Pistol caliber carbine

[otis24]

Thinking about a pistol caliber carbine for home defense. Currently, I have pared down to a single handgun caliber, 9mm. I have owned .38/.357 in the past and am a big fan of that caliber as well. I had hand and shoulder surgery and am waiting to see how my dominant hand heals. If it doesn't heal as I hope, holding a handgun becomes difficult and I may have to switch back to a revolver. If that happens, it will definitely be .357 caliber.

In any event, I am vascillating between the Ruger PC9 9mm carbine and the Ruger M77/.357 bolt action.

On the one hand, I like a bolt action. On the other, if I stick with 9mm, I have a carbine that is in the same caliber as my handgun.

Which would you choose and why?

 

[otis24]

I will wait to see how my hand heals before I make a choice.

 

[bmcgilvray]

I'd like the extra "starch" offered in the .357 Magnum lever-gun.

Oh, you said bolt-action. Still, I'd choose the .357 Magnum in bolt-action over any 9mm semi-auto carbine.

I use an M1 Carbine and a Winchester Model 1907 as home defense carbines here. The AR 15 stays stowed in the safe.

 

[otis24]

I am open to a .357 lever gun. I do have a nice Winchester bolt action .223. But thinking that I want something with less penetration. It is not a have to have item. Where I currently live the .223 is probably sufficient.

 

[ContinentalOp]

While I don't have one, I have given serious thought to getting a PCC for home defense.

When I focused on revolvers I thought a lever-action carbine in .38/.357 would be a good choice. I still think it can be for some people. I believe there is at least one manufacturer making a "tactical" lever gun.

The one problem is that it pretty much requires two hands to operate efficiently. Yes, it's a long gun and is meant for two-hand use. However, in a self defense scenario, it's possible one hand may be injured or occupied (i.e., carrying a child). I always go back to the story of FBI Special Agent Ed Mireles who operated a 870 pump shotgun one-handed during the 1986 Miami Shootout. Is that a likely scenario? Probably not. But I think it's something to at least consider.

So, for me, I like the idea of any defensive gun I use be more-or-less operable by one hand. Now my PCC interest is in a 9mm semi-auto, since I already have guns in that caliber. I haven't really narrowed down my choices, though. I like the idea of using the ubiquitous AR15 platform, but the Ruger PC9 is a viable option. Of course, being a Beretta fan, the CX4 Storm could be a good choice since it's available to run either PX4 or 92 series mags. Most of the other 9mm PCCs I've seen require either Glock or proprietary mags.

 

[Rosco Shooter]

Attend a USPSA match to get an idea on the capability of a 9mm PCC You will find the majority of the hits are in the A zone, and times are minuscule in comparison to times obtained with a handgun.

 

[Muss Muggins]

KelTec Sub2000, the Ruger you mentioned, a Marlin 9mm or .45 ACP (harder to find) Camp Rifle, a Marlin lever action .357/.38 or .44, lots of choices. Love pistol/pistol caliber carbine combos . . .

Thinking about a pistol caliber carbine for home defense. Currently, I have pared down to a single handgun caliber, 9mm. I have owned .38/.357 in the past and am a big fan of that caliber as well. I had hand and shoulder surgery and am waiting to see how my dominant hand heals. If it doesn't heal as I hope, holding a handgun becomes difficult and I may have to switch back to a revolver. If that happens, it will definitely be .357 caliber.

In any event, I am vascillating between the Ruger PC9 9mm carbine and the Ruger M77/.357 bolt action.

On the one hand, I like a bolt action. On the other, if I stick with 9mm, I have a carbine that is in the same caliber as my handgun.

Which would you choose and why?

 

[s&wchad]

You didn’t mention which 9mm pistols you own, but the Marlin 9 Camp Carbine is a decent traditional semi-automatic that accepts S&W 59 series mags.

You might also consider a CZ Scorpion EVO 3. I picked up a used example that had a Sig Brace and Surefire light/laser installed, for a price I couldn’t resist. I added a red dot and consider it a great home defense/vehicle gun. It’s classified as a pistol, so it’s legal to have in a vehicle in many States. The brace essentially turns it into a SBR that doesn’t require a tax stamp. 20 and 30 round magazines are readily available and cheap and it’s proven to be accurate, completely reliable and a lot of fun to shoot.

 

[Cal44]

I'd pick this one:

JM Marlin 1894 in 44 Mag/Special Stainless.

 

[Kiwi cop]

Before our recent semi-auto ban I was tossing up the Ruger PCC 9 against mounting my CZ clone in a carbine chassis for PCC events here. I am now so happy I went with the pistol chassis as it was not effected by the ban (they are trying but legally there are serious issues with trying to ban the chassis). The PCC 9 is a great carbine but it is heavier than expected (I tried one in Memphis last year).

