Unfamiliar to me - 9mm Carbine or rifle

[Mohave-Tec]

I was just thinking, since 9mm is so easy to reload, why not look into a 9mm carbine. I have never given an ounce of thought to a pistol caliber rifle and know nothing about them. So I hope you will point me in the right direction. I like to backpack so this may be a take along. A semi-auto would be nice and a break down is not impossible.
Also, I shoot a lot of copper plated hand loads. Will a longer than pistol barrel be rough on these bullets?
Are pistol carbines accurate? What kind of range can I expect?
What say yea?
Thanks in advance

 

[tahunua001]

you have quite a few options.
AR15s can be had in 9mm.
there is also the beretta CX4 storm
Hipoint carbines
keltec
sterling carbines.

I own an AR15. I love it. I recommend it over any other 9mm carbine. a close second would be the beretta. the best econ model in my opinion is the hipoint.

 

[Mohave-Tec]

Hmmm. A 9mm AR. That could be interesting. All I'd need is an upper.
Also, I already have two KelTecs. Odd machines. Do you know anything about this carbine?

 

[Walkalong]

I have a Kel-Tec Sub 2000 in 9MM and it is a nice, dependable, portable carbine. It is easy to hit with at 50 yards and in. I have never shot it further than that.

I have an AR 15 in 9MM and it is a great gun. Hitting a 12" square steel plate at 100 yards, even in fairly rapid fire, is child's play with the red dot. I actually shot it at 300 yards the other day at 12" or 14" steel plates and had a good number of hits. Lots of holdover, probably 7 or 8 feet.

I shoot plated bullets in them all the time, at up to 1350ish FPS. I was shooting the X-Treme 124 Gr HP at 300 yards.

Brass is free, bullets are cheaper than .40 or .45, it's easy to load, recoil is mild, shoots great, what's not to like.

Here is an interesting thread about them.

 

[YZ]

I think it's a fantastic idea. The Beretta CX4 is a blowback semiauto with a fixed barrel (of course), which contributes to accuracy, both in theory and in my experience. You get a companion rifle to your handgun. I did it with 45 ACP. Plus you get to shoot your carbine at many pistol ranges.

 

[tahunua001]

I haven't spent any trigger time with the keltec I'm afraid but from a number of range reviews I've read it's not very accurate but it makes up for it by being compact.

with the AR it's not as simple as other caliber conversions. you will also need a magwell block to allow the 9mm stick mags. in addition you need a beefier buffer and heavier hammer. it's easier to just have a dedicated AR if you do go that route.

here's mine to kindof illistrate the target is from a mock navy M4 qualification battery.

 

[DanTheFarmer]

OP,

You mentioned backpacking in your post. You may want to check out the Kel-Tec Sub 2000. It folds in half. That might fit well with your needs.

I have a Hi-Point 9mm carbine and it is a lot of fun. I have no complaints and I like the price. For your situation my guess is that it would be too cumbersome but it is a cheap way to get into the pistol caliber carbine game.

Good Luck.

Dan

 

[gotigers]

Other options are the Aero Survival rifle and the Just Right Carbine. I don't own either, but have been reading a lot about them. I have held a JR carbine. It seems well built. I would love to shoot one. At their prices, I would probably also look at a Beretta CX4 and an AR upper. The hipoint is a decent carbine. I have owned one and regret selling it. Also, the Keltec is probably the most versatile.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

I for one wouldn't pour the money into a 9mm AR, the keltec or cheapo Hi Point no matter how ugly will do the price....if its a home defense arm, only you are gonna see it. from personal experience, Hi Point pistols and carbines are a helluva firearm, not pretty but do the job so well.

 

[Mohave-Tec]

OK. It looks like I have a start. I'll look at all these firearms and report back. Thanks everybody.

 

[Odd Job]

Kel-Tec S2000 is a nice gun. There are two things to note however:

1) You will need low profile ear defenders if you are using the factory sights
2) If you want to put a red dot on it (and maintain the ability to fold it), you are going to have to get creative. Have a look on the kel tek owners forum to see how they have got around this problem

 

[dusty14u]

The S2000 is only 4 lbs and folds in half for a 16 x 7 footprint. It is accurate at 50yds and mine takes Glock mags. I take mine on most trips as it is very concealable and easy to feed in 9mm.

RedLion make some great aftermarket parts for them so you can mount optics and better front sights than the stock ones. I have had no problem with my stock sights but some have.

 

[Willie Sutton]

^^ Another vote for the Sub-2000. I carry a M-9 on my torso harness and a Sub-2000 set up for Beretta mags and a few long magazines in my survival kit, and feel pretty secure about my post-ejection self defense and survival foraging needs. Nothing else fits and gives the same capabilities.

These are a niche gun, but are pretty capable niche guns.


