PCCs would be far more popular had it not been for the NFA. A suppressed, short-barrelled PCC would be a compelling option for those wanting low recoil/noise in a small package that can be effectively used in close quarters.
Alternatively, imagine a world where the most popular gun in America is some sort of stamped sheet-metal SMG, slinging +P+ loads so hot they'd make 9mm Major blush.
A PCC does not make a pistol caliber a rifle caliber. But , it does give you a capable and competent platform to do what you might not be able to do with a handgun at longer ranges with more precision . And an extra 150ft/ a second never hurt.
They're undeniably fun. And when they are compact enough, they have certain practical applications. But a PCC that is as large and as heavy as a rifle caliber carbine makes little sense to me.
It absolutely has, it can result in worse performance due to expanding sooner, faster and more assuming it doesn’t rip the round apart, typically getting less penetration and with many rounds resulting in them not meeting minimum FBI performance
Lever guns were the original PCC and were adopted because of simplicity. You could get a revolver in .44-40 and have a carbine both using the same ammo. So the cartridges on your gun belt could go in either gun. Extremely important when you are under size and weight constraints on horseback or wagon.
44WCF, 44-40, is a rifle cartridge that was fitted to pistols. Same for 38WCF, 38-40. The benefits of commonality make perfect sense. Own an1873 and an 1875 Remington in the same cartridge. Now where can I find a Ruger SR9….
357 ballistics from a 9mm, with the sight radius and stability of a rifle. No, I wouldn't go to war with it, but Id feel a lot more comfortable using it in my backyard, than my 30-30. My all-time favorite is my M1 Carbine. Dropped a 163lb whitetail in his tracks at a bit over 100yd with a 110gr soft point. The bullet penetrated 100%. Found it on the ground next to him, in a perfect mushroom. Thats about as good performance as one can wish for in a light rifle.
They make sense for the folks who don’t want a gun collection, but are willing to spend some coin on a good setup. If you had a Glock 19 and a Ruger PC9, you can use the same mags and ammo for both guns which is extremely economical. If they’re willing to step a bit further off the ledge, get a 9mm suppressor for the PCC and a decent optic and that’s a very formidable, useful, and versatile setup.
You can set up the PCC with better optics than the handgun, and you can also utilize the shared magazines. The accuracy also increases due not to only the reduced recoil, but also because a shouldered weapon allows your to stay on target better for follow-up shots.
@@Alx2672 exactly, why would you neuter it further? I'm a 06 guy, but taking the available platforms into account, and money being a thing, I'm willing to sacrifice some power to have 40rds on tap on a light semiautomatic. A rifle round is still not a pistol round.
While its true that PCC has a considerable advantage over a handgun, I do believe most of them aside from mitigated recoil can be emulated with a minimalistic conversion kit such as B&T USW-G17.
Great presentation as usual but one area was glossed over. Although you might only get 15-20% more velocity out of your typical semi-auto pistol cartridges in a PCC that still equates to roughly 30-40% more energy. Not an insignificant increase. A PCC SBR makes the most sense. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve rented and shot a lot of guns, but the one I picked up and did the best with right away was a Beretta CX4 Storm. I was pinpoint accurate at 30 yards the first time I picked it up when I was a novice shooter. I’ve definitely got a soft spot for PCCs.
I have wanted one since they first released, but price kept me away. Take the storm pistol, place it in a synthetic case and double the price. Whalah! PCC.
Number 5: they are quite handy because they are lighter and smaller than typical rifles. This makes them easer to shoulder and aim in an OS situation. PCCs are ideal little camp guns, because loaded properly they can deal with two or four legged problems. Many break in half or fold in half so they can fit in a back pack, making them far more likely to find their way to camp over an eight pond long gun.
Compact yes, but lightweight Like a M1 Carbine (5.5 lbs) no. Blowback pistol caliber carbines fall easily into the 7 to 8 lbs class because of the nessicery approx 2lbs bolt group…. Locked breach pistol caliber carbines would tend to be lighter but more expensive. The recoil impulse is also more Abrupt compared to a delayed blowback like the HK MP5 or SP5. So absolutely lightweight Blowback PCC guns are not. But they aren’t horrible either. A basic old school AR-15 carbine without add on do dads is around 6 lbs.
@@p99guy A Kel-Tech Sub2K Gen 3 is 4.2lbs empty. It folds to 16" and you can retain an optic on it while folded. It holds 15 rounds and is about $450. Now bad for a camp/bag gun.
I've always liked the idea of a rifle and handgun combo. The old west rifles and handgun combos enabled cowboys and others to have the tools they needled. It was good then and now.
357 magnum out of a carbine length barrel is essentially 30 carbine. Additionally, you need to test some Winchester Active Duty 9mm. That is some of the hottest 9mm out there. I chrono’d some at nearly 1700FPS in my Scorpion carbine.
Also try Liberty Defense Civil Defense 50 grain 9mm rounds - they consistently measure at greater than their advertised 2050 FPS even when shot out of a 5" barrel.
9mm is loaded with rapid burning powder to perform in short barrels. It could be loaded with slower burning powder to benefit from longer barrels, but would also need expansion designed for higher velocity. I am not aware of any such PCC load.
Most PCC use simple blowback. Either a heavy bolt chugging back and forward, or a powerful spring that is hard for weaker hands to cock. A few have delay or locking mechanisms that permit ligh weight bolt that is easy to cock. The M1 carbine is an ancient design that, in steel and wood, is lighter in weight than most modern PCC designs that are less effective.
@@michaelw2288 I seen a test on one of these channels where average 9mm peaked its performance around 12-13 inch barrel, but thanks to NFA, they have to be at least 16", thus the full benefit of 9mm PCC is not realized without SBR permit.
As a person fairly new to handgun ownership (I bought my first pistol a bit over three years ago, but I had a .22 rifle when I was young), the primary draw of a PCC for me would have been simplifying ammo inventory, fully aware that there are pros and cons to ANY firearm choice. I found, to some surprise, that I enjoy target shooting, even if I'm not particularly good at it, but I don't have the means or the desire to have guns in a dozen different calibers.
You'll get better at shooting through practice. Keep practicing at the range, and do plenty of dry-fire at home to maximize efficiency of your range time. Just be *very* careful and _always_ double-check with both visual and tactile inspection that your firearm is unloaded before you engage in dry-fire practice. And don't dry-fire .22 LR platforms without snap caps in place. You'll destroy the firing pin if there is nothing to prevent it from slamming into the steel of the chamber or cylinder (if you're using a revolver). However, especially with .22 LR revolvers, you can also use 7/8" wall anchors if you are feeling a bit cheap.
@@Schwarzvogel1 I was feeling a lot cheap! Lol So to help out other cheapskates like me, they're the yellow anchors for #6-#8 size screws (assuming same colour standards in USA and Canada). I use them in my 22lr and 22mag firearms.
You forgot to mention that if you pick your primary pcc and your backup sidearm carefully you can have interchangeable mags between the 2. I still pick a shotgun over my pcc for home defense. That being said I would pick my short pcc over my rifle for home defense
The question is, can a 9mm kill in a defensive situation, regardless of pistol or carbine? The answer is yes it can. So therefore, it is a viable option.
Exactly. Soo many people bag on the PCC because “it’s ballistically inferior to 5.56.” Do you own a 9mm for conceal carry or home defense? Oh you do huh? Well what if you could use your 9mm ammo in a more accurate, easier to shoot platform? Let alone the advantages of being cheaper to practice with and less damaging on the ears if you had to shoot in the house, etc.
@@markwest7258 A small amount, not enough to really make a positive difference. The reason being pistol rounds use a faster burning powder than, say, a magnum revolver round or rifle round. You can play around with different powders if you handload and might be able to get a bit more performance out of it, but you'll generally run into an issue where a slower burning powder that likes more barrel is going to be bulkier, so you can't get enough in the case to get a hypothetical "9mm magnum" performance increase.
When discussing noise reduction for suppressed PCCs it's good to note the added benefit of .45 ACP in particular as subsonic. When limited to subsonic ammo, size and weight is the only way to increase power and 250 grain XTPs at 1050 FPS is a great option. Although it has some drawbacks to 300 blk it is a potentially cheaper option
This is one of the reasons my SHTF choices involve a 4" Ruger GP-100 and a Winchester 94AE with 16" barrel and a red dot. Both in .357 mag. I can use .38spl ammo in both for commonality of ammo and I have regularly used the lever to put down medium to large feral pigs out to 50ish yards. I reckon if they can do that then food and two legged animals are both taken care of and as a bonus both are very accurate out to 50-75 yards.
I would also argue that most people who buy a gun for personal protection get pistols so pcc with the same caliber (and ideally mags) is a really easy sell so they can have something better than a pistol when they need it. And similar to ammo cost is ammo availability. For one 9mm is easier and cheaper to buy and keep in bulk. For two when the great ammo shortage happened the only rifle ammo I could find in my area was oddball hunting rounds. Pistol ammo was way easier to find
The problem with this is that you're expecting to run dry on your ppc and needing to switch to your pistol, this is horrible planning from a tactical and legal point. I'm planning on not needing to fire a shot, but if stuff goes tits up I'm coming out with 40rds of 55gr 5.56 at 3000fps and over 1k ft-lb, in a known reliable tested design.
@@andyrihn1 I agree with the idea that 9mm is very common, but during the c19 ammo shortage 9mm was basically more valuable than gold. And equally as rare, at least were I live. Oddly enough, I was finding 44 magnum more often and for cheaper than 9mm.
I've always thought a more interesting comparison is PCCs vs .22 rimfires, particularly in the role of survival/bugout weaponry. .22s are valued for this purpose because they have ammunition that is very easy to stockpile and carry in large quantities because it's very cheap, lightweight, and compact. The weapons themselves are light and easy to carry. They're not destructive on small game, which is the type of game you'd probably be relying on for sustenance in SHTF because there's more of them and you don't have to worry about food preservation. They're very quiet and unlikely to give your position away to distant threats. A 9mm carbine has all of these same advantages, but sacrifices the degree to which it has them somewhat to achieve better performance on larger game and human threats (without having to rely on headshots), and greater reliability and magazine capacity. The greater cost and weight of the ammo is offset somewhat by the fact that it's ammo that you would already have to carry anyway, and less of it will be wasted due to unreliability, dropping it, moisture, etc. An AR or AK by comparison would be a fairly unwieldy weapon to live with full time out of a backpack, require it's own separate supply of very expensive and heavy ammunition in bulky boxes and very cumbersome magazines, would blow rabbits to smithereens, and can be easily heard from over a mile away even with a suppressor, among other drawbacks that will probably prove fatal in the long run. It would be foolish to carry one of these weapons unless you were involved in some kind of front line combat role. A 9mm PCC is survival gun, a camping/backpacking gun, or just a fun woods gun for grownups, especially in Eastern forests where the average visibility is almost always less than 100 yards. The Ruger PC carbine is the most perfect all-purpose Appalachian rifle you can buy right now. That's the angle to this that these videos never get into.
@@scottcharney1091 I keep a pair of silicone plugs in my pocket at all times that I can lick and slip into my ears very quickly. I can also hang them around my neck if I'm expecting to have to use them. Spot-and-stalk hunting in the Eastern forests taught me from a young age that fast, smooth, discreet earplug application is a critical skill unto itself, this isn't discussed nearly enough. I would never fire a shot without earplugs unless a threat appeared right on top of me out of nowhere. If someone is merely escalating a situation I'm going to put earplugs in and say "I'm not listening to you anymore buddy". I also sleep with a pair of peltor electronic muffs near me for bumps in the night, they're too heavy and bulky for pack or EDC carry but perfect for home defense in the dark.
A few years ago, my buddy fired a 12-inch AR in 556 outside when my ear pro wasn't all the way on. I decided at that point that I would never fire a rifle caliber indoors unless I absolutely had to.
