Pistol-caliber Carbines (PCC): Overview and Top Picks

PCCs are among the hottest-selling firearms over the past 5 years, and the trend continues to heat up. There are dozens of companies making pistol-caliber carbines today, and it can be difficult to know what to watch for. In this article, we’ll go over the basics of PCCs and then let you know some of our pics for the top models to consider.

What is a PCC (pistol-caliber carbine)?

In simple terms, a pistol-caliber carbine is a (usually compact) rifle chambered to fire a centerfire cartridge typically associated with handguns. For example, if a compact rifle shoots 9mm Parabellum, .40 S&W, 10mm Auto, or .45 ACP, it could be categorized as a PCC. The distinction between the terms Rifle and Carbine has been messy for centuries. Technically, a carbine is a shorter, lighter version of an existing rifle design, often military in origin. Thus, all carbines are rifles, but not all rifles are carbines. However, for many years, firearms manufacturers have been designing and building short, light, handy rifles in handgun calibers from the ground up, without relying on an original rifle design and shortening it. So, are these technically miscategorized as carbines, since they aren’t shorter versions of an existing rifle? Most people today would say they are carbines, and only the most pedantic will argue otherwise.

Are .22LR rifles/carbines PCCs?

Regarding pedantic responses, here we go: The first .22 rimfire caliber firearm was Smith & Wesson’s Model 1 (or First Model) revolver, released in 1857. It fired a .22 rimfire cartridge with 4 grains of fine black powder and a 29-grain bullet. In 1871, the .22 Long cartridge was created, using the same bullet but with a longer case holding 5 grains of powder. In 1887, the .22 Long case was combined with a longer, heavier 40-grain bullet to create the .22 Long Rifle, or .22LR, which has become the most-manufactured cartridge in history by a long way. Initially, the .22LR was intended for use in rifles (hence the name), but it is now the default standard for rimfire pistols and revolvers, as well as rimfire rifles and carbines. Confused yet?

The bottom line is, while you could technically argue that a compact rifle chambered in .22 Short is a Pistol-Caliber Carbine, most people today would not consider it a PCC, nor any rimfire carbine for that matter. For our purposes here, we’re restricting our definition of PCC to centerfire firearms.

Are lever-action rifles/carbines PCCs?

While some may call a lever-action rifle or carbine that fires, say, the .38 Special revolver cartridge a PCC (and they would technically be correct), most people would simply call these firearms lever-action rifles or lever-action carbines. The same goes for pump-action carbine designs like the Colt Lightning and similar. The general term PCC today usually denotes a semi-automatic rifle or carbine, and this is how we will use it.

Are braced pistols PCCs?

Warning: More pedantry here. Many American firearms laws are quite silly, and laws relating to the National Firearms Act of 1934 are among the silliest. By this law (and later updates/clarifications), any rifle with a buttstock and a barrel length of under 16” is legally considered a Short-Barreled Rifle (SBR) and must be registered with the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives) in a lengthy and expensive process. However, if the same firearm is manufactured without a buttstock, it is legally determined to be a pistol and is subject only to the same laws and restrictions as common handguns.

In recent decades, many firearms manufacturers have begun to offer stabilizing braces on these types of short firearms (some of which are based on rifles and carbines, and some of which are not). The original intent of these stabilizing braces, which either strap to the user’s forearm or otherwise use it as support, was to enable shooters with disabilities or lower strength to safely support and fire these types of firearms. However, some shooters began shouldering these firearms, effectively using the brace as a stock or cheek rest. Much confusion and ATF intervention ensued, and over the past few years, a lot of conflicting regulations, clarification letters, and red tape have been floating around on the subject. If you want to own and shoot a braced pistol, it’s up to you to research and remain within the current laws and regulations. The bottom line, as far as this article goes, is that we will consider braced, semi-automatic pistols that fire centerfire pistol-caliber cartridges PCCs to ease discussion and categorization.

