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pistol caliber carbines

Top 11 Best Pistol Caliber Carbines For 2019

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Best Pistol Caliber Carbine

I’m personally a big fan of pistol caliber carbines (PCC) for quite a few different reasons. For starters, it’s a fun way to plink around for not that much money. I can literally spend about $50 on a few boxes of 9mm ammo, bring my PCC to the range, hammer out some fundamentals training, and improve my skills.

It’s cheap and efficient for training purposes, and is a lot of fun to do. What is a pistol caliber carbine, in case you didn’t know? Well, it’s essentially nothing more than a long gun chambered in a pistol caliber like 9mm, .357 Magnum .45 ACP, etc.

I also employ a just-legal (length wise) carbine in home defense. I have it stashed in a part of my house that’s easy to get to if I’m in that part of the house and need a 30-round stick mag for a bit of extra firepower that’s easy to get to. All in all, to me, a pistol caliber carbine is one of the best home defense weapons out there.

More than that, they’re accurate if you do your part, and the extra barrel gives the projectile some more velocity increasing the amount of energy transferred to your attacker. But, they don’t always come with the concussive noise associated with a 12 gauge shotgun or AR-15. And, where there are over penetration concerns, you can choose a caliber known to penetrate through less, than others do.


Please note that to be included on this list, the gun manufacture either still needs to be making these carbines, or there needs to be enough of them out there to buy. For that reason, alone, H&K’s USC is not on this list. So, without any further BS from me, here are the top 11 best pistol caliber carbines, in any caliber, and not in any specific order —

Definitive Arms AKX-9:

Definitive Arms AKX-9

This is a gun I own in my personal collection, and it’s one of my favorites. It’s accurate, affordable to shoot, is based on an AK-47 platform, accepts Colt Stick Mags, and has never failed me once. This is a PCC that you won’t find on anyone else’s list, because they are super hard to find, but a no-brainer once you see how they run. Make sure you check out my full review to learn more about this, my best pistol caliber carbine. They come into stock randomly on Atlantic Firearms’ website.

Fab Defense KPOS G2:

Fab Defense KPOS Gen 2

Glock makes some of the most popular and well-built pistols ever made. While I don’t personally own any Glocks at this moment, I cannot argue with fact. It was just a matter of time before Glock Carbine Conversion Kits came out to turn the venerable pistol into a carbine. And thankfully, there are plenty of kits out there to help you out with this. Check out Travis’ review, here.

Henry Big Boy Carbine:

Say what? Henry? Well, have you ever shot a Henry Lever Action rifle before? If you have, then you get it. If not, then you should. Did you know they make a carbine version with a 16.5 inch barrel? Every gun Henry makes that I’ve shot was reliable and accurate (almost to a fault, but not quite). They make Big Boy Carbines chambered in .38/.357, .327, .41, 44, and .45 Colt. Click the link to learn more about Henry’s Carbines.

CAA Micro Roni:

The utterly cool Micro Roni, a G17, and a 16 inch barrel

Simmilar to the Glock Carbine Conversion Kit mentioned above, this one isn’t actual a gun by itself, but an accessory to make a pistol a carbine. This one is a bit different, and I’ll let you read the review we have on it, here.

Beretta CX4 Storm:

best pistol caliber carbine

Another favorite among many gun owners is the Beretta CX4 Storm pistol caliber carbine. This is one of the most versatile carbines on the market, and it even allows you to change which side the cases eject, without the need to bring it to a gunsmith. This is great news for left-handed folks.

Kel Tec Sub 2000:

The Kel Tec Sub 2000 is, to me, the ultimate backpack gun. It folds up nice and small, shoots 9mm like a champ, is accurate-enough, and pretty reliable. These aren’t the easiest guns to find on this best pistol caliber carbine list, but well worth the search for a gun you can stick in a backpack or a safe in your truck. They can be had in 9mm or .40 S&W, and retail for about $500, again, if you can find one.

