Manufacturers have easily transformed the AR-15 platform to be compatible with 9mm ammo, and we have tested a few of these carbines back in 2015. Since then, there has been an uptick in new 9mm carbine models, so we decided to take a look at these short semi-autos that share ammo with your pistol. What separates these newer 9mm carbines from some AR-15 carbines is their ability to use handgun magazines. Not only do these carbines share the same ammunition, they also share the same magazine in your pistol. That's versatility in our book.
The three rifles we procured were the Beretta CX4 Storm, Just Right Carbines' Takedown Model, and Ruger's PC Carbine. These carbines offer mild recoil, good accuracy, fast follow-up shots, light weight, and maneuverability. Some, like the Ruger, offer all the bells and whistles and propel the 9mm carbine category from a pipsqueak pistol-caliber carbine to a versatile home defense and survival tool. In the past five or six years, 9mm ammunition has also evolved, and there are a slew of viable loads that make these carbines more versatile than 9mm carbines years ago.
Less recoil means better accuracy and faster follow-up shots, and we all know bullet placement is very important in disabling a bad actor. We'll take making the first well-placed shot any day. In our opinion, any of these carbines would made a good choice for home defense, for transport in a vehicle, as survival/prepper choice, small game hunting, and an all-round fun plinker. These also make a great transitional gun for shooters graduating from a rimfire round to a centerfire round. All of these carbines also offered an adjustable length of pull so smaller-stature shooters are not at a disadvantage.
All three of these carbines feed from handgun magazines and use a simple blowback mechanism. You can feel the bolt sliding back and forth in the receiver as the carbine cycles and that adds to the perceived recoil. These carbines are also light and perceived recoil is always higher in a lightweight rifle. In our opinion, the Beretta does the best job of making the mechanism feel smooth, and that's because the CX4 is more like and oversized pistol than it is a carbine chambered in a pistol caliber. The Ruger and JRC have added flexibility since they are takedown models. Plus the Ruger does a whole lot more. The Ruger PC Carbine is packed with features that actually make the carbine more flexible, adaptable, and useful. Some of our more jaded testers kept going back to the PC Carbine for another try, which says a lot.
Never understood the excitement about the PC Carbine. Reminds me of an old Remington Nylon 66 from the 60s, but not as good looking and twice as heavy. Sure it breaks down, but the 20″ length is still too long for a standard briefcase. Ruger should have just copied/refined the Kel-Tec Sub-2000 Gen 2, much as they copied/refined the P3AT. The sub-2000 is an outstanding piece of engineering, but the implementation falls short in some areas that Ruger might be motivated to address. I love my Sub-2000 (after upgrades) but I realize that some people have a bias against Kel-Tec products.
The ruger PC Carbine I shot is a tack driver, with a 1-4 power variable scope, I was able to shoot rough one hole groups at 20 yards, with every ammo I put through it. It is not cheaply built, and simply handles well.
If they would fit a beretta 92 mag……I’d have one in a heartbeat.😍
Would like to see Ruger develop a 9 mm rifle using the old standard 10-22. I’ve owned 2 of these over the last 40 years and it is a great ‘plinker’’. This rifle is the perfect weight/balance and has just the right amount of “stylish’’. Bet it would sell out every where it was sold. Give it some thought Ruger. I’ll buy it!!!! CRK/TX