Why have PCCs become so popular? (Features and benefits)

For large portions of the 20th century, there were no PCCs available on the market. Marlin shook up the firearms community in 1985 by introducing their Camp Carbine in caliber 9mm Parabellum, followed by a model in .45 ACP the next year. These handy little PCCs (though they weren’t called that then) were laughed at by the Fudds of the time but eventually developed quite a cult following for all the reasons below. Colt (and imitators) began offering their AR-15 platform in 9mm around the same time. Since then, multiple manufacturers have started offering PCCs, and they’ve really taken off over the past 10 years or so. Let’s go over some of the reasons why.

Lower recoil

Compared to a high-powered rifle or a tactical shotgun, PCCs usually have lower felt recoil, or at least very manageable recoil. Newer shooters, old-aged shooters, and others sensitive to heavy recoil appreciate the lower recoil a PCC produces, especially in the most common 9mm caliber.

Lightweight

It’s uncommon to find a PCC weighing more than about 7 pounds, and many are closer to 4 or less. A lightweight carbine is more user-friendly, less fatiguing at the range, and quicker to transition from target to target than a long, heavy rifle.

Magazine compatibility

Many PCCs share magazine design with an established, popular handguns, such as the Glock or SIG P320. This allows you to have one supply of magazines that works for your handgun and your rifle. Additionally, established, proprietary PCC-developed magazines that become popular enough may be used by competing companies as the basis of their rifles since they know customers don’t appreciate having to stock up on another type of magazine. CZ Scorpion mags (see below) are one such industry standard.

Lower noise and muzzle blast

Anyone who has shot a 5.56 or 7.62 rifle without hearing protection and/or in enclosed spaces knows that it can be not just harmful to your hearing, but disorienting and even painful. On the other hand, a 9mm cartridge fired through a relatively long (for the caliber) barrel is much less distracting and concussive. These firearms also take extremely well to being suppressed.

Lower cost of ammunition

Typically, 9mm ball ammo is around half or even a third of the price of the cheapest 5.56 rifle ammunition. This means you can stock a lot more and shoot a lot more for the same money.

Can shoot steel targets safely at closer ranges

Shooting even quality, AR500 hardened steel armor plates at close ranges with a 5.56 or 7.62 caliber rifle causes damage to the steel and can create dangerous, high-speed fragments to be deflected back toward the shooter. For this reason, many ranges prohibit shooting rifle cartridges at steel closer than 100 yards. PCCs, on the other hand, are usually permitted to engage the steel targets at the same closer distances that handguns are. Even when fired through a rifle-length barrel, handgun cartridges like the 9mm usually don’t reach speeds that are damaging to steel targets.

Viable for home defense

Many people choose PCCs as their primary or secondary home defense firearm in place of a rifle, shotgun, or handgun. A PCC can be very effective at stopping a threat, particularly considering the longer barrels of PCCs (compared to their handgun cousins) produce higher velocities and more energy delivered to the target. PCCs are easier to shoot accurately than handguns, they recoil less, and can often produce more hits on target faster than a handgun. Add the magazine compatibility and the other benefits above, and you can see how a PCC might be appropriate as a home defense tool.

Incredibly fun

The huge fun factor may be the best reason to invest in a PCC. Shooting any firearm is fun, but shooting reactive or steel targets at closer distances with a pistol-caliber rifle (remember, all carbines are rifles) is addictive and entertaining. And then, due to the more stable shooting platform, you can reach out to 50, 75, 100 yards or more and hit your targets regularly. There’s a reason nearly every competition organization has added a division allowing PCCs… they are just a heck of a lot of fun to shoot.

Now that we’ve covered the basics and discussed why you might want to get a PCC, let’s review some of the top brands and models you might want to consider.

Best PCCs (or top pistol-caliber carbines to consider)

Ruger PC Carbine

The imaginatively named Ruger PC Carbine (starting MSRP: $779) hit the market in 2017 and has sold like gangbusters ever since. Sometimes, it takes a couple of attempts at the market to find the right fit, and the PC Carbine is not Ruger’s first PCC. Ruger offered a semi-auto .44 Magnum Deerstalker from 1961-1985 and a similar Deerfield from 2000-2006. The company also offered the Police Carbine in 9mm and .40 S&W from 1996-2007. All were relative sales flops due to poor marketing or other reasons. However, the time has come for the PCC in general, and the outlook for Ruger’s PC Carbine is good.

