Defined as a “lightweight, short-barreled variation of an existing rifle model,” the carbine was first employed by cavalry. Fighting in a very confined area, they needed something much shorter than an infantry rifle. Shorter barrels affect muzzle velocity negatively, as did the recoil on the shoulders with a standard cartridge in a trimmed down rifle — sometimes to the point where different ammo had to be loaded for the carbines. Still, the newer versions were shorter, lighter, easier to manipulate and carry on horseback.
Now we’re seeing a completely different class of carbines in which barrels are lengthened, thus making them more powerful, easier to control, and shoot accurately. This new class is starting with pistols instead of battle rifles, adding a shoulder stock, plenty of real estate for a fore end and a light, if desired, as well as providing for the easy mounting of an optic. Stretching the barrels from 4 or 5 inches out to 16 (or just a hair more) often yields a higher muzzle velocity and greatly approved energy delivered from what is still a very compact firearm.
Gun Tests has evaluated many carbines chambered in various cartridges over the last few years, and we’ve often NOT liked some market favorites because we’re able to shoot several firearms side by side, which shows the deficiencies and strengths of each firearm. The list below includes semi-auto and lever actions. The entries include the dates of the original review, but if they’re on this list, they’re worth looking for as used products, or if you’re lucky, overlooked NIB items stuffed into a dusty shelf somewhere.
With all that in mind, we’ve compiled our Top 10 Pistol Caliber Carbines in the listicle below. Current pistol-caliber carbines are thought of as coming in 9mm Luger, 40 S&W, 10mm Auto, and 45 ACP, but older carbine chamberings included 44 Special, 44 Magnum, 45 LC, and other lever choices that still have relevance, especially in states that limit semi-auto capacity or availability. Also, we’ve included what is likely the most prominent carbine rifle ever produced, the various incarnations of the M1 Carbine chambered in 30 Carbine.
We haven’t tested every carbine on the market, of course, so we’ll be interested to see which one is your favorite in the comments below. As always, prices reflect what we paid for the gun at the time of the test, so expect the prices of new or used guns you might find to be different. — Todd Woodard
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
Ergonomic, reliable, and accurate. We find nothing to fault in its performance.
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+
Ruger took a great rifle and made it better. Ruger has shown outstanding judgment in placing Skinner Sights on a number of their lever guns. We’d love to see them come from the factory on this model.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The 9mm FPC is light, easy to carry on trails, and easy to store in a truck or van. It is reliable with a range of ammunition. Some like the Response better in shooting drills. For personal defense, this is the better buy, offering more magazines in the package and a folding option. Both carbines got a half-grade dock because they’re not lefty friendly. If you’re a lefty, then call both B+ guns.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A- [Our Pick]
Not Ruger’s first camp carbine but, we think, easily the best. The LC10 sits well in the hand, is compact to store, and is well designed for the left- or right-handed shooter.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The Response is a fun gun to fire. Folks who like semi-automatic version of SMGs or folding carbines may like the FPC better, and it folds up neatly. The Response is the shooter, and it offers simple but effective handling. Recoil is modest and accuracy good. The Response is a good choice for many pursuits.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A- (Our Pick)
The fastest, most accurate PCC in this test, if Springfield would put as good a trigger in this as SIG does in the MPX, they would have a solid A in our book.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The JR Carbine offered the best accuracy and more customization because it is compatible with some AR-15 aftermarket parts. It has the ability to be customized for a left- or right-handed shooter. Takedown is simple, but field-stripping is a bit cumbersome.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A+
This was our first choice, in part because of its low price. During testing, we noted the Inland-barreled version sold out of the CMP inventory. You could hardly go wrong if you get a carbine like this Inland, though we note the Inland-barreled versions are among the most popular M1 Carbines, and as a result, are scarce or have elevated prices.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The PC Carbine is versatile, with modular magazine-well inserts for Ruger and Glock pistols. It is also a takedown, so it’s appropriate for survival or prepper scenarios. Accuracy was okay, and the factory peep sight convinced us a red dot was the best sight choice.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
Our test crew liked the Fulton Armory carbine the best, and some of us would have put up the extra money to get one that didn’t need anything else other than lots of shooting enjoyment. Others of our staff were taken aback by its cost and would take their chances with the CMP surplus guns. The Fulton carbine was the slickest, with all original G.I. parts, well matched, well fitted, and newly finished. It had no compromises other than its high cost. And you can buy them at Fulton Armory today.
