By now, I’m sure you’ve likely already seen and considered the Ruger PC Carbine. We have featured versions in the past on The Shooter’s Log and have heard many positive reviews. This great rifle has much merit on its own, but when paired with the takedown system and Magpul furniture, it rises to a new level.
I have to admit, I had written this gun off in the past as being “just not for me.” For me at least, on paper it can be a bit lackluster. However, it really shines when you get it in hand. Boy am I glad I had the opportunity to give one a shot. It certainly changed my perspective.
PC Carbine Features
The Ruger Takedown is a feature-packed carbine disguised as a traditional rifle. An adjustable, rear ghost ring sight and guarded front post offers a familiar sight picture.
As a lefty, I was pleased to see the reversible magazine release and charging handle. Ruger tends to be pretty good about that. Ruger also gives you the ability to pick the brand of magazine you use. The Ruger PC Carbine includes magwell sleeves for both Glock 9mm magazines and Ruger SR9/Security 9 17-round mags. Ruger includes one of its magazines with the rifle.
The Mapul Backpacker edition offers magazine storage in the stock for easy transport when the rifle is separated. The magazine does rattle in the stock. Because it needs to be able to fit different mags (depending on which magwell device you’re using), it can’t be an exact fit. Since this is just for storage during transport, it’s not a huge issue. Additionally, Ruger includes two cheek rest options (low and high) that double as the lid for the storage compartment.
The 16-inch fluted barrel is threaded 1/2×28. This would be a great suppressor host. The fluting helped with cooling, which helps with the takedown system should you need to shoot and leave quickly. The rifle incorporates a Picatinny top rail for your optics mounting needs and M-Lok slots on the forend for lights and lasers. Of course, the unique feature of the Takedown model is the quick-detach system, which allows you to quickly break the rifle in two for storage and transport.
At 6.2 pounds without an optic, it’s a bit heavy for a PCC. This is not a deal-breaker by any means, but it is worth noting. I expect aftermarket options will fill that need in the future, perhaps with a carbon-fiber barrel.
Takedown System
The takedown system on the Ruger PC Carbine detaches the receiver and barrel with a quick pull tab. Ensure you have properly cleared and safety-checked the firearm. Next, lock the bolt to the rear with the lever catch (in front of the trigger guard). Then, simply depress the metal tab under the forend and twist clockwise. At this point, you are free to slide the halves apart. For transport and storage, close the bolt to prevent debris from entering the action.
The Magpul design takes this one step further, allowing you to insert the breech end of the barrel into the rear of the stock. The locking tabs on the forend will engage with a section on the stock to lock it into place in a compact, stored arrangement. The magazine is stored in the stock, so everything’s wrapped up in one, nice little package.
To reattach, lock the bolt to the rear and insert the breech end of the barrel into the receiver at an angle. You should be able to see how the parts fit together. As you press the halves together, and overcome some light spring pressure, twist the two pieces back into the locked position. You will hear and feel the metal pull tab and side buttons click back into place.
For those concerned that this fancy takedown system will have an effect on your accuracy and zeroing, you need not worry. I tested separated the rifle three times within 300 rounds and experienced no degradation in accuracy.
To swap the magwell on the PC Carbine, first start by using the takedown system to separate the barrel and the receiver. Next, unscrew the two screws on the underside of the receiver. This allows you to remove the receiver from the stock. Place the receiver to the side. Then, looking down at the polymer lower, you’ll see the magwell section at the front. This slides up and out after depressing the magazine release and a little section on the mag catch. It sounds a lot more complicated than it is, but I will link to Ruger’s instructions demonstrating the process. Keep the mag release button depressed and the mag sleeve will slide and click into place.
Specifications
- Stock: OD Green Magpul PC Backpacker
- Capacity: 17 rounds
- Barrel length: 16.12 inches
- Overall length: 35 inches
- Front sight: Protected blade
- Rear sight: Adjustable Ghost Ring
- Barrel features: Threaded, fluted
- Thread pattern: 1/2×28″
- Weight: 6.2 pounds
- Length of pull: 13.75 inches
- Receiver material: Aluminum Alloy
- Receiver finish: Type III hard-coat anodized
- Twist: 1:10″ RH
- Grooves: 6
Range Time
The Ruger Takedown carbine is a great deal of fun at the range. Toss it in a backpack with a few boxes of ammunition and you’ve got a great afternoon. I tested the PCC with 115-grain Blazer FMJ range ammo, a load that tends to perform well across a range of different firearms.