Ruger offers three major carbine variants of this basic platform, all with 16.12” cold-hammer-forged, threaded chromoly barrels and anodized 7075-T6 aluminum receivers, and all are takedown models as well. (You simply lock the bolt open, depress the takedown latch in the forend while grasping it, and twist the two halves of the firearm apart.) There’s the standard model with traditional rifle forend and buttstock (6.8 lbs), and then there’s the same rifle, but with an aluminum free-float forend installed in place of the classic forend (7 lbs). The final model incorporates the aluminum forend and places the receiver into a glass-filled polymer chassis incorporating an AR-15 style pistol grip and collapsible, folding buttstock (7.3 lbs). Additionally, there’s a backpack variant of the standard carbine, including the Magpul cutaway furniture that helps the rifle store pretty small when taken down.

The first two models (and the backpacker) come with ghost ring/peep rear and blade front sights attached to the barrel, which is a good idea since on a takedown rifle, there’s potential for variation in zero when the rear sight is mounted on the receiver. The chassis variants trade the sights for a section of Picatinny rail on the barrel. You obviously intend to install your favorite optic on this model. For those who want a shorter PCC, Ruger also offers a 6.5”-barreled pistol variant called the PC Charger ($899), which you can use as-is (with an accessory brace or sling) or install a true buttstock (after you obtain the proper NFA paperwork and pay the $200 tax) for a very short, handy package.

We are very fond of the standard PC Carbine with traditional forend and have experienced zero malfunctions over several thousand rounds. The PC Carbine utilizes a straight blowback action with a heavy, tungsten-weighted bolt. It is very reliable but thumps you more than you’d expect from a 7-ish pound 9mm carbine. It’s not unpleasant, but some people find it sharpish.

The magazine release and bolt handle can easily be swapped to either side. However, the cross-bolt safety is right-handed only (though ambidextrous aftermarket options are available). You can also run dual bolt handles, one per side, for ultimate versatility among multiple shooters.

The PC Carbine’s trigger mechanism is similar to the venerable Ruger 10/22, but on the PC Carbine, the bolt hold-open functions as a last-round bolt stop as the magazine runs dry (unlike the 10/22). Once you insert a fresh magazine, you must give a rearward tug on the bolt handle and it will then fly forward and chamber a fresh round. There is no manual bolt release lever or AR-type paddle. Additionally, you can manually lock the bolt open by retracting the bolt and pressing upward on the tab in front of the trigger guard. This is fairly intuitive and ambidextrous.

The standard and railed variants using the traditional rifle buttstock come with 3 half-inch spacers for the buttpad to adjust the length of pull. Wisely, Ruger also includes magwell inserts for Ruger SR9-pattern and standard double-stack 9mm Glock magazines. We have run the Glock Magwell exclusively, and it functions flawlessly with 10, 15, 17, and higher-capacity Glock magazines. Some report spotty reliability when using Magpul Glock magazines, but we have used them without issue.

Pretty much our only gripe is the cheek comb is too low even for the included iron sights, and the cheek weld is quite silly when using an optic. It’s more like a chin weld. However, this is a minor nitpick, and aftermarket cheek pads and risers are available. The trigger is quite good, around 4 pounds and clean, but with a longish reset. Aftermarket options are available if you need a go-fast trigger.

Overall, if you favor traditional rifle aesthetics and ergonomics, the Ruger PC Carbine is top of the class.

CZ Scorpion 3+

The CZ Scorpion has seen huge sales since its initial US launch around 2016. Often called the Poor-Man’s MP5, the Scorpion takes full advantage of modern, reinforced polymer materials, angular design language, and inexpensive manufacturing techniques. The entire upper receiver (the serialized part on this firearm) comprises two halves of polymer bolted together. The system uses an ultra-reliable blowback design, and with that hefty 22-ounce bolt slamming back and forth, you’ll experience some recoil… likely more than you’d expect in a 9mm carbine weighing in at 6.85 lbs unloaded. However, somewhat choppy recoil aside, CZ Scorpion fans quickly fell in love with the new PCC’s boring reliability, excellent accuracy, easy acceptance of aftermarket modifications, and user-friendly controls. CZ has never been one to rest on its laurels and has consistently upgraded the Scorpion family since its inception.

