Carbines chambered in what are commonly thought of as pistol or revolver cartridges are becoming increasingly popular. In these long guns, the barrels are lengthened, thus making them more powerful, easier to control, and shoot accurately. This 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) yields a higher muzzle velocity and greatly approved energy delivered from what is still a very compact firearm.
With 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 22 LR, 9mm Luger, 40 S&W, 10mm Auto, and 45 ACP, but older carbine chamberings included 44 Special, 44 Magnum, 45 Colt, and other lever choices that still have relevance, especially in states that limit semi-auto capacity or availability.
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-
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.
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-
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.
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-
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
In hand, the Model 1873 Carbine is lithe and lively. Being relatively light weight at 7.2 pounds unloaded, it shoulders fast and is easy to point. It offers a velvety slick action, had excellent accuracy with iron sights, and is a modern version of the gun that won West.
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: 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.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The Model 64 is a minimalist takedown rifle with excellent accuracy and simple disassembly/reassembly that will not lose zero when using a scope. Cleaning is a breeze. The price is reasonable.
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.
—————————————
OTHER TESTED GUNS BY ISSUE
Marlin Model 1894 Classic 70401 44 Remington Magnum, $1090 (August-September 2025)
Gun Tests Grade: A-
The Model 1894 Classic is a traditional blued-steel and checkered-wood deer rifle. Winchester may have won the West, but Marlin settled it. Our sample jammed and could not keep zero. We returned it to Marlin for servicing.
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.
Marlin Model 1894 Classic 70401 44 Special/44 Rem. Magnum, $1019 (July 2024)
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.
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.
KelTec Model SU-22CA 22 LR, $373 (September 2020)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
While not a true takedown rifle, the folding stock on the SU-22CA makes it easy to stow and go. It performed flawlessly. There were mystery controls on the KelTec that were not intuitive. Fit and finish were not stellar, nor was the trigger, but we did get good accuracy. We felt it was a bit too pricey for the quality, but we did like this rifle.
Just Right Carbines Gen 3 Takedown Carbine JRC9MPTDG3TBBL 9mm Luger, $598 (April 2019)
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.
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.
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