CMMG Guard 45:


This is one of the few on this list not chambered in 9X19, though if memory serves me, they do offer a 9mm one, as well. What I really like about the CMMG Guard 45 is the overall design, and I can say that I’ve shot it before even though they’re relatively new. To me, this platform makes sense for home defense. Why? Well, you still get a maneuverable platform, but with .45 ACP, you don’t need to worry about penetrating through walls as much as you do with some of the other calibers. Of course, it is still a concern to a degree, just not as much. Anything can over penetrate.

Hi Point:

Yes, I put a Hi Point on my list. While their handguns may or may not be reliable depending on your life outlook, their carbines are excellent. What’s more, you have your choice of caliber from .380, 9mm, .40 S&W, 10mm, and .45 ACP (have you seen our handgun ballistics chart yet?). They are reliable, accurate, and really inexpensive, meaning that you can have your cake, and eat it, too.

SIG Sauer MPX:

best pistol caliber carbine

The SIG MPX is easily the most expensive pistol caliber carbine on this list. Coming in at about $2,000, this is a carbine you have to be able to afford. But, SIG charges that much money because they can get that much money for their guns. Period.

Ruger PC Carbine:


Okay, granted this is a new Pistol Caliber Carbine and I don’t have that much trigger time behind one (though I have put some lead downrange with one). I plan to do a review on one in the future, so until that time, let’s consider the Ruger PC Carbine an honorary member of this best pistol caliber carbine list. Until I get more trigger time, here is a video showing it off a bit from our time at SHOT Show, 2018:

CZ Scorpion:

Last, but certainly not least, is the very capable CZ Scorpion EVO 3, pistol caliber carbine. Again, this is one of the most capable and quality-built firearms on the market built by a trusted manufacturer. It also comes with a 16.2 inch barrel, a folding stock, with a sub $1,000 price tag. What’s not to love?

There you have it, the top 11 best pistol caliber carbines currently available for the model year 2018. Which ones do you feel as though I’m missing? Let me know in the comments below.

What’s the difference between all the muzzle devices? I explain, here. 

Top 5 Best Truck Guns

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second-generation KelTec Sub2000 in 9mm
Pistol caliber carbines matter. This second-generation KelTec Sub2000 in 9mm is a good candidate.

Top 5 Best Truck Guns

It would be an understatement to admit that I am a great admirer of a carbine. But the fact is that I am, and carry one daily in my vehicle. Having said that, remember it is your responsibility to know the gun laws of your state and how those laws relate to carrying a firearm in your vehicle. One excellent resource for you to refer to is: www.handgunlaw.us. Although the site is named for handguns, it has information about carrying guns in vehicles in all 50 states. If in doubt, do your research!

For the purposes of this article I define a carbine as a short rifle with an 18” or shorter barrel. The stock may be fixed, collapsible, or of folding design. I do not limit this discussion only to semi-auto actions as you will soon discover. Additionally, I do not exclude pistol caliber carbines from my discussion here.

So why carry a carbine in your vehicle? Because anything I can do with a handgun I can do better with a short rifle. In a vehicle, there’s limited space in which to move around. If I must fight or defend myself from within or around my mode of transportation, the ability to move with ease can become challenging with all but a pistol or carbine. I give myself a huge advantage with the extended barrel length, stock weld to my shoulder, and sight radius the carbine offers.

Plus, in most cases, greater distance and accuracy capability is gained in part due to the high velocity rifle cartridges of most carbines. That’s not to negate most of the same advantages of a pistol caliber in a carbine as well.

There are countless applications for a carbine when it comes to a survival or bug out situation. So in my estimation the carbine has a place in every single vehicle I own. Understand I have carried a carbine for decades while traveling roadways in this country. Also understand I currently reside in a western state that has no law prohibiting any gun, loaded and accessible, inside my truck.

With all the above in mind, let’s take a look at some possible choices for carbine carry in a vehicle. By no means is this short list to be considered the only list. Just my top 5 best truck guns.