The new CZ Scorpion 3+ (it says PLUS on the receiver due to ATF’s allowed characters) retails for $999 in the 16.2” barreled carbine version with a folding stock and a faux suppressor-like barrel shroud (entirely legal wherever normal rifles are). Or, you can pay $899 either of two brace-friendly pistol variants (with 4.2” or 7’8” barrels). For most people, we’d steer them toward the carbine version since it’s already equipped with a very nice buttstock, and it looks quite cool with the fake suppressor surrounding its barrel.

So why the need for the 3+? CZ has listened to customer feedback on the original Scorpion EVO 3 design and made some thoughtful (and welcome) changes. It retains many features that customers know and love but has an improved AR-15 style magazine release (though this is ambidextrous on the Scorpion, while the AR-15’s isn’t). The bolt catch lever at the front of the trigger guard is also ambidextrous. The new grip is more vertical in shape, has improved texturing, includes interchangeable backstraps to suit any user, and also positions the shooter’s hand downward relative to the safety lever, so the latter doesn’t interfere with the shooter’s trigger finger or hand as was the case in the previous iteration of the Scorpion. We find this a big improvement.

The Scorpion pistol’s handguard has also been upgraded from extruded aluminum to high-strength polymer. This may not seem like a step up, but those who experienced the uncomfortable levels of heat transferred through the aluminum handguard during long strings of fire on previous versions will welcome the change. The handguard still retains M-LOK slots to mount your favorite accessories.

The Scorpion 3+ also gets new magazines with improved texturing and baseplates, but thankfully (for platform fans) these magazines are backward-compatible with the EVO 3 mags. The 3+ also gets new, metal sights that are more durable and sit higher off the picatinny rail, allowing the popular 1/3 co-witness sight picture with standard optic mounts should you choose to use a red dot. Additionally, the polymer lower receiver has been redesigned and cut back slightly at the front of the magazine well to give the shooter more room to gain a good grip on the handguard. The upper receiver has been slimmed down to reduce weight (a little) but mostly so that it works better with aftermarket collapsing/sliding stocks and braces.

The somewhat bad news is that the Scorpion 3+ is so popular that you might not find it for much under MSRP, though there are deals to be had. The good news (we guess) is that most of the EVO 3A1 variants are being phased out, so you might get some crazy-good pricing on a closeout model. The EVO 3A1 developed a cult following and the aftermarket is huge, so don’t shy away from it just because there’s a new PLUS version in town.

CMMG Banshee (and others)

CMMG offers multiple AR-style rifle and pistol platforms in many calibers and configurations but made a name for themselves in the PCC world by developing their innovative radial-delayed blowback system. The CMMG bolt carrier resembles a standard AR-15, but careful observation will show angled surfaces at the rear of the bolt-locking lugs. These radiused lugs act against the lugs of the barrel extension and delay the rotation of the bolt and the opening of the action enough to allow pressure to drop safely after the bullet leaves the barrel. The result is dramatically reduced recoil compared to common blowback-operated PCCs.

The CMMG Banshee line features an astonishing array of options, calibers, and magazine configurations, with either braces or receiver extensions/buffer tubes. However, most PCC shoppers will focus on a 9mm pistol or carbine. Starting around $1,574 MSRP, the company offers 9mm magazine configurations in the legacy, vertical Colt-style magazine, the Glock style, the SIG P320 models, and even a CMMG-exclusive 9mm receiver that uses converted AR-15 magazines. The options are nearly endless. For those wanting a full-length 9mm carbine with an included stock from the get-go, have a look at the 16” barreled Dissent ($2,299) and Dissent ($1,649) 9mm carbines, both also featuring the radial-delayed blowback system.

