Pistol Caliber Carbines (PCC) have become extremely popular in recent years. And when Ruger unveiled its new 9mm Ruger PC Carbine at the 2018 SHOT Show it was one of the most popular new guns displayed.
The operating action was a direct blowback, using a two-piece bolt with a dead blow tungsten weight that shortened the bolt travel. The bolt was machined from heattreated chrome-moly steel and the receiver from aluminum alloy with a Type III hardcoat anodized finish. Additional features included a reversible magazine release, oversize charging handle, enhanced trigger system from the Ruger 10/22 and the same simplified operation that has made the Ruger 10/22 one of the most popular rimfire rifles among Steel Challenge competitors. The barrel was 16.12 inches in length, cold hammer-forged from chrome moly steel with a 1:10-inch twist, fluted and including a well-shaped feed ramp. The muzzle was threaded ½-inch x 28 to accept standard muzzle accessories.
Also, like the Ruger 10/22 Takedown Lite, it was a takedown model, allowing the barrel to quickly separate from the action to open both up for a quick and thorough cleaning.
The gun accepted Ruger SR9 magazines, but an adapter module was included that allowed the use of Glock G17 magazines, including its 30-round model.
The Ruger PC 9mm used a sporter stock that made the gun, with the exception of a bit more weight, almost identical to the 10/22 Takedown Lite that I shoot in Steel Challenge A Class. When I tested the new gun, I was impressed enough to buy it. It quickly got me to SCSA A Class in PCCO.
Not all PCC shooters like a sporter-style stock. In late 2019, Ruger offered them an option.
PC Carbine Chassis
The new Ruger PC Carbine Chassis models ($799, Ruger.com) feature the same operating action, controls, takedown mode and barrel features as the original model listed above. The only difference is in the stock and forearm configuration. Three models are available. The Model 19122 I tested includes all the above features and ships with a 17-round Ruger SR9 magazine. The Model 19124 is the same gun with a 10-round SR9 magazine. The Model 19126 has the Magpul stock fixed in place (no LOP adjustment) and lacks the threaded barrel. It ships with a 10-round SR9 magazine.
New models are equipped with a glassfilled Magpul MOE six-position buttstock, allowing length-of-pull adjustments from 10.50 to 13.75 inches and incorporate an AR-style pistol grip. The new stock also includes a flared magazine well for quicker reloads.
The forearm/handguard is a ventilated CNC-milled Type III hard-coat anodized aluminum and features Magpul M-Lok accessory attachment slots to allow additional accessories (like lasers) to be mounted.
Unlike the original, this gun is sans iron sights. Instead, a 6-inch Picatinny rail is affixed to the upper receiver, with a 1.75- inch Picatinny section attached to the rear of the barrel just forward of the takedown point. This allows easy optics mounting and provides plenty of options as to placement.
The empty gun weight is 7.3 pounds, and the overall length with the buttstock fully extended is 35.5 inches.
On the Range
Out of the box I gave it a quick inspection, added a bit of lube to obvious bearing points and then removed the SIG Romeo1 Pro from my Ruger PC and installed it on the new carbine chassis model.
I gathered six different 9mm loads in bullet weights ranging from heavy (147/150 grains), mid-range (123/130) and light (115). The heavy loads were the Federal Syntech 150 Match and the 147-grain Bayou Hi-Tek coated lead handloads I use in my Ruger PC. Mid-range loads were the Federal Syntech 130-grain PCC and Lapua 123 FMJ. The lighter loads consisted of Atlanta Arms 115 Steel Challenge and Hornady 115 American Gunner XTP.
Zeroing the sight at 25 yards went quickly. The trigger broke at 4.8 pounds, slightly heavier than my original. But it was very crisp, with just a hint of take-up, virtually no overtravel and a fast reset.
I then set up white cut-out targets and ran about 100 rounds through the gun on simulated Steel Challenge stages to get used to the new stock. Once the gun was broken in, accuracy testing was next. As with my Ruger PC test I used three-shot groups to get a valid comparison. The accuracy chart shows that the new Ruger has plenty to offer.
The last test phase was a six-stage, 150-round Steel Challenge match using my 147-grain Bayou handload. The gun was heavier, and the stock was different than what I shoot. But I finished third in PCCO behind one Master and one Grand Master. By the end of the match, there were well over 300 rounds through the gun with no maintenance beyond what I did in taking it out of the box. And there was not a single malfunction the entire time.
The Ruger PC action is proven, and those who favor an AR-style stock should find this new model a solid performer.
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