Think I want to buy a "long" pistol next

[locked*n*loaded]

I've been looking around at various "styles" of long, tactical-type pistols, probably something chambered in 9mm, but I haven't ruled out 7.62mm, yet. I really kinda like the AK style pistols like a Kalashnikov, or maybe a Zastava. There's a few others, too, including a PSA variant. On the flip-side (kinda), I'm looking at the AR variants. Harrington & Richardson has a really nice one with, I think, a 10.5" barrel. Of course PSA owns them now, so I don't know if that has any effect on the quality "heritage" H&R was known for.

The reason I'm posting this thread is that I've looked at the Ruger offerings, too - the PC & LC Chargers. I don't know if I'm missing something, or if it's just me, but for some reason I just can't get into either of them. I look at them and they just don't do it for me. I don't know if it's because I'm more "retro" in my tastes (the H&R model 635 9mm 10.5" gets my juices flowing).

Can someone tell me some nice things about the Ruger Chargers?

 

[Mobuck]

What are your intended purpose(s) for this 'long pistol'?
Just a plinker/range toy would be covered by a Ruger Charger to which you might add (if legal where you live) a folding 'arm brace'. I can vouch for the accuracy and 'fun factor' of this setup.
Bigger/louder/more powerful?
That puts you into the 5.7x28 category or maybe into 9mm. I don't have a 5.7 but have several 'AR9' 8-9" barrel pistols. Well into the 'more funner' range toy or a very viable home/self defense tool.
Even more of the above?
AR type 'rifle caliber' pistols are popular and very capable tools. We use them suppressed for deer hunting in the alternate weapons season and calling coyotes. MOA accuracy is common.

 

[Kevin]

I can't answer your question about the Charger, but for a long pistol have you considered the Thompson Contender? Then you could get different barrels in various lengths and calibers.

 

[locked*n*loaded]

What are your intended purpose(s) for this 'long pistol'?
Just a plinker/range toy would be covered by a Ruger Charger to which you might add (if legal where you live) a folding 'arm brace'. I can vouch for the accuracy and 'fun factor' of this setup.
Bigger/louder/more powerful?
That puts you into the 5.7x28 category or maybe into 9mm. I don't have a 5.7 but have several 'AR9' 8-9" barrel pistols. Well into the 'more funner' range toy or a very viable home/self defense tool.
Even more of the above?
AR type 'rifle caliber' pistols are popular and very capable tools. We use them suppressed for deer hunting in the alternate weapons season and calling coyotes. MOA accuracy is common.

Yeah, just range toy, plinking. I just can't get into the "look" of the Charger.

I can't answer your question about the Charger, but for a long pistol have you considered the Thompson Contender? Then you could get different barrels in various lengths and calibers.

I haven't, but it's only a single shot.

 

[locked*n*loaded]

Guess I'm more of a "traditionalist".

This style

Harrington & Richardson 635 10.5" 9mm

is more appealing to me than this

Ruger PC Charger 9mm

I guess

 

[the_leper_colony]

FWIW & YMMV, I initially didn't care much for AR pistols, because of the buffer tube/receiver extension sticking out the back. But you can get a cheek weld of sorts on the buffer tube (without stirring up any feds ;^), which makes them somewhat better for shooting offhand, versus shooting with a rest or bipod. Also on the plus side is the easy availability of parts, and multiple caliber options; on the minus side is the established fact that ownership of AR pistols is being actively restricted by gun banners.

Semi-auto pistols without the AR buffer tube can be a lot more compact, and IF you're shooting from a bench, you won't need a cheek weld. I owned a Kel-Tec PLR16 for a while, and it was compact, light-weight, and trouble-free; it was a lot of fun, and quite accurate shooting from a rest. (And just as a reminder, some shooting ranges do NOT allow firing from the hip - saw a range master intervene a couple months ago, when an AK pistol owner tried that.)