H&K SP5 (semi-auto MP5)

There’s no more recognizable submachine gun in history than the Heckler and Koch MP5. In addition to being prominently featured in almost every action movie since the 80s and all recent first-person-shooter video games, the MP5 has been adopted and used by more militaries, special forces, and SWAT teams than any other platform. For over 2 decades, American enthusiasts tried to make do with clones or cobbled-together MP5 replicas, but H&K finally launched their semi-automatic pistol variant of the MP5, known as the SP5, in late 2019.

The 5.1-pound SP5 (without an added brace or NFA-configuration buttstock) comes standard with the iconic trapezoidal polymer forend and the 8.9” Navy-configuration cold-hammer-forged barrel. Other SP5 features include the more recent/upgraded F bolt group that survived a European law-enforcement contract trial of 400,000 rounds fired through 10 submitted weapons with zero stoppages or breakages allowed and only minimal malfunctions permitted. Unlike many clones, the SP5 has a 1/2"x28 threaded muzzle underneath the included thread protector AND the proven super-cool H&K tri-lug suppressor mount. It also gets the ambidextrous trigger pack with extended safety levers on both sides of the lower receiver.

The MP5 isn’t just cold-war super cool; it’s exceptionally easy to shoot accurately, thanks to its relatively substantial weight (especially once a full buttstock is added) and H&K’s proven roller-delayed blowback operating system, which the SP5 shares. Shooting one of these after shooting a blowback-operated subgun or PCC highlights how good the H&K is. It feels like there’s no recoil at all in comparison.

The MP5 platform has its quirks, many of which have become beloved by fans over the years, but they are potential drawbacks if you’re planning to use your SP5 for serious purposes. The bolt doesn’t lock open as the included 30-round magazines run dry, and you can’t (or aren’t supposed to) insert a loaded magazine into the magazine well if the bolt is closed/forward. So, emergency/tactical reloads involve the H&K dance, where you must manually retract the bolt handle on the forward/left side of the firearm, lift it into its retention recess, press the ambidextrous paddle magazine release and manually extract the magazine (which doesn’t drop free), dispose of or stow that magazine, acquire a fresh mag, insert it, then either manually retract and move the bolt handle downward out of its recess to close the bolt or perform the HK slap with your left hand, which bumps the bolt handle down out of its recess so it can slam forward and chamber a fresh round. All of this may look cool on film, but in the real world it takes valuable seconds. Well-trained operators can perform an emergency reload fairly swiftly. Still, it will never be as quick as on more modern platforms with bolt-hold-open mechanisms and bolt-release latches or buttons accessible by the firing hand.

Another significant downside to the SP5 is the buy-in is steep, as with most H&K firearms. How steep, you ask? MSRP is an eye-watering $3,389, and SP5s frequently sell for more due to relative scarcity. And this doesn’t include the cost of a brace adapter, brace, or SBR-only buttstock (and the additional $200 federal tax stamp and hassle that this entails). However, for well-heeled H&K fans (or those of us who have to save up for one), the first time you experience the HK slap makes it all worth it.

Note: If spending 3 grand plus on a gen-yoo-wine H&K just isn’t in the cards, look at the PTR 9CT-CL, with a starting MSRP of a patriotic $1,776. PTR has been making well-regarded MP5 clones for quite a few years, and you might like them so much you don’t miss the real thing. That is if you can find one. They are often out of stock.

Sig Sauer MPX

SIG’s MPX, hitting the civilian market in 2015, has probably offered the first serious threat to the H&K MP5’s title as the king of tactical submachine guns. Unlike most PCCs, the MPX features a gas-operated recoil system, where a short-stroke gas piston actuates a rotating bolt. Like the MP5’s roller-delayed blowback system, SIG’s gas-operated MPX has very low recoil. Add to this that the MPX is ergonomically similar to the excellent AR-15 platform, and you can see why the MPX has been stealing civilian, law enforcement, and military market share from the MP5 since its introduction.