During the years when braced pistols started becoming popular, I went to the range and discovered the typical hearing protection I used when firing pistols or rifles at the range in years past had become inadequate. You never know when someone in a lane next to you is going to whip out one of those. The loud crack those 5.56 rounds make from short barrels will leave your ears ringing. Now whenever I go to the range, I use both earplugs as well as earmuffs.
@@cgsimons1187 Same here! I've been doubling up with ear plugs and muffs for a long time, and I'm happy with that decision. 5.56 is kind of obnoxious indoors out of a 16" barrel already, and it's far worse out of those shorter barrels.
@@cgsimons1187 Always a good idea to double-up on hearing protection regardless of what you are shooting. Hearing damage is progressive and *permanent.* That is why suppressors should be removed from the NFA. They _don't_ facilitate crime in any way, as I've never heard of any criminal (other than some dubious stories about Mafia hitmen) using suppressors to make the report of their shots harder for bystanders and law enforcement to discern. And even in the case of these OC hitmen, if they want to kill someone and get away with it, they could just as easily kidnap their victim, drive him out to a remote location, then ice him there. Which is typically what those hitmen did, and still do today.
Yeah you shoot a 5.56 indoors (really anything but definitely a rifle) without ear pro, you're gonna lose your hearing for a few weeks of not permanent damage. Always have ear pro next to your weapon.
Think about what it will do to anyone in front of the muzzle, though! But I wouldn't use a super-short 5.56mm without a suppressor for that reason. I used to have a 10.5" with an AAC suppressor that just barely made it hearing safe, and even with that I wasn't sure about indoors. Sadly where I live now SBRs, AR pistols, and suppressors are all illegal.
Every person has a unique situation, and even if a gun doesn’t fit my situation, I’m glad it exists to fill the needs of someone else’s situation. And I think it’s very important to remember that, for lots of people, low recoil tolerance is an important factor to their situation. PCCs are, imo, a great suggestion for people who need a long gun but can’t, for reasons like age, illness, or whatever, handle rifle recoil. Among many other reasons to get a PCC even if you are able to handle rifle recoil. But I want to call attention to a market that, so far, I only see the Smith and Wesson EZ deliberately servicing. Edit: forgot weight. For, say, my sister, who lacks physical strength, an AR is just a bit too heavy and has a bit too much recoil, so even dropping a few pounds and getting a small reduction in recoil can put a gun into her comfort zone.
Just wanted to add that another good handgun option for those with less hand strength is the Ruger Security 380. A friend of mine has lost a lot of hand strength due to a chronic illness, and she replaced her 43x with the Security 380 and loves it. The slide is extremely easy to rack, there's not much recoil with 380, and the trigger is pretty good. Got it for $240, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a handgun that's easier to handle.
The problem with that argument is that unless you are willing to shell out the cash necessary to get a PCC that uses a roller/radial delayed blowback action, even a cartridge as small as 9mm in a weapon that uses a direct blowback action (as 95% of PCC’s do) has a recoil impulse equal to that of a 5.56 SBR. If you tune that SBR so that it is gassed properly it will even have LESS felt recoil than a 9mm direct blowback gun.
@@crazywhitepeople100If an 11.5” AR pistol with a red dot, flashlight, and a sling is “too heavy” for your wife, you’ve objectively messed up in one of 2 ways: 1). Your choice in equipment 2). Your choice in a wife. You should EASILY be able to get a fully equipped 11.5” AR that weighs less than 7 or 8 lbs..
Another advantage I'd add to having a PCC: access to USPSA PCC division and other PCC competitions. If you're serious about developing your proficiency with your longarm, there are few better options than regularly shooting matches. Even if you already have an intermediate caliber rifle, a lot of the skills learned competing in PCC translate directly to the more powerful gun: manipulations, reloads, malfunction diagnostics and clearing, developing a natural index and consistent stock placement, sight tracking, shot calling, movement, all these can be honed in matches. Even recoil control is similar as a blowback 9mm AR actually has the potential to kick more than a well-gassed 5.56. If your primary longarm is an AR, it's possible to create a near-perfect analogue in 9mm. In fact, with Endomag PMAG conversions, it's possible to have a PCC that's visually indistinguishable from your 5.56/.300, although I should stress that this isn't necessary and that even if you compete with a completely different platform like a Ruger PC9 you'll still become a much better rifle shooter. Shooting in matches will make you a better rifleman from the standpoint of weapons manipulation and marksmanship at speed. From a defensive perspective, the inoculation to stress isn't to be discounted either. Not to mention most folks you'll meet are great and it's just fun as hell.
I've tried telling people this but the reality is most people aren't interested in becoming better shooters, they just want to buy a gun and FEEL like John Wick in their minds.
@@UrbanDefenseSystems Yeah, it's too bad considering that shooting a USPSA stage for the first time is absolutely a John Wick experience for most people. I think a lot of the apprehension from potential first timers is also the self-induced expectation to perform well. People are naturally reluctant to leave their comfort zones
Electronic ear muffs are a essential for me in HD, I keep on the stock of my shotgun that hangs on the wall right next to my bed, able to defend my family, save my hearing, and be able to hear a home invader.
I would like to suggest another reason: magazine compatibility. When I decided I wanted a center fire long gun, I could have bought an entry level AR clone for about the same price as the Ruger PC9. But I already had a TON of Glock mags (and 9mm but he already covered that.) That is something I also considered.
When transitioning my daughter to centerfire cartridges from rimfire, I went with the Beretta CX4 and M9A1. Same ammo, same magazines, and both exceptionally reliable. While i bought her a Colt AR in the Magpul configuration, she had no interest. Eighteen rounds of 9mm should work just fine for personal defense.
I wish I had bought the CX4 when they clearanced them at Walmart. After 4 deployments I have so many M9 magazines I bought the Beretta M9A1. They certainly would make a great combo
I have both the S&W FPC and Extar EP9. The Smithy mags add to my main carry range trips and the EP9 is just fun. EP9 uses glock mags so they’re hella cheaper than $40 Smith mags. I’m not into building rifles and have minimal interest in ever doing so. As long as I have the capability to have good defensive rounds that go where I want them 9mm is just fine.
I understand the draw if pcc's but I'd rather have a 5.56 if I'm going to carry a carbine. The extra range and terminal performance are what make the extra weight and bulk worth dealing with for me.
I have a PCC. I bought one when I was new to this game. I wish I had a suppressed AR-15, but I have a PCC, so that’s what I have. I would not want to be a bad guy staring down its barrel, and it is fun to shoot. I’m a little bit accurate out to 100 yards with it, meaning I’ve shot the 2x4 holding the steel target up in two. That was pretty cool.
1- The 9x19mm MP5 delivers a muzzle velocity of 400 m/S with an 8.9 inch barrel at an effective range of 200m. 9X19mm parabellum doesn't exceed an MV of 400 m/s regardless of barrel length because of the smaller cartridge/propellant. 2- The 4.6x30 mm MP7 delivers an MV of 735 m/s with only a 7 inch barrel to penetrate body armor at 200m. It also delivers a controlled rate of fire of 950 rounds/minute. A longer barrel length could help extend the range, considering the high propellant to bullet-weight ratio. 3- The 5.7x28mm FN P90 delivers an MV of 715 m/s with 10 to 16 inch barrels for an effective range of 200m and a maximum range of 1.8 KM. It does so with a breathtaking rate of fire of 1100 rounds/minute. Down-calibering helps tremendously with controlled automatic fire. It would take precious seconds to grab and point an FN P90, so I prefer HK MP designs. 4- Thinner bullets have a greater penetrative power. The Mauser 7.63x25mm has a greater penetrative power than the Luger 9x19mm parabellum. A longer bullet could also have the same or greater lethality because the imbalanced mass would tumble on impact, but in practical use larger bullets have greater stopping power to paralyze the nervous system because of a larger instantaneous impact energy.
Great video. I think one feature that isn't huge to everyone but can be a perk is that you can shoot steel with a PCC at distances way closer than one can safely do with a rifle round. I sometimes run drills with my AR in 9mm that I couldn't do with my 5.56 but get similar training value.
When people used to ask me what firearm I thought was best for home defense, I used to waffle on about "It's all about personal preference" or "There are a lot of variables involved". I still believe those things to an extent, *but* I've steadily come around to the same idea Chris mentions at the end: for a new shooter with little to no firearms experience asking for a general recommendation, who may or may not live with a family, and may or may not get heavily into the hobby of shooting wholesale in the future... I would probably recommend a PCC to them. It has a lot of things going for it. And I say this as someone who doesn't even own one myself!
@NoBody-pw3kf I didn't say anything about recoil. That's missing the point that Chris made and an opinion I share. For new shooters, rifles have an uncomfortable amount of flash and noise (depending on muzzle device) and this is compounded at an indoor range. This creates the perception of extreme recoil in novice shooters where there isn't any and can induce very bad habits like flinching or just not wanting to practice with the rifle in question. I've seen it myself on those I trained and helped to train.
A guy I know had four daughters and a wife, who he wanted to be confident and competent shooters in any farm-and-home emergencies so he wanted them on the range. All five women hated shooting handguns and rifles and loved PCCs. A gun you're willing to practice with, is a huge advantage over one that you shot a few times years ago.
Don't everyone jump all over me...but this is where Highpoint really shines! Their PCC's are mega affordable, reliable...and some ppl think they're not totally ugly! 👹
They are rough, ugly and always seems to cycle even if you don’t clean them & pretty accurate at 50 yards. I paid $254 for mine and it’s fun. My kids call it the zombie apocalypse gun. Lol
@@Mudhen65 Yeah, I think I paid about $230 for mine back in 2015 or so...I had it cerakoted to look like a Storm Trooper blaster rifle, since I didn't think I would be able to hit anything with it...but it certainly proved me wrong...
The advantages and disadvantages are so well stated in this video, I'm unable to think of anything to add in regard to that. However, there are much-awaited gelatin tests since the PCC video made way back in the pre-C0VID era. I have a feeling there may be some cheap ammo that fails to perform in handguns that a carbine might work wonders with.
If one was traveling in an RV through different states and jurisdictions, a PCC might be a good choice to carry as it's not a handgun or a dreaded "assault rifle" (aka a "weapon of war"). The Ruger PC Carbine is also a "takedown" which makes it easy to stow when desired.
Some states like NY ban semi auto rifles like the Ruger PC carbine if it has a threaded barrel. The only long gun I'm aware of that's 100% legal in all 50 states is a pump action 5rd capacity shotgun.
@@Prepare2Survive They make a unthreaded barrel version. Its why the PC9 is my "travelling" long gun. I haven't checked every state but I travel through a few AWB states and it's legal in those.
Put it in the Magpul backpacker, and you've got a lighter-weight takedown rifle that locks together, holds a 21 round magazine in the buttstock, and has better weight distribution than the original stock. With a brake on mine it still fits into a backpack and I can put rounds on target much further than with a G19 etc.
@@JJ_SDWR Yeah, I agree the magpul backpacker version is a lot lighter weight than my m-lok version. I'm probably just going to sell the m-lok one and keep the backpacker version.
I love my EPC9. But it's not a defensive tool. It's just something I have a ton of fun with at the range. Dont care how practical it is if I'm having fun.
You nearly covered this, but one of the reasons I use a suppressed Scorpion SBR for home defense is so that my family and I can still communicate during an incident. I'm not as useful if I'm temporarily deaf, and I'm probably more worried about that than permanent damage, bad as that would be.
Great video! I like that you mention less noise. PCCs are a lot less intimidating to new shooters as well. I use one as a stepping stone between a 22 long gun and a AR.