You might think about which caliber would be best for you, to narrow the field. The 5.7 ammo is currently a bit pricey, which is a concern for me but maybe not others. I really like 9mm ARs, but the PLR16 was a great plinker, also, and shot flatter & farther. And I've also owned (& parted with ;^) AR pistols in .300 Blackout & 7.62x39. Heck, .22 LR might even be an option!

As always IMHO, FWIW, YMMV, etc.

 

[BULL'S-EYE]

Also not a huge fan of the PC Charger.
I did receive this email from SA yesterday...Definitely has me thinking.

SAINT® Victor Pistols - Springfield Armory

www.springfield-armory.com

 

[XUSNORDIE]

I have nothing against the Chargers and think they are fun. But I'm a bit more like you and fond of AR style.

This one was built off of a stripped PSA lower and barreled upper. Nothing wrong with PSA some folks poo poo them from some issues a long time ago. This thing is just for fun blasting steel plates. The Rise Armament trigger is very good for that with the quick reset.

And yes the brace is legal this is not a SBR it is a pistol.

 

[blume357]

TNW firearms makes one that can be chambered in everything from 9MM to 10mm and all you need for the caliber change is a different barrel and magazine...
I have both their rifle and pistol, here they are with my various barrels:

 

[Hawk-in-Wi]

if you like big bore and long

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1088107378

 

[Johnnu2]

Those long pistols are hell to hide in your shorts.....

J.

 

[jimbo1096]

 

[Randyzzz]

I built a 10.5" .300BLK. It was a great gun, fun to shoot. I had a brace on it, 10" flash guard, and a KAC flash can. A friend liked it so much that he made a good offer, and at that time ammo was hard to find, so I sold it. I sorta miss that gun.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

I built up a 300BLK on a stripped Aero lower and upper. Not a pistol build though....pretty much a longer version of yours. Aero Precision has come a long way with their products.

 

[Hvymax]

There's always the Tactical Hunting Pistol. A 6"+ semi in 10mm or one of the 45acp +P+++ loads. With a dot effective at over 100yds easy and legal to hunt deer and drop any rowdy bears. This is my 7" 357 Sig Frankenglock.

 

[southernbuck101]

The noise level on an AR pistol is right up there or beyond that of a 30 Caliber Carbine Blackhawk.
You wont forget your hearing protection but one time.
Traded mine off in 5.56 the following day.
Now the CMMG Banshee in 45acp is the best in the AR Pistol category.
Takes factory Glock 21 mags.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

The noise level on an AR pistol is right up there or beyond that of a 30 Caliber Carbine Blackhawk

I don't notice any difference in the reports between my AR pistol, mid length carbines or full length rifles.

 

[IKE]

Competing in IHMSA for well over twenty years I have had my fair share of 14-15" Contenders, Encores and Remington XP-100 long barrel handguns through the years (still have one scoped 15" Encore chambered in 6.5x55 Swed) but I've always wanted a long slide 1911 in 45ACP just never have purchased one.

Something like this....

 

[Johnnu2]

There's always the Tactical Hunting Pistol. A 6"+ semi in 10mm or one of the 45acp +P+++ loads. With a dot effective at over 100yds easy and legal to hunt deer and drop any rowdy bears. This is my 7" 357 Sig Frankenglock.

And THAT you can hide in your shorts....!!!!! Yours too IKE
They are both pretty too.........

Competing in IHMSA for well over twenty years I have had my fair share of 14-15" Contenders, Encores and Remington XP-100 long barrel handguns through the years (still have one scoped 15" Encore chambered in 6.5x55 Swed) but I've always wanted a long slide 1911 in 45ACP just never have purchased one.

Something like this....

View attachment 66876

J.

 

[Randyzzz]

I've always had a strange desire for one of these:

An AMT Hardballer. 7" IIRC.

I also saw a Randall long slide once. I don't think it was standard production, probably a custom. I think it was the name more than anything that makes me want a Randall.