I own (or have owned) most of the available PCCs, less the Ruger PC9, Just Right Carbine, FX9, Keltec and TNW. I tend to buy PCCs that are reasonable facsimiles of in-service SMGs, not so much the purpose-built semi-auto designs. Hence the reason that I have not owned the firearms that I listed. I also still own a number of genuine 12(3) SMGs and 12(4 & 5) PCCs which I am no longer permitted to discharge, but that round out my stable of experience with the pistol-calibre shoulder arms. I have also previously owned most of the major WW II SMG designs, including the STEN Mk II, Thompson M1A1, Reising M50, PPSh-41, and the MP-40.
Of all the firearms currently within my collection (pictured below), I must tip my hat to the B+T APC9, which the US Army also recently selected as its new Close-Protection Weapon - the first new SMG type-classified by the US Military since the M3 "Grease Gun". All other characteristics being relatively equal, the APC9 shines because it is so utterly smooth in operation thanks to its hydraulic Rear Buffer. Next I would select the Scorpion EVO3 because it does everything that the others do, but better than most at an incredibly affordable price-point. The Scorpion is also the most simple design, being straight blow-back with no special buffers, etc. After that, it is a bit of a toss-up. I would tie the MP5 and the SIG MPX, as they share many similarities. The MPX is (perhaps) slightly smoother, but it is also much more complicated and over-engineered with its piston-driven operating system. The TP9 is an incredibly capable PCC/SMG/PDW for its miniscule size. As easily concealed as a pistol when fitted with a 20-round magazine and folded buttstock, it becomes a surprisingly accurate shoulder arm when deployed. The Angstadt Arms PDW was another competitor in the US Army's Close Protection Weapon Trials. It is a great choice if mated to a collapsible stock such as the MVB ARC-X or Maxim PDW Stock. Otherwise it is a bit long, but an excellent, high-quality direct blow-back design of PDW. My final nod of approval would go to the 9mm AR-based PCC/SMG. The Ergonomics are excellent with these firearms, given that they are those of the AR15. After that however, this designs's larger, awkward size makes it a lackluster choice by today's standards.
I would give the Uzi and its copycat brethren the Polish BRS-99 (or PM-84 SMG) a pass if other mentioned options were available. Weight, open-bolt design and lacklustre ergos are the Uzi's downfall. The BRS-99 has some updates and is lighter weight, but it still compares poorly to the other choices in my view. The Kriss Vector is a quirky, boutique SMG with an interesting recoil-countering operating system and a compact (folded) size, but it will never be a mainstream choice. The Sterling (or Canadian C1) SMG was a great choice in the 1950s and 60s, but was long in the tooth by the 1980s. Conventional 2nd Generation SMGs like the Sterling and its ancestor the STEN rightfully belong in museums today, although they are still very lethal out to 100m in trained hands. The Cobray MAC 11/9 is pretty much a bullet-hose, and not a very good one at that. Mine has been fitted with an aftermarket Lage Folding Stock which greatly enhances the fit, feel and stability of the firearm. Still, even with enhancements it would be a marginal choice at best...
The PS90 PDW is in a league of its own, based on its hybrid rifle/pistol ammo. Effective out to 200m against soft body armour, the PS90 and its unique ammo fall half-way between a carbine and an SMG while fulfilling the role of a PDW with twice the effective range of a conventional SMG. The P90 is a simple blow-back design wrapped up in an extremely compact and ergonomic chassis. There is not much to dislike about the P90, which brings a whole new level of effectiveness to the SMG-sized package.
The B+T USW320 is also a bit of an outlier, given its minimalist approach to providing users with a low-profile PDW capable of hits on man-sized targets out to 100m. At 50m and closer the USW320 is a frick'en laser, making easy hits on 6" gongs at 50m at speed. The USW320 is a very underrated and still relatively unknown PDW option.
