Whereas an individual may consider one firearm the perfect platform for a truck gun, another person may consider it a great personal defense weapon for the home. Ruger sent me a Ruger PC Carbine in 9mm Luger and after working with it, I’ve come to the conclusion that it is the perfect truck gun.
This Ruger PC Carbine is available in 24 configurations. The one that caught my eye was the flag series, which from butt to muzzle showcases the beauty of the American flag and screams “FREEDOM!”
This flag series is available in two configurations: one is state compliant with a 10-round magazine, for those who live in states that regulate mag capacity and the comes with a mag capacity of 17. If your state is not one that regulates mag capacity, it would be beneficial to have multiple mag sizes to accommodate different shooting styles. On top of capacity choices, Ruger also presents another option. They’ve included an additional magazine well that enables the shooter to use Glock Magazines (MSRP $14.95) too.
After I received my new Ruger PC Carbine, I took it to the range and let freedom ring at the Live Fire Training Academy Range.
Reliability is crucial! A truck gun needs to be rigid, easy to handle and cycle flawlessly. That was my first test to accomplish. I used the UpLULA Red White and Blue Magazine Speed Loader (MSRP $38.95) to load the 10-round magazine, and cycled through. It performed just as I had hoped, flawlessly. Next up – the ammo test.
I had some Hornady 9mm on my ammo shelf, but I had to find out what cartridges my new possible truck gun liked for the ultimate accuracy. I set a target at 25 yards, and looked through the adjustable ghost ring rear sight and the front blade sight. I tested several types of ammo:
Remington 115 Grain FMJ (MSRP $24.99)
Winchester 115 Grain Flat Nose FMJ (MSRP $17.99)
Fiocchi 147 Grain FMJ (MSRP $21.99)
Barnes Vor-TX 115 Grain TAC-XP (MSRP $26.29)
Federal 124 Grain Jacketed HP (MSRP $23.99)
Hornady American Gunner 124 Grain XTP (MSRP $24.99)
Hornady Subsonic 147 Grain XTP (MSRP $29.99).
With a box sporting the American Flag, and a name, American Gunner, the Hornady ammo, seemed to be a fitting match and the favorite of the PC Carbine. While there were a few different ones that performed well, Hornady came away with the tightest three shot group of them all at 25 and 50 yards.
The Ruger PC Carbine is going to be most effective inside 100 yards. I intend to use it as a truck gun to protect property against nuisance animals. A 9mm Luger with a 16-inch barrel, the barrel has a 1:10 inch RH twist rate and is capable of even 200-yard shots, with appropriate ammo and a skilled shooter. Taking live animals at that distance is not recommended, as the energy and pinpoint accuracy is lacking at that range. If I was shooting steel, then yes, of course, 200 yards all day long!
For the 50-yard test I mounted the Hawke Frontier Red Dot Reflex Sight (MSRP $339.00), which will give me a faster target acquisition and should improve my accuracy. At 50 yards, instead of aiming for the larger portion of the steel target, I aimed for the silhouette’s head, with the well-known phrase “Aim small, miss small” in mind. The Hornady American Gunners were just as good at 50 yards as they were at 25.
After some range time, I’m confident its performance is adequate. The only true way to know it’s adequacy as a truck gun is to designate a safe place in my truck that is easily accessible and get into action. Some may prefer to store or transport this one in a case or backpack and is easily accomplished, the takedown is simple. For this test run I’ll leave it assembled and place it perfectly between the passenger seat and the console.
There are some features on the Ruger PC Carbine that make it a perfect truck gun.
I became familiar with the gun, its features and practiced offhand as I had planned to use it. I also practiced with it as it would sit in my truck; I placed my right hand on the stock and kept the muzzle pointed at the floor of the truck while I exited with it in hand – unloaded, of course. I needed to know it is, in every way, a perfect fit for the situation.
It was time for a practical field test. My eyes were peeled for the first purposed target. I spotted an armadillo emerging from the bushes into the field; there was my first target 45 yards away. After pulling the bolt back and advancing a round into the chamber, I took aim. I disengaged the push button safety and placed my finger on the trigger. With one offhand shot I dispatched the pest and was convinced the Ruger PC Carbine is what I want riding next to me for dispatching unwanted critters.
Not only is this a great truck gun, but it’s also a great platform for multiple uses. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment spent with this one at the range. I’d happily make a trip to the range any time just to put more rounds through this American-flag-wrapped beauty!
MSRP: $919.00
I am a wife and a mother who loves the outdoors, I also review and test airguns and shooting products for various manufacturers. As Airgun Angie, I get to spend a fair amount of time outdoors hunting and shooting! I love what I do, I get the opportunity to test many different types of shooting and hunting gear. My current adventures can be found on https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC764VE4T-i2XihiyISmkJKA You can also follow me on Facebook, @leadlife17 "Airgun Angie." View all posts by Angie Perry