I like PCC’s if only to give shooters more options to choose from But one problem I have with PCC’s is that a lot of them are blowback operated. It would be nice if they had more sophisticated systems to keep recoil low that also didnt push their pricing into full on rifle territory
CMMG 9mm carbines are extremely soft shooting with their radial delayed blow back. Completely different than a blow back AR9. I have both and like both, but I spent a fair amount of money upgrading the blow back AR9s that I have. Nothing needed as far as I am concerned for the CMMGs. CMMGs were still more money, but better quality.
I picked up a B&T GHM9. Recoil isn't horrible. I also have an AR9, which has been tamed with a silent captured spring and reduced bolt weight. I still remember firing a Cold style 16" carbine. I thought it was broken since the recoil was really bad.
One thing about blowback though is that it's extremely reliable. You can get softer shooting systems, but in my opinion even the worst 9mm recoil really isn't bad. But if it bothers you there are some nice CMMG's you'd like.
Remember that in a self-defense shooting, even if you are judged 100% in the clear by the officers on the scene and everyone up the food chain, the police still have to take the firearm and you're going to have to likely invest in a lawyer unless you're personal friends with the chief of police, so when choosing a self-defense gun, make sure you don't mind the fact that it's cheaper to purchase a new one than hire a lawyer to get you back the original - in other words, don't include the several hundred dollar, $200 dollar tax stamp and one year waiting time suppressor on that firearm. SBRs - check out the length of an SBR versus that of a bullpup - the bullpup is normally an inch or two shorter AND it has a full 16 inches of barrel, meaning no loss in performance. OK, so the carbine - why get one? Not for home defense - get an actual pistol or a shotgun unless you're on enough land that you could realistically be firing at people outside your home who are tens of yards away from you. The carbine is an intermediate weapon between the pistol and rifle, granting one an effective range of fire from pistol ranges out to 100 yards or so, depending on the carbine and its caliber. So why a PCC then? Compatibility of ammo and ideally also, magazines, between the carbine and your pistol. This is a time, resource, cost and even space savings since everything is the same between the two, meaning one supply of ammo and one supply of magazines rather than two different ones. The PCC is intended more as a backup than primary arm - something that's kept as a just in case in a trunk, boat or backpack rather than as a first/primary choice of firearm. That's why I scored the Kel Tec sub2000 as its ability to fold in half and rapidly be deployed, along with good quality for under $500 make it the best PCC out there to have as that just in case that can fit in any vehicle or backpack - heck, even a laptop bag. That's the thing that folks don't seem to understand about PCCs - they are back up, just in case or SHTF GTFO bag guns - something that gives you a bit more range and power than your pistol and whose ammo and (ideally) magazines are interchangeable, thus making for far more flexibility in use.
Another great video from Lucky Gunner. You guys put out great content so I am sure you be targeted by Prude Tube. Anyway I love the PCC idea simply because the shorter barrel lengths like 7 and 8 inch barrels but the increase in velocity plus the sound reduction that you talk about and they seem handy. If I was starting from zero I would look hard at 300 Blackout but I don't see enough reason to bail on the pistol caliber carbines for now. Keep up the good work .
The sub-5mm cartridge isn't a novelty. I've been studying encyclopedias, books, journals and magazines on national security, defense, and war for over 50 years, since the age of 9, and have practically used most of these weapons long before I earned my BS degree in engineering, and embarked on an executive career more than 34 years ago. I first read about the 4.73x33mm HK G11 that fired caseless ammunition in 1978, 1979 or 1980. I never got to use it because it never went into production. It was a scoped, bull-pup design somewhat like the French FAMAS and the British SAR80. It failed only because the logistics and use of careless ammunition was very complicated. I still believe the 4.6/4.7mm calibre holds great promise for close quarter combat. The German Kurz was 7.92x33mm, and it was still practical for controlled automatic fire. The German 7.63x25mm was controllable even with short barrel lengths. The German 4.73x33mm with. 21 inch barrel was good even at assault ranges of 300 to 400m. I believe anything under 5.8mm with a case length of 33mm should be good for controlled fire even with short barrel lengths and even good at assault ranges of around 300 to 400 meters. For close quarter combat, I think magazine capacity of 75 to 90 rounds, like the PPsh-41, would be preferable. For sniping, barrel lengths of 24 to 30 inches do help with larger ammo. Hybrid assault/close quarter combat rifles like the AK74/M-16 carbine have barrel lengths of around 14.5 to 15.5 inches. I, personally, would want a bullpup with a 21inch barrel. For close quarter combat, 7 to 10 inch barrels can be easily used even in enclosed spaces. With a bullpup design, it might be easier to even use a 10 to 16 inch barrel in enclosed spaces. A pistol with 6 to 7 inch barrel might be handy in a vehicle, giving one a range of around 100m. Anything over 4.4 inches might be too inconvenient for concealed carry.
I like PCCs for the simple logistics. We have a Beretta PX4 pistol and a Beretta CX4 PCC that take the exact same ammo and magazines, so we load up spares that can be grabbed and used in either platform on the fly as needed. I don't have any illusion that the PCC is as effective as a rifle, but with an ACSS reticle I can hit steel with it out to 200y. And the PCC can be used on steel at shorter ranges than a rifle, more training is more better! The PCC just keeps it simple and is way more accurate than a 5" pistol; one ammo, one magazine, 2 platforms.
I enjoy my Sub 2000, particularly the ability to fold it in half and drop it in a backpack. I have 30 rnd Glock mags with FMJ specifically for shooting through it.
Let me tell you, the sling assist method is good enough that I wouldn't even bother with the hassle for SBRing, say, a Stribog or other small form factor PCC. Incredibly effective.
I had a Beretta CX4 Storm in 9mm. It was originally meant to sit in a police-cruiser, and in the event of a stand-off where the cops are leaning over their car's hood with handguns drawn, instead, they'd be using the CX4 Storm, which would even use the same magazines as their Beretta 92s. It doesn't make the 9mm hit any harder (it adds barely anything to FPS), it _DOES_ make the longer shots much more likely. I had a simple 3-9 scope on mine, and hitting 50 yard steel was easy all day long. My complaint with the CX4 Storm was that it didn't suppress well, because it was blow-back design, and putting a silencer on it made for a lot more crap blowing out of the ejection port. In addition to more debris coming out of the breach, it also was loud for being a suppressed 9mm. Also, the CX4 Storm actually had 7 variations -- one in 45 ACP, three in 40 S&W, and three in 9mm. The only difference between them was what pistol magazine it accepted. Mine took Cougar mags, and I couldn't find those in anything greater than a capacity of 15. Third and finally, the CX4 Storm doesn't SBR very well, due to its design where very little barrel is exposed. But it was highly reliable. It was boringly accurate. It was also weirdly over-engineered by having a chrome-lined barrel... for a 9mm. Overall it was probably even more elegantly simple than a GLOCK, and I'm sure that helped its reliability. I ultimately sold it and got a Sig MPX. The recoil impulse is a lot lower, because the mass of the bolt for an MPX has got to be about a quarter -- _or less_ -- than the mass of the Storm's bolt, which is *heavy.* I also have a comically short barrel on my MPX at just under 4 inches, making it the ballistic twin of a GLOCK 19. Finally, I have a comically large suppressor on it, and overall, it's short, still easy to hit at 50 yards, holds 32+1, and doesn't fart on me whenever I shoot it. There's definitely a niche of PCCs, you just have to know what it is. They're cheap to shoot, suppress way better than any rifle cartridge (except possibly 300 BLK), and prevent you from having to stock multiple cartridges. But they're weak... and they'll struggle with even intermediate ranges.
@NoBody-pw3kf Except for subsonic 300 BLK, nothing else is even close to subsonic 9mm in the rifle-cartridge area. You've gotta' be watching too much Hollywood if you think otherwise.
I use my SUB2000s more than other long guns as I carry almost daily. They suit my purpose for get home gun and work fine against unarmored targets. I use the pcc as more compact, less weight and ammo/mag compatible with carry pistol.
Mine's my trainer gun. .22lr for the very basics of safety, mechanics, and others. The Sub2000 is the next step to get them used to larger loads and bigger bang. Its also better than nothing in a SHTF
Quite refreshing to see somebody bring up the noise issue. Firing guns outside without hearing protection can be bad enough. Firing guns in enclosed spaces, like you've seen in cinema countless times, can and will (as you say) damage your hearing permanently, or at least leave you with lasting tinnitus. As someone who had extremely mild tinnitus before a bout with C-19 worsened it, I can only say that everyone should not only appreciate not having it, they should go to extreme lengths not to aggravate it. Using a heavy pistol caliber with subsonic ammo for home defense is one way to go about that. You may never need it, but you shouldn't have to get tinnitus to avert a home invasion.
great vid. Two additional comments: 1) the convenience factor of being able to shoot at indoor ranges is huge, and 2) pistol caliber ammo like Liberty Civil Defense will give that PCC hydroshock-level smack\punch, without nearly as much passthrough risk vs a rifle round.
I have the exact PC 9 you are showing.. It is a family favorite...there is actually MORE recoil than with the AR, but it's not a problem with anyone, maybe because this particular PCC is a tad on the heavier side because of the takedown feature, it looks a little more traditional than the AR, and as you mentioned, it makes considerably less noise than the AR.. seems that less frequent shooters and novices take to it like a duck to water. If you intro'd new shooters to the gun world with the venerable Ruger 10-22, then the PC9 is just a step up to a bigger brother.. And I like shooting 9mm at 30 cents/round vs 223 at 50+ cents/round.
If you're inclined, seek out a Magpul Backpacker stock for it. I put one on my PC9 and it redistributes the weight nicely, plus it holds a 21 round Magpul mag in a waterproof buttstock compartment. Also, when taken down the two pieces lock together with the Magpul stock, as opposed to the Ruger stock that just separates into two.
You missed a point: the environment you live, if you live in a crowded urban environment you might not want to touch off a 223 in an apartment building.
I think it would be good for you to walk us through the outfitting of a PCC to a suppressed SBR, from acquisition of a Ruger PC Carbine and suppressor, Tax stamping, maybe using a trust, Reducing bbl length to 8" with threading, installation of a collapsible stalk, installation of a red dot, etc. I'd love to see accuracy testing too, indoor ranges and 50 yards or so. Worth mentioning what pistols go with the magazine options.
The great advantage of PCC's it's miniaturization, because they can get smaller and lighter than any rifle, and considering subsonic projectiles only the permanent cavity is that causes damage, so the advantage of the lethality that the rifles had now isn't applicable (although the reason for the subsonic rifles exist is that they lose much less speed with the distance compared to the subsonic pistol projectiles, but in a personal defense scenario it is very difficult this type of scenario happens, so it makes more sense using PCC's for personal defense)
My home carbine is a Beretta CX4 Storm. It’s small, lightweight, compact, excellent for use in CQB (especially since I’m a rather larger guy and have found that a standard carbine is more difficult to maneuver in confined areas), and you can also deck it out with anything a rifle caliber carbine has. I love it. Obviously you have multiple tools in your tool box for specific situations, and I have higher caliber rifles, but IMO a PCC is an excellent middle ground for home defense.
I love my Rossi 92 carbine in .357 Magnum. With its 16" barrel, it's very light and handy; very accurate too. Also, I can attest to 5.56 being extremely unpleasant to shoot at an indoor range. And yes, that is with hearing protection. I, personally, would NOT use any 5.56 rifle for home defense.
#5 Compatibility with pistol magazines. A bugout or an away from home situation with say a Glock 17 & a PCC that uses Glock 17 magazines would be very practical and cost effective.
I have five Rossi 92 lever guns. Three in 357 mag and two in 44 mag. All have been great. With the NOE bullet mold scout rail and a low power 2-7x long eye relief scope I can get some very good accuracy with my handloads. Efficiency wise both 357 mag and 44 mag from a rifle gives 50% to 100% more kinetic energy per grain of gun powder used than most other bottle neck calibers. With 223/556 or 308 win or even 30-06 sprg you're getting around 55 to 60 ft lbs muzzle energy per grain of gun powder used, but with a 357 mag or 44 mag rifle I can easily get over 100 ft lbs muzzle energy for each grain of gun powder. That means you're literally getting more bang for your buck. DISCLAIMER - NO I'm not saying a 357 mag or 44 mag rifle has more total muzzle energy than 308 win or 30-06. I'm saying it's more of an efficient use of gun powder.