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OTHER TESTED GUNS BY ISSUE
Just Right Carbine 10mm Auto, $668 (June-July 2025)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The Just Right Carbine was the top shooter in this test, and it handled easily. We think it is also very well designed for use by left- or right-handed users.
Hi-Point Model 1095 Edge 10mm Auto, $349 (June-July 2025)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B [Best Buy]
Not quite as trim as the other models in this test, this inexpensive carbine shot and functioned well for our team. Its magazines had the lowest round counts, but they also worked just fine.
TNW Aero Survival Rifle 10mm Auto, $575 (June-July 2025)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
Extremely light and portable, this ASR rifle may not have been the most accurate of the group, but we love the way it could be easily stashed in a bush plane, behind a pickup seat, or in a backpack.
Smith & Wesson Model 1854 13812 44 Special/44 Rem. Magnum, $1279 (July 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The S&W Model 1854 had the better factory trigger and sights, but proved to be a little more choosey about what ammo it liked. It’s an updated version of a tried-and-true lever-action rifle.
Smith & Wesson M&P FPC 12575 9mm Luger, $600 (December 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+
Well balanced, fast and accurate, we would like the slide release to be a little easier to activate and the trigger a bit lighter.
SIG Sauer MPX RMPX-16B-9-35 9mm Luger, $2000 (December 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+
Designed specifically for USPSA-type competition, the MPX is just about ready to go to the match straight out of the box. With the short-stroke gas-piston design, recoil was the softest of the PCCs tested. We loved all the bells and whistles, but we were a bit disappointed by its accuracy. The price tag is an eye-opener.
Beretta CX4 Storm JX49220M 9mm Luger, $699 (April 2019)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+
The CX4 Storm offered great accuracy with one load, was light weight, and had excellent balance. The trigger was its weak spot, but we still shot some impressive groups. The magazine-release button could be taller. We liked the peep sights. Overall, it was more difficult to manipulate the CX4 than the other carbines.
Israeli Arms International M1 30 Carbine, ~$480 (April 2018)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The M1 Carbine was the original Personal Defense Weapon. Light, reliable, accurate enough for combat use to 200 yards, and hitting harder than a handgun, the 30 Carbine performed beyond expectation. The rifle in this test proved reliable and should give any homeowner real confidence for home defense.
Inland Manufacturing M1 1945 Carbine 30 Carbine, $1079 (April 2018)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The M1 1945 was pleasant to shoot, and we would use it for tasks as diverse as competition as well as keeping the ranch safe. It was historically accurate, and collectors of original M1 Carbines would do themselves a service by shooting a new repro rather than wearing out an original and reducing the value. It is an expensive home-defense option, but we wouldn’t mind using it in that role, if push came to shove. The Inland M1 costs more, but it offered a good interpretation of the last production M1 Carbine manufactured in 1945.
Auto-Ordnance M1 Carbine Paratrooper Model AOM150 30 Carbine, $941 (April 2018)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The A-O is a reproduction of the Model M1A1, which is a model variant specifically designed for paratroopers who required a shorter weapon. The original Inland manufactured the M1A1 back in the day. These are rare and quite collectible, and we imagine a collector would be loath to fire a valuable specimen. In our opinion, the A-O makes a great stand-in for the original. Like early original M1A1s, the A-O had no bayonet lug, and the stock was close to original’s, even down to the brass rivets that attached the leather cheek rest to the wire stock. The A-O Paratrooper is easier to transport due to the folding stock, and it offered reliability and a lot of shooting fun. We think it is a good rendition of the WWII model.