After one failure to feed in the first few rounds, I didn’t experience any more malfunctions. I attribute this to breaking in and working out any factory grease or gunk that may be in there. I like to test a gun as it comes from the box just to see how it runs and expect a bobble from time to time. The blowback action really flings brass to keep that ejection port clear and the bolt rides home with authority.
Between the adjustable sights, high-quality barrel, and good stock trigger, the firearm delivered good accuracy. The trigger uses proven 10/22 components, so there’s a host of aftermarket options, should you want to crank things up a notch.
Starting at 10 yards, I acclimated to the iron sights and got a feel for the trigger. Warming up, I stretched out farther and was able to achieve around 2-inch groups at 25 yards. However, I was overthinking it and pulling some of my shots off a bit. I have to admit, I’m a pistol shooter most of the time and could certainly brush up on my rifle skills.
Discounting the flyers, group size shrunk considerably to about an inch. With more practice and possibly an optic, I have no doubt the groups would close up. The PC Carbine can run a ragged hole in the right hands within 50 yards. For this first test, I was excited to see how the Ruger would perform out of the box. However, as I put it through its paces, I plan on running the UTG ACCU-SYNC red dot. This is a great budget 3 MOA dot with an excellent quick-attach mount. Stay tuned for a future review.
Recoil was minimal — it is a 9mm carbine after all. The recoil it did exhibit was straight to the rear and into the shoulder with little muzzle rise. With a good grip and proper stance, staying accurate during rapid fire was a breeze.
Final Thoughts
With a renewed outlook on the Ruger PC Carbine, I began looking for an open spot in my safe. This would be a handy firearm to pack for a camping trip or when traveling and you would like to bring something larger than a pistol. It’s also cool and fun — reason enough to own anything. With so many different variations of the PC Carbine, there’s a perfect version for everyone.
What do you think of 9mm carbines? How about a takedown model that tucks away in a backpack? Share your thoughts in the Comment section.
The barrel on the PC Carbine is fluted and threaded 1/2×28. 
Ruger’s adjustable sight is robust. 
The top rail is ready for mounting optics. 
The stock trigger on the PC Carbine is good. 
M-Lok slots on the forend allow you to mount lights and lasers. 
The Magpul edition stores away nicely for transport. 
There are two cheek riser options provided with the rifle. 
The Ruger demonstrated good accuracy. Simply press in the side tabs at the front of the forend and pull the metal latch on the underside and you’re ready to take down the carbine. With an optic and magazine, this classic rifle begins to look a bit more tactical. The Magpul Backpacker stock features a storage compartment for your magazine. The Ruger ran well at the range. 
The Takedown model packs nicely in a backpack. Ruger includes two magwell options to use either Glock or Ruger ST9/Security 9 mags.
“Press in the tabs at the front of the forend and pull the metal latch on the underside. Then, you’ll be ready to take down the carbine.”
The tabs are only pressed when releasing the barrel from the backpacker stowed position. They are not part of the takedown process.
Good news is: There are Pistol Caliber Carbines (PCC), and Revolver Caliber Carbines (RCC) for those wanting stuff like a 44 Mag,, a .357 Mag/38 SPL, or even a .45LC, to work with their favorite Revolvers of the respective caliber. I mean Henry doesn’t get a $1,000 for a RCC because they are not selling, correct? While that may seem like a smart aleck answer to some, there are some pretty nice RCC’s in lever action that now include stuff like pic rails for mounting red dots, or even lights and bipods. Like putting a Red Dot on a Ruger Blackhawk (for old eyes, and yes it can be done), and pair it with say a Rossi 92 Triple Black with a Red Dot in the same Revolver Caliber. Kind of almost like a “Back to the Future” interest. Pairing up a favorite Revolver with a favorite RCC, may make an interesting article.