.357 Mag Carbines are underappreciated by most people. That extra barrel length can provide more than magnum performance. The Remington 158gr SJHP fired from a carbine has impressive results and should work very well as a manstopper.
I have two PCCs and love them both. One is an M1 Carbine in .30 Carbine, and the other is marginally a PCC (.223/.556 - yeah there are pistol AR-15s), so it might count) - its an Mini-14. They are light weight, easy to use and i really like the "traditional" vs. "Tactical," which I'm told can cause legal problems from judges, prosecutors and gun-ignorant juries. As a military historian, i like the tradirional wood stocks because ... history
I used to practice a whole lot with my “battle belt” with my full size and extra mag pouches and rifle but this year I promised myself to practice with my CCW handgun way more. Which I have it’s on me everyday. Still practice with my rifle and full size handgun but not as much as I used to.
I think another advantage you could add is the ability to shoot a PCC at any range. I know a number of indoor ranges that don't allow rifle cartridges like 5.56. Depending on where you live that could be a big deal.
PCCs are super fun which is the most compelling argument for them imo. They're great to put in the hands of a new shooter that might be intimidated by the noise or the reputation of a rifle like an AR.
I am considering getting a Hi Point 10mm carbine. I like the 10mm and right now S&W and Ruger do not offer them. If Ruger would build one (10mm, .357, or even .44 mag) like their old .44 mag carbine, I would buy it in a heartbeat.
Yup, you have to look hard for bad words about the hi point 10mm carbine...the only negative is the non-capatible magazines, elsewise the gun rocks 10mm...lifetime warranty, excellent customer service, affordable...if you don't like it you shouldn't have a problem finding a willing buyer, who would enjoy the exact same warranty...hmm...
Instead of taking numbers from a web site, why don't you test it yourself. Going from a 5" barrel 1911 to a 18" barrel PCC, the velocity for my home defense round jumps from 830 fps to 1060 fps. That's actual real world velocities. That is a 31% increase in velocity. And since energy is a function of the velocity squared, the energy jumps from 392 ft lbs to 604 ft lbs - a whopping 54% increase in energy. If that 830 fps sounds low, it's because I purposely downloaded it to keep the noise down when fired indoors. Which brings up that issue about noise levels: The muzzle pressure for the 5" barrel is 2958 psi (GRT simulation). With the 18" barrel it is only 609 psi. My 5.56 load in a 16" barrel has 14,921 psi muzzle pressure. I am NOT FIRING THAT INDOORS, THANK YOU! Oh, and the 45 load is using Gold Dot bullets which are bonded so they hold together.
That Beretta a is super awesome if you can change ejection sides and charging handle sides. DeSantis makes a butt stock pouch for it that holds two spare mags up to 20 rounds.
Depends on where you live. In Canada, we can’t have pistols. (Were previously extremely regulated now basically illegal) our semi automatic long guns are by law 5 round capacity (pistols capped at 10 rounds per mag) So the PCC fills an important niche, north of the 49th anyway.
Liberty Civil Defense 9mm is a zippy round. Advertized velocity is 2,000 fps, and WHO_TEE_WHO tested it in a 16" carbine and got 2,600 fps out of it. I'm not sure I'd use that for home defense, though. Military Arms Channel punched through 3A with it using a pistol and I saw another video of a guy shooting through a car door with it. It is also incredibly loud.
I am puzzled by the fact you did not bring up that an advantage of PCCs is the ability to have gun combos, as in having two guns with only having to carry one ammo, especially if they use the same magazine. For myself and many people I know, that is the "number one" reason for a PCC. You mention the fact that a PCC increases the velocity of a pistol round a little but say nothing about how much it increases the accuracy of a pistol round (compared to just a pistol itself).
a PCC with a red dot for self defense (in the home at least, kind of hard to carry it concealed) is my preferred tool...can get off multiple shots with pin point accuracy just in case one shot doesn't do the trick. Seeing the CX4 Storm in the video made me smile
You don't always need a rifle If you reload, doing straight walled pistol calibers is much much easier than bottle neck rifle rounds. Not all of us are GunTubers that get ammo for free.
This me on PCC. It all depends on what PCC you're using and buying. I don't see a point of dropping like $1200+ on certain PCC 9mm platforms. When talking about M1 Carbine or those replica historical firearms these are a different story.
hand loads can make a huge difference regardless of barrel length, especially for one particular caliber.the longer barrel does require being more picky with bullet choice, but the increase is very noticeable. definitely more expansion, if not fragmentation. but with a double or triple it's all good
9mm ammo is cheaper than rifle ammo... so you can afford more... meaning you can shoot more often... meaning you can become proficient, which is the most important factor in the question, "What do I use in an emergency situation?" Control, muscle memory operation, sufficient stopping power for the situation and complete familiarity with what to do in case of a malfunction... those are my primary considerations
It's smart to sneak in these videos with the "NEW" results y'all are working on in-house that you haven't published yet. ...Honestly, you should ride that results train as much as you can, by pumping out a video or 2 a week; it's OK if ya trim down the editing, or production quality.
I just wish the ruger pcc weighed the same or less as the m1 carbine. But I get it. It's cheaper and simpler to make a blowback rifle. Just adds some weight penalty.
Long barrel also means longer sights. Which translates to better accuracy. Hitting at more than 50m with a handgun is hard for a novice. It's very easy with a PCC! You also forgot to mention: less ammo types to manage. If you buy your PCC with handgun compatible mags, thats another win. It makes sense on a logistics point of view.
I was trained for building clearing in the military and there is a reason the .30 carbine and Thompson were so popular for QCB. There's nothing as fast and accurate up close as a PCC.
Each type of firearm (pistol, PCC, AR15) has its unique place for home defense. PCC vs pistol => pros: more accurate, less recoil, more muzzle energy, less muzzle blast/flash; cons: hard to maneuver. PCC vs AR15 => pros: less muzzle blast/flash, less ammo cost; cons: less muzzle energy. A person should choose according to their individual situation and preference. For me I would choose a pistol for an apartment, a PCC for a medium/large house, and an AR15 for a house with a large yard like in a farm.
2:57 I trust your velocity data, though through my non-scientific personal experience, a 115grain projectile out of my 16” AR9 seems to slap around a dueling tree steel plate a lot harder than 10% more than my 3.9” Star BM at 7 yards. Rounds from my carbine knock that plate around with authority, whereas my pistol may only sometimes knock the plate halfway. Again this is just my experience, with no numbers to back me up.
Energy goes up as the square of velocity. From the book 115 gr 9mm at 1300 fps has 431 ft lbs, at 1450 fps it has 537 ft lbs. So an 11.5% increase in velocity made a 24.5% in energy.
Wow Another great vid. I have all kinds of rifles but my favorite is the Ruger PC 9. Easy to shoot ,very accurate and easy to move and shoot. The last time I shot through a chronograph velocity from hard ball was @ 1400 FPS. At 50 to 75 yards the target will have lots of holes and so will a bad guy. It will do the job very well. It will also break down into a suit case. It uses Glock mags and it has a big stick installed right now and it's ready for trouble.
Pcc definitely does bridge the gap for longer distance sort of a "snipers pistol" of sorts. Yes the added 200 fps out of a 9mm doesn't matter at self defense distances but longer barrel, full size rifle optics and a stock, suddenly you're able to take effective shots beyond 50 yards where that increased velocity DOES make a difference beyond typical handgun distances where you're projectile is still able to expand properly, you start out at higher velocity it will carryore velocity at distance and still reliably expand unlike losing too much velocity and dropping below the expansion threshold out of say a 4 inch barrel.
"Weak" is relative. If you're defending your living room, 9mm is perfectly adequate for the job, regardless of "weak" ballistic performance relative to .223 or 12 gauge, or whatever.
You left off the most compelling advantage for PCCs. They are so easy to shoot accurately. I can shoot groups at 25 yards that I struggle to get with a pistol at 10 yards.
PCCs would be far more popular had it not been for the NFA. A suppressed, short-barrelled PCC would be a compelling option for those wanting low recoil/noise in a small package that can be effectively used in close quarters.
Alternatively, imagine a world where the most popular gun in America is some sort of stamped sheet-metal SMG, slinging +P+ loads so hot they'd make 9mm Major blush.
And general, better for smaller, older, or weaker people.
@@ReptilianLeptonthe good ending
@@ReptilianLepton gib roided out mp5 plz. i want 9mm running at 80k psi chamber pressures
300 blk would still be several times more effective and just as quiet depending on what you wanted
A PCC does not make a pistol caliber a rifle caliber. But , it does give you a capable and competent platform to do what you might not be able to do with a handgun at longer ranges with more precision .
And an extra 150ft/ a second never hurt.
They're undeniably fun. And when they are compact enough, they have certain practical applications. But a PCC that is as large and as heavy as a rifle caliber carbine makes little sense to me.
It absolutely has, it can result in worse performance due to expanding sooner, faster and more assuming it doesn’t rip the round apart, typically getting less penetration and with many rounds resulting in them not meeting minimum FBI performance
@@ShawnHinck 147gr
@@sentero1856 can have the same issue or because it’s powder burn is significantly sooner with a longer barrel connection result in less velocity.
@@ShawnHinck not going to war with it. Just like shooting it. And a 17rd Beretta 92 mag is likely gonna take care of anything inside 50 yards
Lever guns were the original PCC and were adopted because of simplicity. You could get a revolver in .44-40 and have a carbine both using the same ammo. So the cartridges on your gun belt could go in either gun. Extremely important when you are under size and weight constraints on horseback or wagon.
Look at all those mission driven gear selections. Its almost like they knew a thing or two because they had seen a thing or two.
I'm in the market for a lever action .44 mag solely because I own a new model Ruger Super BlackHawk so this checks out
Lever guns and simplicity.
Uh no.
44WCF, 44-40, is a rifle cartridge that was fitted to pistols. Same for 38WCF, 38-40. The benefits of commonality make perfect sense. Own an1873 and an 1875 Remington in the same cartridge.
Now where can I find a Ruger SR9….
Also poverty. Cowboys and frontiersmen were dirt poor.
357 ballistics from a 9mm, with the sight radius and stability of a rifle. No, I wouldn't go to war with it, but Id feel a lot more comfortable using it in my backyard, than my 30-30.
My all-time favorite is my M1 Carbine. Dropped a 163lb whitetail in his tracks at a bit over 100yd with a 110gr soft point. The bullet penetrated 100%. Found it on the ground next to him, in a perfect mushroom. Thats about as good performance as one can wish for in a light rifle.
They make sense for the folks who don’t want a gun collection, but are willing to spend some coin on a good setup. If you had a Glock 19 and a Ruger PC9, you can use the same mags and ammo for both guns which is extremely economical. If they’re willing to step a bit further off the ledge, get a 9mm suppressor for the PCC and a decent optic and that’s a very formidable, useful, and versatile setup.
You can set up the PCC with better optics than the handgun, and you can also utilize the shared magazines. The accuracy also increases due not to only the reduced recoil, but also because a shouldered weapon allows your to stay on target better for follow-up shots.
This pretty much mirrors my comment.
So you want a pistol and neutered rifle when your literal life is on the line? Cool
I'm protecting my home with my 30-06 BAR.
@@linkbond08 isn't our military moving to the M4? Isn't that a neutered rifle?
@@Alx2672 exactly, why would you neuter it further?
I'm a 06 guy, but taking the available platforms into account, and money being a thing, I'm willing to sacrifice some power to have 40rds on tap on a light semiautomatic.
