The Ruger Pistol Caliber Carbine was a surprise to me. It took me back nearly 18 years to the Ruger PC-4 Carbine, an item I wrote about from the perspective of the police patrol rifle.
In that pre-9/11 era, many agencies were squirrely about letting their cops have centerfire rifles that looked like “machine guns.” It was the midst of the Clinton Gun and Magazine Ban, which – like 9/11 and the GWOT – helped make the AR-15 “America’s Rifle.”
Still, the utility of a pistol caliber carbine isn’t lost on many of us. The Global War on Terror vanished (while the threat remained) and the AR-15’s tremendous run-up has slowed as people consider recreation.
There are competitive stages for pistol caliber carbines now; centerfire rifles wreck steel targets and require longer safe stand-off distances. Older guns, like the original Ruger PC- and Marlin Camp Carbine, have grown in perceived value.
Ruger jumped in with a real update on the model. Starting at the front and top, the 16” fluted barrel has a thread protector and O-ring to secure it on the 1/2"-28 threaded muzzle. It’s a take-down, operating just like the 10/22 Takedown model and there’s a rail section at 6 o’clock on the front of the forend for a white light. Atop the barrel is a front sight with protective wings –some few don’t like the military-style front sight configuration because it “confuses” them. The rear sight, also barrel mounted, is an adjustable peep.
The take-down feature goes beyond portability: it also makes it easy to clean the chamber and bore from the rear, like you’re supposed to.
The aluminum receiver also has a pic rail topside. The bolt’s charging handle is reversible, from right to left side. Similarly, the magazine catch can be placed on right or left – I’m considering moving it to the right side and the charging handle to the left, but that’s a personal preference.
Moving back, the length of pull is adjustable with addition-or-deletion of spacers a la the Ruger Scout. There’s a cross-bolt safety similar to the Ruger PC- system of so many years ago and the magazine well is easily changed to a (provided) magazine well to fit the available-everywhere Glock 9mm magazine.
The action is a blowback using a tungsten “dead blow” weight to cushion the impact. Shipping with a 17-round magazine (to free states) and with the SR-Series/Security-9 mag well installed, the Glock magazine well is included. A magazine well for the Ruger American Pistol magazine can be ordered from http://shopruger.com/ .
Okay, so you have a nearly 7-pound 9mm pistol. What’s it good for? That’s the question on the internet.
Back in the day, I’d likely have run it half to death then specified it for patrol duties. Yes, it’s just a feeble pistol cartridge, but it’s in a package that’s enough easier to shoot accurately that it gives confidence – and that’s important in a fight.
How is it more accurate for people to shoot? Nearly 18 years ago, I wrote:
“We have a higher hit potential because (1) there are more points of index with long guns than with handguns, and (2) because, at distance, good and bad alike take to cover. They expose less of their body when shooting. The only target the officer may have is the subject’s head. Even at 25 yards, the rank-and -file can take that shot.”
While I had the Ruger PC-4, a 40 caliber carbine, for testing all those many years ago, we had a situation in my neighborhood. I was still on the job at the time. A criminal offender shot at an undercover officer in the area. The response consisted of heavily armed SWAT officers who combed the area looking for him. I spoke to some of the officers, who knew me from the sheriff’s office, as I drove into the neighborhood returning home shortly after the event. I knew that I’d have to let the dog out in our fenced back yard as soon as we got home.
I was concerned about the armed offender running about, so I got the Ruger PC4GR out of the safe, slung it and went out with the dog. Between Topeka Police Rangemaster Dave Thomas, Instructors Chuck Haggard and Sheriff’s Instructor Mike Rafferty all shooting the gun, the Ruger had proved itself on the range. I had no worries.
I was with a group giving the current PCC an examination at Gunsite last month. We shot the PCC a considerable amount. I think the accuracy may be better than in the previous 40 caliber version.
The samples were accurate, soft-shooting and reliable. Now, just what are they good for? If you have an AR – or even a revolver-caliber lever gun – do you need the PCC?
I’m not sure what “need” has to do with it. The PCC is chambered for the cheapest, most easily available centerfire ammo in the country. It’s M1Carbine-light and handy, but reliable – and was found to be reliable with Glock magazines as well as the Ruger SR mags. It’s configurable into a small package, via the take down feature, making it a nice carbine for the camp.
Like all pistol-caliber carbines, it’s range ready for fun shooting, particularly on steel. MGM Targets brought a selection of steel targetsto Gunsite and shooters made good use of them.
Want to move a newer shooter up from the 22 – say the 10/22? What better way than the Ruger PCC?
Finally, we can carry a long gun that takes the same magazines as the pistol we carry. This increases our practical reach if not power and that confidence is critical.
This has taken a long time in returning. If you believe this format canmeet your needs, it’s better to get this current productionmodel than try to find and maintain an older pistol-caliber carbine. Parts can get hard to find.
I liked the PC4 and kicked myself for not buying it. Not sure I’ll make that mistake this time.
- - Rich Grassi