PCCs

[Sloat]

Hi all, in the market for a PCC sometime next year. Would love to be able to do steel challenge with it eventually, so looking for something that can be more than just a back up gun or bench rest plinker (although, to be honest, that'd probably be the main use). Is the Ruger PC Carbine still the best option in CA? The cool new PCCs seem like they wouldn't be that great with a fin since they're largely built around a regular handguard (Mean Arms, S&W FPC, S&W Response, any AR-9).

 

[micpib1]

I have the Ruger PC9 and a California Legal Kel Tec Sub 2000 Gen3. The Ruger feels more comfortable shooting than the Kel Tec that was adapted to be California Legal. Without the stupid California adaption, the Kel Tec is more comfortable and fun to shoot and carry. Both of my PCCs have Red Dot Sights and are fun to shoot at the range. The PC9, extra ammo, and spare magazines fit into the Ruger 10/22 Carry Bag. The Kel Tec folds up into a more compact, easy-to-carry unit, and both PCCs are very accurate. I mostly shoot steel at my local range. All of this is just my humble opinion.

 

[.dC0m]

Do not get a Ruger PCC - I have one and it burns through all my ammo too quick!

In all seriousness - the PCC (esp. with a Magpul Backpacker stock) is a very fun and accurate plinker. If you go with the Magpul backpacker stock - there's no need for Cali's stupid laws regarding fin grips/stocks. It's a bit heavy, but once you're used to the weight - its a reliable shooter. Plus, there's huge aftermarket parts support - plenty of modifications to make it more reliable.

 

[BillSmith]

Have the Ruger 9mm. Breakdown is efficient, and my red dot stays true. No idea if stock Ruger magazines are as good, but the Glock mag well, using OEM and a few off-brand mags, has produced zero jams, stovepipes or chicanery using various generic 9mm FMJ.

Recoil is a mild burp. Very accurate and 25 yards. Haven't shot much at 100 yds. It did blow up the water cartons at that distance.

It is a bit heavy for a carbine. Not overly so. Other than the fore end and a slightly larger knob, straight stock trigger and action. And will echo the comment that it is so easy to burn through ammo. Just plinking like a .22LR., every target gets hit, so you keep pulling the trigger.

 

[bonesurf]

Again, these things all depend on what the purpose is. The PCC by Ruger is very reliable. But it is definitely relatively heavy. The Keltec is super cheap. Also pretty reliable and the fold up thing is kind of cute. That being said it is oddly harsh for a 9 mm rifle. I have not shot the Smith Wesson one. I would also say the same thing about the cz scorpion. It is oddly harsh. The full auto version must be kind of hard to control. I would imagine. On the higher end there are a couple delayed roller esque rifles like by JP et al that are probably pretty sweet shooters. Of course they are all modeled after the MP five which is of course a very sweet shooter, but of course kind of pricey. The MPX is incredibly soft shooting, but again relatively pricey. The original ones had a lot of teething problems, but the current models are pretty bulletproof. The B&T are pretty good as well. But again… Pricey.

 

[Jon F]

I shoot a JP GMR-15 and an Aero EPC-9 as my B gun. I love the JP, dead reliable, crazy accurate, fast cycling, recoil is sharp but flat, cost is $2k+ after setting it up with optics and the rest. The EPC is a little lighter, thinner hand guard, recoil is a bee-otch compared to the JP but is 1/3 the cost. I have plates and screws in my right shoulder so I’m very recoil sensitive.

When using a fin grip, I use the Magpul MAID/exile backstrap combo and Magpul’s BAD lever. The thumb rest of the Exile fin works well and doesn’t hamper target transitions. A BAD lever makes locking and releasing the bolt much easier when using the grip. It only takes 10 seconds to swap the backstraps.

I’m currently collecting the parts to build a Colt 635 SMG clone. That one is going to be a pain to shoot but, at least I will look cool doing it.

 

[Sloat]

When using a fin grip, I use the Magpul MAID/exile backstrap combo and Magpul’s BAD lever. The thumb rest of the Exile fin works well and doesn’t hamper target transitions. A BAD lever makes locking and releasing the bolt much easier when using the grip.

This looks pretty decent actually. Where did you pick yours up?

 

[sjb323]

I guess I'm in the minority of people who really don't care for the Ruger carbine. I've done what I can to mine, including lightening the trigger (tried a Jard trigger, but it was too unreliable), installing an Ultradyne Lithium brake, different springs, recoil buffer, etc; but there really isn't any comparison to an AR15 platform 9mm. Even your average direct blowback AR9 will outperform the Ruger. I'm sure that if you're willing to put in the work with the platform, you can be pretty successful in PCC div with the Ruger, but it's just not as much fun to shoot.

