Benefits of a Pistol Caliber Carbine?

[echo5whiskey]

I did try to use the search feature, but came up empty (possibly due to the grossly outdated browser on my work computer); so if this has been addressed, I sincerely apologize.

Lately, I've become intrigued by pistol caliber carbines. I'm not really sure why. I've tossed around the idea of building one, but I don't want to put anything into something for which I'm not going to have a purpose. So, what are the benefits of having PCC vs standard SBR or the like? I've been trying to think of a situation or circumstances where it would be better to have a pistol round than a rifle round, but I'm coming up short. Like I said, I have limited experience with PCCs, so I'm not certain of which applications would be better suited to them than SBRs. I know that at a few LE agencies still use Colt SMGs and/or MP5s, but from what I understand, that's due to very specific circumstances and for specific applications. I'm talking about the utility of using a PCC for a truck gun or HD. Thanks in advance; I'm all ears.

[GJM]

I have competed with a PCC in USPSA and Steel Challenge, and have experience with multiple MPX and AR9 carbines, both custom and JP models. They are great for competition, great for training on steel, but my experience is they are very much less reliable than a well built 5.56 AR. I would not choose a MPX or AR9 for self defense if a rifle caliber AR was an option.

[Vegas]

For me it was cheaper 9mm for short range training and preservation of my AR500 targets. And they are a lot of fun to shoot also!

[ggammell]

Some ranges have caliber restrictions so you can train on an AR format but stay caliber safe for the range.

[26 Inf]

Misses. This is not an issue that many bring up, instead talking about over-penetration, or lack thereof, with the rifle cartridges.

In an urban environment a miss with a PCC has a shorter downrange lethal zone than a miss with a rifle.

Of course, the trade off for that 'safety' is decreased effectiveness when compared to the rifle cartridge.

HD-wise, the decibel difference between a PCC and an SBR is significant.

Anything you use for HD ought to be 100% reliable. Whether your PCC meets that criteria should be a consideration.

Another consideration is the likelihood of encountering armored assailants.

[echo5whiskey]

Misses. This is not an issue that many bring up, instead talking about over-penetration, or lack thereof, with the rifle cartridges.

In an urban environment a miss with a PCC has a shorter downrange lethal zone than a miss with a rifle.

Of course, the trade off for that 'safety' is decreased effectiveness when compared to the rifle cartridge.

HD-wise, the decibel difference between a PCC and an SBR is significant.

Anything you use for HD ought to be 100% reliable. Whether your PCC meets that criteria should be a consideration.

Another consideration is the likelihood of encountering armored assailants.

Are you, sir, implying that I might miss my target?

In all seriousness, though, that is the main reason at least one federal agency I know of still uses them; and that is very good point.


If I do decide on one, I want to build it. I'll have to skim the custom build forum and the pistol/PCC forum for a while.

Thank you all.

[WillBrink]

Misses. This is not an issue that many bring up, instead talking about over-penetration, or lack thereof, with the rifle cartridges.

In an urban environment a miss with a PCC has a shorter downrange lethal zone than a miss with a rifle.

Of course, the trade off for that 'safety' is decreased effectiveness when compared to the rifle cartridge.

HD-wise, the decibel difference between a PCC and an SBR is significant.

Anything you use for HD ought to be 100% reliable. Whether your PCC meets that criteria should be a consideration.

Another consideration is the likelihood of encountering armored assailants.

But the pistol rnd will pass through typical materials found in urban buildings more so than the 5.55 all things being equal. Which of the two the greater concern? 9mm being the worst of the typical duty loads for that I recall due to mass vs cross sectional size. I'm not sure how that applies to other rifle rnds but 5.56 being by far the most common, I'm narrowing to that comparison. 7.62, 300blk, etc another matter no doubt.

[echo5whiskey]

So, what I'm gathering so far is that they are great for inexpensive, possibly range specific training; but not so useful outside of that? Like I said, in very specific tactical applications, I can see their use; but I'll probably never find myself in that type of situation on the street, in my house, in my car, etc.

[echo5whiskey]

Thank all of you for the input. Just like most things involving shooting and tactics, it appears there are two sides. I'll put together what I've gleaned from this thread so far, just to make sure I'm not missing or misconstruing anything:

Pros (not specific to range/training):
1. Ammo commonality
For me, this is not really an issue. I keep plenty of both on hand; and unless we're subject to an extreme national incident, I doubt I'll ever need to consolidate.
2. mag compatibility
I don't know of any PCCs that can utilize PPQ mags.
3. Reduced noise
4. Lower chance of collateral injury/death due to misses
5. Less expensive ammo

Cons:
1. Possible reliability issues
2. Reduced effectiveness on threat [as compared to rifle rounds]
3. Possible reduced ballistic performance [as compared to the same round from a handgun]
I'm no ballistic expert, but it seems this could be overcome by choice of ammo?
4. Wieldability (is that even a word?)
I will almost always choose a rifle over a handgun, so wieldability [sic] is not an issue for me.

Did I miss anything?

[26 Inf]

I'll put together what I've gleaned from this thread so far, just to make sure I'm not missing or misconstruing anything:


3. Possible reduced ballistic performance [as compared to the same round from a handgun]
I'm no ballistic expert, but it seems this could be overcome by choice of ammo?

Unless you are talking sub-sonic 300BO you aren't going to begin to approach rifle performance with pistol ammo.

Rifle velocities create much larger permanent wound cavities than pistol calibers, primarily as a result of velocity.

Regardless. placement is paramount.