A Ruger 9mm carbine that takes Glock mags and breaks down for storage and transportation? Looks like 2018 is already shaping up to be a great year. (Photo: Ruger)
The Ruger Pistol Caliber Carbine is making a forceful return. This handy little rifle developed a strong following late in its life but the time just wasn’t right for pistol-caliber carbines. Now it’s back and packed with all-new features at a fantastic price point.
Like the original PC Carbine, the new model uses Ruger-pattern magazines but with a twist. The updated version has an interchangeable magazine well that works with SR-series and new Security-9-pattern magazines that can be swapped out for a magwell that takes Glock magazines.
This makes it the perfect companion rifle for handgun shooters everywhere. It’s a good plinking and small game gun and self-defense rifle. Because it uses the same mags as a wide range of service pistols it’s tailor-made for police and law enforcement, too.
The new PC Carbine also sports a takedown barrel assembly that breaks apart with the flick of a switch. It’s the same type of takedown system Ruger rolled out for their very successful 10/22 rifles.
The PC Carbine uses a 10/22 fire control group which has a huge amount of aftermarket support. The receiver is easy to remove from the stock for maintenance and upgrading, too.
The rifle has a 16-inch barrel which is more than enough to get the most out of the hottest 9mm rounds. The barrels are fluted for strength, weight reduction, heat management and accuracy. The barrel has 1/2-28 threads for use with the bulk of 9mm muzzle devices.
For sights the updated PC Carbine has a rear peep or aperture sight with a straight bladed front sight. Also the receiver has a full-length flattop rail for optics such as scopes or red dot sights.
See Also: Ruger Rebooting Security Brand with the New Security-9
The rifle has a black composite glass-reinforced nylon stock and forend with sling swivel studs front and rear. The forend also has a short rail segment for a forward pistol grip or light.
The stock is modular with spacers. This way the length of pull can be adjusted to shooter size and shortened to accommodate body armor and other gear. Each rifle comes with three 1/2-inch spacers to adjust the stock length.
Ruger is launching with two versions, both chambered for 9mm Luger. One ships with a standard-capacity 17-round magazine and the other with a 10-rounder for restricted markets. Otherwise they are the same.
Each rifle includes the stock spacers, wrenches for sight adjustment, a magazine and magwells at a suggested price of $649. That works out to real-world pricing starting around $500, and that’s hard to beat.
Once you put an optic on it, the Hawkeye Customs cheekrest designed specifically for the PC Carbine is a must for proper eye relief. Fits like a glove and looks like a factory accessory. Got mine on eBay and love it!
No one is mentioning the CZ Scorpion. I have it and love it but it is almost twice the money. I would probably have bought the Ruger if it was available then. I have a Ruger Charger Takedown and it has been dependable and fun to plink with. I’m so much more accurate with a rifle than I am with a pistol although I do have 3 (Ruger single nine, Ruger Mk4 hunter and a S&W M&P40 2.0).
Am I the only one that thinks this is the ugliest gun Ruger has ever made? No ugly guns for me…
And yet another pistol shooting carbine?
Pistol ammo belongs in pistols, well, except the 44 magnum!
me, I would rather have by far is the rugar 10/44 that I so foolishly sold years ago and still miss very much
One minor correction to your article. The model with the 10 shot magazine (for liberal-run states) comes with a barrel that is NON-THREADED. Makes sense considering the restrictions in those areas. Overall it looks like a fine gun….Art
Can you imagine hooking up a 75 round drum ,glock 19 magazine. I want 1, but to much money
Build it in a .45acp.
If it could accept 1911 mags even better, a modern camp carbine. And then build an integrally suppressed barrel for it, I’d be in heaven.
So tired of hearing the word Glock. How many generation of gun designs do they have to go through to get it right. Almost every month there seems to be a new generation of Glocks. Numerous surplus of them on the market as used guns. Colt and Smith-Wesson don’t seem to have this problem. Why does Ruger want to use any of their products. Don’t make for sound judgement as I see it. O and yes I have had a few of the Glocks. No I do not own any now. None in the budget in the days coming up.
It would be nice if they also offered a magwell that accepts S&W M&P magazines. Not everybody is a Glock fan.
Yes! Thank you!
AMEN! I SO SICK OF HEARING ABOUT GLOCKS ,DON’T LIKE THEM AND DON’T OWN ANY. A GOOD 357 MAG REVOLVER WILL DO IT ALL.
This carbine is going to be very popular with Glock and ruger fans. I have the original Police carbine from 1997 and I love it so I will not be buying the new one, but everybody else who has been asking for one of these for years will buy them up. Ruger is doing what Glock never did….listen to its customers wants and needs!
Oh ya ruger does what glock did not. !!!
I could see this being used at many police departments across America. The 9mm rifle offers great accuracy improvements over a handgun without the “assault” rifle look of the ar15.
