Why aren't semi-auto pistol caliber carbines (PCC) the #1 choice/recommendation for home defence?

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The argument of the "idea" home defense weapon has been going on for decades online and there's no clear agreement on the #1 choice. On any give thread you see the common arguments in favor of handguns, carbine rifles, shotguns, and even the odd shoutout for a .22 rifle or a .30 to 45 cal lever action or PCC.

A PCC certainly could make some sense. You give up some ballistics to a 5.56, and may have more over penetration depending on load. But it'll be a little quieter than a rifle carbine. I never really considered one for 2 reasons:
1) the only safe I have in my bedroom is a pistol box, and there isn't a good location for me to put a carbine sized safe
2) I'd probably rather have the superior ballistics of a .223/5.56 if I went with a carbine sized gun

But since I converted my hi point carbine to a bull pup I'm seriously considering finding a way to make it my bedroom gun. It has the one handed ergo's of a handgun, but the shooting stability of a carbine translating into far better accuracy potential. Once shouldered, it's more maneuverable in close quarters than a carbine, and about the same as a handgun. It's biggest downfall to me is the manual of arms is different than anything else I regularly shoot.

IMG_20190814_131847.jpg
 
Just nudged our Ruger PC9 into a back-up home defense role alongside a Gen 4 Glock. Still keeping two .38s loaded in the bedroom as that is what my wife and I know best; I still carry the S&W 64 for work, we are finally switching to the Glock 19 next year (or so they say). I wish my department would look into adopting the little Ruger carbine as a companion to the Glock for certain duties (ground-level perimeter security and prisoner convoy transport come to mind) now done by the venerable Mini14 and / or .38 revolver. To my thinking the PCC fills a certain niche distance from indoor to more crowded and populated outdoor space and offers almost no recoil and far less noise while making longer shots far more possible.
 
bassjam said:
The argument of the "idea" home defense weapon has been going on for decades online and there's no clear agreement on the #1 choice. On any give thread you see the common arguments in favor of handguns, carbine rifles, shotguns, and even the odd shoutout for a .22 rifle or a .30 to 45 cal lever action or PCC.

A PCC certainly could make some sense. You give up some ballistics to a 5.56, and may have more over penetration depending on load. But it'll be a little quieter than a rifle carbine. I never really considered one for 2 reasons:
1) the only safe I have in my bedroom is a pistol box, and there isn't a good location for me to put a carbine sized safe
2) I'd probably rather have the superior ballistics of a .223/5.56 if I went with a carbine sized gun

But since I converted my hi point carbine to a bull pup I'm seriously considering finding a way to make it my bedroom gun. It has the one handed ergo's of a handgun, but the shooting stability of a carbine translating into far better accuracy potential. Once shouldered, it's more maneuverable in close quarters than a carbine, and about the same as a handgun. It's biggest downfall to me is the manual of arms is different than anything else I regularly shoot.

View attachment 899558
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How in the heck did you do that!!!! Hi Point should hire you as a designer. You made a HiPoint look sexy.
 
bassjam said:
. . .
But since I converted my hi point carbine to a bull pup I'm seriously considering finding a way to make it my bedroom gun. It has the one handed ergo's of a handgun, but the shooting stability of a carbine translating into far better accuracy potential. Once shouldered, it's more maneuverable in close quarters than a carbine, and about the same as a handgun. It's biggest downfall to me is the manual of arms is different than anything else I regularly shoot.
Click to expand...

Mine says Hi:thumbup:
H-P-and-CZ.jpg

For those wondering, the kit is sold by Hi-Tower Armory.
 
bearcreek said:
Seems like the best solution to that is to get a different gun.
Why? Given your background, your opinion matters to me.
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Here are all of the advantages of a PCC:
Low recoil, less flash & blast than a shotgun or something like a AR in 223, high magazine capacity, light weight, the ability to deliver fast follow-up shots, semi auto/can be employed more efficiently and with one hand if need be, much more precise delivery of projectiles compared to buckshot, generally easier to mount a light to the PCC than a shotgun- the list goes on. How far can a typical tac shotgun be fired with buck and keep ALL of the pellets on a IPSC target (no flyers)? I don't know the answer- but I know 9mm PCC can deliver singular projectiles more accurately at a longer distance. 9mm SMG's like the MP5 have largely fallen out of favor with Specops units. It wasn't because they suck for close quarters combat, because they don't- they actually excel in this area. The problem is that they suck for URBAN combat- which is what is going on when you are moving externally through a city, town, etc. on the way to or from your objective- when you are being engaged at distances by heavier weapons by enemies who are using the features of the urban landscape. Since this scenario isn't really applicable for any imaginary scenario IN the home, I believe the PCC would be ideal.
 
