The firearm community continuously debates what is best for self-defense – handgun, rifle or shotgun. One increasingly popular option is the Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC), often chambered in 9mm. PCC’s combine compactness and ease of handling a handgun with the stability and accuracy of a rifle. In this blog, we will discuss the role of the PCC in self-defense and why you should consider Second Call self-defense legal protection.

The Carbine Concept

What is a Carbine?

A carbine is a long gun that has a shortened barrel and smaller, lighter components than a full-sized rifle. Carbines typically have a barrel length of 16 inches, so as not to be classified as a Short-Barreled Rifle (SBR), which requires a tax stamp and registration with the ATF. Carbines can be semi-auto, full auto, lever action, bolt action, pump action, and even single shot.

Many modern carbines are often smaller versions of larger rifles. For example, the M4 Carbine has a shorter barrel (14.5 inches for the military version, 16 inches for civilian) than the M16 service rifle (20-inch barrel length). The intent of a carbine is a smaller, lighter, and more manageable long gun.

A short, barreled rifle (SBR) is just that and not a carbine. A braced pistol is legally a pistol, not a carbine. Both SBRs and braced pistols can serve similar purposes as a carbine, but because of their characteristics they are classified differently than carbines.

History of the Carbine

As early as the 17th century, carbines were being used by cavalry troops given their compact size and light weight. By the 19th and 20th centuries, advancements in firearm technology led to the adoption of iconic carbines like the Spencer Carbine, Winchester Model 1892 and the M1 Carbine during World War II. These weapons excelled in close- quarters combat and urban warfare, with their reduced weight making them ideal for mobile troops. Today, carbines like the M4 continue to bridge the gap between rifles and pistols, serving military, law enforcement, and civilian needs for versatile, compact firearms.

Pistol Caliber Carbines (PCC)

A pistol caliber carbine is just that – a carbine chambered in a pistol caliber. Pistol caliber carbines, or PCC’s as we commonly refer to them, first came on the market in the mid-1800s as lever action carbines chambered in common revolver calibers like the .44-.40 and .32-20 WCF. It made a lot of sense for cowboys, frontiersman, law enforcement, etc. to have both a rifle and a pistol chambered in the same caliber at a time when ammunition was not readily available.

In recent years, the popularity of PCCs has grown dramatically and you can find them in most common calibers, including .22 LR, 9mm, 10mm .40 S&W, .45 ACP, .357 magnum /.38 Spl (especially in lever action). Today, the 9mm semi-auto PCC using standard Glock magazines is by far the most popular, given their wide availability and low cost.

The 9mm PCC for Self-Defense

History

The first successful 9mm PCCs, like the German MP40 and British Sten, saw extensive use during WWII. Although they are classified as submachine guns because they are capable of fully automatic operation, their physical characteristics also fit the carbine category. In the 1950s, the Uzi entered service and remains in use today. Heckler & Koch’s MP5 followed in 1964 and quickly became a favorite among militaries, special forces, and police. Both of these popular submachine guns have semi-auto variants available to the public. In the 21st century, models like the Kel-Tec Sub-2000 gained popularity, while many modern 9mm carbines now emulate the AR-15 style rifle in both features and looks and have become very popular for self defense as well as competitive shooting.

Advantages of the 9mm PCC

• Manageable recoil. The longer barrel and shoulder stock significantly reduce recoil compared to a handgun, allowing faster follow up shots.
• Increased accuracy. The carbine’s longer barrel and ability to shoulder the weapon provide for three points of contact for increased accuracy, versus two points of contact with pistols, especially at medium ranges
• Greater muzzle velocity. The carbine’s longer barrel provides for higher velocity which improves terminal performance and penetration.
• Greater magazine capacity. Most modern 9mm PCCs come with larger magazine capacity than pistols, or they accept extended pistol magazines like the 30+ Glock 9mm magazines.
• Magazine compatibility. Depending on your equipment, your PCC and handgun can share the same magazines. Most 9mm PCCs are compatible with standard Glock magazines, so your pistol magazine will fit your PCC and vice versa. There are other options available for other manufacturers.
• Reduced over-penetration. Compared to most rifle calibers rounds, the 9mm is less likely to over-penetrate walls and risk injury or even death of others. Note: over penetration is still possible with 9mm ammunition, so proper ammunition selection is critical.
• Compact and maneuverable. As pointed out earlier, carbines are inherently smaller, lighter and more maneuverable than full-size rifles.
• Affordable ammunition. 9mm ammunition is widely available and generally less expensive than most rifle caliber ammo.
• While great for self-defense, the 9mm PCC can be used for recreational shooting, competition, and in some cases, hunting.
• Ease of use. Minimal recoil, compact size, easy controls, etc. make the 9mm carbine easy to use.
• Suppressor compatibility. Many modern PCCs come with a threaded barrel, making them suppressor compatible. In addition to reducing noise, most suppressors also reduce felt recoil.

Disadvantages of the 9mm PCC

• Stopping power. As we have discussed in other blogs, the 9mm has sufficient stopping power which can be enhanced with specific self-defense ammo. However, it is not pack the punch of a rifle caliber round traveling 2-3 times faster and at longer distances will lose stopping power.
• Larger than a handgun. Depending on the specific use case, a 9mm carbine may be too cumbersome, too large and too heavy for your needs. PCCs are not a practical concealed carry option (although we know some of you with long coats may disagree).
• Slower deployment. A carbine is generally going to require both hands to operate accurately and safely, thus it is slightly slower to bring into engagement than a handgun.
• Noise and muzzle flash. While less than a larger rifle, a 9mm PCC will produce significant noise and muzzle flash that can be disorienting without a suppressor.
• It may require more training to master techniques like transitioning from room to room or magazine changes with a PCC versus a pistol.