Allows for one ammo for easy supply issues. Magazines already on duty belt.
Smart rifle choice.
Problem with that is Most police Depts. use 40 S&W
Many police departments also use Glocks. This is a versatile weapon with options for the use of multiple types of Ruger mags as depicted in the article and referenced in” The American Rifleman. N. R. A’s premier magazine Ruger is a solid company and they are very cognizant of what the current market demands. Their research folks are brilliant.! Enjoy you shooting gentlemen and ladies. Long. Live our great Republic. Commander Dr. Bob
This carbine is also available in 40 S&W caliber.
That “evil” assault rifle look incorporates better ergonomics and instant change of length of pull that is just as useful to the civilian user. So don’t knock it. I hope Ruger comes out with a more “evil” version
I agree with that, Plus as I stated elsewhere this Carbine or at least my original version has a snappy kick to it where the AR 5.56 does not
Glock mags touting their own unique brand new style of art and antiques of course
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Why not buy an actual .30 cal M1 carbine clone instead? Same price–and probably lighter. Far better round also.
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John Bibb
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I have the original in 9MM. I think the Original is much smoother in design and as I have the PC 85 those Mags work, Looks tough with the 30 rounder. The only thing I hate is the fact that this ” Kicks Like A Mule ” Mirrors the snap of 9MM in a Handgun and this from a very Heavy Semi. Not a Glock lover so no need for a Glock adapter
Seems many of you have forgotten the Kel-Tec Sub2k folding PCC in 9mm or 40. Very accurate and less money, though I do like some of the Ruger Features over the Kel-Tec.
It’s Threaded ! Now if Ruger will make a take down suppressor like they did for the 10/22 ! The company has grown and has great stuff now that BILL RUGER is gone !
I am pretty sure that the Hi Point is the only legal PCC in California, and this rifle will certainly compete with it. Personally, I could go without a takedown barrel, but I wouldn’t complain. I think the peep sight is waaay tooo far forward; it offer little more sight radius than a pistol. The fore-end is plain ugly. The rest of the features are excellent. I would of course like to see this in more powerful cartridges such as .45 ACP and/or .357 Sig. I have to wonder if the action is strong enough for fullhouse 10 mm; this is, after all, just a counterweighted blow back design originally designed for .22 LR.
The Hi-Point has a pistol grip which makes it an “assault weapon,” so no, it’s not CA legal unless you modify the grip to prevent your thumb from wrapping around it.
The only PCC that is California-legal that is currently in production is the Chiappa M1-9. Otherwise, you’d have to look for a used Marlin Camp carbine or the old Ruger PC9/PC4 models.
The over-molding of the mag well tells me that .40 & .45 are coming too.
What are the chances of this carbine to come out in 10mm using glock mags? Thanks, Travis.
10 mm and I’ll buy one.
I’ll buy both!
Many police departments also use Glocks. This is a versatile weapon with options for the use of multiple types of Ruger mags as depicted in the article and referenced in” The American Rifleman. N. R. A’s premier magazine Ruger is a solid company and they are very cognizant of what the current market demands. Their research folks are brilliant.! Enjoy you shooting gentlemen and ladies. Long. Live our great Republic. Commander Dr. Bob
Oh, get off it man. You like the carbine, so buy it and a few boxes of 9mm and be happy.
I surmise that you never served in the military. I was a decorated. U. S. Marine officer Viet nam then re commissioned as a Decorated Lieutenant Commander promoted to Commander in the field . . Served in the U. S. Justice. Dept. B. O. P. -10 yrs + with the Surgeon General’s office. Anti terrorist. Ops then on indian reservations another 12 yrs + the U. S Coast . Guard elite interdiction units . As I am fully aware this is a good rifle that is reliable and that is worth your life. When the “chips fly” metaphorically speaking”. I have used most weapons in the military and for a $ 550.00 -650.00 price it is a good value. Also a little respect may be warranted. Wishing you good shooting. C. D. R. Dr. Bob. Fed. D. O. J. . U. S. P. H. S. -O. S. G. Ops “. Semper. Fi. They know who I am. Call them.
Looks like Ruger will be challenging the Hi-Point Carbine for the 9mm PCC market!
Not at that price. Hi Point may be FUGLY but it offers more caliber options at almost half the money and it already has a reputation for reliability and a lifetime transferable warranty. No I don’t own one but have done my homework as I thought about buying a 9mm carbine at one time and still might in the future. I would probably buy the Hi Point for a truck gun. The breakdown feature is not a necessity for my application. If it was, I would have to go with something that is a folder like the Kel-Tech. Much faster to deploy. If I decide to turn my truck into a tank destroyer I’d go with Mossberg Shockwave. I’m an ex-Navy guy and just can’t resist the inner pirate it brings out in me.