Any argument that involves the spread of a shotgun round or accuracy at a distance has wandered far away from home defense.
 
If you want a home defense weapon that shares a common caliber and maybe even mags with your ccw ( Glock) a pistol caliber carbine in 9mm is a good choice.
IMHO a .223 AR carbine is the best choice. Minimal penetration, 3 times the energy of a 9mm, manageble recoil and 30 rounds. Able to defend against a home invader, or in a Katrina type situation.
If you are "amped up" in a SD situation you will neither hear the blast nor feel the recoil.
 
“Why aren't semi-auto pistol caliber carbines (PCC) the #1 choice/recommendation for home defence?”

For me, it’s because they won’t fit in the night stand, or into my pocket when I go to answer an unexpected knock at the door.
 
I got a PSA AR for 330$, even a KelTec isn't that cheap. Shotguns are not being replaced by rifles in general, they're being replaced by cheap AR's that weigh less, cost less, and use 12$ magazines. PCC's have a reputation for doing poorly with hollowpoint ammo, and a 115 FMJ 9mm is still a 115 FMJ 9mm at 1400 FPS
 
Chaparral said:
“Why aren't semi-auto pistol caliber carbines (PCC) the #1 choice/recommendation for home defence?”

For me, it’s because they won’t fit in the night stand, or into my pocket when I go to answer an unexpected knock at the door.
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I believe that's the biggest and most common sense reason for a handgun being better. I don't have kids in my house, but I will have grandchildren visiting this summer, and I need to get a new night stand that has room for a lock box, and to get out of the habit of getting home and putting my CCW weapon on the kitchen counter by the door.
 
For me a PCC has too many federal restrictions to be all it could be.
The 16 inch barrel and 26 inch overall minimums make a rifle, not a small handy carbine (my opinion) Now a PCC with a 10 inch barrel would be much more practical. Take the big heavy Thompson or MP40 submachine guns as an examples. Not in full auto though.
 
It's 2:00 am. I hear a noise and suddenly there is an intruder in my bedroom.
One quick grab I have my Glock in hand ready to react as needed.
I just do not believe I could retrieve and ready a PCC, rifle, or shotgun before an aggressive intruder was on me.

I have all except the PCC accessible, but will still go for the easily maneuverable handgun first.
 
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WVGunman said:
I mean, they can be had with high-capacity magazines capacities the same as an AR and much more than a shotgun. They can be aimed like a rifle and mount optics, making them far more accurate than an equivalent handgun. They have plenty of power at self-defense range considering their longer barrels give them more punch. They cost less than almost any other gun to buy and feed (pump shotguns are very cheap, but buckshot loads sure aren't). They are easier to suppress if that's desired, and they probably won’t punch a hole clean through your house. You might even be allowed to shoot them at some pistol-only ranges.
These all seem like very significant advantages. Why aren't these things more popular?
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Well I obviously can't speak for everyone but I can speak for me. I have a PCC but home defense? I have many other guns better suited for the application.I consider my home, my distances and my surroundings. That is what it will always come down to, choosing the gun to fit the application.

Ron
 
IMO, use what is best for you to solve the problem. That means what you can use to stop the bad guy quickly and efficiently. It also means something you have confidence in using. If a PCC does that for you, use it.

A PCC or a rifle will not really replace the handgun for home defense. It just gives you more firepower and accuracy if you have time to access them. A handgun within reach is still my first choice. The AK is my backup.
 
As mentioned previously, over penetration in drywall is a big reason. While they may still be used by some smaller departments, I am unaware of a full time SWAT team from a major city that chooses to make entries with a PCC. A 9mm subgun and shotguns used to be the go to for that, but now nearly everyone carries a short AR.
 
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