Opinion: This glorious article first appeared on AmmoLand Information in June of 2019 and seems right here now with recent updates.Tom Mchale opinions the Ruger PC Carbine.
The Ruger PC Carbine is new and improved from the unique launched a number of years in the past.
When it hit the market, the carbine wasn’t the primary to marry pistol and rifle caliber and journal compatibility, however it positive was nifty – to not point out enjoyable. Now, a few years into the household tree, you possibly can order two varieties: an ordinary forend mannequin accessible in 9mm and .40 S&W and the brand new free-floated barrel model with M-LOK handguard proven right here. The 2 rifles function identically with a blowback design and each are takedown fashions with threaded barrels. Extra on that later. We’re going to deal with the spiffier M-LOK model as that’s the carbine that considered one of you’ll win.
The PC Carbine M-LOK mannequin is out there in 9mm solely (for now) and makes use of Ruger SR9 magazines. A 17-round magazine is included with this rifle. The thought is which you could share not solely ammo however magazines between the carbine and your Ruger handgun. Should you’re the winner of this carbine, you’ll additionally get a Ruger Safety 9 pistol that makes use of the identical journal. Should you don’t win the carbine/pistol package deal and occur to hold a preferred Austrian pistol, no worries. The PC Carbine comes with a replaceable journal properly insert that accepts normal Glock 9mm double-stack magazines. That will get significantly fascinating when you connect one of many 33 rounders.
The journal compatibility isn’t the one factor that’s versatile concerning the PC Carbine. The journal launch and bolt charging deal with are reversible. Out of the field, the magazine launch button is on the left and the charging deal with on the best. The security is a cross-bolt kind that runs via the entrance of the set off guard.
Should you care, one visible design ingredient of the PC Carbine is that it’s much less scary to these with the snowflake gene as a result of it makes use of an ordinary rifle-type inventory, not a type of super-scary pistol grips. There’s a spacer within the field so you possibly can add to the size of pull when you want it. The butt pad is textured rubber so while you lean this towards a capturing bench or wall, it gained’t fall over. That’s additionally good for holding the rifle planted firmly in place in your shoulder pocket.
The included sights are aperture irons. The entrance is a submit protected by metal wings and the rear is an aperture that’s adjustable for each windage and elevation. It’s positioned on the rear of the forend so there may be by no means any misalignment while you takedown the carbine – each entrance and rear sights are on the identical hunk of metallic. Whereas we’re speaking concerning the forend, that free-floated barrel is housed inside an M-LOK handguard with mounting factors on the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions. In between these are beneficiant cutouts to cut back weight and supply airflow to the barrel.
Go Forward, Break it in Half!
The brand new Ruger PC Carbine proven here’s a takedown mannequin. Which means it’s designed to be damaged in half – on goal.
The breakdown course of couldn’t be simpler, and I imply that actually. Below the forend, you’ll see a sliding button sitting in a recessed space the scale of your finger. Push that button ahead about ¼ of an inch and rotate the handguard 1/eighth of a flip clockwise (when wanting in direction of the muzzle) and take away the entrance finish. That’s it. No instruments or undue power required. If you put it again collectively, the 2 halves lock up tight to the purpose the place there isn’t a detectable motion. Do you have to ever want to regulate the lockup stress, there’s an adjustment ring accessible on the highest facet.
Because the separation level is ahead of the rail, none of this breaking and packing interferes along with your optic or zero, so knock your self out. Take it down. Throw it in your backpack or automobile, and also you’ll be good to go while you re-assemble. It’s an excellent design.
Taking pictures the PC Carbine
I had a little bit of an ethical dilemma on how you can configure this carbine. Ought to it have a pink dot sight on the receiver rail or a low-magnification scope? Since I couldn’t resolve, I attempted each on totally different outings.
For the primary vary journey, I mounted the brand new Crimson Hint CTS-1000 pink dot sight. This one may be an “always-on” mannequin because it reduces its energy stage after a number of hours of inactivity. It’s obtained a two-MOA dot, so it’s a lot exact for 9mm carbine distances. At 50 yards, that dot covers only one inch of goal. With the exceptionally crisp and clear dot (assume fashions costing twice as a lot), I did a lot of the accuracy testing with this configuration. Once I shot the identical ammo with a magnified scope, there was no detectable distinction in group dimension. That’s a testomony to the optic high quality. The opposite nifty profit is that the quick-attach mount of the Crimson Hint CTS-1000 has a see-through hole base. That allowed me to view the usual aperture sights proper below the pink dot, so I had a selection on how you can shoot – irons or optics. If you wish to go old style, there’s no have to take away the optic. Once I purchase considered one of these carbines, the Crimson Hint CTS-1000 shall be key to my everlasting configuration.
For the following journey, I mounted a Steiner P4Xi 1-4x24mm scope. On the decrease magnification ranges, this scope supplied easy two-eyes open capturing as properly, however as a real optic, didn’t supply an uninterrupted subject of view that the pink dot offered. For a subject rifle, I would maintain the Steiner in place because the 4x magnification actually turns out to be useful at 50 and 100 yards. For dwelling protection use, the Crimson Hint CTS-1000 wins fingers down.
I examined a boatload of 9mm ammo via this PC Carbine, primarily as a result of it’s extremely enjoyable to shoot. The seven-pound weight mixed with 9mm chambering implies that there isn’t a considerable recoil or concussion. It is a carbine that the entire household, even these skittish about large muzzle blast, will take pleasure in capturing.
