Pistol caliber carbines are a great topic for discussion. There are three schools of thought, which usually evolve into three different arguments. Let's work through those arguments. I am going to give you a point of view for each. Although many will disagree, it is important to understand that a pistol caliber carbine is not a rifle. The reason why it's not a rifle has nothing to do with its platform or "looks", it has to do with performance. Even the most powerful pistol-caliber round does not perform like a rifle round does. Pistol calibers have less power and range by design and capacity. Even with pistol caliber limitations, the barrel of pistol caliber carbine gives pistol rounds a significant improvement of performance. Usually 16 inches or more, the barrel of a PCC gives the pistol caliber more energy and accuracy. An example would be, a 9mm
shot from a 16-inch barrel will have more energy leaving the muzzle than it would if it were fired from a 4 to a 6-inch pistol. PCC's are not only chambered for semiautomatic pistol rounds, some are manufactured in revolver calibers. The same energy and accuracy applicable to semiautomatic cartridges fired from a PCC is the same amount of energy and accuracy in a larger caliber revolver round, creating one heck of an impact.

Brigade Manufacturing BM-9 9mm Pistol Caliber Carbine

WHY NOT JUST PURCHASE A RIFLE?

Well, in my opinion, a full-size rifle and a pistol caliber carbine serve very different purposes. Don't get confused by pistol caliber carbines and rifle caliber pistols. Those are also two very different animals. Rifles mean range. Honestly, every gun can be used for home protection, any operable gun has the ability to stop a threat. Firearms manufacturers add that element of home protection into their marketing. While a rifle will drop the target immediately, it is not very maneuverable in close or confined areas, such as a home. I am making the comparison between long guns, not SBR's, and pistol caliber carbines. Rifles are not great for covert tactics in home defense. You can't sneak around corners and walls with your rifle in a position to fire. The intruder will see your barrel and know your position.

Kel-Tec Sub-2000 9mm Glock 19 Model Pistol Caliber Carbine.

There are many benefits of having a pistol caliber carbine over a long gun. Pistol caliber carbines are best in accuracy for targets under 100 yards. For overpenetration theorists, a pistol round is far less likely to travel through the target than rifle round. Pistol caliber carbines have low recoil and less muzzle blast than long guns. In other words, would you really want to fire a rifle in your house? The recoil and loud noise of a long gun could distract you if there is a need for a second shot, meaning it could take longer to get back on target. At the range, pistol caliber carbines are fun, fun, fun! A lot of ranges, especially indoor ranges, will not allow long guns. PCC's are welcome at all ranges, after all, they are chambered in pistol calibers. Pistol ammunition is cheaper than rifle rounds. A round of 9mm ammo will cost you around 19 cents. This allows you to shoot more at the range. I am one who believes that you should practice with the ammo that you intend to use in the event that you need it for personal or home defense. This makes for a practiced and prepared shooter. As far as hunting, unless you are varmint hunting or are a turkey or deer whisperer that can call them in close, grab your long gun. Remember the range of a PCC is most accurate at 100 yards or so. You may get lucky and wind up within 25 yards of a target, just take the terminal velocity of a PCC into consideration before making that shot and make sure that pistol caliber rounds are legal to use in your State if you are hunting. Some folks use their PCC's as a backup to their long gun while hunting.  

THEN WHY NOT JUST PURCHASE A PISTOL

Just like long guns, there are many reasons that you may prefer a pistol caliber carbine over a handgun. The objective of every shooter is to hit the intended target. That being said, accuracy is one of the top reasons that you might select a PCC over a handgun. Pistol caliber carbines are longer than handguns, which in turn offers a longer sighting plane. PCCs are easy to use, including getting your sights on a target fast. Because of that longer sighting plane, most PCCs are more accurate than handguns. PCCs also create more velocity on impact than a handgun. A cartridge fired from a PCC and the same cartridge fired from a handgun are ballistically different. Cartridges fired from the PCC will "outperform" the same cartridges fired from a handgun. You will get more velocity from a pistol cartridge fired from a PCC than a handgun. PCCs are more accurate than handguns. There are more attachment points on a PCC for the application of tactical accessories. A PCC also has an additional advantage over a handgun. Because it is a shoulder-mounted firearm, it offers even more benefits to accuracy and handling.

Hi-Point 9mm Pistol Caliber Carbine

WHY BUY A PISTOL CALIBER CARBINE

If you are wondering why you should buy a pistol caliber carbine, my answer to that would be, do you really need a reason? It's alright not to have a definitive predetermined use for a firearm purchase. It is totally acceptable to buy a firearm just because you like it! And like it you will! Pistol caliber carbines are way fun to take to the range, inside or outside. They are usually easily compatible with common magazines, which give you options for cartridge capacity. You will get into an easy rhythm with a continuous "pew-ting, pew-ting" as you are hitting the steel plates round after round. PCCs are a great way to get started in competitive shooting sports. With low-cost ammunition, it gives new enthusiasts and competitors a chance to really hone in on their skillset. PCCs are great for personal and home protection, a hunting backup, or just another range toy.

ATI Milsport 9mm Pistol Caliber Carbine

A FEW DISADVANTAGES

There are some disadvantages (or not), depending on how you regard a few facts. A PCC will not have the stopping power of a traditional rifle round or Buckshot from a shotgun, but it will have more than a handgun. It is more maneuverable than a full-size rifle, but less maneuverable than a handgun. PCCs are not very concealable and are unlikely to be your daily carry.

GETTING TO THE POINT

Pistol caliber carbines can be your go to firearm for home defense, it can serve as a hunting backup or even a hunting arm for smaller and shorter-range varmints. Pistol caliber carbines are simply a fun gun to shoot. Cost is very reasonable on the PCCs, as well as the pistol caliber ammo that you feed them with. Pistol caliber carbines are chambered in the most popular semiautomatic pistol and revolver calibers. Shop All 9mm Long Guns
Shop All .40 S&W Long Guns
Shop All .45 ACP Long Guns