Two decades ago, Ruger introduced their first PC-9 carbine to the gun community. It didn’t go well. This could probably be because people were generally not interested in having 9mm pistol caliber carbines. But nowadays, people are more open to the idea of having a pistol caliber in their arsenal as long as it has some standard rifle functions and performance up its sleeve.
The PC9 Charger, coming in a pistol form, is very compact. Whether you’re hiking or backpacking, its easy disassembly makes it a small firearm to carry while still having all the room in a backpack.
That said, in this Ruger PC9 Charger review, we’re going to look into some of the details about this pistol caliber carbine. We’ll consider its overall build, magazine and ammunition, recoil alongside other things. Without any further ado, let’s get right into the topic.
Build Design
The Ruger PC9 Charger has a length of 16.5 inches and a weight of 5.2 pounds. It has a 6.5 inches detachable barrel that can easily be removed with a combined action of a release button, arm twist, and pull action. The barrel is cold hammer-forged chrome-moly known for hardness and longevity. On the end of the muzzle is a 1/2x28 threading that will hold in place a compatible muzzle brake or suppressor device.
Talking about its grip, the Ruger PC9 Charger is compatible with any AR-style pistol grip. It also features a Picatinny mounting interface which will allow different kinds of braces to fit onto the M1913 Picatinny rail. Certain stocks are also compatible with this setup, but you must go through the process of converting the pistol to an SBR before legally being able to sport a proper stock.
Regarding braces, you can put it up to your cheek or simply shoulder it. The stabilizing brace makes the gun a viable option for home defense or personal self defense weapon, or something to put in the vehicle or truck.
Magazine and Ammunition
The Ruger PC9 Charger out of the box feeds through a 17 round SR9 magazine, one of which is included with purchase. It also ships with an optional magazine insert making it compatible with double stack Glock 9mm magazines, such as those for your Glock 17 and 19. The PC9 will accept 9mm Luger ammo, and it is not picky towards brands. Do note that a Glock magazine is not included with purchase - only the magazine insert.
Recoil
The PC9 is more of a soft shooter due to its low felt recoil. The heart of the gun features a bolt face, “carrier”, and tungsten dead-blow weight, which in particular help reduce felt recoil and increases dwell time for the mag to supply the next round in the feeding cycle.
Conclusion
On the Ruger website, the MSRP for the PC9 is about $850, though you would be able to get it for less at your local gun shops. With little to no recoil and a handful of customization options, the PC9 could be a great option for you.
Do you have the Ruger PC 9 charger? If yes, what is the experience shooting with the firearm like? Let us know in the comments.
