What Can Make the PCC a Good Choice Over Other Options?

The AR15 has always been known as one of the most versatile platforms to ever hit the market. Its ability to be configured in countless ways has made it the jack of all trades to many. This includes the ability to be chambered in a variety of cartridges. Shooters have the choice of the original 5.56 chambering, as well as other calibers, such as .308, and .456 SOCOM, and even an 9mm AR15. Pistol caliber carbines have become popular in recent years, with the dominant flavor being 9mm. To the old guard or more appropriately the gun curmudgeons, the question most often heard is “Why?” While a snarky “why not” sometimes slips my lips, it is worthy of a little discussion and look at what can make the PCC a good choice over other options.

The Pistol Caliber Carbine Rocks

A major benefit of having a PCC is the ability to share ammo and even magazines with a handgun. This is especially true for the Glock owners of the world. The ability for PCCs to run Glock mags has become almost an unofficial manufacturing standard in the industry. From EDC 15 and 17-round mags to the more enjoyable 30-round models, you are free from having to keep and maintain different mags.

PCCs are also cheaper to feed than their 5.56 big brothers. This translates to lower operating costs, which trickles down to more trigger time. Few shooters claim a downside to getting more trigger time on any gun! On that same idea regarding training, the PCC is much easier to run compared to rifle-caliber guns. This is helpful for beginners because there is not much recoil. AR15s aren’t known to have harsh recoil to begin with but the PCC is even lighter. The average carbine generates about 3.7-foot pounds of recoil into the shooter. When we change it to 9mm, it drops down to less than half of that. That allows us much less fatigue and greater muzzle control.

Easy to Suppress

Another benefit near and dear to my heart is the 9mm’s superior ability to be suppressed. This is true because of the power of the round and even the availability of much less expensive subsonic ammo. I try to suppress everything ranging from my handguns and rifles to my toothbrush. It simply makes for a more pleasant shooting and ultimately preserves hearing. While it may seem like a cool add-on, a suppressor can have a long-lasting preserving effect on your hearing. This rings true if you, like me, spend a great deal of time behind a gun.

Another often discussed and even argued point is the application of the PCC as a home defense weapon. The PCC makes a good choice for home defense because it bridges the gap between a rifle and a handgun. While the additional 230 fps average increase in velocity is not earth-shattering, it is an increase nonetheless.

Good Home Defense Option

The goal is significant penetration into an adversary and adding a little speed to the round helps accomplish that. It is also much easier to achieve higher levels of accuracy with a rifle when compared to a handgun. PPCs also provide a greater sight radius and a more stable platform when using iron sights. Many folks even put an optic and light on their PCCs, which work in harmony to provide a gun capable of putting an entire magazine in a space smaller than a palm (if not smaller) when shooting at speed. This is our ultimate goal in defensive shooting. Combine all of this with its low recoil, ease of operation, and ability to fire quickly and you have a formidable weapon to protect your home.

Manufacturers also chamber PCCs in a variety of other rounds including .40 S&W as well as .45 ACP. However, I believe this gun shines in 9mm. I vividly remember being on Bill Wilson’s private range and getting the opportunity to run his new AR9. What started as a friendly day on the range turned into an exciting shot-timer-driven affair that got me time on his newest creation. We would do a stage with a certain handgun, run to the next stage with another blaster then end up at the steel range running the PCC.

One of Many Good Options

With a variety of targets sitting from 25 to over 100 yards, the little 9mm AR15 rifle drove hyper-accurate shots on every press of the trigger. I’ve spent some time on submachine guns before this, but my experience at the Wilson range started a new respect and appreciation for the 9mm PCC. There is no “one gun for everyone” but I encourage every serious shooter out there to consider having a well-made 9mm Pistol Caliber Carbine in their collection.