Ruger PC9 or PC4 carbines

B

beastman

New member
Does anyone have any experience or opinions (opinions? here? at the firing line? Nah! :) ) on the Ruger PC-9 or PC-4 carbine rifles?

I am seriously considering getting a Ruger auto pistol and might like to get a carbine to match. I like the magazine compatibility between the pistol and carbine.

Any thoughts?
 
I like mine. While I have yet to test it seriously for accuracy, it has functioned flawlessy, spitting the .40 bullet out past 200 yards. Take down for cleaning is a bit of a chore, but it can be managed with the right tools. The ghost ring sight makes for rapid target acquisition. For the price, it can't be beat.
 
I would have to second Trevor's comments. I have the PC9GR to go along with my P93. It is a rather interesting combination. These carbines are somewhat on the heavy side, not such that they are unmanageable, but they do soak up recoil quite handily. I haven't shot at anything much farther out than 50 yards, but mine will easily produce a 1 to 2 inch group at fairly rapid fire from the shoulder without a rest. Two recommendations for you; 1. Check www.rugerforum.com for a good deal of information on the PC4/PC9. And if you do happen to acquire one, might I suggest this:
http://www.uncle-mikes.com/m_law_p.asp?grpky=81

I know....Uncle Mikes , blah, blah blah; I don't particularly care for many of their products either....but I have one of those buttstock magazine pouches on mine and it is (if you'll excuse the slang) "pretty freakin' cool".

I hope this helps you in your quest.

Medic

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Admit Nothing,
Deny Everything,
Make Counter Accusations
 
I too have the PC9GR, the nice thing about it is the availability of 20 & 30 rd. mags fron cheaper than dirt. I chose the 20's I think the 30"s spoil the asthetics of the carbine. I like my PC9 Its plenty accurate, funtions almost exactly like a 10/22 and its a great gun for the wife to shoot.

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The difference between an optimist and a pessimist is the pessimist has more information.
 
I have a PC9GR as a companion to a KP95DC, and I agree with the above comments. This carbine should have been equipped with the ghost ring from the start.

When will Ruger make a PC45GR to go with the P97?

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Slowpoke Rodrigo...he pack a gon...

I voted for the Neal Knox 13

I'll see you at the TFL End Of Summer Meet!
 
I have the PC4 w/the ghost ring sight and love it! Actually it has replaced my 870 shotgun as my inside the house gun. I have a tactical light on it and a dual mag pouch on the stock. 30 rounds in all, very light and maneuverable. Shoots great and accurately enough for me. It especially loves the +P 155 GD I use. I practice with either 155 or 180 fmj.

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Take Care
 
You guys just obviously haven't got it yet.

Go back to the handgun forum and read the "Why not Ruger?" thread

All Rugers, including Bill, suck.

They are absolutely godawful s**t.

Wise up, guys.
 
Sounds like someone is having a bad day! :) I just can't imagine why someone would want to buy a gun that is super reliable, super strong, and very economical, not to mention just as accurate as a $600 gun. What's wrong with these people.

Back to the subject. My PC4 is very accurate. Man, that 180gr. bullet just zips outta there. I say get the ghost ring sight too. I got my PC to go along with my P94 (also an excellent gun, comparing to Sig P239). The mag pouch is a must-have accessory. I don't think disassembly is a chore. There are just 2 screws and the thing comes to pieces. I wish they had used the rotating bolt system of the M1 carbine though. It would have been much cooler.
 
Okay, weegee.
We'll go look at that enlightening thread again, while you go back to High School and learn debate.

What a stirring display of argumentative reason. Don't you understand!? Your guns suck?! Yes. Such a pressentation of solid fact would easily force me to change my mind about my weapon as well.
 
I was trying to keep my comments on the same level as the other respondents--just in a concise form.

Glad you were persuaded.

Just for the record, most people have given up debating questions like, "Which is better, chocolate or vanilla?"
 
On the level of the other respondants? Do you mean the other posters?
Well, it looks to me like they were discusing various qualities and the performance of their firearms. That would be a bit more concise and usefull than "Why don't you understand your guns suck?".
But if you think these methods are on the same level, by all means, troll away. But since you don't own a Ruger carbine and have no experiance with such, you can also just see yourself out of here as well.
 
The Ruger carbines are a LOT of weight for a miniscule improvement in ballistics over the corresponding caliber in a pistol. That's the major reservation I have about the Ruger (and also the Marlin) semi-auto blowback carbines. I can understand that in some jurisdictions it's easier to get permission to possess a 9mm CARBINE, than a 9mm HANDGUN. Otherwise, I maintain that a lever carbine in .357 Magnum or .44 Magnum has it all over the PC and Marlin semi-autos in usability, accuracy and power-for-weight, as well as appearance and quality.(I'm not a big fan of plastic or 'hardwood', i.e. 'birch' stocks.) I have a Marlin 1894C in .357, which is all forged steel and walnut, and wouldn't trade it for a PC of any caliber. I would advise that if you want to shoot the 9mm P or .40 Short and Weak, that you get a full-sized pistol in the caliber, and don't look back.
--slabsides

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If they take our guns, I intend to let my hair grow long and acquire the jawbone of an ass.
 