A blowback is never going to be done in a 44 mag. Too much pressure. Go try to find an old Ruger Deer Stalker or Deer Slayer, both are semi-automatic 44 magnums that Ruger produced for a short time.
I like this carbine as a range toy, but it needs to go on a diet. I should be 5.5 lbs and most. Heck, the Kel Tec SU-16C is a 5.56mm, folding stock, and it only weighs 4.7 pounds.
In my opinion, its an answer to a question nobody is asking. IF you need a rifle, then shoot a rifle cartridge. Short range self or home defense 9mm guns needs are better served with a handgun.
I’m a big fan of Ruger! The pc carbine is a very cool little rifle. But I have often wondered why Ruger isn’t making this carbine in other calibers as well, it seems that this rifle could be a great brush carbine for deer if it were chambered in.44 magnum or a few other more powerful cartridges.
Have the regular PC Carbine and it works extremely well. No change in accuracy taking down and putting back. My 10/22 Take Down also does not change POI after taking down; have even done between sequential shots. The Tungsten dead weight for the blow back ejection system is the major source of weight, but you get used to it. Ruger makes great guns.
Just a FYI note about the Magpul Ruger PC Backpacker Stock: It looks like it does not accept bipods, period. Ironically, not even any of the Magpul styles, not even Magpul’s newest sling mount. Doesn’t even have an M-lok slot on the bottom of the forearm for a Magpul M-lok bipod, which would probably be the best choice for a bipod mount as space looks limited when in the back-pack storage position. On the other hand, the Ruger PC standard stock support both the picatinny rail mount, and the new very light weight Magpul MOE sling mount.
Harley Dog you must of been so mesmerized by this rifle that you overlooked the 3rd paragraph where it states it uses either Glock 9mm mags or Ruger mags. Only 10 rings my friend
I love to shoot my PC40. Its a thumper.
Install the Glock mazazine adapter, and pair with a G19. Would make for a great urban rifle/pistol combo.
Nice article, but you have to read between the lines and finally figure it is a 9MM. Why not put that in the specifications?
Also being part of the correct-handed crowd, I wanted a PCC, but unfortunately, requiring it to be both correct-handed friendly, and last round hold open, the field got pretty narrow, pretty quick. Then Henry brought out the homesteader which is pretty impressive, and ambidextrous right out of the box, although costing basically twice what the Ruger PC does. Then I picked up a Ruger in a shop, with the Magpul stock like this article, and though I needed to do more research. Well, that went well, because as Ruger sort of made the PC sort of ambidextrous, well everything but the SAFETY! I mean it’s a SAFETY! A SAFETY THING YOU KNOW? Researching more, I learned TandemKross [TK], not only makes an ambidextrous safety for the Ruger PC, it is also an AR style lever (on both sides) and no matter which hand you use, the [TK] Cornerstone safety is worth every penny, and easily switched out, after watching the [TK] video. On top of that, [TK] also makes an ambidextrous bolt hold open replacement for the Ruger PC which when you see it, it is one of those things that make you think, well yeah, that is the way it should have been. Just get both when you order. So I went for the Ruger PC in digital camo, for what was a little more than a G-19 on sale, figuring if I ever wanted the Magpul stock, I could just buy the stock, and I would still be ahead on the Price of just the standard Ruger PC in black. Another nice advantage of the Ruger PC is the ability to add a picitinny rail mounted brass catcher, if you reload. The Quick Disconnect mounted Red Dot (like in the picture in this article) is the way to go on the Ruger PC, as it can quickly be removed in the case of a dead battery, and just go back to the irons. Only issue is the OEM extractor just isn’t up to Ruger’s standards, and results in FTE’s, but [TK] and M*CRBO both make excellent replacement of hardened tool steal in a much better profile than the OEM, for trouble free extractions. The new sling mount Magpul MOE bipod is another nice addition, at about half the cost of the regular Magpul bipods.
Did the zero change based on where you held the rifle? That is, support hand out on the forearm or support hand up by the receiver? The 1022 takedown I have does that. Quite disappointing. Cranking the quick takedown collar down to very tight helps, but it is still nowhere near as good as an old AR7.