I examined velocity of the PC Carbine as a result of I needed to see how a lot velocity the 16.12-inch barrel would generate over that of the pistol. I’m together with the outcomes from the Safety 9 pistol so you possibly can see the distinction.
Ammunition
PC Carbine Velocity (fps)
Safety 9 Velocity (fps)
Speer Gold Dot 9mm 124 grain
1,277.7
1,091.7
Federal HST 9mm 124 grain
1,264.3
1,096.5
Sig Sauer V-Crown 9mm 124 grain
1,323.0
1,132.0
Sig Sauer FMJ 9mm 115 grain
1,309.7
1,106.0
Inceptor ARX 9mm 74 grain
1,660.7
NA
Sig Sauer M17 V-Crown +P 9mm 124 grain
1,257.3
1,142.0
Sig Sauer M17 FMJ +P 9mm 124 grain
1,438.7
1,225.7
Federal Syntech Coaching Match 9mm 147 grain
1,144.3
969.8
Federal Syntech Protection 9mm 138 grain
1,240.7
1,044.0
Blazer Brass 9mm 147 grain
1,201.3
969.3
So, in spherical numbers, and relying on the ammo, you’ll get an additional 200 fps or so from the carbine, all else being equal.
I additionally examined the Ruger PC Carbine for Accuracy and measured the next five-shot group sizes from 50 yards.
Ammunition
Group Dimension, 50 Yards
Speer Gold Dot 9mm 124 grain
1.05”
Federal HST 9mm 124 grain
1.42”
Sig Sauer V-Crown 9mm 124 grain
1.27”
Sig Sauer FMJ 9mm 115 grain
1.81”
Inceptor ARX 9mm 74 grain
0.72”
Sig Sauer M17 V-Crown +P 9mm 124 grain
1.18”
Sig Sauer M17 FMJ +P 9mm 124 grain
1.31”
Federal Syntech Coaching Match 9mm 147 grain
3.11”
Federal Syntech Protection 9mm 138 grain
2.02”
Blazer Brass 9mm 147 grain
1.05”
A Quiet Carbine
The brand new Ruger PC Carbine comes with a threaded barrel. I’ll must look it up, however I’m fairly positive which means it’s important to put a suppressor on it, no less than part-time, else you run afoul of the Nationwide Firearms Act and danger a penalty of getting to give up all of your weapons to me.
Anyway, the 1/2×38 threading is normal, so I popped on a SilencerCo Octane 45 silencer, taking care to switch the interior booster spring with a hard and fast spacer. As this carbine has a hard and fast barrel, you don’t wish to use a suppressor with a booster system else you’ll danger an inside baffle strike and wonky efficiency. Ask me how I do know the implications of forgetting that little element. Additionally, the Ruger has a rubber washer below the thread protector, so make sure to take away that too. Basically, a suppressor ought to mount to the barrel with out something in between – excluding inflexible spacer washers if wanted.
I wasn’t positive if I’d be capable of discover a subsonic load for this configuration or not, given the additional barrel size and leading to increased velocity. Some hundreds I examined unsuppressed have been proper on the sting of the sound barrier. In my capturing circumstances, the velocity of sound on vary day was 1,141 ft per second. You’ll find out the velocity of sound for any temperature utilizing a useful on-line calculator offered by the USA Climate Service. See, taxes aren’t an entire waste.
Anyway, all of my examined hundreds ran supersonic so whereas the muzzle blast was muffled there was nonetheless the downrange supersonic crack. Then I remembered I had a stash of American Eagle 124-grain suppressor ammo. I figured the extra-long barrel, in comparison with pistols anyway, may nonetheless trigger this load to interrupt the sound barrier, however it didn’t. In actual fact, the typical velocity of this ammo was simply 1,057.0 fps when fired from the suppressed carbine. It was quiet, quiet, quiet. I’ve to confess that I used to be a bit embarrassed to be firing this setup on the rifle line as my noise stage wasn’t almost as ear-shattering as everybody else’s.
The Backside Line
The web-net of all this capturing is straightforward. Considered one of you goes to be a really fortunate dudette or dude. Whereas this rifle feels a tad on the “heavy” facet while you decide it up, that’s considered one of its endearing qualities. It shoots like a .22 LR by way of blast and recoil. As for versatility, you are able to do lots with this carbine. It would make an distinctive dwelling protection gun, simply usable by most any (educated) member of the household. It makes for a fantastic car gun. It’s moveable, so be happy to take it into the woods in your pack. It’s additionally a super-fun vary plinker. I’m having some severe heartburn about having to go and ship this carbine to considered one of you. That’s OK Nevertheless, I’ll recover from it. Your happiness will carry me pleasure and this rifle is price each penny, so I’ll be buying my very own.
Ruger PC Carbine Specs
Inventory: Black Artificial with Aluminum Free-Float Handguard
Capability: 17
Barrel Size: 16.12″
General Size: 34.37″
Barrel Function: Threaded, Fluted
Entrance Sight: Protected Blade
Rear Sight: Adjustable Ghost Ring
Thread Sample: 1/2″-28
Weight: 7 lb.
Size of Pull: 12.62″ – 14.12″
Materials: Aluminum Alloy
End: Kind III Hardcoat Anodized
Twist: 1:10″ RH
Grooves: 6
Urged Retail: $729.00
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About Tom McHale
Tom McHale is the writer of the Sensible Guides e book collection that guides new and skilled shooters alike in a enjoyable, approachable, and sensible means. His books can be found in print and eBook format on Amazon. You may also discover him on Fb, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
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