For the civilian market, SIG has offered dozens of individual SKUs based on the MPX platform in the past and is currently on their third generation. At least three core variations of the MPX platform are available from SIG now: The MPX Copperhead pistol ($2,079 MSRP) with a laughably short 3.5” barrel, a braced pistol called the MPX-K ($2,162) with a 4.5” barrel and included collapsible brace, and the MPX PCC ($2,274 from major online stores) with a 16” barrel, full-length aluminum free-float rail, 3-chamber muzzle brake, and folding, collapsible buttstock. They are marketing the PCC as competition ready, and it looks the business. Add an optic and you’re ready for your favorite steel challenge or PCC competition.

We like the ergonomics and features of the MPX, particularly if you’re well-trained in the AR-15 platform. The MPX uses the same T-type charging handle and controls, so moving from one weapons system to another is a breeze. We’ve had a small amount of reliability issues with a couple of the SIG MPX carbines we’ve tried, though. They seem to like to be clean, lubed, and use quality full-power ammo. Anything outside of that window, and we had some cycling issues. However, we haven’t tried the shorter-barreled variants, and from nearly all reports, those are extremely reliable.

Grand Power Stribog

The Slovak-made Stribog line hit the market just a few years ago, but the company has listened to customer input and now offers several models of pistols/braced pistols that can readily be made into SBRs/PCCs (with the proper NFA paperwork). Initially, the firearms had some non-user-friendly features (such as super-short handguards and reciprocating charging handles), but Grand Power has made revisions quickly, and lately, the firearms have a solid reputation for quality, particularly for the price. Stribogs are now offered in proprietary curved and Glock mag models, straight-blowback and roller-delayed blowback variants, all for very competitive prices. We’ve seen retail pricing starting around $725 for the blowback SP9 A1 model and around $825-$950 for the roller-delayed SP9 A3 and A3S models. For a reliable, well-made, roller-delayed 9mm braced pistol/carbine, that’s a relative steal.

Palmetto State Armory AR-9

If you want a quality PCC for a low price, start here. We’ve said that we love PSA for their proudly American-made products, commitment to customer service, and sense of humor. There’s no popular type of firearm that PSA isn’t currently manufacturing in the USA (or gearing up to). PSA offers a wide array of 9mm braced pistols and PCCs in what is now colloquially known as the AR-9 design. These are blowback-operated AR-15 style firearms with angled magwells, usually utilizing Glock-patterned magazines. PSA’s AR-9s start around $579 MSRP, but if you sign up for their email list, you’ll surely get an amazing deal sent to you pretty much every week.

Aero Precision is another well-known company that offers bazillions of parts and configurations for 9mm AR-type PCCs.

Smith & Wesson M&P FPC

S&W offers their Response PCC (a typical AR-9 style carbine) for about $799, but we kinda like the somewhat goofy Folding Pistol Carbine (FPC) ($699 MSRP) better. S&W obviously studied the budget-level PCC market, liked what the Kel-Tec Sub2000 was doing, and thought they could do it better… or at least slightly differently. The FPC folds in half, horizontally to the left, right at the chamber. This essentially halves the 30 3/8" unfolded length down to just 16 3/8" when folded, and the rifle stores in the included nylon bag that’s smaller than a common tennis racket case.

The carbine also allows the mounting of optics, unlike the original Sub2000, which folds vertically, preventing the use of optics. The FPC is extremely unorthodox and looks pretty weird, but it works great as a handy truck gun or generally as a PCC that takes popular M&P 9mm magazines. Two spare 23-round magazines are stored in the buttstock (which also contains a recoil buffer system) and are released with a convenient button for quick swaps. There are two charging tabs behind the receiver and a cross-bolt safety in front of the trigger guard. The magazine release may be swapped to the other side if desired. The blowback-operated carbine weighs just 5 pounds, making it one of our list's lighter PCCs. It’s also fairly light on your wallet.

Store your PCCs (and all your guns) in a quality safe from Liberty

No matter which PCC you decide on (even if you choose them all), keep your firearms and valuables more secure from theft, unauthorized access, and environmental damage in a US-made gun safe from Liberty. Look at our interactive online catalog, or visit a Liberty showroom near you.