9mm Carbine for defense?

Would use be comfortable with a 9mm carbine for self defense?

  • Yes

    Votes: 211 94.6%
  • No

    Votes: 12 5.4%

  • Total voters
    223
  • Poll closed .
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Panzerschwein

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Pistol caliber carbines really seem to draw a lot of flack when it comes to discussions about defensive arms. Especially those chambered in the 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge. Critics are often quick to denounce these guns as nothing more than range toys with no real capabilities as a self defense option. I don't have much of a dog in this fight but I've been looking into picking up a Beretta CX4 Storm in 9mm for quite some time now. I have a rather small arsenal at this time, so something with multipurpose capabilities is really needed for me. I plan to use the CX4 Storm as mostly a range/plinking gun, but I'm wondering if it could also pull double duty as a home defense or SHTF gun.

So I decided to make this poll just to get the general consensus on using pistol caliber carbines for defense, especially those chambered in 9mm. What are your thoughts on this? This should be an informative thread. :)
 
I voted "yes".

To clarify, I don't rely on a 9mm carbine as my first home defense option, but I'd be comfortable using one for such a purpose.

I've shot a 9mm carbine (Ruger PC9) many times on the range - and really enjoy it.
 
I've had, and will have again, 9mm carbines. My carry guns are 9mm, and entrust the round to end a threat if necessary. I would expect similar capability of the round from a carbine.

But, if I'm going to a long gun for defense, it wouldn't be my first choice. I'd much rather have an AR or 12 gauge in my hands.
 
Voted "no" because I live (and have lived, mostly) in an apartment where penetration concerns are a greater concern. I don't doubt the gun would stop an intruder. What I worry about is the intruder (and the wall, the door, etc) not stopping the bullet. The potential for collateral damage is too great, in my particular case.
 
I often recommend a 9MM Carbine as a defensive weapon, for a number of reasons:

Affordable ammo, normally widely available.

easy to use, even in the hands of those with minimal training (my grandfather held that the reason for the M1 carbine was that shavetail officers would be less likely to shoot themselves in the foot, or their troops, with it).

Low recoil, Low Muzzle flash, low retort (especially with Sub Sonic Ammo)- this is especially important in confined, dimly lit environments- like the upstairs hallway at 2:00 am.

Enough 'stopping power' plus better accuracy than a pistol, especially in the hands of a neophyte.

Also, while it's debatable, I believe that in a struggle, it is easier to retain, and easier to control the muzzle of a long gun than a pistol.

some states/municipalities restrict handgun ownership while a 9MM carbine is legal in such areas.
 
9mm AR

I use a Rock river 9mm AR as my "house gun"....I have three decades of LEO experience with the Colt 9mm sub gun, so the RRA 9mm carbine is a natural for me.....and as noted in previous posts, it has minimal muzzle flash, less muzzle blast than a shotgun in an enclosed space, and I have plenty of JHP's on tap if I need them.....have a surefire 6p tac light and green laser mounted on it also....works for me.
 
While a 9mm carbine is less of a liability for HD than a 9mm handgun, most 9mm carbines are available in 5.56x45mm, for only a few ounces more weight, and the exact same length.

John
 
I said yes, my HiPoint 9mm carbine is just dandy. But my HP .40 carbine would be grabbed before the 9. Moot point though, since I have an M1 carbine built for this.
 
The now discontinued Ruger Police 9mm carbine came to mind when I saw this thread. Also came in .40 caliber. Built like tanks but gosh awful factory triggers.
 
Provided it was proven reliable, I would be comfortable with it.

But it wouldn't be my first choice. Or my second. (for me)
 
yes. I have been thinking of adding a 9mm carbine to my collection. Beretta Storm, Just Right Carbine or an AR. I like ARs, but 9mm ARs are much more expensive than the other two.
 
The "9mm Carbines are range toys" crowd always baffled me. Its its suitable for defense out of a handgun, I fail to see why its not suitable out of a carbine.

There are better options, but a PCC for defense is fine.
 
It's not that they're useless: it's that, for the same price, and (usually) same size firearm, you can have a real rifle with 3x the power.

John
 
You know, I used to be in the camp that PCCs weren't really useful for anything, but have recently changed my mind on the subject.

I think a PCC would make for a handy home defense gun, especially for people who don't shoot very often.

Compared to a handgun, a PCC is going to be a lot easier to shoot quickly and accurately under pressure. Compared to a shotgun, it's going to have much higher capacity and much less felt recoil and you don't have to worry about manually operating a pump (assuming a pump-action shotgun). Reloads are also going to be much simpler.

Compared to an AR or other .223 carbine, it may be a tossup, though the PCC will be cheaper to operate due to the lower cost of ammunition. It will also have less muzzle blast, and is arguably quieter, though I don't know if the difference in dB levels would be noticeable in the confines of a home.

Depending on ammunition, the PCC will be at a disadvantage, as pistol rounds tend to penetrate housing materials more than rifle rounds.
 
As others have stated, not my first choice for a HD gun but I wouldn't have a problem using a 9mm. carbine if the need arises.
 
If I'm going to lug around a rifle size package I want rifle ballistics when I pull the trigger.

That said, I'd take my Uzi before I'd pick up any of my pistols. It's very much easier to get hits with quickly with it.

BSW
 
My wife has a Hi Point carbine she really loves. The carbine hits a lot harder than a pistol. Moreover, the Beretta is not any better made than the Hi Point. Plastic is plastic I don't care who makes it. Plus the Hi Point actually has the sights mounted in metal. The Hi Point is not picky about what you feed it. Magazines are easy to get. The only thing wrong with the Hi Point is Beretta owners have to run it down to justify spending $850 on a piece of plastic.
 
9MM Carbine for SD

I would be very comfortable with a 9MM carbine for SD in an urban or in some sub-urban environments. If your engagement ranges are limited to 100-150 yards, a 9MM carbine is very effective. Houses in most subdivisions limit your range to considerably less than 150 yards.

You also have to understand that the law limits your engagement of targets to "active threats". He may be a bad guy, but if he is 200 yards out with a pistol, you can not engage him unless he is threatening someone else. Self defense is not combat.
 
I don't think anyone in this thread is mentioning range as a disadvantage for a PCC. As Justin mentioned, .223 penetrates less in/through structure than handgun rounds at close range.
 
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