SIG P516 Pistol
SIG P516 Pistol in 5.56, a top choice for vehicle carry

1. AR platform pistol

Here I’m speaking of platforms like the Sig P516 with the legal-off-the-shelf, SB Tactical arm brace. In the 10-inch barrel, chambered in 5.56, this platform provides wonderful in-vehicle access and mobility while still allowing the shooter to have a point of contact to the shoulder if the need arises. There are also some excellent choices in the 7.62 x 39 caliber such as the Krebs PD-18 Pistol with an 11-inch barrel. While there have been some discussions as to the legality of either pistol being fired from the shoulder like a carbine, in an immediate threat environment I will opt to do what needs to be done.

These “pistols” do come with an ATF compliant letter stating the arm brace is for arm support to the pistol, thereby not requiring an NFA permit due to the short barrel length. There are numerous platforms available that allow for this shortened barrel in conjunction with a non-traditional stock or “pistol brace.” The ability to use a standard 20-, 30-, or even 40-round magazine, make these systems are ideal for vehicle carry. My condolences to citizens of those states that are under such extreme government control that you are not allowed standard magazines for your own defense!

best truck guns
Winchester Saddle Ring Carbine in 30-30…a nice vehicle carry carbine

2. Trapper model lever action

Between various manufacturers (Winchester, Henry, and Rossi, to mention a few) there are many caliber choices here including the 357 and 44 magnum. My choice has always been the ole 30-30. In the short Trapper (16-inch barrel) model, this little lever gun is ideal for carry inside a vehicle. It’s also very flat-sided and easy to position between the seats for quick access. I carried this carbine many miles in this manner, and still do on occasion. In 30-30, it’s an effective cartridge out to around 200-300 yards. Even the best truck guns can have a downside, for this package, it’s the tubular magazine capacity of five rounds in the 30-30 cartridge.

The KelTec Sub2000 in fold down mode
The KelTec Sub2000 in fold down mode

3. Kel Tec Sub2000

Moving into a pistol only cartridge in a short carbine (16.25-inch barrel) it would be hard to argue with of the maneuverability and ease of access this little package offers. Standard offering is 9mm and 40 S&W. The Sub2000 uses Glock magazines and consequently will accept the extended 33-round 9mm and the 22-round 40 S&W versions. Another handy feature is the ability to fold it in half for extreme covert carry. It’s very easily carried between the seat and console right next to you while driving. Kel Tec has updated the original Sub2000 and I very much enjoy my “Gen 2” chambered in 9mm.

best truck gun
M1 30 Carbine, another good choice for truck carry

4. M1 30 carbine

This carbine platform has been around since World War II. With an 18-inch barrel and magazine capacity of 15 or 30 rounds, this 30 caliber semi-auto has a muzzle velocity of about 1,990 feet per second. It has seen military and police service around the world. While perhaps not the most ideal cartridge, it certainly fits the bill for a quick access carbine inside a vehicle and is quite enjoyable to shoot.

KelTec CMR-30 in 22 Magnum
KelTec CMR-30 in 22 Magnum with flip-up sights and collapsible stock

5. Kel Tec CMR-30

Another innovative offering from Kel Tec is the CMR-30 in 22 Magnum, with a 16-inch barrel. This hot little rim fire cartridge has been used over the years for everything from bringing in the camp meat to self-defense. I like the CMR-30 because the stock telescopes all way flush with the back of the receiver. It comes with a 30-round box magazine. Aside from a great vehicle carry gun, if you are thinking survival, couple this with the Kel Tec PMR-30, the accompanying pistol that takes the same mag, and you have an excellent bugout package.

As I previously stated, this is a short list of the best truck gun carbine options available. I do have personal experience with each of the above listed platforms and know they carry well inside a vehicle and will likewise easily be deployed outside the vehicle with ease if the need arises. Bottom line, carbine carry in my everyday transportation is the rule, not the exception.