[Review] Ruger PC Carbine

Submitted by markhawkeyeordnance on Fri, 2018-07-13 13:22

In the last few years, there has been an explosion of innovation around the pistol caliber carbine, and we have seen clear winners in the segment. JP Rifles and Sig Sauer have more or less taken the top spots in both finish and performance with the GMR-15 (starting at $1,650) and the MPX ($1,700) respectively. In the middle are companies like CMMG ($1,200) and CZ ($1,050), or companies like Quarter Circle 10 and Palmetto State Armory, who are known for providing high-quality parts to the “build-your-own” customer. The bottom is where it gets interesting: in the sub-$1,000 market, there have only been a couple of players: Just Right Carbines (around $700), Diamondback (around $800), and Keltec ($375, if you can find one). Enter the Ruger PC Carbine at just $525!

I’ve had the opportunity to play with most of these guns, and until now, I had all but dismissed the sub-$1,000 category because of reliability or quality issues. I spent the last several weeks playing with a bone-stock Ruger PCC, and one that our friends at Taccom have dressed up for shooting USPSA and 3-Gun. Here’s the short review: I love it!

Favorite features:

- Interchangeable Magwells, including Glock

- Takedown

- Reversible

- - Mag release

- - Charging handle

- Threaded barrel

- Adjustable length of pull

- Ruger 10/22 trigger

My first experience with the gun was at a 3-Gun shootoff. We had a plate rack up at 75 yards, and I shot supported with iron sights. After a few dirt impacts, I got zeroed in and was able to make consistent contact. The gun transitioned well from there, and I made quick work of the little knockdown plates at 7–10 yards. After getting thoroughly schooled by the guy next to me, who was shooting appropriate 3-Gun gear, I popped over to a private bay and shot a bunch of Steel Challenge-type stages. The gun is fun to shoot, good at transitions, and has everything you need to be successful at various types of shooting at your favorite range.

Recommended for:

- Anyone looking for an affordable and really fun range toy

- Young or slight shooters

- Campers who want a little more power than a 22LR

- PCC shooters on a budget (USPSA, 3-Gun)

After shooting this gun for several days, in several different ways, I found it highly reliable. I used both SR-type and Glock mags from several different companies. The only feed failures I encountered were with a 50-round stick, and that was easily remedied with a new spring. I took the gun down to its bones to see how difficult it would be, and while it was no AR-15, it was easily done with basic tools. Ruger has a solid video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aVizjfG9cw

I do have a couple of complaints about the gun. First, it’s Ugly. I don’t like the way most pistol-caliber carbines look, and this one’s no exception. I’m not sure what it is about PCCs. I think it’s the way the magazine is presented: it just looks goofy to me. Add to that the utilitarian looks of a Ruger, and you have an ugly duckling. Second, I am not a fan of the factory mag release. I’m a bit of a gamer, and it’s hard for me to actuate reliably on the clock.

If you are looking for a solid rifle that shoots the ubiquitous and affordable 9mm and meets the criteria in the “Recommended for” section above, I can’t recommend this gun enough. While unattractive, the Ruger PC Carbine is incredibly reliable and capable. Who knows? Maybe I’ll come to love it as only a father could.