B+T APC 9 9mm
CZ Scorpion EVO 3 9mm
HK MP5 (HK94 SBR) 9mm
SIG MPX 9mm
B+T TP9 9mm
Angstadt Arms UDP9
Rock River Arms AR15 9mm LAR9
BRS 99 9mm
FN Uzi 9mm
Kriss Vector .45 ACP
C1 SMG (Sterling) 9mm
Sten Mk II 9mm
Cobray MAC 11/9 9mm
FN PS90 5.7x28
B+T USW320 9mm
Of all the firearms currently within my collection (pictured below), I must tip my hat to the B+T APC9, which the US Army also recently selected as its new Close-Protection Weapon - the first new SMG type-classified by the US Military since the M3 "Grease Gun". All other characteristics being relatively equal, the APC9 shines because it is so utterly smooth in operation thanks to its hydraulic Rear Buffer. Next I would select the Scorpion EVO3 because it does everything that the others do, but better than most at an incredibly affordable price-point. The Scorpion is also the most simple design, being straight blow-back with no special buffers, etc. After that, it is a bit of a toss-up. I would tie the MP5 and the SIG MPX, as they share many similarities. The MPX is (perhaps) slightly smoother, but it is also much more complicated and over-engineered with its piston-driven operating system. The TP9 is an incredibly capable PCC/SMG/PDW for its miniscule size. As easily concealed as a pistol when fitted with a 20-round magazine and folded buttstock, it becomes a surprisingly accurate shoulder arm when deployed. The Angstadt Arms PDW was another competitor in the US Army's Close Protection Weapon Trials. It is a great choice if mated to a collapsible stock such as the MVB ARC-X or Maxim PDW Stock. Otherwise it is a bit long, but an excellent, high-quality direct blow-back design of PDW. My final nod of approval would go to the 9mm AR-based PCC/SMG. The Ergonomics are excellent with these firearms, given that they are those of the AR15. After that however, this designs's larger, awkward size makes it a lackluster choice by today's standards.
I would give the Uzi and its copycat brethren the Polish BRS-99 (or PM-84 SMG) a pass if other mentioned options were available. Weight, open-bolt design and lacklustre ergos are the Uzi's downfall. The BRS-99 has some updates and is lighter weight, but it still compares poorly to the other choices in my view. The Kriss Vector is a quirky, boutique SMG with an interesting recoil-countering operating system and a compact (folded) size, but it will never be a mainstream choice. The Sterling (or Canadian C1) SMG was a great choice in the 1950s and 60s, but was long in the tooth by the 1980s. Conventional 2nd Generation SMGs like the Sterling and its ancestor the STEN rightfully belong in museums today, although they are still very lethal out to 100m in trained hands. The Cobray MAC 11/9 is pretty much a bullet-hose, and not a very good one at that. Mine has been fitted with an aftermarket Lage Folding Stock which greatly enhances the fit, feel and stability of the firearm. Still, even with enhancements it would be a marginal choice at best...
The PS90 PDW is in a league of its own, based on its hybrid rifle/pistol ammo. Effective out to 200m against soft body armour, the PS90 and its unique ammo fall half-way between a carbine and an SMG while fulfilling the role of a PDW with twice the effective range of a conventional SMG. The P90 is a simple blow-back design wrapped up in an extremely compact and ergonomic chassis. There is not much to dislike about the P90, which brings a whole new level of effectiveness to the SMG-sized package.
The B+T USW320 is also a bit of an outlier, given its minimalist approach to providing users with a low-profile PDW capable of hits on man-sized targets out to 100m. At 50m and closer the USW320 is a frick'en laser, making easy hits on 6" gongs at 50m at speed. The USW320 is a very underrated and still relatively unknown PDW option.
B+T APC 9 9mm
CZ Scorpion EVO 3 9mm
HK MP5 (HK94 SBR) 9mm
SIG MPX 9mm
B+T TP9 9mm
Angstadt Arms UDP9
Rock River Arms AR15 9mm LAR9
BRS 99 9mm
FN Uzi 9mm
Kriss Vector .45 ACP
C1 SMG (Sterling) 9mm
Sten Mk II 9mm
Cobray MAC 11/9 9mm
FN PS90 5.7x28
B+T USW320 9mm
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