A rifle round is still not a pistol round.
While its true that PCC has a considerable advantage over a handgun, I do believe most of them aside from mitigated recoil can be emulated with a minimalistic conversion kit such as B&T USW-G17.
Great presentation as usual but one area was glossed over. Although you might only get 15-20% more velocity out of your typical semi-auto pistol cartridges in a PCC that still equates to roughly 30-40% more energy. Not an insignificant increase. A PCC SBR makes the most sense. Thanks for sharing.
A PCC should come with every new house purchase
Profound insight, Sir! That is a great idea
I’ve rented and shot a lot of guns, but the one I picked up and did the best with right away was a Beretta CX4 Storm. I was pinpoint accurate at 30 yards the first time I picked it up when I was a novice shooter. I’ve definitely got a soft spot for PCCs.
I have wanted one since they first released, but price kept me away. Take the storm pistol, place it in a synthetic case and double the price. Whalah! PCC.
Number 5: they are quite handy because they are lighter and smaller than typical rifles. This makes them easer to shoulder and aim in an OS situation. PCCs are ideal little camp guns, because loaded properly they can deal with two or four legged problems.
Many break in half or fold in half so they can fit in a back pack, making them far more likely to find their way to camp over an eight pond long gun.
Compact yes, but lightweight
Like a M1 Carbine (5.5 lbs) no.
Blowback pistol caliber carbines fall easily into the 7 to 8 lbs class because of the nessicery approx 2lbs bolt group…. Locked breach pistol caliber carbines would tend to be lighter but more expensive.
The recoil impulse is also more
Abrupt compared to a delayed blowback like the HK MP5 or SP5. So absolutely lightweight Blowback PCC guns are not. But they aren’t horrible either. A basic old school AR-15 carbine without add on do dads is around 6 lbs.
@@p99guy
A Kel-Tech Sub2K Gen 3 is 4.2lbs empty. It folds to 16" and you can retain an optic on it while folded. It holds 15 rounds and is about $450. Now bad for a camp/bag gun.
I've always liked the idea of a rifle and handgun combo. The old west rifles and handgun combos enabled cowboys and others to have the tools they needled. It was good then and now.
Magazine compatibility should not be overlooked.
Glock extended magazines out of a sub2000 is a really fun experience. Definitely shouldn't be overlooked
I know objectively it's pretty mediocre but I just love the Italian Space Uzi.
I think the ergonomics are great & it's soft shooting. The best gun is the one you can shoot in my mind, so I'm rather fond of it 👍
I love my CX4
I wish we could get the full auto version. It slaps in siege
I have the Italian space UZI and love shooting it.
No need to SBR it. Already short with a 16” barrel. If you already have a Beretta 92 or PX4, you have the mags, depending on the version.
357 magnum out of a carbine length barrel is essentially 30 carbine. Additionally, you need to test some Winchester Active Duty 9mm. That is some of the hottest 9mm out there. I chrono’d some at nearly 1700FPS in my Scorpion carbine.
Also try Liberty Defense Civil Defense 50 grain 9mm rounds - they consistently measure at greater than their advertised 2050 FPS even when shot out of a 5" barrel.
9mm is loaded with rapid burning powder to perform in short barrels. It could be loaded with slower burning powder to benefit from longer barrels, but would also need expansion designed for higher velocity.
I am not aware of any such PCC load.
Most PCC use simple blowback. Either a heavy bolt chugging back and forward, or a powerful spring that is hard for weaker hands to cock.
A few have delay or locking mechanisms that permit ligh weight bolt that is easy to cock.
The M1 carbine is an ancient design that, in steel and wood, is lighter in weight than most modern PCC designs that are less effective.
The Remington 158gr SJHP in .357 Mag is incredible when fired from a carbine. It should work very well as a manstopper.
@@michaelw2288 I seen a test on one of these channels where average 9mm peaked its performance around 12-13 inch barrel, but thanks to NFA, they have to be at least 16", thus the full benefit of 9mm PCC is not realized without SBR permit.
For me “they are fun to shoot” are reasons 1-3 in why I would buy a PCC, then ease of shooting for novices… then the rest.
Great video as always 👍
Yup. My cx4 storm is dumb as a defensive weapon but man is it a great range toy.
147gn 9mm subsonic out of a 16" carbine even without a suppressor is surprisingly quiet (relatively speaking). Pretty nifty.
Yeah, I like the PCC in the way that they are very "polite" to shot at the shooting range.
Also that 16 inch barrel will have 124/147gr ammo humming. You can forget the whole "will this cartridge expand" nonsense in a PCC.
That is exactly the type of ammo I have in my Ruger PC Carbine.
147g HSTs in a 7” suppressed is mighty fine 😊
@@JJ_SDWRand go in to “will this round hold up or no longer meet FBI requirements” because of expanding sooner, faster and more.
As a person fairly new to handgun ownership (I bought my first pistol a bit over three years ago, but I had a .22 rifle when I was young), the primary draw of a PCC for me would have been simplifying ammo inventory, fully aware that there are pros and cons to ANY firearm choice.
I found, to some surprise, that I enjoy target shooting, even if I'm not particularly good at it, but I don't have the means or the desire to have guns in a dozen different calibers.
You'll get better at shooting through practice. Keep practicing at the range, and do plenty of dry-fire at home to maximize efficiency of your range time. Just be *very* careful and _always_ double-check with both visual and tactile inspection that your firearm is unloaded before you engage in dry-fire practice.
And don't dry-fire .22 LR platforms without snap caps in place. You'll destroy the firing pin if there is nothing to prevent it from slamming into the steel of the chamber or cylinder (if you're using a revolver). However, especially with .22 LR revolvers, you can also use 7/8" wall anchors if you are feeling a bit cheap.
@@Schwarzvogel1 I was feeling a lot cheap! Lol So to help out other cheapskates like me, they're the yellow anchors for #6-#8 size screws (assuming same colour standards in USA and Canada). I use them in my 22lr and 22mag firearms.
You forgot to mention that if you pick your primary pcc and your backup sidearm carefully you can have interchangeable mags between the 2. I still pick a shotgun over my pcc for home defense. That being said I would pick my short pcc over my rifle for home defense
My friend brought his Sig MPX K to the range with 40-round mags. Super fun to shoot, easy recoil and easy to aim with his Holosun red dot
The question is, can a 9mm kill in a defensive situation, regardless of pistol or carbine? The answer is yes it can. So therefore, it is a viable option.
That seems to never be discussed but it is a very significant point for some people.
reliably
Exactly. Soo many people bag on the PCC because “it’s ballistically inferior to 5.56.” Do you own a 9mm for conceal carry or home defense? Oh you do huh? Well what if you could use your 9mm ammo in a more accurate, easier to shoot platform? Let alone the advantages of being cheaper to practice with and less damaging on the ears if you had to shoot in the house, etc.
Wouldn't the muzzle velocity be a bit higher with the longer barrel?
@@markwest7258 A small amount, not enough to really make a positive difference. The reason being pistol rounds use a faster burning powder than, say, a magnum revolver round or rifle round. You can play around with different powders if you handload and might be able to get a bit more performance out of it, but you'll generally run into an issue where a slower burning powder that likes more barrel is going to be bulkier, so you can't get enough in the case to get a hypothetical "9mm magnum" performance increase.
When discussing noise reduction for suppressed PCCs it's good to note the added benefit of .45 ACP in particular as subsonic. When limited to subsonic ammo, size and weight is the only way to increase power and 250 grain XTPs at 1050 FPS is a great option. Although it has some drawbacks to 300 blk it is a potentially cheaper option
I keep a pcc mainly as a travel gun. It uses the same ammo and magazines as my carry gun and just makes packing easier.
Same here.
This is the first application I've heard of that actually makes some sense to me
The correct answer to any home defense questions is always:
12 Gauge shotgun loaded with #4 buckshot.
This is one of the reasons my SHTF choices involve a 4" Ruger GP-100 and a Winchester 94AE with 16" barrel and a red dot. Both in .357 mag. I can use .38spl ammo in both for commonality of ammo and I have regularly used the lever to put down medium to large feral pigs out to 50ish yards.
I reckon if they can do that then food and two legged animals are both taken care of and as a bonus both are very accurate out to 50-75 yards.
I would also argue that most people who buy a gun for personal protection get pistols so pcc with the same caliber (and ideally mags) is a really easy sell so they can have something better than a pistol when they need it.
And similar to ammo cost is ammo availability. For one 9mm is easier and cheaper to buy and keep in bulk. For two when the great ammo shortage happened the only rifle ammo I could find in my area was oddball hunting rounds. Pistol ammo was way easier to find
This! I love my Stribog SP9A3 for subsonic ammo that costs less than .223 but is more fun than .22LR.
I am buying a PCC for this reason. I can fire the same ammo in the same mags that I put in my Glock 17. Very simple and convenient.
The problem with this is that you're expecting to run dry on your ppc and needing to switch to your pistol, this is horrible planning from a tactical and legal point.
I'm planning on not needing to fire a shot, but if stuff goes tits up I'm coming out with 40rds of 55gr 5.56 at 3000fps and over 1k ft-lb, in a known reliable tested design.
@@linkbond08 that is not at all what I'm talking about buddy
@@andyrihn1 I agree with the idea that 9mm is very common, but during the c19 ammo shortage 9mm was basically more valuable than gold. And equally as rare, at least were I live. Oddly enough, I was finding 44 magnum more often and for cheaper than 9mm.
I've always thought a more interesting comparison is PCCs vs .22 rimfires, particularly in the role of survival/bugout weaponry. .22s are valued for this purpose because they have ammunition that is very easy to stockpile and carry in large quantities because it's very cheap, lightweight, and compact. The weapons themselves are light and easy to carry. They're not destructive on small game, which is the type of game you'd probably be relying on for sustenance in SHTF because there's more of them and you don't have to worry about food preservation. They're very quiet and unlikely to give your position away to distant threats.
A 9mm carbine has all of these same advantages, but sacrifices the degree to which it has them somewhat to achieve better performance on larger game and human threats (without having to rely on headshots), and greater reliability and magazine capacity. The greater cost and weight of the ammo is offset somewhat by the fact that it's ammo that you would already have to carry anyway, and less of it will be wasted due to unreliability, dropping it, moisture, etc.
An AR or AK by comparison would be a fairly unwieldy weapon to live with full time out of a backpack, require it's own separate supply of very expensive and heavy ammunition in bulky boxes and very cumbersome magazines, would blow rabbits to smithereens, and can be easily heard from over a mile away even with a suppressor, among other drawbacks that will probably prove fatal in the long run. It would be foolish to carry one of these weapons unless you were involved in some kind of front line combat role.
A 9mm PCC is survival gun, a camping/backpacking gun, or just a fun woods gun for grownups, especially in Eastern forests where the average visibility is almost always less than 100 yards. The Ruger PC carbine is the most perfect all-purpose Appalachian rifle you can buy right now. That's the angle to this that these videos never get into.
Exactly. The possibility of significant hearing loss terrifies me. I'm glad that I have alternatives to the SU16B that I own. This is one of them.
@@scottcharney1091 I keep a pair of silicone plugs in my pocket at all times that I can lick and slip into my ears very quickly. I can also hang them around my neck if I'm expecting to have to use them. Spot-and-stalk hunting in the Eastern forests taught me from a young age that fast, smooth, discreet earplug application is a critical skill unto itself, this isn't discussed nearly enough. I would never fire a shot without earplugs unless a threat appeared right on top of me out of nowhere. If someone is merely escalating a situation I'm going to put earplugs in and say "I'm not listening to you anymore buddy". I also sleep with a pair of peltor electronic muffs near me for bumps in the night, they're too heavy and bulky for pack or EDC carry but perfect for home defense in the dark.
