Figured it was time for a PCC

[instructor]

I purchased the Ruger when they were first announced and glad I did. Also fan of Glocks and have numerous magazines which fit just fine as well. I know Ruger offers versions of the carbine that have hand guards that resemble those on the various AR rifles, but the fact that this basic Ruger PC 9 represents a more modern "sporting rifle" appearance rather than a military appearing firearm is a plus in today's political world we all live in. Have put some 600 + rounds though mine and no failures whatsoever to date and it is quite accurate at the 50-yard line target. Some complain about the weight or the trigger, etc., etc., but find the carbine much to my liking as it is from the factory.

 

[BearBiologist]

Bought one for the wife before the powers in Olympia decided I wasn't qualified to own a semi-auto (US Army vet!)! She loves it (I got the AR556. Both like them! and she carries a Glock, so it's a good idea!.

 

[unodemo]

I started with the S2K, figured out what I want, and built an AR-9. I watched an S2K operated in a multi-gun competition and it was just awful.

Here's the multiple choice problem for AR-9 pattern builds

Plan A. Glock anything
- Glock compatible lower or an AR-pattern lower with a Glock compatible magwell insert.
- Glock mags
- Glock cut BCG
It will not last round hold open and your Manual of Arms will be different. Plan A will last round hold open and the keep the 5.56 Manual of Arms about the same.
You will need to tune the buffer weight/BCG to 22 ounces.
I don't Glock and didn't go this route. And what the_leper_colony wrote already.

Plan B. For Colt-pattern 9mm AR and if you're in the mood for built it yourself.
- An AR upper. A door kit works. The FA isn't needed.
- AR-9 barrel
- Handguard of your choice
- FM 9mm AR BCG
- Charging handle of your choice
- Some sort of muzzle device to cover the threads. I drilled out an A2 flash hider to 0.375".

- A regular AR pattern lower with the usual parts
- The standard buffer spring and extension tube
- KAK 9mm AR Configurable Buffer Kit. The combined weight of the buffer weight and BCG need to be ~22 ounces.
- A good drop-in trigger. The Ni plated mil-spec trigger I started with began burst firing. I switched to the Rise LE-145 and didn't look back.
- Magpul PMAG MOE 5.56 30 round mags
- Mean Arms EndoMag 9mm PMAG conversion kit
Plan B will last round hold open and the keep the 5.56 Manual of Arms about the same. Organizing 5.56 and 9mm PMAGS is the challenging part. They look the same because the mag housing is the same. I put bands on the AR-9 and its PMAGs to help me keep things straight. Going to a multi-gun event now with both a 5.56 and 9mm firearms requires extra attention to detail. But, I can run the same 124gr 9mm ammo in the AR-9 and 9mm pistol.

I went with Plan B so I can pick up any of my AR-9/15/300's and it operates very much like 'thu standard AR-15'. I even have an AR-12 and it's only difference is the charging handle is on the bolt.

The Plan B AR-9 I built runs through ammo like it's TEOTWAWKI.

 

[NikA]

@unodemo, FWIW I have both Glock compatible lowers and a Glock magwell insert that have LRBHOs that work fine. I think the market for Colt-pattern AR9 accessories is not what it once was, as I could not find a magwell insert for that pattern that did not look cheap.

I didn't Glock either until I was convinced the AR PCCs would work. Then I looked at police surplus Glocks and they were too cheap not to have a common feed platform set.

 

[unodemo]

@NikA, Thanks for the first hand information. I edited my original comment about the LRBHO.

 

[NikA]

@NikA, Thanks for the first hand information. I edited my original comment about the LRBHO.

Incidentally, Stern Defense now has a magwell adapter with LRBHO for M&P mags. I believe I saw elsewhere that you were running an M&P pistol as a companion to your AR9. I had very good results with their hardware but went a dedicated lower route eventually.

 

[dobegrant.45]

I love my Ruger PCC, keep them cleaned and they run great. we added a PCC steel match at our local club.

 

[bykerhd]

I've wanted one of the new Ruger 9mm carbines for a while.
This one came my way at a local gun show this Fall new in box for a good price. I added a couple goodies after.
Shoots great, I am a happy camper.

 

[bowzette]

I bought a Ruger PPC. It is very well made, easy to use and accurate and use my Glock mags. But it is as large and heavy as my AR 15. If I'm carry a long gun that large and heavy it will be the AR in 5.56, not 9mm. So I sold the Ruger and bought a Sub2000 MSeries which has all the MCarbo internal and external aftermarket goodies. I've found the Sub2000 MSeries to be exactly what I was looking for. However it is expensive but it is what I wanted. No regrets. You can buy the standard Sub2000 now for $250 and pick the MCarbo parts you want either all at once or over time and build the Sub2000 to your taste. I'm not saying the Sub2000 as modified is better or worse than the Ruger. It met my needs/wants and the Ruger PCC did not. BTW you can buy an improved rear sight for the Sub2000 from MCarbo. I have the improved sight and the foulding mount for a Dot.

 

[WAYNO]

I am pleased folks are discovering pistol cartridge carbines, whatever the flavor.
I've got guns of all sizes and types, including AR's. But for whatever reason, I purely enjoy shooting my PCC's.

Specifically, I have the original Ruger PC4 as well as their more recent PCC .

Also interesting, is that 20+ years ago, when Ruger first offered the PC9 and PC4, they didn't sell, and that lineup was discontinued.

In my eyes, or at least partially, the failure 25 years ago was poor marketing to the civilian sector. Ruger hoped the LE circles would purchase these to match up with their pistols shooting the same round. Well, the LE market didn't accept the Ruger pistols, so the corresponding carbine was also not accepted. And gun stores... they figured this market was a flop, so they wouldn't stock them. Ruger couldn't sell what gun dealers refused to stock. So that prophesy spelled the demised of the PC firearms at that time.

And now we know, PCC's are fun to shoot, they are easy to shoot, they are relatively easier on the ears, they remain much cleaner, and ammo is cheap. They are inexpensive, at least the Ruger variant is. Add to that they are pleasantly accurate within their expected range of use. We have a winner for the folks that aren't prejudiced against such a firearm.