Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to go over PCCs and make a case for owning one. Firearms of this type are very popular among a wide variety of shooters. In this blog post, we are going to define what a PCC is while covering traits and features associated with these types of firearms. Without further ado, let’s make a case for PCCs.
A pistol caliber carbine, or PCC, is a firearm which is essentially larger than a traditional handgun and utilizes a pistol cartridge. These firearms are available in the usual calibers such as 9mm Luger, .40 Smith & Wesson, and .45 ACP. Other calibers such as 10mm Auto and 5.7x28mm have been commonly utilized in PCCs.
PCCs can be had in a variety of forms and styles. AR style PCCs are plentiful and can be built or bought in various configurations. More exotic examples such as the Kriss Vector, B&T APC 9 PRO, and H&K SP5 are PCCs with unique designs. Even AK fans can find a familiar PCC in the form of the Kalashnikov USA KP-9 and KR-9. These types of firearms can be acquired in “pistol,” rifle, and short-barreled rifle (SBR) form. It should be noted that laws and regulations are constantly changing and that certain configurations may be restricted in specific locales. SBRs are also subject to NFA regulation and require a tax stamp to be legal.
PCCs can be acquired in both compact and large sizes. Some PCCs can be marginally larger than a handgun, like the B&T TP9, while others can be as large as a standard AR-15. The wide range of shapes and sizes one can find PCCs in allow potential buyers to find something which best fits them and their use cases. Shorter models with collapsible PDW style or folding stocks are well-suited for being “bag guns” while longer models excel in the world of competition. Essentially, the wide variety of PCCs covers a wide range of use cases and preferences.
Generally speaking, the ammunition needed to feed a PCC will be less expensive than most rifle calibers. Pistol cartridges are also typically available in higher quantities per box than rifle loadings are. For example, a single box of 9mm Luger will usually contain 50 rounds while a box of 5.56x45mm NATO includes 20 rounds. Simply put, more affordable ammunition means that you can get more of it while keeping the cost down. Buy cheap and stack deep.
In times of panic buying and rushes on firearms and ammunition, calibers such as 5.56x45mm NATO and 7.62×39 tend to get hit hard. As such, the stock of these cartridges tends to dry up quicker than other calibers. Calibers such as 9mm Luger and .45 ACP tend to stick around on shelves much longer than their larger, rifle counterparts. In regular times, many of the calibers people will use in PCCs will be available at most places ammunition is sold.
Some PCCs are designed to accept the same magazines as some of the popular handguns on the market. There are some PCC offerings which accept Glock, Sig Sauer, and even Beretta pistol magazines. These offerings allow a user of one of these handguns to utilize one pool of magazines with multiple firearms. A shooter will also not be forced to acquire and build a supply of proprietary magazines in this case.
Shooters have found a variety of PCCs to be excellent suppressor hosts. The addition of a suppressor on some of the blowback operated PCC offerings makes shooting subsonic ammunition a dream. These types of firearms will typically easily accept suppressors. Threaded barrels in a variety of thread pitches tend to be the most common method for mounting muzzle devices. Many PCCs will also feature a tri lug mount to facilitate the attachment of suppressors. These types of tri lug mounts can also be added to threaded barrels. Some offerings, like some MP5 style PCCs and some of the offerings from B&T feature both threaded barrels and tri lug mounts.
Some PCCs are optimized for suppressor use and are appropriately dubbed “SD” models. These models will either feature an integral suppressor or feature a thicker handguard which extends beyond the muzzle. These extended handguards provide clearance for a suppressor to be tucked underneath the handguard.
Currently, one will be able to browse a wide variety of PCCs from many manufacturers. These types of firearms are made by companies such as B&T, H&K, CMMG, and Grand Power. These manufacturers are just a drop in the bucket as far as companies who make PCCs go. At the end of the day, one will have no issue finding a PCC to purchase if they truly want one.
If you prefer to roll your own or find that there isn’t a factory offering that fits your preferences, you can certainly build a PCC. One will find that one’s options are slightly limited as far as what one can build easily themselves. Most of the PCCs that one can build will be of the AR style. While it is possible to build other styles of PCCs, doing so will be more complicated and less accessible than AR style offerings. While companies such as Aero Precision and Spike’s Tactical offer complete PCCs, they also offer the components needed to build your own. There are also many resources available which make the process of building a PCC easier, providing builders with guides and troubleshooting information.
An end user can utilize a PCC for a variety of purposes. These types of firearms are well-suited for use in plinking and target shooting applications. The affordability and commonality of ammunition paired with the shootability of PCCs makes them a joy to shoot. Shooters of all types can enjoy these types of firearms.
PCCs provide the shooter with a greater potential for accurate and stable shooting than a traditional handgun. This makes them well-suited for home defense as one will be capable of more judicious and effective marksmanship. It is also easy to outfit a PCC with a light, optic, and other creature comforts such as handstops. These additions make the firearm as a whole more optimal for defensive use. In a defensive situation, it helps to stack the odds as much in your favor as you can.
As far as competition use goes, the shootability of PCCs makes them well-suited to match use. The sof shooting nature of most pistol calibers paired with the availability and affordability of ammunition makes them incredibly viable for competition use. It is not uncommon for PCCs with 16” barrels to be present in multigun competitions.
At the end of the day, PCCs are incredibly versatile and viable firearms. They can fill a variety of roles and are enjoyed by shooters of all types. Whether you are looking for something to defend your home with, to compete with, or to simply plink with, you will be well-served by a PCC. Regardless of the reasoning and style of PCC you choose, you will inevitably need ammunition for the firearm. We here at True Shot Ammo carry a wide variety of pistol caliber loadings which will be great for PCC use. As always, happy shooting.
Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at [email protected] for more ammo options.
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