You could consider a Ronn carbine for your pistol. No additional costs for extra mags, but they may not make one for your pistol.

I am another who favours the .357 lever carbine though. Lighter and faster to action than a bolt gun. (My brother has replaced his two semi-auto rifles with bolt guns in 7.62 X 39 and .223. I’m still holding out for a Henry Long Ranger in .223 to replace my Ruger Mini 14).

 

[JayFramer]

I would not want a bolt-action 5 round capacity carbine (the 77/357) for any type of defensive application. That gun is purely a hunting or target rifle IMHO.

The PC9 would be a FAR better choice for defense work. Also, something like the Beretta Cx4 Storm carbine and Kel-Tec Sub 2000 Gen 2 are also worthy contenders.

Someone mentioned a lever action .357, that would be excellent too. Much faster follow up shots than the bolt gun and usually with a 9-10 round capacity.

 

[bigwheelzip]

My HD long gun is a 24" Rossi 92 in .357. I didn't buy it for that reason, I bought it for fun and because of the .357 revolvers I already enjoy. After shooting it awhile, it became my choice for HD.

From the long barrel, the rounds velocity really picks up and the sound signature is substantially tamed.

 

[Sistema1927]

I have a JM Marlin 1894C .357 carbine and a Ruger PCC 9mm. If forced to choose between the two for home defense it would be the PCC with Glock mags.

 

[rwsmith]

I'm a carbine nut...

I have a .22 Henry, but I'm really nutty about pistol caliber carbines. Early on I got a Kel Tec sub2000 in 9mm, which ain't a toy, but not a gun I'd like to depend on for defense. Since then Ruger and Beretta have made more 'serious' 9mm carbines.

To me these are the ultimate defense weapon. Put a red dot on it and you can get fast target acquisition to deliver rapid and accurate fire w/o adverse recoil but still effective for two legged predators.

 

[jeffrefrig]

Is a semi-auto shotgun out of the question? I've seen some pretty handy-looking ones in the magazines, etc. A .20 gauge may be usable with one hand. No, they're not PCC, but they can still do some damage on some ne'er do well breaking in.

 

[max503]

"Which would you choose and why?"
I would want either a 357 lever action or a 45 acp semi-auto because that is what I load on my Dillon progressive.
I used to have a Marlin Camp Carbine 45 but I sold it. Wish I hadn't.
I have an H&R Handi gun with a 357 barrel. It is very handy. It is by far the best thing for taking out varmints like coons and groundhogs.

I guess my top choice would be a 357 lever action.

 

[David LaPell]

Thinking about a pistol caliber carbine for home defense. Currently, I have pared down to a single handgun caliber, 9mm. I have owned .38/.357 in the past and am a big fan of that caliber as well. I had hand and shoulder surgery and am waiting to see how my dominant hand heals. If it doesn't heal as I hope, holding a handgun becomes difficult and I may have to switch back to a revolver. If that happens, it will definitely be .357 caliber.

In any event, I am vascillating between the Ruger PC9 9mm carbine and the Ruger M77/.357 bolt action.

On the one hand, I like a bolt action. On the other, if I stick with 9mm, I have a carbine that is in the same caliber as my handgun.

Which would you choose and why?

As someone who just had his 4th surgery from what was my dominant hand and arm until 8 years ago, I can tell you I really can't do much with bolt action rifles anymore. What I have gone to is lever action rifles and they seem to the best by me since I can run them better. I really like my Winchester 1866 Yellow Boy, the action is super slick, the throw is very short and there is little to no resistance like you would get with say a Model 94 Winchester. Mine is in .45 Colt, but they do make them in .38 Special, there are also 1892 clones that come in .357 Magnum.

Might I also suggest a lever action shotgun? I picked up a Chinese 1887 Winchester copy for about $325 and I can tell you this gun isn't as bad as some claim. I can't work a pump much either, so either this or even a Henry .410 in carbine length with buckshot would be nothing to sneeze at.

 

[jjpinnacle]

Have you considered the new Sig MPX PCC? I recently purchased one and it's truly a high quality PCC which I am considering using for home defense. The trigger is a very crisp, single stage, flat faced Timney with a 4.5lb. pull. It has next-to-nothing recoil making it easy to shoot accurately. It's also been very reliable. However, it's not cheap...street price is $1,699. Here's a link to a review on it:

Sig MPX PCC Review | Guns and Home Defense

 

[Goldstar225]

I chose a Marlin 1894CS in .357. If that were not an option the Ruger PCC would get thew nod. I wouldn't chose a bolt action for home defense if there were other options.

 

[LVSteve]

Don't forget the good old Hi Point 995.