Pistol caliber carbines - what use?

[goon]

Is a pistol caliber carbine actually something other than a "fun gun"?
I already have an SKS for shooting a little farther, and a shotgun for up close purposes. I have been eyeing up a Ruger PC-9 or maybe a Marlin 1894 in .357 but I can't come up with a justification, other than as a fun gun, which is enough justification sometimes.
So to you guys with pistol caliber carbines, what are the uses and benefits?
Thanks.

BTW - I don't need another gun and this one definitely wouldn't fill a role for me. I just sort of have a soft spot for them.

 

[willeo6709]

some indoor ranges do not allow "rifle rounds". It also uses pistol ammo, so if you set it up the same as your carry pistol, you have the same ammo for both. Fun to shoot, low recoil, easy to control.

 

[JShirley]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=148276&highlight=pistol+caliber+carbine

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=152659&highlight=pistol+caliber+carbine

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=156510&highlight=pistol+caliber+carbine

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=149933&highlight=pistol+caliber+carbine

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=95955&highlight=pistol+caliber+carbine

Do a search, many to choose from...

 

[JustsayMo]

I have a few of these carbines and fun is probably on the top of the list of reasons to own. However, I have found that my 1894 in 44 magnum is an excellent hunting gun. It's plenty accurate within my ability to shoot with iron sights (~3" @ 100 yards). It carries better than my bolt rifles and I like to still hunt and it's about as perfect as a long gun can be for woods hunting.

I have not shot a deer with mine yet but two guys in camp use them. The 44 mag leaves two big holes, lots of blood on the landscape and usually a DRT deer.

 

[Z_Infidel]

I have found that my 1894C in .357 Mag is a perfect little carbine for using around home. It hits plenty hard enough for "pesky varmint" detail within its effective range, and its shorter range makes me more comfortable with it around my property than I am with a full-powered rifle (though you still need to be careful of course). The handling characteristics make it quick to point and the XS (ghost ring) sights I have on mine are really nice -- especially when the light starts to get dim.

Choice of ammo can be key to getting the most from such a carbine. I have found that 158 gr SP or JHP ammo works real well in my 1894C. Fortunately my Ruger GP-100 revolver likes it too.

Has anyone mentioned they're fun to shoot?

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Unlike a lot of people, I can see using one for home defense, especially for someone who doesn't practice a lot. While not as handy as a pistol nor as powerful as a rifle or shotgun, a pistol-caliber carbine does have some advantages:

1. Easier to shoot well under stress than a pistol.

2. Less noise/blast than a rifle-caliber longarm or a shotgun.

3. Less recoil than a shotgun and many rifles.

Something like a Ruger PC9 or 4, Marlin Camp Carbine, or even a High Point would be a good HD gun, IMO.

 

[Onmilo]

Deer rifle.
Boar rifle.
Cowboy action shooting rifle.
Fun to use to bounce coffee cans all over the floor of an outdoor range if you can find one that will still let you do stuff like this.
If you buy one of the Model 92 copies, you can use the rifle to get rid of suspected overload reloads.
This beats breaking them down with an inertia bullet puller!

 

[mattw]

The only pistol caliber carbine that I have is an M1 carbine. While not many pistols use the .30 carbine round (i think ruger or taurus makes a revolver..) I use it for when I need accuracy that cannot be produced by a shotgun or handgun but when a high powered rifle is overkill or i am worried about over penetration. I would use it for a short range deer gun but the oportunity has not presented itself as of yet. Mostly I shoot cans and milk jugs full of water

2. Less noise/blast than a rifle-caliber longarm or a shotgun

not true for all. i bet my M1 carbine is just as loud as any rifle.