You are dead on right about about the .357 lever gun. I'd love to have one. The longer barrel gives higher velocity. With some .357 loads the velocity goes over 2200fps. That is really hard hitting. I might pick up a used example soon. If I didn't have a stainless Mini-14 I would already have a .357 levergun.

But if I carried Ruger autopistols, I would certainly get a Ruger Carbine with the same chambering and magazine.

[This message has been edited by Shin-Tao (edited May 07, 2000).]
 
Slabsides, I appreciate your comments on the .357 Marlin compared to a PC. I've been wanting a .357 or .44 lever for sometime and recently was wondering if I should consider a PC4. Think I'll probably stick with my intial druthers.

Do you happen to have a scope on yours? If so, care to elaborate on type? Have you fired any .38s through it yet? Also, would you mind telling me why the Marlin in lieu of the Winchester?

Sorry for all the questions. Just haven't run across many who have had one. :)

Thanks
 
I have a .357 lever gun and a PC4. The lever is slow to load, where the PC takes no time. Each is just as accurate as the other, but I admit that the .357 out of the long barrel is super cool. It really turns into a rifle then.
 
There is no doubt that the .357 will always out perform the 9mm, and while I'd love to have a .357 lever action ( and someday probably will :)) the 9mm is to universal to ignore. The reason to have it in a carbine is the fact that a carbine is easier to shoot than a pistol. That's why the M-1 carbine was developed as a replacement of the 1911 for rear area support troops. You may either love or hate the 9mm but the fact that it is so widely distributed world wide means you should have at least one gun in this caliber. I bought the PC-9 over the PC-4 forthis reason and the fact that you can get Hi-Cap Mags for it. And since it functions alot like a 10/22 it's easy for a novice shooter to transition to it. BTW I still don't like Ruger auto pistols, but that is a matter of personal taste and not a slam on the weapon. For a 9mm pistol give me a Beretta or a Glock.

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The difference between an optimist and a pessimist is the pessimist has more information.
 
Big Iron (and others):
I don't claim to have invented the wheel, with my preference for a .357 lever gun, but I have had mine since '81, and never found anything better, to include the Marlin and Ruger semis of all persuasion, including the Mini-14.
Yes, you can load (and fire) a magazine-fed semi more quickly than the tube-fed lever gun. This seems to me academic for a couple of reasons. We are talking about a defensive carbine, here, and the lever gun's 10 to 12 round capacity full-up would seem to be sufficient for most squad bayonet charges. I DO have a 10-round butt cuff on my Marlin, and appreciate the easy of topping up the magazine with single rounds while the gun is in battery. With respect to the 'quickness of fire' issue, I humbly suggest that careful aimed fire is not encouraged by the magazine-fed semi, whereas 'spray and pray' IS.
I have applied a peep rear and old-style Redfield Sourdough front sight to my Marlin. The sight picture is clean, and accuracy is in the three MOA range. A 'scope doesn't seem indicated on an arm like this, if only for the weight it adds.
I prefer the Marlin to the Winchester, Browning and Rossi lever guns. My first centerfire rifle was a Marlin, and I've not seen any reason to switch.
I have shot jacketed bullets almost exclusively in the Marlin. The Microgroove barrels of this marque are fussy about lead bullet loads, there's a special set of requirements to load for accuracy and it's a pain to clean the lead out after a session with them.
.38 specials...I've only fired a few: 125 gr. factory Plus-P's. They shoot well and accurately, but high of the 158-grain zero in my gun, so while they are usable, regular use would require a sight change. My standard practice and plinking load is made up with 2400 powder and Hornady 158 gr. jacketed FP or HP bullets in .357 cases. I have a small hoard of the original Black Talon 180-grain factory loads which are very accurate and murderously effective on medium game. They are the rounds in the magazine, while the little blaster leans behind the bedroom door.
--slabsides

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If they take our guns, I intend to let my hair grow long and acquire the jawbone of an ass.
 
Slabside,

I really appreciate your input, observations and opinions. You've given me some valuable information. Mind if I ask which model you have, the Cowboy II or the Cowboy CS?

I've owned a couple of Marlins, and have the model 60 .22 now. Like you, I really can see no reason to change. Thanks for confirming my thoughts on that.

Thanks again, you've helped solidify what I had pretty much decided already. :cool:
 
Big Iron:
A suggestion: if you are going to ask follow-up questions, it would be a good idea to post your e-mail address in your personal data. Saves bandwidth on the forum.
My Marlin .357 is the original one...18 inch barrel, no safety, no rebounding hammer, modified Microgroove barrel. There have been quite a few changes in the design in the 19 years I've owned mine, not many of them necessarily for the better; and I can unreservedly recommend only the older type. Hard to find a good used one because those who have 'em, keep 'em. --slabsides

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If they take our guns, I intend to let my hair grow long and acquire the jawbone of an ass.
 
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