 

[Jon F]

This looks pretty decent actually. Where did you pick yours up?

Zotarms.com. Site seems to be down right now. Sells them for $15/each. If you have a 3d printer the file is floating around on the web

 

[M_N04H]

I guess I'm in the minority of people who really don't care for the Ruger carbine. I've done what I can to mine, including lightening the trigger (tried a Jard trigger, but it was too unreliable), installing an Ultradyne Lithium brake, different springs, recoil buffer, etc; but there really isn't any comparison to an AR15 platform 9mm. Even your average direct blowback AR9 will outperform the Ruger. I'm sure that if you're willing to put in the work with the platform, you can be pretty successful in PCC div with the Ruger, but it's just not as much fun to shoot.

Love my AR9. Just got a ruger pc after that. I installed some Tandemkross parts to replace the plastic internals but that's about it. I'll shoot the Ruger soon but it's supposed to be good.

 

[TheAverageShooter]

The Ruger PCC with a Magpul stock is OK. A RDS is a must for reaching out past 50yds with any reasonable level of accuracy for me as the stock rear sight is too far forward to work well. It is fun to shoot and pretty accurate for a 9mm, and using my Glock mags are a plus. Mine had some feeding issues initially, but with the Magpul stock and adjusting the Glock mag adapter it has been running perfectly. I can hit full size IPSC steel out to 200yds relatively easily, until it gets windy (but that is more a 9mm limitation). The takedown may be handy, but I only find it handy when I clean it.

That said it is very heavy for a 9mm carbine, and also the perceived recoil is much more than expected for a 9mm that is this heavy. It seems the bolt hit the rear buffer pretty hard. I tried different rear buffers with no luck. At least I find it easy to keep the sights on target while shooting, but I wanted it as a trainer for my wife to get used to more than 22LR and this is not as soft shooting as I would have liked. It is less noisy that a 16" AR, but the perceived recoil feels about the same to me. Not that a 556 has a lot of recoil, but still intimidating for when I take in experienced shooters out.

 

[sjb323]

Love my AR9. Just got a ruger pc after that. I installed some Tandemkross parts to replace the plastic internals but that's about it. I'll shoot the Ruger soon but it's supposed to be good.

Curious to see how you think it shoots compared to your AR9. I have several PCCs including a Brekke direct blowback, CMMG direct impingement, and JP GMR15 (all with fin grips, of course). The Ruger just doesn't compare to any of them.

I think that if your goal is to be competitive in PCC division, you might be disappointed with the Ruger; but if you want a fun and inexpensive plinker, it may be the gun for you.

 

[Nautworthy]

Because of the stupid CA restrictions, I didn’t want to go the AR style route and went with the Ruger PCC and Magpul backpacker stock. I haven’t had it out yet but it feels good in the hands and the takedown is nice. I already have plenty of Glock mags so I’ve swapped out the mag adapter and topped the rifle with a Holosun 510 but otherwise, it’s stock.

For me, this will be just a fun gun and range plinker.

 

[M_N04H]

Curious to see how you think it shoots compared to your AR9. I have several PCCs including a Brekke direct blowback, CMMG direct impingement, and JP GMR15 (all with fin grips, of course). The Ruger just doesn't compare to any of them.

I think that if your goal is to be competitive in PCC division, you might be disappointed with the Ruger; but if you want a fun and inexpensive plinker, it may be the gun for you.

Finally shot the Ruger and I love it. Feels a bit like when I shot the AR9, not sure if it's that blow back design. Enjoyable to shoot. Ran well, no jams. But again, this was after I installed the Tandemkross parts. I haven't shot it stock.

 

[Dazed]

I am a big fan of the CZ Scorpion Evo 3 if you haven't tried one. I picked one up while shopping for a AR9 a few years ago when I shot both side by side. I was never a big fan of the Ruger PCC.

 

[00pj00]

Wilde Built Tactical in San Diego has a good selection of PCC's that are CA-compliant, if you want some ideas.
https://wbtguns.com/9mm/
I believe they will ship to your local FFL if you are not in the San Diego area.
You don't need to stick with the Ruger if you don't mind using a replacement for a pistol grip. I have the Sparrow Dynamics CRG-15 on my PCC and I like it.