Use Cases of the 9mm PCC for Self Defense

Home Defense

The 9mm PCC is an ideal choice for home defense as it strikes a balance between stopping power, maneuverability, capacity and over-penetration risk. Most 9mm PCCs have rails for accessories such as an optic and light.

Outside the Home

While the 9mm PCC would not be feasible for concealed carry, it would make a good option for a “truck gun.” Some people want a firearm with more power, more capacity, more range than a handgun when on a road trip or even just driving around town, commuting, etc. They turn to a “truck gun” which is often a carbine, braced pistol, or even a full-size rifle. The 9mm PCC could also be a good option for property defense.

Emergency Situations

While the odds are rare, there may be a situation such as an active shooter nearby or a natural disaster where you may need to leave your home with short notice and want to take a firearm with more capabilities than a handgun, but a full-sized rifle may be impractical or heavy to carry around. A 9mm PCC may be ideal for these situations.

Popular 9mm PCC Models

There are many, many models of 9mm carbines on the market today. We stuck to models that conform to carbine specifications. Braced pistols add a significant number of options you may want to consider. Nonetheless, below are just some that we believe are popular and affordable.

CZ Scorpion EVO 3. This semi-automatic, 9mm carbine comes with 20 round magazines, has a 16.3-inch barrel, 34.75 inches in length (stock extended), weighs 7 lbs. and has a folding stock. It also has a removable trigger pack that can be replaced with a better, more consistent trigger.

Kel-Tec Sub 2000. This popular 9mm Carbine weighs just 4.25 lbs. and has a 16.25-inch barrel. One of its standout features is its ability to fold in half, reducing its overall length to 16.25 inches for easy storage and transport. Another popular feature is it accepts popular pistol magazines, such as those from Glock, Beretta, or Smith & Wesson, offering greater magazine capacity and compatibility with a handgun.

Ruger PC Carbine. This versatile 9mm carbine features a 16.12-inch barrel and weighs just 6.8 lbs. It is highly modular, with a takedown design that allows it to be disassembled quickly for easy storage and transport. It comes with interchangeable magazine wells, making it compatible with Ruger SR-series and Security-9 magazines, as well as Glock magazines. Each variant has a threaded barrel for a suppressor and there are state compliant variants.

Palmetto State Armory (PSA) Gen4 9mm Rifle. If you are looking for an affordable AR-15 style 9mm PCC, the PSA Gen4 9mm rifle is a good option. This AR-style platform has a 16-inch barrel, weighs about 7 lbs., has a 6-position adjustable stock and accepts Glock 9mm magazines. While slightly bigger and heavier than some of its competitors, this is a good option for those seeking an AR-15 style 9mm carbine rifle.

Sig Sauer MPX PCC. The MPX PCC is gas operated, making it a soft-shooting PCC popular with competitors. It is highly modular, giving users the freedom to change barrel length and stock configuration, all while in the field. The MPX PCC line also includes small, compact variants that can serve as more concealable Personal Defense Weapons (PDWs).

JP GMR-15 and JP-5. JP Enterprises is widely known in the competition, military, and law enforcement communities has a manufacturer of premium quality firearms. The GMR-15 is their direct blowback action 9mm PCC, which is the most common type of PCC operating system. It is highly reliable and simple to operate. The JP-5 is JP’s newer PCC and uses a roller delayed action like the H&K MP5. Roller-delayed actions are considered highly reliable, but have significantly less recoil than direct blowback, making them ideal for fast, accurate shooting.

There are many more 9mm PCCs available from other manufacturers, including CMMG and Smith & Wesson to name just two, more than we can cover in a single article. It seems like every year new options come to market making today the “golden age” for firearms enthusiasts.

The Importance of Self Defense Legal Protection

Unfortunately, if you use a PCC, or any other weapon, to defend yourself or others you could find yourself facing criminal charges and/or civil liability.

What you don’t know can incarcerate you. Not every District Attorney, or law enforcement officer believes you have the right to self-defense, and an ideological prosecutor may choose to bring criminal charges against you. Even if you successfully defend yourself in court on criminal charges, an unscrupulous lawyer can bring a civil suit against you from the aggrieved family of your attacker.

These aren’t hypotheticals, people just like you have faced these situations. Ask yourself these questions, and if the answer is “no” to any of them, chances are you need self-defense legal protection:

• Do you have an attorney on retainer skilled in defending against criminal charges?
• Do you have an unlimited budget to pay out-of-pocket for your legal defense bills?
• Do you have at least $100,000 in cash to pay a bail bondsman that you can afford not to get back?
• Do you have ready access to professional psychological counseling for post-incident treatment
• Do you have legal protection against civil damages that could force you to sell your assets, such as your home, cars, guns, and other assets to pay a judgment?

READ MORE: The NYC Subway Trial: What You Don’t Know Can Incarcerate You

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Summary

The 9mm PCC is a versatile and practical option for self-defense, offering manageable recoil, accuracy, and compatibility with popular pistol magazines. Ideal for home defense or as a truck gun, it balances power and convenience. While it has limitations, such as reduced stopping power at longer distances, its advantages often outweigh them. However, using any firearm for self-defense involves potential legal and financial risks, making self-defense legal protection from Second Call Defense essential for peace of mind.