Willie

.

 

[mstreddy]

9mm carbines -- lots of choices and price points. So, lots for you to think about. I recommend handling them if at all possible.
I own the Beretta CX4 in 9 and 40. They are great ergonomically, relatively compact, accurate and lots of fun. Easily to switch for left or right hand controls and ejection. A plus is the easy and relatively cheap availability of Beretta mags. Some of the aftermarket mags are hit or miss, but MecGar work flawlessly for me.
AR in 9, I have the dedicated Bushmaster Carbon 15 (polymer). AR ergonomics, controls, and uses the Colt style mags which are (were) readily available and not too pricey. Disadvantage is the lower molded for these stick mags and can't use for anything else. Unless the mag profile fits.
I picked up one of the Just Right carbines in 40, yeah, not 9, but same principle. Uses Glock mags. AR controls for the most part (bolt handle is side mount). In theory you can swap barrels and switch calibers. One of these days I'll pick up a set for 9mm and maybe 45. (45 requires different mag well for 1911 mags). Again a dedicated AR.
There are a couple of outfits selling 9mm uppers to convert existing ARs. Most will require a different hammer or buffer. The lone wolf using Glock mags seems interesting but I already have the Just Right and Bushmaster.
Other options to consider
Ruger had a PC9 carbine some years ago. It was synthetic stock, light, handy and uses mags from the P8x series guns. I have one and it's a great shooter. Mags are easy to find and priced right. Ruger doesn't make them anymore but they are still out there and can be had for around 3-400. I picked up a second from a LGS for <200 (police dept trade-in).
The KelTec series -- they have those with either Glock or other mags. As mentioned above they fold into a compact package. I've shot several but don't own one, so I'll leave the feedback to those that do.
Similarly I don't own the HiPoint so can't comment on those either.

So, lots of choices, but a 9 carbine is a lot of fun and most of them quite accurate. And as Walkalong said --

Brass is free, bullets are cheaper than .40 or .45, it's easy to load, recoil is mild, shoots great, what's not to like.

Oh, to throw another wrench in the works -- I also have an MP5 and Uzi clone. But either of the ARs or CX4 goes to the range more than those 2.

 

[Mohave-Tec]

I have a KelTec P3AT 380 which is like trying to hold on the a squirrel with rabies but after about 500 rounds has become a very reliable shooter and its great for pocket carry though that duty is not relegated to a Kahr CM9.

I have a KelTec SU16C which initially gave me fits for feeding issues but has also set in to be really reliable and has become a terrific scabbard carry bug out gun though it is an ass to field strip.

I think I'll look for the Sub200. If I can find it in 9mm or 40 S&W either would be fine as 40 is just as easy to load for. The 9 would be especially nice if I can get it fitted for Beretta magazines as I have many of those.

Old Hicock seems to like the KelTec better than the Beretta and I think this could be a nice under the seat rifle of even fun to pack on my motorcycle. We'll see.

Thanks everybody.

 

[YZ]

The 9mm AR is really an adaptation, for people who are devoted to their ARs in the first place. From the ground up, a purpose designed pistol carbine would be better IMHO. That skinny mag stickin' out of the mag well... I don't know.

 

[OilyPablo]

I love my Marlin Camp 9. I bought it as a project gun in junky shape, rebuilt reblued and it's a hoot. Some aftermarket mags can be balky, but the S&W mags work great. It's full wood stock and full gun size may not be great for packing though.

 

[JShirley]

Do I understand correctly that you already have two Sub-2000s? Or did you mean KT handguns?

 

[rjrivero]

I would only add that shooting suppressed 9mm AR's is a joyful experience.

 

[mstreddy]

John,
OP has

KelTec P3AT 380 .... and ... a KelTec SU16C

So he is considering the KT2000 for pistol carbine.

 

[Awsomepossum]

No one has said the Calico Carbine. Look it up, very werid firearm. sights are bad, also look for a camp 9

 

[selector67]

I got a Calico, one hundred round helical feed magazine, there is also a fifty round mag for it, the magazines are pricey, the sights are a little awkward, but you get use to them, but for a compact high round capacity carbine, they are hard to beat you can still find them on Gunbroker from time to time

 

[lorazepam]

I have had a couple Hi Point carbines over the years, and currently own one of the new versions. They are ugly, and heavy, but mine have been very reliable with any ammunition, and a blast to shoot.
Cheapest carbine I have to shoot right now, since I do reload.

 

[danez71]

Ruger had a PC9 carbine some years ago.

Ruger doesn't make them anymore but they are still out there and can be had for around 3-400.

I WISH I could find one in that price range.

 

[Torian]

The CX4 is a performer and accurate to boot...but it's a little overpriced (I own one). I enjoy the 9mm in a carbine though...great little brush gun.