starting to look into a 9mm PCC. suggestions, advice, and oppinions wanted.

Detritus

Detritus

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For a few different reasons I've begun looking into what options are out there in the way of 9mm carbines. and frankly right now I'm a touch overwhelmed by the options that have become available since the last time I looked in this direction. So I would welcome some advice, further info, and first hand experiences.

I'll start off with "what got me here" and the current list of wants, needs, and considerations.
  • Uses: general plinking, possible occasional use in various matches (Steel challenge, the Carbine match put on by a local club a few times a year, etc), and as a home defense weapon to replace the shotgun that's been in this role for the past 6 years. This is the main reason for the carbine since my wife can no longer adequately utilize the shotgun due to issues with her right shoulder (it's no longer a case of If but when she has replacement surgery, she's waiting as long as possible to reduce the chance of having to have it done a 2nd time)
  • Per wife's wishes/desires gun is preferred to be of an AR-like configuration, ie have AR ergonomics and control setup. if not for this stipulation, this thread wouldn't exist and i'd be making plans to buy a Ruger PC carbine.
  • Must take common easily available mags, pretty sure this will come down to "Takes glock mags". but I'm open to suggestions.
  • Preferred price range is under $700, but a really good argument for why might cause that to rise some. but not very likely based on what I've been looking at.
  • I am willing to buy a separate upper and lower, spaced out a little to save a little or to get a better end product.

So far the ones that have gotten my interest and at least seem to fill the requirements above have been (in no particular order). the Freedom Ordnance FX-9, JRC just Right Carbine, and PSA AR-9. I have not yet had an opportunity (at least recently) to handle any of these, nor more importantly get any of the three into the wife's hands for feedback. And considering that the main reason for getting this gun will be for her to have and use, her feedback etc is of a higher importance than mine.
So since this is the forum I frequent that most likely has folks who would know. anyone know of a shop in the RTP area, or along the I-85 corridor going up into southern VA that does or is likely to have any of these three??

anyway that's all I can think of to ask or say on this for now. as always thank you in advance for any info, personal experience, or advice you care to share.
 
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First off, Im not much up to speed on factory built rifles. Im a big fan of Glock lowers and believe thats the way to go. If you feel like piecing together your own gun check out Mas Defense in Charlotte. You can build a really decent gun, it may be a tick over $700 depending on which routes you take
 
9mm ARs are a ton of fun and well suited to HD use. However, they can be very finicky when it comes to proper setup (buffer weight, springs, bolt pattern, etc). I have a drawer full of various buffers that can attest to this issue.

Unless you just really like tinkering, I suggest a factory built gun. ESPECIALLY given the current market (cheap!). And, further, in my personal experience I think the PSA AR9s are good to go.

I went the SBR route before AR "pistols" were so prevalent. If I were doing it today, I'd buy the pistol configuration. For HD, it'll be a bit handier than a carbine length.
 
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I thought that I could build one cheaper than one off the shelf, well that did not work. After changing out parts I might be able to put together the 2nd one with the parts left over. And the only think that I spent more money on then I thought is the handguard.
 
Detritus said:
  • Per wife's wishes/desires gun is preferred to be of an AR-like configuration, ie have AR ergonomics and control setup. if not for this stipulation, this thread wouldn't exist and i'd be making plans to buy a Ruger PC carbine.
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If that changes, then I can second your vote for the Ruger PC. I was all into getting a 9mm AR of some sort, but after watching people struggle with them at the PCC matches trying to keep them running, I went with the Ruger. Obviously 9mm ARs can and do work, I just didn't want to have to worry about using the exact right ammo, mag, lube, whatever.
 
I know what I would go with. The AR platform is fine... for the herd, but there are other options.
AR15-CX4-2.jpg
 
thanks for the input guys, keep it coming :)

oh one thing I feel I should add real quick. neither of us (me or the wife) can really warm up to the pistol caliber carbines that use a "pistol style" magwell, i.e. mag in the grip, such as the High-Point, Kel-tec Sub2000, and CX4.
This should not be construed as a knock on that style of gun, or against anyone who find that they do indeed like them. I understand the logic behind that style of carbine, ie that among other things it does in fact make the mechanics of your reload the same for your carbine as for your pistol (bring your support hand to meet your dominant hand) which is supposed to make it easier to reload under stress. it just doesn't work as well for me as having the mag ahead of the trigger guard.
 
I’m going to limit my input to one basic thing for Glock mag fed PCC’s ...

I say only use Glock factory mags ... especially the long sticks. A friend bought one of the CMMG Guard pistols in .45acp (his has submitted his Form 1 already) and that little thing is excellent ... as long as you don’t try the knock off Korean KCI 25 round mags. Something about them in his Guard made them real sensitive to the mag being shifted and moving in the mag well (bumped on something, hand on the mag well or such). The regular 13 round G21 mags ran perfect and 2 25 round G21 mags with KRISS conversions ran perfect also. For plinking and such the KCI’s are okay but for HD/SD duty ... factory Glock mags only!
 
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Jayne said:
If that changes, then I can second your vote for the Ruger PC. I was all into getting a 9mm AR of some sort, but after watching people struggle with them at the PCC matches trying to keep them running, I went with the Ruger. Obviously 9mm ARs can and do work, I just didn't want to have to worry about using the exact right ammo, mag, lube, whatever.
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I've seen many struggle, they've been owner built or tuned for minimal recoil, and usually, a very light trigger, and 45+ round mag assemblies.