Auto-Ordnance AOM130 M1 Carbine 30 US Carbine, $899 (April 2018)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B-
After A-O repaired the extractor, there were no more bobbles nor failures to eject. The A-O carbine delivered the finest accuracy we’ve encountered from an M1 carbine or clone, with five-shot groups as small as 1 inch at 50 yards. However, the trigger pull was not what we wanted. We gave the Auto-Ordnance AOM130 a B- grade for its slightly misfitting and unsmooth bolt that wore the finish so quickly, the very poor magazine, the lack of a sling, and its relatively high cost.
JAG9G BU 9mm Luger, $1100 (December 2015)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
This is a quality rifle with good accuracy. Compatible with Glock 9mm magazines of any size.
Stag Arms Model 9T 9mm Luger, $1275 (December 2015)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The 9T offered a slightly better trigger pull and slimmer, more-user-friendly handguard.
Just Right Carbine (Glock Based) 45 ACP, $773 (February 2015)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
After a trip to the factory for warranty repair, the JRC became reliable, accurate, and useful.
Thureon Defense 45 ACP Carbine, $970 (June 2014)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
Worked well with a variety of loads. Customer-service response worries us.
Kel-Tec Sub-2000 40 S&W, $400 (March 2014)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
A lightweight, affordable and useful carbine. Malfunctions caused the rate to go down.
Wise Lite Arms Sterling L2A3 9mm Luger, ~$500 (June 2013)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
This collectible had excellent construction and perfect operation.
Pioneer Arms Corp PPS-43C Pistol 7.62×25 Tokarev, $500 (June 2013)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
The PPS-43C or Radom is one clumsy pistol, but an interesting piece of history.
UZI (Norinco) Carbine 9mm Luger, $800 (October 2012)
GUN TESTS GRADE: F
Going price for the Norinco UZI is far too high. And reliability was not good.
Thureon Defense Carbine 9mm Luger, $700 (June 2012)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
Makes the leap from a good home defender to a carbine effective for area defense.
Kel-Tec Sub 2000 9mm Luger, $400 (June 2012)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The Kel-Tec design really grows on you. The controls are well laid out.
MechTech Systems Carbine Conversion for Glock 9mm, $505 (June 2012)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
An option for the Glock fan wishing to dedicate a pistol to the carbine concept.
Kriss Super V Vector CRB/SO KCRBS0803801 45 ACP, $1895 (August 2011)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
Handled nicely, shot accurately. It’s Swiss. Named a Gun of the Year.
Hi-Point Carbine w/Front Grip 4595TSFG 45 ACP, $340 (August 2011)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
Yes, this was roughly assembled. But we can’t look past the good sights and accuracy.
Heckler & Koch USC 45 Carbine 45 ACP, $1888 (August 2011)
GUN TESTS GRADE: C
It’s just as expensive as the Kriss, but we vastly prefer the Swiss gun.
57Center AR57 PDW 5.7X28mm Upper, $696 (March 2011)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+
The PDW Upper was functionally right with good design and execution.
Dear Todd,
I usually gets kick out of your reviews but this time you missed the boat by not mentioning Ls and midrange pcc options. You skipped over the S&W response but took the time to criticize the FPC. You praised the Ruger10mm LC but ignored the Ruger LC 45 acp. Which in my opinion is the best pistol caliber carbine made and for the money a best buy in anyone’s book. It handles +p ammo, takes Glock 21 mags, has 360 m lock slots, has the threaded barrel and runs all types of 45 ammo without any errors. ( 10mm ammunition is 3 times the cost of 45 acp ammo. It’s a thumper and easy to handle. You also ignored the 3rd generation Keltec 2000.
A great pcc made better with a twist and lock barrel assembly so you can mount an optic.
And unfortunately yo Also ignored the Highpoint pics. When I first started collecting I purchased the high point carbines in 380,9mm, 40 and 45 acp. They have all run flawlessly and left money for ammo. The Highpoint is inexpensive it punches above its price class. The Highpoint is a tank , well built and almost indestructible. Not to mention the Henry X series especially the Henry 12X 357. Thereare a plethora of PCC’s n the market, in your next article
Consider being more in tune with your readership, price point makes a difference. And nobody considers an $1800 lever action by S&W a PPC, it’s a lever action 1894 model to compete against Ruger’s acquisition of Marlin.
Russell