Should You Use A Pistol Caliber Carbine or 9mm AR-15 Pistol For Home Defense?

Published on December 21, 2018
Duration: 12:30

This guide outlines a practical drill to compare the performance of a Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC) against a 9mm pistol for home defense scenarios. The drill, demonstrated by Mrgunsngear, involves rapid firing 10 rounds at a 10-yard steel target using a shot timer to measure speed and accuracy. The objective is to assess which platform offers better performance under stress, considering factors like target acquisition, recoil management, and overall time to target.

Quick Summary

Pistol Caliber Carbines (PCCs) are highly viable for home defense, offering faster shooting times (2.76s vs 3.22s for 10 rounds) and easier target tracking than pistols. While longer barrels increase velocity, care must be taken to avoid over-expansion. PCCs also allow easier mounting of accessories and often have higher capacity.

Chapters

  1. 00:30Intro: PCC vs Pistol for Home Defense
  2. 01:41Chronograph Testing: Ruger PCC
  3. 02:31Chronograph Testing: Glock 45
  4. 04:01Practical Application: Pistol Shooting Test
  5. 05:26Practical Application: PCC Shooting Test
  6. 07:01Final Assessment and Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the advantages of a Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC) for home defense?

PCCs offer easier target tracking and faster shooting times compared to pistols due to multiple points of contact. They also typically have less muzzle blast, can more easily accommodate lights and optics, and often feature higher magazine capacities, making them a viable option, especially for less experienced shooters.

How does a 9mm pistol compare to a PCC for home defense speed and accuracy?

In a 10-round drill at 10 yards, a Ruger PCC was timed at 2.76 seconds, while a Glock 45 pistol took 3.22 seconds. The PCC's stability generally leads to tighter groups and easier accurate shooting under stress, though pistols are more compact.

What are the key ballistics differences between a PCC and a pistol with the same ammunition?

A 16-inch barrel PCC achieved higher velocities (e.g., 1,062 FPS for 147gr) than a 4-inch pistol barrel (e.g., 937 FPS for 147gr) with the same 9mm ammunition. However, excessive velocity from longer barrels can sometimes cause defensive bullets to over-expand and under-penetrate.

What ammunition types were tested for home defense performance?

The video tested Speer Gold Dot G2 147gr and Federal Premium HST 124gr 9mm ammunition through both a Ruger PCC and a Glock 45 pistol to compare velocities and discuss potential terminal ballistics.

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