Pistol-caliber carbines, also known as PCCs, have been gaining a lot of traction and thereby popularity recently.
In a nutshell, a pistol-caliber carbine is a carbine build that’s completed around a pistol-caliber cartridge. While 9mm is by far the most popular, there are also PCCs chambered in.45 ACP, .40 S&W and other common handgun cartridges.
The smaller size and weight of most PCCs are two of the tickets to their popularity, but there are also a few that are less obvious. If you’re interested in a PCC for your next build and are thinking about getting a side-charging AR15 upper (AKA AR9), here are some of the arguments in favor.
They’re Compact, Lightweight, and Concealable
Not to suggest that you couldn’t build a smaller platform in a rifle-cartridge; you can, and AR-pistols in rifle calibers are also popular – but pistol-caliber builds are also compact and can be quite lightweight.
More of this has to do with barrel length, but the ammo can be lighter and the mags more compact, too. Either way, they make for good defensive platforms for their size and general concealability.
Pistol Ammo Is Usually Affordable
It depends where you buy but it’s possible to get pistol ammo more affordably than rifle ammo. It can be a toss-up between .223 and 5.56 vs. pistol cartridges, but if you’re building around 7.62 or pricier cartridges like .300 BLK, it will soon become apparent that pistol ammo can keep shooting costs down.
PCCs Usually Don’t Produce a Lot of Recoil
It’s also generally the case that handgun cartridges produce less recoil than most rifle cartridges that are popular in sporting rifle platforms. That being the case, one can shoot a PCC for longer with less fatigue. It’s also potentially true that a PCC is good for teaching beginners because of the lower recoil.
They Produce More Power Than Handguns Despite Using the Same Ammo
Because pistol-caliber carbines have longer barrels, they produce greater muzzle energy and therefore more power than equivalent handguns, despite using the exact same ammunition.
The flipside to this is the convenience. You only need to use one cartridge in both your preferred handgun and your carbine. In some cases, some platforms can even accept handgun magazines as well.
It’s Something New to Enjoy
Lastly, building and shooting a pistol-caliber carbine is just something new to enjoy. Maybe your last few builds with rifle platforms and you want to add something new to your collection. This is a great way to do it.
Where to Get a Pistol Caliber Side-Charging AR15 Upper
If you think your next home build project should be for a pistol-carliber carbine and are a fan of side chargers, there is really only one name you need to know: Gibbz Arms.
Gibbz Arms is the leader in the side-charging space; their G4 side-charging AR15 upper sets the standard in that sphere. They also produce a pistol-caliber upper, the G9, which is compatible with popular pistol calibers like 9mm and .40 S&W.
The special non-reciprocating design with a detent keeps the charging handle forward during operation, keeping the charging handle out of your way and improving ergonomics. Moreover, the upper design is compatible with lowers that use Glock, HK MP5 and Colt pattern magazines.
Those of you seriously considering a PCC for your next build should start your search at Gibbz Arms, as should any that are interested in a side-charging AR15 upper, regardless of which caliber you ultimately settle on. You can get more details on their website or get in touch with them directly for more information.
