Ruger PC Carbine Review
Part 1 - Introduction, Specifications and Summary
February 25, 2018

Over the past year I have taken a short break from reviewing some Ruger firearms because I have been working on other projects both Gunsumer and life related, but when Ruger announced their new Ruger PC Carbine I knew I had to get one for review.  A great deal of my interests for this firearm sparked from the fact that I had just completed an AR styled SBR (short barreled rifle) 9mm build and realized how much fun and practical a pistol caliber carbine/rifle can be.  Some features that really stood out on the Ruger PC Carbine were its takedown ability, threaded barrel, ambidextrous features and its ability to use Glock magazines which greatly increases magazine versatility.  I was very impressed with the "zero" repeatability of Ruger's takedown on one of my 10/22 platforms and I felt like similar results would exist on this new firearm.  The photo below is Ruger's stock photo from their website and gives a pretty good look at this carbine.

 

Figure 1 - New Ruger PC Carbine

Ruger did produce a carbine from 1996 to 2006 called the Ruger PC9 or PC4 (depending on the caliber).  I have never personally handled one of these older models, but it is my impression they were tough and dependable.  I believe that when Ruger phased out their P-Series pistols, this was the end of this carbine since they were not making a magazine compatible pistol to match the carbine.

Figure 2 - Older Discontinued Ruger PC9 Carbine

Personally, I think their new model is light years ahead of the older model in both looks and features.  The MSRP on the new PC Carbine is $649 and it looks like you can find them online for between $510 and $550 (if you can find one in stock).

You can see the video version of this part of my review below.

Figure 3

During my reviews I like to compare my results to the manufacturer's claims where possible so the following text in colored italics was taken directly from the Ruger website on 1/16/18 and gives the Key Features and Specifications for the Ruger PC Carbine.  The , and are my way to keep up with details that I have covered in this review with either photos, commentary or both.

Key Features

  • Interchangeable magazine wells for use of common Ruger® and Glock® magazines. Ships with SR-Series Pistol and Security-9® magazine well installed and an additional magazine well accepting Glock® magazines is included*. Ruger American Pistol® magazine well is available at ShopRuger.com.
  • Easy takedown enables quick separation of the barrel/forend assembly from the action for ease of transportation and storage. Takedown is as simple as locking the bolt back and verifying that the rifle is unloaded, pushing a recessed lever, twisting the subassemblies and pulling them apart.
  • Dead blow action features a custom tungsten dead blow weight that shortens bolt travel and reduces felt recoil and muzzle rise. Bolt is machined from heat treated, chrome-moly steel to ensure strength, structural integrity and durability.
  • Reversible magazine release and reversible charging handle to support ambidextrous use or one-handed control manipulation while maintaining a proper firing grip. Older Glock® magazines that feature only one magazine latch slot may still be used with the PC Carbine™, but the magazine release button must remain on the left side of the rifle as shipped from the factory. The magazine release button should not be reversed when using this type of magazine as the magazine will not properly lock into the magazine well.
  • Cold hammer-forged, chrome-moly steel barrel with ultra-precise rifling provides exceptional accuracy, longevity and easy cleaning. The heavy contour barrel provides consistent accuracy, while barrel fluting sheds unnecessary weight and allows for quick handling.
  • 1/2"-28 threaded barrel with included thread protector allows for use of standard muzzle accessories.
  • Accurate sighting system with adjustable ghost ring rear aperture sight and non-glare, protected blade front sight.
  • Soft rubber buttpad with spacers allows the rifle to be properly sized for different shooters or varying levels of outerwear or defensive gear (three, 1/2'' spacers included).
  • Durable, glass-filled nylon synthetic stock features sling swivel studs for rapid sling attachment and forward mounted accessory rail to allow for a variety of under-barrel accessories such as lights or lasers. The grip features a proprietary texture for enhanced control.
  • Light, crisp trigger pull with minimal overtravel and positive reset utilizing proven 10/22® trigger components.
  • CNC-milled from an aerospace-grade 7075-T6 aluminum billet, the receiver includes an integrated Picatinny rail and is Type III hard-coat anodized for maximum durability.
  • Also includes: one, SR-Series pistol magazine and hex wrenches for rear sight adjustment, buttpad spacer adjustment and charging handle removal.

Specifications

  • Model Number: 19100
  • Caliber: 9mm Luger
  • Stock: Black Synthetic
  • Capacity: 17
  • Barrel Length: 16.12" 
  • Overall Length: 34.37"  This length appears to be without any buttpad spacers installed
  • Barrel Feature: Threaded, Fluted
  • Front Sight: Protected Blade
  • Rear Sight: Adjustable Ghost Ring
  • Thread Pattern: 1/2"-28
  • Weight: 6.8 lb. Review model weighed in at 6.89 lbs with a unloaded magazine
  • Length of Pull: 12.62" - 14.12"
  • Material: Aluminum Alloy
  • Finish: Type III Hardcoat Anodized
  • Twist: 1:10" RH
  • Grooves: 6
  • Suggested Retail: $649.00

This review is broken down into multiple parts with this page providing links to each part along with an overall summary of the specifications, pros and cons, and my final "bottom line" comments.  Make sure you take time to checkout the other parts of the review because they contain many photos and lots of commentary.  Also, there is an extreme amount of detail in those parts which is not covered on this page.

As you read these Pros and Cons below, keep in mind that it is hard to keep my particular preferences from creeping in the equation.  Therefore, it is important that you take the time to look at the other parts of this review so you can decide yourself on items which may be more of a personal preference.

Pros:

  • Takedown feature makes it a very compact platform if desired
  • Accepts pistol magazine so if you already have a SR9 then you have a pistol and carbine being fed off the same mag
  • Accepts Glock magazines without having to purchase anything.  This is a huge feature that really opens up the opportunity for high capacity magazines and also for those Glock pistol fans
  • Nice sight picture looking through the Ghost Ring that might make you skip on adding an optic
  • Good trigger pull
  • Left side charging handle capable
  • Ambidextrous capable magazine release button
  • Fluted heavy profile barrel for increase accuracy and reducing weight
  • Buttpad spacers allows this firearm to fit a wide variety of shooters
  • Proved to be 100% reliable with a variety of ammunition bullet type, weights and velocities
  • Very accurate for this type of firearm and I had a 5-shot group average of 1.61" at 50 yards for the 34 different 5-shot groups
  • Zero is very repeatable (no zero shift seen) when removing and reinstalling the barrel while using a receiver mounted optic

Pro/Con/Comment (you decide)?:

  • The weight of this carbine is on the high end compared to other popular carbines, but the weight is not too much and helps make this firearm soft to shoot.
  • Streamlight TLR-1 series lights would not attach to rail on forend due to short length of rail and forend profile.  Consider light or laser length if planning to use one on your carbine.

Cons:

  • At the time of this review, Ruger does not have a Beretta magazine insert for the Beretta owners who may have a pile of Beretta magazines on hand.

 

Bottom Line:

If you are wanting to get a 9mm carbine then head to the store and place your order for the Ruger PC Carbine.  I never fully appreciated a pistol caliber carbine until now and at this point cannot see myself without this one.  This firearm shot great, was 100% reliable with everything I put through it and appears to be a quality built firearm.  I feel this carbine has the potential to be one of Ruger's legendary platforms and expect to see other calibers released in the future.

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