Pistol Caliber Carbines continue to grow in popularity each year thanks to innovative designs and the ease of securing ammunition. The combination of a carbine-length long gun and ammunition for pistols or revolvers creates a fun, compact and powerful firearm for self-defense, competition or enjoyment at the range.
Commonly known as PCCs, these hybrids typically are semi-automatic and fed by removable magazines. They offer low recoil and high-capacity magazines. Some lever-action carbines fall into the PCC category, too, and are reliably fast while offering larger-caliber rounds. One of the most common is the 9mm PCC, although other calibers in the family include .357 Magnum, .40 S&W, .44 Magnum, .45 Colt, .45 ACP, 10mm and others.
As with most guns, owners have options for inexpensive or expensive models. With the design, accessories including foldable or collapsible stocks and optics allow for customization. PCCs are lightweight, easy to carry and maneuverable — they may even fit in a backpack or other pack. Most have threaded barrels for flash hiders or suppressors. A PCC’s longer barrel also may help with ballistic accuracy compared to a pistol. A big plus is the ease of finding ammo, which makes the 9mm a favorite.
Despite the roller coaster ride with ammunition availability and prices of the last few years, pistol ammo currently is easily available. It typically is more affordable than rifle ammo. This makes a PCC less of a hit in the budget and more enjoyable to shoot at the range. The 9mm is the most popular, and most sold, handgun caliber in the world. It is used by civilians, law enforcement and military in numerous countries. It also is arguably the most popular concealed carry caliber for handguns, thus making it immensely popular for PCC offerings.
The annual SHOT Show in Las Vegas is where many new products make their debut. Here are some new PCCs introduced this year that will be available soon or later this year.
Daniel Defense PCC
Keeping things simple was the plan for the Daniel Defense PCC, which has solid features starting with the cold hammer-forged barrel found on the company’s popular rifles. The gun has an adjustable multi-position stock, forward grip, and M-LOK slots on the rail for accessories. It is fully ambidextrous, with the same charging handle, selector, mag release and bolt catch
for right- or left-hand shooting. With a proprietary push-button magazine release, it accepts CZ Scorpion-style magazines along with standard AR-style accessories. www.DanielDefense.com
LWRC IC-9
The new IC-9 from LWRCI has a delayed blowback system combined with a hydraulic buffer for more smoothness to help reduce the snap of a direct blowback design. Chambered in 9mm, it has the same ambidextrous controls found in LWRCI’s premium gas-piston AR models. The IC-9 runs off Glock pattern magazines, has a last-round bolt hold-open feature, and will be offered in three barrel configurations: 8.5-inch pistol, 8.5-inch SBR and 16-inch carbine. All barrels are threaded for suppressors or flash hiders. The IC-9 is constructed of high-grade aluminum and steel alloys and protected by anodizing and multiple surface treatments. LWRCI.com
NEMO Arms Mongoose
The new Mongoose from NEMO Arms is less than 14 inches long but packs a punch with its simple design. Chambered for 9mm Luger and 9x19mm, the company says that “low recoiling mass is achieved by using a short-recoil operating system with redundant locking lugs rather than the conventional straight blowback system.” It runs Magpul 35-round magazines, has an integral 10.25-inch Picatinny top rail and M-LOK slots, and features a rear back plate rail for a sling, stock or accessory. A front cap compensator reduces muzzle rise and allows the Mongoose to fire when front barrier contact is encountered. All controls are ambidextrous. NemoArms.com
Show Low Black Jack 9mm
Among the numerous features on the Show Low Black Jack 9mm are direct barrel mounting to the sight rail for improved accuracy and a rear button release for easier field stripping and cleaning without tools. The Black Jack has standard AK grips and uses PMag 35 EV9 and CZ Scorpion EVO 3 mags. The lower uses most AK triggers and has replaceable adapters to handle AK and AR stocks and braces. It also has an alloy steel replaceable feed ramp. It is CNC machined from aerospace-grade billet aluminum. Also, a delayed blowback system is cleaner along with reducing felt recoil and bolt velocity. It is configured in 4.5-inch and 8.5-inch barrel pistols and a 16.1-inch rifle. showlowmfg.com
Ruger LC Carbine .45
The new LC Carbine is chambered in .45 Auto and has an aluminum free-float handguard with M-LOK slots, QD attachment points for sling, and full rail for AR-height optics or accessories. It has a 16.25-inch threaded barrel, adjustable folding stock, Ruger Rapid Deploy folding sights and ambidextrous controls. Set the stock to its shortest length of pull and the LC Carbine is just 28.66 inches long. The carbine has an updated right- and left-hand bolt release, octagonal handguard, reversible magazine release and is compatible with most Glock-pattern magazines. It can be disassembled easily and without tools, allowing for convenient cleaning and maintenance. ruger.com
B&T KH9 Covert
Available in a limited production run, the new KH9 Covert from Swiss-based B&T has several unique features, including a folding magazine well and pistol grip. Yes, that’s right. Both fold 90 degrees, allowing the KH9 Covert to be stored in narrow spaces when discretion is critical. The KH9 has a double-action trigger system, three-position selector switch and 25-round magazine, although it accepts standard B&T APC9 polymer mags or others. It comes with flip-up sights but has three Pic rails for accessories or optics. The aluminum body comes with a Cerakote FDE finish and weighs just 5.4 pounds. bt-usa.com