A few years ago, my buddy fired a 12-inch AR in 556 outside when my ear pro wasn't all the way on. I decided at that point that I would never fire a rifle caliber indoors unless I absolutely had to.
During the years when braced pistols started becoming popular, I went to the range and discovered the typical hearing protection I used when firing pistols or rifles at the range in years past had become inadequate. You never know when someone in a lane next to you is going to whip out one of those. The loud crack those 5.56 rounds make from short barrels will leave your ears ringing. Now whenever I go to the range, I use both earplugs as well as earmuffs.
@@cgsimons1187 Same here! I've been doubling up with ear plugs and muffs for a long time, and I'm happy with that decision. 5.56 is kind of obnoxious indoors out of a 16" barrel already, and it's far worse out of those shorter barrels.
@@cgsimons1187 Always a good idea to double-up on hearing protection regardless of what you are shooting. Hearing damage is progressive and *permanent.*
That is why suppressors should be removed from the NFA. They _don't_ facilitate crime in any way, as I've never heard of any criminal (other than some dubious stories about Mafia hitmen) using suppressors to make the report of their shots harder for bystanders and law enforcement to discern. And even in the case of these OC hitmen, if they want to kill someone and get away with it, they could just as easily kidnap their victim, drive him out to a remote location, then ice him there.
Which is typically what those hitmen did, and still do today.
Yeah you shoot a 5.56 indoors (really anything but definitely a rifle) without ear pro, you're gonna lose your hearing for a few weeks of not permanent damage. Always have ear pro next to your weapon.
Think about what it will do to anyone in front of the muzzle, though!
But I wouldn't use a super-short 5.56mm without a suppressor for that reason. I used to have a 10.5" with an AAC suppressor that just barely made it hearing safe, and even with that I wasn't sure about indoors. Sadly where I live now SBRs, AR pistols, and suppressors are all illegal.
Every person has a unique situation, and even if a gun doesn’t fit my situation, I’m glad it exists to fill the needs of someone else’s situation. And I think it’s very important to remember that, for lots of people, low recoil tolerance is an important factor to their situation. PCCs are, imo, a great suggestion for people who need a long gun but can’t, for reasons like age, illness, or whatever, handle rifle recoil. Among many other reasons to get a PCC even if you are able to handle rifle recoil. But I want to call attention to a market that, so far, I only see the Smith and Wesson EZ deliberately servicing.
Edit: forgot weight. For, say, my sister, who lacks physical strength, an AR is just a bit too heavy and has a bit too much recoil, so even dropping a few pounds and getting a small reduction in recoil can put a gun into her comfort zone.
Just wanted to add that another good handgun option for those with less hand strength is the Ruger Security 380. A friend of mine has lost a lot of hand strength due to a chronic illness, and she replaced her 43x with the Security 380 and loves it. The slide is extremely easy to rack, there's not much recoil with 380, and the trigger is pretty good. Got it for $240, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a handgun that's easier to handle.
Same with my wife. The 11.5" AR pistol is too heavy for her.
that's why I wish the braces didn't become illegal, people who were handicapped could use them as sort of an equalizer against bad guys.
The problem with that argument is that unless you are willing to shell out the cash necessary to get a PCC that uses a roller/radial delayed blowback action, even a cartridge as small as 9mm in a weapon that uses a direct blowback action (as 95% of PCC’s do) has a recoil impulse equal to that of a 5.56 SBR. If you tune that SBR so that it is gassed properly it will even have LESS felt recoil than a 9mm direct blowback gun.
@@crazywhitepeople100If an 11.5” AR pistol with a red dot, flashlight, and a sling is “too heavy” for your wife, you’ve objectively messed up in one of 2 ways: 1). Your choice in equipment 2). Your choice in a wife. You should EASILY be able to get a fully equipped 11.5” AR that weighs less than 7 or 8 lbs..
Another advantage I'd add to having a PCC: access to USPSA PCC division and other PCC competitions. If you're serious about developing your proficiency with your longarm, there are few better options than regularly shooting matches.
Even if you already have an intermediate caliber rifle, a lot of the skills learned competing in PCC translate directly to the more powerful gun: manipulations, reloads, malfunction diagnostics and clearing, developing a natural index and consistent stock placement, sight tracking, shot calling, movement, all these can be honed in matches. Even recoil control is similar as a blowback 9mm AR actually has the potential to kick more than a well-gassed 5.56.
If your primary longarm is an AR, it's possible to create a near-perfect analogue in 9mm. In fact, with Endomag PMAG conversions, it's possible to have a PCC that's visually indistinguishable from your 5.56/.300, although I should stress that this isn't necessary and that even if you compete with a completely different platform like a Ruger PC9 you'll still become a much better rifle shooter.
Shooting in matches will make you a better rifleman from the standpoint of weapons manipulation and marksmanship at speed. From a defensive perspective, the inoculation to stress isn't to be discounted either. Not to mention most folks you'll meet are great and it's just fun as hell.
I've tried telling people this but the reality is most people aren't interested in becoming better shooters, they just want to buy a gun and FEEL like John Wick in their minds.
@@UrbanDefenseSystems Yeah, it's too bad considering that shooting a USPSA stage for the first time is absolutely a John Wick experience for most people. I think a lot of the apprehension from potential first timers is also the self-induced expectation to perform well. People are naturally reluctant to leave their comfort zones
Electronic ear muffs are a essential for me in HD, I keep on the stock of my shotgun that hangs on the wall right next to my bed, able to defend my family, save my hearing, and be able to hear a home invader.
Can confirm about the noise induced flinch. First time shooting 7mm rem mag with muzzle brake the blast startled me
I would like to suggest another reason: magazine compatibility. When I decided I wanted a center fire long gun, I could have bought an entry level AR clone for about the same price as the Ruger PC9. But I already had a TON of Glock mags (and 9mm but he already covered that.) That is something I also considered.
When transitioning my daughter to centerfire cartridges from rimfire, I went with the Beretta CX4 and M9A1. Same ammo, same magazines, and both exceptionally reliable. While i bought her a Colt AR in the Magpul configuration, she had no interest. Eighteen rounds of 9mm should work just fine for personal defense.
I wish I had bought the CX4 when they clearanced them at Walmart.
After 4 deployments I have so many M9 magazines I bought the Beretta M9A1.
They certainly would make a great combo
I have both the S&W FPC and Extar EP9. The Smithy mags add to my main carry range trips and the EP9 is just fun. EP9 uses glock mags so they’re hella cheaper than $40 Smith mags. I’m not into building rifles and have minimal interest in ever doing so. As long as I have the capability to have good defensive rounds that go where I want them 9mm is just fine.
I understand the draw if pcc's but I'd rather have a 5.56 if I'm going to carry a carbine. The extra range and terminal performance are what make the extra weight and bulk worth dealing with for me.
I have a PCC. I bought one when I was new to this game. I wish I had a suppressed AR-15, but I have a PCC, so that’s what I have. I would not want to be a bad guy staring down its barrel, and it is fun to shoot. I’m a little bit accurate out to 100 yards with it, meaning I’ve shot the 2x4 holding the steel target up in two. That was pretty cool.
1- The 9x19mm MP5 delivers a muzzle velocity of 400 m/S with an 8.9 inch barrel at an effective range of 200m.
9X19mm parabellum doesn't exceed an MV of 400 m/s regardless of barrel length because of the smaller cartridge/propellant.
2- The 4.6x30 mm MP7 delivers an MV of 735 m/s with only a 7 inch barrel to penetrate body armor at 200m.
It also delivers a controlled rate of fire of 950 rounds/minute.
A longer barrel length could help extend the range, considering the high propellant to bullet-weight ratio.
3- The 5.7x28mm FN P90 delivers an MV of 715 m/s with 10 to 16 inch barrels for an effective range of 200m and a maximum range of 1.8 KM.
It does so with a breathtaking rate of fire of 1100 rounds/minute.
Down-calibering helps tremendously with controlled automatic fire.
It would take precious seconds to grab and point an FN P90, so I prefer HK MP designs.
4- Thinner bullets have a greater penetrative power. The Mauser 7.63x25mm has a greater penetrative power than the Luger 9x19mm parabellum. A longer bullet could also have the same or greater lethality because the imbalanced mass would tumble on impact, but in practical use larger bullets have greater stopping power to paralyze the nervous system because of a larger instantaneous impact energy.
Great video. I think one feature that isn't huge to everyone but can be a perk is that you can shoot steel with a PCC at distances way closer than one can safely do with a rifle round. I sometimes run drills with my AR in 9mm that I couldn't do with my 5.56 but get similar training value.
I got a Beretta Cx4 Storm and I pair it with my Beretta M9 because of both ammo and magazine commonality.
Ditto!! Great combo
When people used to ask me what firearm I thought was best for home defense, I used to waffle on about "It's all about personal preference" or "There are a lot of variables involved". I still believe those things to an extent, *but* I've steadily come around to the same idea Chris mentions at the end: for a new shooter with little to no firearms experience asking for a general recommendation, who may or may not live with a family, and may or may not get heavily into the hobby of shooting wholesale in the future... I would probably recommend a PCC to them. It has a lot of things going for it. And I say this as someone who doesn't even own one myself!
@NoBody-pw3kf I didn't say anything about recoil. That's missing the point that Chris made and an opinion I share. For new shooters, rifles have an uncomfortable amount of flash and noise (depending on muzzle device) and this is compounded at an indoor range. This creates the perception of extreme recoil in novice shooters where there isn't any and can induce very bad habits like flinching or just not wanting to practice with the rifle in question. I've seen it myself on those I trained and helped to train.
A guy I know had four daughters and a wife, who he wanted to be confident and competent shooters in any farm-and-home emergencies so he wanted them on the range. All five women hated shooting handguns and rifles and loved PCCs. A gun you're willing to practice with, is a huge advantage over one that you shot a few times years ago.
Don't everyone jump all over me...but this is where Highpoint really shines! Their PCC's are mega affordable, reliable...and some ppl think they're not totally ugly! 👹
Mine is VERY accurate for a pcc, and has been 100% reliable with the Hi-Point mags. For the price, they're hard to beat.
Absolutely love my Hi Point. It's so fun to shoot and extremely accurate right out of the box.
You're not wrong, the carbines are pretty great for what they are
They are rough, ugly and always seems to cycle even if you don’t clean them & pretty accurate at 50 yards. I paid $254 for mine and it’s fun. My kids call it the zombie apocalypse gun. Lol
@@Mudhen65 Yeah, I think I paid about $230 for mine back in 2015 or so...I had it cerakoted to look like a Storm Trooper blaster rifle, since I didn't think I would be able to hit anything with it...but it certainly proved me wrong...
The advantages and disadvantages are so well stated in this video, I'm unable to think of anything to add in regard to that. However, there are much-awaited gelatin tests since the PCC video made way back in the pre-C0VID era. I have a feeling there may be some cheap ammo that fails to perform in handguns that a carbine might work wonders with.
If one was traveling in an RV through different states and jurisdictions, a PCC might be a good choice to carry as it's not a handgun or a dreaded "assault rifle" (aka a "weapon of war"). The Ruger PC Carbine is also a "takedown" which makes it easy to stow when desired.
Some states like NY ban semi auto rifles like the Ruger PC carbine if it has a threaded barrel. The only long gun I'm aware of that's 100% legal in all 50 states is a pump action 5rd capacity shotgun.
@@Prepare2Survive They make a unthreaded barrel version. Its why the PC9 is my "travelling" long gun. I haven't checked every state but I travel through a few AWB states and it's legal in those.
Put it in the Magpul backpacker, and you've got a lighter-weight takedown rifle that locks together, holds a 21 round magazine in the buttstock, and has better weight distribution than the original stock. With a brake on mine it still fits into a backpack and I can put rounds on target much further than with a G19 etc.
