Ruger PC 9: Pros and cons

[DontBurnMyFlag]

Hey everyone,

Im in the process of selling my Kel-Tec, and looking for something new. Ive had my eye on a Ruger PC9 in 40 S&W for $420. Is that too expensive?

What can anyone tell me about this rifle? Reliable SHTF rifle? How available are the magazines? Any problems? Easy to clean? and so forth.

Thanks guys.

 

[spin180]

I have a PC9GR - 9mm with ghost ring sights. The .40 S&W version is the PC4.

The PC carbines are great guns. Mine has been utterly reliable and is more accurate than I am. It's very, very fun to shoot, especially when fitted with a red dot scope.

They're fairly easy to strip & clean. As I recall, you need something like a small punch or paper clip, inserted into a hole on the spring guide rod, to hold the action in place in order break it down completely. It's actually a very simple procedure. Reassembly can be tricky when putting the action/barrel into the stock. The slide assembly must be in just the right position when the action is set into place in the stock, otherwise the slide locks in place and will not move. Once you get used to it, again, it's easy.

Overall, the gun is relatively easy to clean. The only difficulty I have is with the nooks & crannies of the receiver and stock; and that's only a problem when I decide to try and get it spotlessly clean.

Magazines are very plentiful, though the .40 mags only hold 11 rounds. I can't recall for certain if anyone makes a higher capacity magazine for the .40 cal. guns.

The price seems to be okay; about average. There's a few on GunsAmerica less than $400, but many more higher than $420. All of the ones on GunBroker seem to be a fair amount higher than $420. For what it's worth, CDNN has unissued trade-in PC4 carbines for $339.99.

As for it being a SHTF gun... I dunno. Though it's a long gun, it's still only firing pistol caliber ammunition. Something in a rifle caliber would likely be better suited for that situation.

It is a good gun, though. If you want one, then by all means, go for it. I've been extremely pleased with mine and wouldn't trade it for anything.

Good luck!
Steve

 

[grimjaw]

The PC9 is chambered for 9x19. The PC4 is chambered for .40S&W. I have a PC9.

$420 is right at the going market rate of those guns new. I have seen several PC4's on auction, and you might be able to find a better price if you look around.

It's heavy for a carbine. I've got a buttstock magazine holder that adds even more to the weight. The ghost ring sight adjustments on mine don't match what's in the instructions. It is a little more difficult to clean than some rifles. The trigger is heavy, but I don't notice it that much when I'm shooting it.

I would say it's very reliable. I haven't fed it a varied diet yet, but it's worked well with my practice ammo. Magazines are easy to get because the Ruger P-series line of pistols use the same ones. I ordered three MecGar magazines and they work just fine. I don't try to hit anything past 50 yards with it, and it's accurate enough for that.

jmm

 

[DontBurnMyFlag]

thanks guys. Sorry about the mixup with the PC9 and PC4, I guess I learn something everyday.

However, upon my travels I stumbled upon a Colt AR-15 with a chrome-lined 20" HBAR for $600

that seems like a deal. Oh well, theres so so many guns I want and so little time and money lol.

Thanks again

 

[grimjaw]

DontBurnMyFlag, I didn't take note before, but I see you've already got a KelTec carbine. If you're main purpose is plinking, that'll probably do everything you want w/o the additional expense of the Ruger. I'm with spin180. I love mine and wouldn't trade it, but if I already had something like it I probably wouldn't have bought it.

jmm

 

[Shipwreck]

What about the Keltec don't U like?

I wanna buy a cabine - i looked at the Marlinm 357 cabine - while they look like cool old west guns, I didn't really care to work the lever action when I tried it at the store. And, the Storm is too expensive.

I may buy a Keltect carbine w/ the 9mm Glock setup - I already have a Glock 34.

I really am not a rifle fan, but in a SHTF scenario, I should have something besides a pistol. And, the foldability of the Keltec makes it really concealable.

 

[marklbucla]

I can say that the PC9 has been really reliable. The trigger is horrendously heavy; pretty much everyone I let shoot it thinks the safety is on when they try it. It also kicks more than it ought to. I've been left with a sore shoulder like I would after about half a box of light 12 gauge loads. For comparison, my AR-15 in 9mm doesn't hurt me at all.

I like the gun, I'd probably never sell mine. Disassembly and reassembly is much more difficult than other guns out there.