has 1/2"-28 threads and an included thread protector. It ships with SR-Series Pistol, hex wrenches, and an additional magazine accepting compatible Glock magazines. This model features aluminum handguards with Magpul M-Lok accessory attachment slots.
Ruger PC9 Carbine Features
Threaded muzzle for suppressor or muzzle break
Easy takedown to two pieces for transport and storage
Includes two replaceable mag wells for Ruger and Glock.
Compatible with standard, hollow-point, plus-point, and premium ammunition
Front and back sling attachments
Handguards made of regular plastic or free-floating aluminum
CNC milled parts for durability and strength
Comfortable butt pad with three sizing spacers to accommodate different shooters
Lightweight, which not only makes for easy transport but also supports maneuverability and handling
Left or right-handed shooters can use the reversible mag release and charging handle
But why a PC Carbine? What makes it unique?
The gun is versatile, as it can use interchangeable magazine wells to shoot from Ruger platform magazines such as the SE-Series or Ruger American magazines.
Second, the increased accuracy allows you to shoot farther. Compared to a pistol, the longer barrel provides higher velocity, which can be applied more precisely downrange.
The Advantages Of Using A Ruger PC Carbine 9mm
Fires at a higher velocity than other handguns due to its longer barrel length, providing a benefit in bullet energy
Not as loud as most handguns, shotguns, and rifles
More accurate and stable than most handguns with easy and reliable blowback action
Lower recoil than most pistols and rifles (except .22LR), enabling faster and more precise follow-up shots
Lighter, more portable, and maneuverable than most rifles
Carbines can have the same attachments as rifles (optics, lights, vertical foregrips)
Magazine compatibility with existing Glock and Ruger magazines
Pistol-caliber ammo is less expensive
Capacity up to 33 rounds
Numerous applications include target plinking for entertainment, home defense, competition, survival, and camp/trunk gun
The PC Carbine may be installed with optics, lights and lasers, suppressors, and magazines of varied capacities when fully configured, making it a good performer in many categories
Ruger PC Carbine Range Test
We tested the Ruger PC9 Carbine at the range. Here's how we scored it:
1. Accuracy And Reliability - 9
The Ruger PC Carbine is highly accurate and fun to shoot. Shots within 50 yards feel effortless, but we consistently rang steel up to 100 yards. Official statistics indicate the Ruger PC Carbine has a 25-yard zero.
2. Trigger Feel and Construction - 9
The trigger had a distinct click and reset point. The trigger is smooth, light, and precise. It isn't the best trigger we've ever tested, but given the price point of this rifle, it's a lot better than we expected.
3. Trigger Pull Weight - 8
We took eight readings using a pull gauge and recorded an average pull weight of 4 pounds. For a stock trigger, that's not terrible, but precision shooters will likely want to upgrade to something better. The good news is there are many options for aftermarket trigger upgrades.
4. Sights - 8
With the turn of a screw, the Ghost Ring rear sight can be adjusted for height and drift adjusted for windage. The front sight is a protected blade. These sights are nothing special, but they're reasonably accurate out of the box, and they get the job done.
5. Capacity and Mag Quality- 9
Only one 17-round steel magazine comes with the PC9, but it is a high-quality SR9-Series magazine with round count view holes. The good news is the PC Carbines are compatible with Glock magazines, and many gun owners will have plenty of those lying around.
6. Caliber - 10
The recoil on a 9mm carbine is easy to control, making target re-acquisition feel effortless on follow-up shots. And since 9mm is more affordable than standard rifle cartridges, we plinked all afternoon without worrying about the cost.
7. Gun Weight - 7
The one thing we weren't crazy about was the weight. Weighing in at 6.8 pounds (unloaded), the Ruger PC9 Carbine is a bit heavier than other 9mm carbines. This weight is not a problem for stationary shooting at the range, but if you plan to take this down and pack it in a bag while hiking, the weight could be concerning.
8. Ergonomics - 10
The Ruger PC Carbine has excellent ergonomics. The butt pad has two additional spacers so that the shooter can tailor the fit to their preference. The delayed, straight blowback mechanism and light recoil make this a fun shooting gun.
9. Ease of use - 9
It takes less than 30 seconds to disassemble the PC Carbine into two pieces. Unscrew the unlocking ring, push the release lever, then twist and pull the front section counterclockwise. The magazine release is reversible; loosen the screw with the provided hex key and remove it with the release and spring. Then, from opposite sides, install the assembly and tighten the screw. The charging handle can also operate on either the right or left side.
Ruger PC Carbine 9mm Specifications
Caliber: 9x19mm Parabellum
Operation: Blowback from a closed bolt
Barrel Length: 16.1 inches, cold hammer-forged
Rifling: 1 in 10-inch twist, six groove
Trigger: Single-Action
Magazine / Capacity: 1 mag- 17 Rounds; Ruger & Glock Mag Wells
Feed: Detachable Ruger or Glock box magazines
Overall Length: 34.3 inches
Weight: 6.8 pounds
Sights: Protected front blade and fully adjustable aperture rear
Length of Pull: 12.6 to 14.1 via three .5-inch spacers
Finish: Type III hard-anodized
Conclusion
The Ruger PC Carbine is the perfect companion carbine for those who own P-Series pistols, but it also offers a ton of standalone value. Glock magazine compatibility, a threaded barrel, reversible controls, and 10/22 trigger group compatibility are just a few of the features that make this purchase easy to justify.
Ready to buy your Ruger PC Carbine? Visit us over at Founders Tactical. We sell firearms, ammo, and much more at rock-bottom prices, and we also price match and offer financing! Our commitment to protecting your second amendment rights sets us apart from the competition. We demonstrate that commitment by donating 10% of our annual profits to gun advocacy groups like the Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) and Gun Owners of America (GOA).
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