@@JJ_SDWR Yeah, I agree the magpul backpacker version is a lot lighter weight than my m-lok version. I'm probably just going to sell the m-lok one and keep the backpacker version.
I love my EPC9. But it's not a defensive tool. It's just something I have a ton of fun with at the range. Dont care how practical it is if I'm having fun.
This is the correct answer to the PCC argument. They are just fun!
Why do you say it's not a defensive tool?
You nearly covered this, but one of the reasons I use a suppressed Scorpion SBR for home defense is so that my family and I can still communicate during an incident. I'm not as useful if I'm temporarily deaf, and I'm probably more worried about that than permanent damage, bad as that would be.
Correct
Lol, you think you're a Navy SEAL?
@@SuicideVan wrong
@@DinoNucci you larp as a soldier. I bet you wear a ballcap with a velcro patch on it and call plinking at the range "training."
@@SuicideVan yuck
Great video! I like that you mention less noise. PCCs are a lot less intimidating to new shooters as well. I use one as a stepping stone between a 22 long gun and a AR.
I like PCC’s if only to give shooters more options to choose from
But one problem I have with PCC’s is that a lot of them are blowback operated. It would be nice if they had more sophisticated systems to keep recoil low that also didnt push their pricing into full on rifle territory
CMMG 9mm carbines are extremely soft shooting with their radial delayed blow back. Completely different than a blow back AR9. I have both and like both, but I spent a fair amount of money upgrading the blow back AR9s that I have. Nothing needed as far as I am concerned for the CMMGs. CMMGs were still more money, but better quality.
Sig MPX is not a blowback.
Also, adding insult to injury, is when a manufacturer wants to charge a customer $1,500 for a blowback.
The Ruger PCC shown in the video is blowback and has a recoil considerably higher than 556 or 300BLK from an AR platform.
I picked up a B&T GHM9. Recoil isn't horrible. I also have an AR9, which has been tamed with a silent captured spring and reduced bolt weight. I still remember firing a Cold style 16" carbine. I thought it was broken since the recoil was really bad.
One thing about blowback though is that it's extremely reliable. You can get softer shooting systems, but in my opinion even the worst 9mm recoil really isn't bad. But if it bothers you there are some nice CMMG's you'd like.
Remember that in a self-defense shooting, even if you are judged 100% in the clear by the officers on the scene and everyone up the food chain, the police still have to take the firearm and you're going to have to likely invest in a lawyer unless you're personal friends with the chief of police, so when choosing a self-defense gun, make sure you don't mind the fact that it's cheaper to purchase a new one than hire a lawyer to get you back the original - in other words, don't include the several hundred dollar, $200 dollar tax stamp and one year waiting time suppressor on that firearm.
SBRs - check out the length of an SBR versus that of a bullpup - the bullpup is normally an inch or two shorter AND it has a full 16 inches of barrel, meaning no loss in performance.
OK, so the carbine - why get one?
Not for home defense - get an actual pistol or a shotgun unless you're on enough land that you could realistically be firing at people outside your home who are tens of yards away from you.
The carbine is an intermediate weapon between the pistol and rifle, granting one an effective range of fire from pistol ranges out to 100 yards or so, depending on the carbine and its caliber.
So why a PCC then?
Compatibility of ammo and ideally also, magazines, between the carbine and your pistol.
This is a time, resource, cost and even space savings since everything is the same between the two, meaning one supply of ammo and one supply of magazines rather than two different ones.
The PCC is intended more as a backup than primary arm - something that's kept as a just in case in a trunk, boat or backpack rather than as a first/primary choice of firearm.
That's why I scored the Kel Tec sub2000 as its ability to fold in half and rapidly be deployed, along with good quality for under $500 make it the best PCC out there to have as that just in case that can fit in any vehicle or backpack - heck, even a laptop bag.
That's the thing that folks don't seem to understand about PCCs - they are back up, just in case or SHTF GTFO bag guns - something that gives you a bit more range and power than your pistol and whose ammo and (ideally) magazines are interchangeable, thus making for far more flexibility in use.
Another great video from Lucky Gunner. You guys put out great content so I am sure you be targeted by Prude Tube. Anyway I love the PCC idea simply because the shorter barrel lengths like 7 and 8 inch barrels but the increase in velocity plus the sound reduction that you talk about and they seem handy. If I was starting from zero I would look hard at 300 Blackout but I don't see enough reason to bail on the pistol caliber carbines for now. Keep up the good work .
The sub-5mm cartridge isn't a novelty.
I've been studying encyclopedias, books, journals and magazines on national security, defense, and war for over 50 years, since the age of 9, and have practically used most of these weapons long before I earned my BS degree in engineering, and embarked on an executive career more than 34 years ago.
I first read about the 4.73x33mm HK G11 that fired caseless ammunition in 1978, 1979 or 1980.
I never got to use it because it never went into production.
It was a scoped, bull-pup design somewhat like the French FAMAS and the British SAR80.
It failed only because the logistics and use of careless ammunition was very complicated.
I still believe the 4.6/4.7mm calibre holds great promise for close quarter combat.
The German Kurz was 7.92x33mm, and it was still practical for controlled automatic fire.
The German 7.63x25mm was controllable even with short barrel lengths.
The German 4.73x33mm with. 21 inch barrel was good even at assault ranges of 300 to 400m.
I believe anything under 5.8mm with a case length of 33mm should be good for controlled fire even with short barrel lengths and even good at assault ranges of around 300 to 400 meters.
For close quarter combat, I think magazine capacity of 75 to 90 rounds, like the PPsh-41, would be preferable.
For sniping, barrel lengths of 24 to 30 inches do help with larger ammo.
Hybrid assault/close quarter combat rifles like the AK74/M-16 carbine have barrel lengths of around 14.5 to 15.5 inches.
I, personally, would want a bullpup with a 21inch barrel.
For close quarter combat, 7 to 10 inch barrels can be easily used even in enclosed spaces.
With a bullpup design, it might be easier to even use a 10 to 16 inch barrel in enclosed spaces.
A pistol with 6 to 7 inch barrel might be handy in a vehicle, giving one a range of around 100m.
Anything over 4.4 inches might be too inconvenient for concealed carry.
I like PCCs for the simple logistics. We have a Beretta PX4 pistol and a Beretta CX4 PCC that take the exact same ammo and magazines, so we load up spares that can be grabbed and used in either platform on the fly as needed. I don't have any illusion that the PCC is as effective as a rifle, but with an ACSS reticle I can hit steel with it out to 200y. And the PCC can be used on steel at shorter ranges than a rifle, more training is more better! The PCC just keeps it simple and is way more accurate than a 5" pistol; one ammo, one magazine, 2 platforms.
I enjoy my Sub 2000, particularly the ability to fold it in half and drop it in a backpack. I have 30 rnd Glock mags with FMJ specifically for shooting through it.
Let me tell you, the sling assist method is good enough that I wouldn't even bother with the hassle for SBRing, say, a Stribog or other small form factor PCC. Incredibly effective.
I had a Beretta CX4 Storm in 9mm. It was originally meant to sit in a police-cruiser, and in the event of a stand-off where the cops are leaning over their car's hood with handguns drawn, instead, they'd be using the CX4 Storm, which would even use the same magazines as their Beretta 92s. It doesn't make the 9mm hit any harder (it adds barely anything to FPS), it _DOES_ make the longer shots much more likely. I had a simple 3-9 scope on mine, and hitting 50 yard steel was easy all day long.
My complaint with the CX4 Storm was that it didn't suppress well, because it was blow-back design, and putting a silencer on it made for a lot more crap blowing out of the ejection port. In addition to more debris coming out of the breach, it also was loud for being a suppressed 9mm. Also, the CX4 Storm actually had 7 variations -- one in 45 ACP, three in 40 S&W, and three in 9mm. The only difference between them was what pistol magazine it accepted. Mine took Cougar mags, and I couldn't find those in anything greater than a capacity of 15. Third and finally, the CX4 Storm doesn't SBR very well, due to its design where very little barrel is exposed.
But it was highly reliable. It was boringly accurate. It was also weirdly over-engineered by having a chrome-lined barrel... for a 9mm. Overall it was probably even more elegantly simple than a GLOCK, and I'm sure that helped its reliability.
I ultimately sold it and got a Sig MPX. The recoil impulse is a lot lower, because the mass of the bolt for an MPX has got to be about a quarter -- _or less_ -- than the mass of the Storm's bolt, which is *heavy.* I also have a comically short barrel on my MPX at just under 4 inches, making it the ballistic twin of a GLOCK 19. Finally, I have a comically large suppressor on it, and overall, it's short, still easy to hit at 50 yards, holds 32+1, and doesn't fart on me whenever I shoot it.
There's definitely a niche of PCCs, you just have to know what it is. They're cheap to shoot, suppress way better than any rifle cartridge (except possibly 300 BLK), and prevent you from having to stock multiple cartridges. But they're weak... and they'll struggle with even intermediate ranges.
@NoBody-pw3kf Except for subsonic 300 BLK, nothing else is even close to subsonic 9mm in the rifle-cartridge area. You've gotta' be watching too much Hollywood if you think otherwise.
I use my SUB2000s more than other long guns as I carry almost daily. They suit my purpose for get home gun and work fine against unarmored targets. I use the pcc as more compact, less weight and ammo/mag compatible with carry pistol.
Mine's my trainer gun. .22lr for the very basics of safety, mechanics, and others. The Sub2000 is the next step to get them used to larger loads and bigger bang.
Its also better than nothing in a SHTF
Quite refreshing to see somebody bring up the noise issue. Firing guns outside without hearing protection can be bad enough. Firing guns in enclosed spaces, like you've seen in cinema countless times, can and will (as you say) damage your hearing permanently, or at least leave you with lasting tinnitus. As someone who had extremely mild tinnitus before a bout with C-19 worsened it, I can only say that everyone should not only appreciate not having it, they should go to extreme lengths not to aggravate it. Using a heavy pistol caliber with subsonic ammo for home defense is one way to go about that. You may never need it, but you shouldn't have to get tinnitus to avert a home invasion.
Ruger PCC is my favorite!
great vid. Two additional comments: 1) the convenience factor of being able to shoot at indoor ranges is huge, and 2) pistol caliber ammo like Liberty Civil Defense will give that PCC hydroshock-level smack\punch, without nearly as much passthrough risk vs a rifle round.
I have a Hi-Point in 9mm
The K-Car of PCC's.
I love it, and it hasn't had a misfire in 500 rounds.
Hi Point👍!
I agree, being a Scorpion owner myself, it is a blast to shoot at the range.
I have the exact PC 9 you are showing.. It is a family favorite...there is actually MORE recoil than with the AR, but it's not a problem with anyone, maybe because this particular PCC is a tad on the heavier side because of the takedown feature, it looks a little more traditional than the AR, and as you mentioned, it makes considerably less noise than the AR.. seems that less frequent shooters and novices take to it like a duck to water. If you intro'd new shooters to the gun world with the venerable Ruger 10-22, then the PC9 is just a step up to a bigger brother.. And I like shooting 9mm at 30 cents/round vs 223 at 50+ cents/round.
If you're inclined, seek out a Magpul Backpacker stock for it. I put one on my PC9 and it redistributes the weight nicely, plus it holds a 21 round Magpul mag in a waterproof buttstock compartment. Also, when taken down the two pieces lock together with the Magpul stock, as opposed to the Ruger stock that just separates into two.
You missed a point: the environment you live, if you live in a crowded urban environment you might not want to touch off a 223 in an apartment building.
I think it would be good for you to walk us through the outfitting of a PCC to a suppressed SBR, from acquisition of a Ruger PC Carbine and suppressor, Tax stamping, maybe using a trust, Reducing bbl length to 8" with threading, installation of a collapsible stalk, installation of a red dot, etc. I'd love to see accuracy testing too, indoor ranges and 50 yards or so. Worth mentioning what pistols go with the magazine options.
