Pistol Caliber Carbine Chamberings I'm Curious About

[wesmonster]

I guess it depends on whether we’re talking semi auto or revolver cartridges.
In semi auto, 10mm or .357sig are some options for a hotter cartridge that can run thru a pistol mag. I have Hi Points in .45apc & 10mm and a TNW in 10mm. My TNW can also be converted with a replacement .357 Sig barrel for $150 that just swaps by hand.
In revolver cartridges, you’re mainly talking lever guns.
But what’s your goal? For every ‘large’ pistol caliber, there’s a hotter large rifle caliber. And a common rifle caliber like .450bm, 50 Beowulf, 45-70 gov, etc are available in other platforms like bolt actions & ARs.
I like pistol caliber carbines and have quite a few. But they’re in calibers I already stock.
Some states also have odd laws regarding hunting with straight wall cartridges so pistol calibers like .44mag in long barrels are their best option.

 

[DMW1116]

No real goal. Just curious as PCCs seem to be very popular. I like the notion of matching revolver & lever actions using the same round. I also like the idea of matching pistol and semiautomatic rifle, with the possibility of even using the same magazines. There is a Sub 2000 from Keltec that uses my M&P9 magazines, but good luck finding one now.

The High Point carbine is a nice option as well. I'd go for 9mm just to match what I already have. I don't hear much bad about them other than accuracy can be off a bit.

 

[Charlie98]

Would be even better if they resurrect the Camp Carbines.

That x1000! I've seen the Ruger, and I just can't warm up to it. Not real enthusiastic about the takedown feature of it, either. I just wish someone would re-engineer the concept of the Camp, eliminating the issues with the buffer and feeding reliability, in a nice wood n' steel carbine. I've always thought a Camp Carbine, chambered in 10mm, and using something generic like a Glock magazine, would be a sure-fire winner, let alone, 9mm and .45ACP.

MechTech has carbine conversion units in a variety of cartridges

I was going to mention the MechTech, too. Friend of mine has one in .45 Super (I think that's what it is...) and he loves it. I've considered buying one, but would opt for the Glock receiver option, again, due to the availability of magazines.

Someone also made a purpose-built 9mm AR receiver, but I think they have gone out of business.

 

[Alex Clayton]

No real goal. Just curious as PCCs seem to be very popular. I like the notion of matching revolver & lever actions using the same round. I also like the idea of matching pistol and semiautomatic rifle, with the possibility of even using the same magazines. There is a Sub 2000 from Keltec that uses my M&P9 magazines, but good luck finding one now.

The High Point carbine is a nice option as well. I'd go for 9mm just to match what I already have. I don't hear much bad about them other than accuracy can be off a bit.

I have loved these (PCC"s) all my life so it was pleasing to me when all of a sudden they started to gain traction. I have one of the old style Kel-Tecs that I will have until I can wear it out. If I do will buy another of the new version. One thing I always found "odd" was they make 2 versions. 1 uses only Glock mags. The other uses 3 different kinds of mags and they can use all 3 kinds with just a mag catch change. These have always been harder to find as most seemed to prefer the Glock version. Always seemed to me it would be better to have one that could use several kinds of mags. There is still plenty of the Glock version for sale. Price has gone up a little of course. They are running in the 5-6 hundred right now. The version that can use 3 kinds of other mags is harder to find and taking a quick look only see one and it was over $600. Little steep but everything is hard to lay hands on right now.

 

[wesmonster]

I get that. I have a lot of pistol caliber carbines, some running Glock or Beretta M9 mags, others running non pistol mags like a Colt AR 9mm, CZ Evo & Hi Point.

Shooting a pistol round thru a 16-20” barrel will give you more fps. Look on BallisticsByTheInch site. Typically a light loaded 9mm gets up to +p levels out of a 16” barrel vs a 3-4” barrel. Now when you get up to the hotter stuff like 10mm there are some pistol loads that can get fast enough to disintegrate before striking. IMHO hard cast bullets are a good option for a versatile revolver/lever gun load.

 

[Barbaroja]

I get that. I have a lot of pistol caliber carbines, some running Glock or Beretta M9 mags, others running non pistol mags like a Colt AR 9mm, CZ Evo & Hi Point.

Shooting a pistol round thru a 16-20” barrel will give you more fps. Look on BallisticsByTheInch site. Typically a light loaded 9mm gets up to +p levels out of a 16” barrel vs a 3-4” barrel. Now when you get up to the hotter stuff like 10mm there are some pistol loads that can get fast enough to disintegrate before striking. IMHO hard cast bullets are a good option for a versatile revolver/lever gun load.

ive not heard of 10mm going fast enough to disintegrate before hitting a target. I don’t believe that to be true but prehaps someone else has some insight on this

 

[Alex Clayton]

ive not heard of 10mm going fast enough to disintegrate before hitting a target. I don’t believe that to be true but prehaps someone else has some insight on this

Never heard of that either. Tend to wonder if it's not some "net urban legend" type thing?? The 16" tube can help a lot with rounds. It was almost 2 decades ago I bought the 9mm S2K I have. Originally it was for the Wife to have fun with. She did not like it and I was going to sell it until I saw what they could do. With +P ammo they give a 124gr slug the same as a .357 with a 4 inch tube puts out. So I started looking at that little rifle in a whole new light. Sold the .40 version instead and kept the 9mm for around the house.

 

[CraigC]

I've gotten 10mm bullets fast enough to come completely unglued but it took a 24" .38-40 to do it.