The factory Colt's I've been around tend to run pretty well, not AR15/AK reliable, but thousands of rounds between stoppages. That may change with hollow points, can't think of anyone I've seen shoot them and I have read many accounts of them not feeding anything but RN and TC.

I built an upper and got a Colt style adapter block for a lower I had, I'm in for about $400 with a couple 32rnd mags, could've saved a bit on a cheaper barrel and handguard. I like the Colt pattern for the straight mag insertion and functions with existing LRBHO. Hasn't missed a beat, haven't tried HPs.
 
I'll say that my PSA factory upper and a lower I put together with a Colt pattern mag block has run flawlessly. As mentioned above, I did NOT go for lightweight and minimum recoil. I favored reliability.
 
Metalform 32rd mags work well in a standard AR. Lots of options for magwell adapter. I have a Hahn in mine.

If y'all want an AR-style...build an AR. :p
 
I have the Beretta Cx4 Storm. Fun to shoot.
 
as an update,
Thursday I finally got the both of us down to Fuquay gun and gold. I'd never been there, don't remember them from before i left NC originally, live too far the other side of Raleigh to get to Fuquay without something else to bring me ot the area. I'll have to start making excuses.... :D
She got to handle the Ruger and a Freedom Ordnance FX-9, it's not even a question anymore. the Ruger's off the table. unless a deal pops up on a similar, and respected design pops up, we're likely looking at an FX-9 sometime early in the new year.
 
I have a PSA 9mm upper that I run with a Hahn magblock that takes Colt pattern magazines. At the time PSA was running great deals on the mags and I like the last round holdopen feature.

Most of the AR9s are straight blowback and have a good bit of bounce. If your wife has shoulder issues she may want to try shooting one.

If I am not mistaken the CMMG Guard PCCs have a delayed blowback action that may be more comfy. I also hear good things about the CZ Scorpion but I’ve not fired one.
 
Crunchy Frog said:
I also hear good things about the CZ Scorpion but I’ve not fired one.
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I definitely have not shot them all (even though Id like to :D), but the Scorpion is by far my favorite PCC.
So much so, that I'm about to start tearing apart a PCC I built on New Frontier products to reclaim the pinned/welded supressor and optic for use elsewhere.
Not that theres anything wrong with New Frontier stuff...it runs like a scalded dog...I just spoiled myself with the Scorpion lol.

Im just across the state line from Gaffney, so if youre ever up this way, you are welcome to try it out.
 
Detritus said:
Fuquay Gun wanted about $660 or so for the FX-9. but my current local shop, up here north of Henderson says $630, and they're 20 mins from my front door.

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Which store is that?


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Whoknows said:
Which store is that?


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Cross Creek outdoors.
Since i saw the computer screen when he looked it up, I can say that, that price is his cost from the distributor + transfer fee. So it may go up as I think there may have been a sale by the distributor.

regardless if he at least keeps to the same price as Fuquay G&G when the time comes, it's a savings just on time and gas.
 
Detritus said:
as an update,
Thursday I finally got the both of us down to Fuquay gun and gold. I'd never been there, don't remember them from before i left NC originally, live too far the other side of Raleigh to get to Fuquay without something else to bring me ot the area. I'll have to start making excuses.... :D
She got to handle the Ruger and a Freedom Ordnance FX-9, it's not even a question anymore. the Ruger's off the table. unless a deal pops up on a similar, and respected design pops up, we're likely looking at an FX-9 sometime early in the new year.
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What didn't you like about the Ruger? I bought mine from FGG and really like it. I shoot left handed so I swapped the mag release to the right and bolt handle to the left. I swapped out the mag well to use Glock mags. I picked up (4) 17 round PMags and (2) 15 round PMags. Within a few shots I had he the peeps set and was wearing out the bullseye at 30 yards with run of the mill FMJ's. These guns can shoot!! I ordered some Hornady American Gunner 124 gr XTP +p ammo to try out on deer inside 50 yards. YES, it is +p rated, not all guns are. I think it will work good if I do my part.
 
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45/70fan said:
What didn't you like about the Ruger?
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Don't get me wrong the Ruger is a good gun, but in the opinion of the intended primary user the FX-9 comes out ahead.

I think the main things she didn't like about the Ruger in comparison to the FX-9 were
  • weight/balance: The Ruger is quite noticeably heavier than the FX-9 and it doesn't balance as well for either of us and esp not for Trish.
  • Controls: the FX-9 has the same control layout as Trish's AR. the Safety, bolt and mag releases, charging handle are all where she "Knows them to be". Like I said she's owned an AR for almost 13 years now, having to relearn where everything is, is a consideration in what she chooses. and the Ruger would necessitate pretty much starting over as far as every control except the trigger.
  • of specific note related to controls, the mag release on the FX-9 is both better positioned (this may be at least partly due to being long time AR owners/users) and easier to depress than that found on the Ruger. in other words the Ruger's mag release button is out of reach of the dominant hand and is stiff as hell.
I think that sums up the main reasons the FX-9 came out ahead. like I said, there is very little objectively wrong with the PC Carbine (in my opinion the mag release needs work if the gun is to ever be more than a plinker), but from the subjective view of the person for whom this is intended there's some issues.
 
Quarter Circle 10...quality build and a wonderful shooter in 9mm (also have 40, 45 and 10mm). Probably not gonna meet your price point in the requirements posted though.
 
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