The great advantage of PCC's it's miniaturization, because they can get smaller and lighter than any rifle, and considering subsonic projectiles only the permanent cavity is that causes damage, so the advantage of the lethality that the rifles had now isn't applicable (although the reason for the subsonic rifles exist is that they lose much less speed with the distance compared to the subsonic pistol projectiles, but in a personal defense scenario it is very difficult this type of scenario happens, so it makes more sense using PCC's for personal defense)
My home carbine is a Beretta CX4 Storm. It’s small, lightweight, compact, excellent for use in CQB (especially since I’m a rather larger guy and have found that a standard carbine is more difficult to maneuver in confined areas), and you can also deck it out with anything a rifle caliber carbine has. I love it. Obviously you have multiple tools in your tool box for specific situations, and I have higher caliber rifles, but IMO a PCC is an excellent middle ground for home defense.
I love my Rossi 92 carbine in .357 Magnum. With its 16" barrel, it's very light and handy; very accurate too.
Also, I can attest to 5.56 being extremely unpleasant to shoot at an indoor range. And yes, that is with hearing protection. I, personally, would NOT use any 5.56 rifle for home defense.
Love my rossi 92 as well. Its a handy little firearm.
#5 Compatibility with pistol magazines. A bugout or an away from home situation with say a Glock 17 & a PCC that uses Glock 17 magazines would be very practical and cost effective.
I have five Rossi 92 lever guns. Three in 357 mag and two in 44 mag. All have been great. With the NOE bullet mold scout rail and a low power 2-7x long eye relief scope I can get some very good accuracy with my handloads. Efficiency wise both 357 mag and 44 mag from a rifle gives 50% to 100% more kinetic energy per grain of gun powder used than most other bottle neck calibers. With 223/556 or 308 win or even 30-06 sprg you're getting around 55 to 60 ft lbs muzzle energy per grain of gun powder used, but with a 357 mag or 44 mag rifle I can easily get over 100 ft lbs muzzle energy for each grain of gun powder. That means you're literally getting more bang for your buck. DISCLAIMER - NO I'm not saying a 357 mag or 44 mag rifle has more total muzzle energy than 308 win or 30-06. I'm saying it's more of an efficient use of gun powder.
.357 Mag Carbines are underappreciated by most people. That extra barrel length can provide more than magnum performance. The Remington 158gr SJHP fired from a carbine has impressive results and should work very well as a manstopper.
Chris I have been watching you for years and have gained much knowledge m. This video was such the case. vey informative was common sense.
One thing about the PCC is that it increases your ammo costs - because they are so dang fun to shoot!
I have two PCCs and love them both. One is an M1 Carbine in .30 Carbine, and the other is marginally a PCC (.223/.556 - yeah there are pistol AR-15s), so it might count) - its an Mini-14. They are light weight, easy to use and i really like the "traditional" vs. "Tactical," which I'm told can cause legal problems from judges, prosecutors and gun-ignorant juries. As a military historian, i like the tradirional wood stocks because ... history
I love my PCC. If I can't handle some junkie burglar with 34 rounds of 9mm JHP, then nothing else would help anyway.
I used to practice a whole lot with my “battle belt” with my full size and extra mag pouches and rifle but this year I promised myself to practice with my CCW handgun way more. Which I have it’s on me everyday. Still practice with my rifle and full size handgun but not as much as I used to.
I think another advantage you could add is the ability to shoot a PCC at any range. I know a number of indoor ranges that don't allow rifle cartridges like 5.56. Depending on where you live that could be a big deal.
Didn't watch the video, huh?
PCCs are super fun which is the most compelling argument for them imo. They're great to put in the hands of a new shooter that might be intimidated by the noise or the reputation of a rifle like an AR.
I am considering getting a Hi Point 10mm carbine. I like the 10mm and right now S&W and Ruger do not offer them.
If Ruger would build one (10mm, .357, or even .44 mag) like their old .44 mag carbine, I would buy it in a heartbeat.
having the 995 carbine i can say if you can get it get it. Hi-point carbines are pretty good for how inexpensive they can come.
Really fun with the high tower armory bullpup setup.
I keep hoping they do in 357. That'd be fun as hell
Maybe if we all tell Ruger how we feel they will make a .357
Yup, you have to look hard for bad words about the hi point 10mm carbine...the only negative is the non-capatible magazines, elsewise the gun rocks 10mm...lifetime warranty, excellent customer service, affordable...if you don't like it you shouldn't have a problem finding a willing buyer, who would enjoy the exact same warranty...hmm...
Instead of taking numbers from a web site, why don't you test it yourself. Going from a 5" barrel 1911 to a 18" barrel PCC, the velocity for my home defense round jumps from 830 fps to 1060 fps. That's actual real world velocities. That is a 31% increase in velocity. And since energy is a function of the velocity squared, the energy jumps from 392 ft lbs to 604 ft lbs - a whopping 54% increase in energy. If that 830 fps sounds low, it's because I purposely downloaded it to keep the noise down when fired indoors.
Which brings up that issue about noise levels:
The muzzle pressure for the 5" barrel is 2958 psi (GRT simulation).
With the 18" barrel it is only 609 psi.
My 5.56 load in a 16" barrel has 14,921 psi muzzle pressure. I am NOT FIRING THAT INDOORS, THANK YOU!
Oh, and the 45 load is using Gold Dot bullets which are bonded so they hold together.
That Beretta a is super awesome if you can change ejection sides and charging handle sides. DeSantis makes a butt stock pouch for it that holds two spare mags up to 20 rounds.
Love my CX 4
You can change everything I am a lefty and I changed the ejection so I could fire left handed and change it back for my wife
For those of us that primarily own guns because they love to shoot, carbines are great! Highly recommend the Thompson or m1. Lots of fun.
Depends on where you live. In Canada, we can’t have pistols. (Were previously extremely regulated now basically illegal) our semi automatic long guns are by law 5 round capacity (pistols capped at 10 rounds per mag)
So the PCC fills an important niche, north of the 49th anyway.
Liberty Civil Defense 9mm is a zippy round. Advertized velocity is 2,000 fps, and WHO_TEE_WHO tested it in a 16" carbine and got 2,600 fps out of it. I'm not sure I'd use that for home defense, though. Military Arms Channel punched through 3A with it using a pistol and I saw another video of a guy shooting through a car door with it. It is also incredibly loud.
put a sound suppressor on it (the cx4, not the px4) or wear elec muffs
Would be nice if CA allowed suppressors.
I am puzzled by the fact you did not bring up that an advantage of PCCs is the ability to have gun combos, as in having two guns with only having to carry one ammo, especially if they use the same magazine. For myself and many people I know, that is the "number one" reason for a PCC. You mention the fact that a PCC increases the velocity of a pistol round a little but say nothing about how much it increases the accuracy of a pistol round (compared to just a pistol itself).
a PCC with a red dot for self defense (in the home at least, kind of hard to carry it concealed) is my preferred tool...can get off multiple shots with pin point accuracy just in case one shot doesn't do the trick. Seeing the CX4 Storm in the video made me smile
Amazing how many comments are on a video posted 2 mins ago, lol. I'm gonna go back and watch the whole thing, I swear.
You are my hero
I'm flattered. At this point I'm supposed to say that my wife is my hero ... or else I'll get in trouble.@@LuckyGunner
Wish they would do more 10mm pcc. When I see a 9mm, I think "nah." But 10mm, I think "well okay, yeah that'll definitely do the job."
You don't always need a rifle
If you reload, doing straight walled pistol calibers is much much easier than bottle neck rifle rounds.
Not all of us are GunTubers that get ammo for free.
Watching some videos yesterday and they were putting decent hand size (big hand) groups at 200yd.
This me on PCC. It all depends on what PCC you're using and buying. I don't see a point of dropping like $1200+ on certain PCC 9mm platforms. When talking about M1 Carbine or those replica historical firearms these are a different story.
M1 are not a PCC. .30 carbine is not a pistol round. I think you’re thinking more about the form factor of the carbine.
hand loads can make a huge difference regardless of barrel length, especially for one particular caliber.the longer barrel does require being more picky with bullet choice, but the increase is very noticeable. definitely more expansion, if not fragmentation. but with a double or triple it's all good
9mm ammo is cheaper than rifle ammo... so you can afford more... meaning you can shoot more often... meaning you can become proficient, which is the most important factor in the question, "What do I use in an emergency situation?" Control, muscle memory operation, sufficient stopping power for the situation and complete familiarity with what to do in case of a malfunction... those are my primary considerations
It's smart to sneak in these videos with the "NEW" results y'all are working on in-house that you haven't published yet. ...Honestly, you should ride that results train as much as you can, by pumping out a video or 2 a week; it's OK if ya trim down the editing, or production quality.
I just wish the ruger pcc weighed the same or less as the m1 carbine. But I get it. It's cheaper and simpler to make a blowback rifle. Just adds some weight penalty.
Long barrel also means longer sights. Which translates to better accuracy. Hitting at more than 50m with a handgun is hard for a novice. It's very easy with a PCC!
You also forgot to mention: less ammo types to manage. If you buy your PCC with handgun compatible mags, thats another win. It makes sense on a logistics point of view.
I was trained for building clearing in the military and there is a reason the .30 carbine and Thompson were so popular for QCB. There's nothing as fast and accurate up close as a PCC.
Each type of firearm (pistol, PCC, AR15) has its unique place for home defense.
PCC vs pistol => pros: more accurate, less recoil, more muzzle energy, less muzzle blast/flash; cons: hard to maneuver.
PCC vs AR15 => pros: less muzzle blast/flash, less ammo cost; cons: less muzzle energy.
A person should choose according to their individual situation and preference. For me I would choose a pistol for an apartment, a PCC for a medium/large house, and an AR15 for a house with a large yard like in a farm.
2:57 I trust your velocity data, though through my non-scientific personal experience, a 115grain projectile out of my 16” AR9 seems to slap around a dueling tree steel plate a lot harder than 10% more than my 3.9” Star BM at 7 yards. Rounds from my carbine knock that plate around with authority, whereas my pistol may only sometimes knock the plate halfway. Again this is just my experience, with no numbers to back me up.
Energy goes up as the square of velocity.
From the book 115 gr 9mm at 1300 fps has 431 ft lbs, at 1450 fps it has 537 ft lbs.
So an 11.5% increase in velocity made a 24.5% in energy.
Wow Another great vid. I have all kinds of rifles but my favorite is the Ruger PC 9. Easy to shoot ,very accurate and easy to move and shoot. The last time I shot through a chronograph velocity from hard ball was @ 1400 FPS. At 50 to 75 yards the target will have lots of holes and so will a bad guy. It will do the job very well. It will also break down into a suit case. It uses Glock mags and it has a big stick installed right now and it's ready for trouble.
Chris Baker, you are a pretty cool dude.
He's probably a secret relative of mine. I hope so, at least.
Pcc definitely does bridge the gap for longer distance sort of a "snipers pistol" of sorts. Yes the added 200 fps out of a 9mm doesn't matter at self defense distances but longer barrel, full size rifle optics and a stock, suddenly you're able to take effective shots beyond 50 yards where that increased velocity DOES make a difference beyond typical handgun distances where you're projectile is still able to expand properly, you start out at higher velocity it will carryore velocity at distance and still reliably expand unlike losing too much velocity and dropping below the expansion threshold out of say a 4 inch barrel.
PCC are perfect when under 10 inches and full auto for self defense
Repeal the NFA
Thats what is called sub machine gun
"Weak" is relative. If you're defending your living room, 9mm is perfectly adequate for the job, regardless of "weak" ballistic performance relative to .223 or 12 gauge, or whatever.
I love my PSA AK-v 9mm
You left off the most compelling advantage for PCCs. They are so easy to shoot accurately. I can shoot groups at 25 yards that I struggle to get with a pistol at 10 yards.