Hey everyone, I was bitten by the pistol caliber carbine bug as of late. Could someone please enlighten me on the pros and cons of the common calibers, pertaining mostly to cost (off the shelf and reloads) availability and accuracy? 45 acp would be sweet but i understand it costs twice as much as 9mm? Is there much of a cost difference between 9 and 40?
9mm vs 40s&w in pistol caliber carbine
- Thread starter tbell_1
- Start date
If you are concerned about ammo costs and you do not reload 9mm is the way to go. I have had a couple of 9mm carbines and really like them.
Roughly speaking .40 ammo will be approximately .10 more expensive per shot than the 9mm.
Roughly speaking .40 ammo will be approximately .10 more expensive per shot than the 9mm.
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M1 carbine is what I would go with in choosing a pistol caliber carbine. Buy the .30 cal ammo in bulk.
However that option is a little more expensive. For the OP, going the 9MM route will be the cheapest. Doesn't matter if you reload or buy bulk.
However that option is a little more expensive. For the OP, going the 9MM route will be the cheapest. Doesn't matter if you reload or buy bulk.
Ar180shooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Ottawa, ON
It depends on which one. Something like the FAMAE SAF has huge appeal to me, but I guess it's more of a SMG than a PCC. The JR Carbine/CX4 storm doesn't hold as much appeal to me.
pistol caliber carbines are nothing more than a gimmick or smg wannabes- you wouldn't /shouldn't hunt with them, so that makes you take it to the range- some of the provincial hunting regs get around this by specifying a MINIMUM cartridge length- on the other hand, the 38/357 and 44 mag lever carbines can be downright handy in certain situations
So I guess you feel the same about every AR or handgun then as well ?
I take my JR to the range (including the indoor pistol range)...or wherever else I want to go target shoot. Also use it for IDPA multigun, out to 100 yards it does just fine.
It's a light weight, fun to shoot carbine that I roll my own ammo for. Same ergos as an AR, cheap ammo, 10rd mags, easily accessorized.
Whats not to like ?
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I have a nr berretta storm 9mm. Great little gun to shoot, light weight, short, very little recoil, cheaper ammo than the big rifles and can shoot it in the bush. It accompanies me every time I go out to test reloads are practice some longer range shooting with the big rifles. Kind of the grand finally to do some mag dumps at 20, 30 and 50yds.
I have lots of guns to hunt with...this is just a toy....we all need toys.
I have lots of guns to hunt with...this is just a toy....we all need toys.
9 mm versus 40 SW debate have been going on forever or at least before the internet, Knock down power is irrelevant when you are punching paper or vermin hunting and heavy recoil is mitigated by the long barrel carbine, so the only deciding factor is the price of ammo.
9 mm is easier to find in bulk and they are always on sale, 40 SW not so much.
9 mm is easier to find in bulk and they are always on sale, 40 SW not so much.
Semi-automatic pistol-magazine-capacity firearm goodness, and can often be used inside the doors of indoor ranges where .223 "shall not pass"...
Also, usually (but not always) less expensive per-shot when compared to .223
Bolivar
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
The question was 9mm or 40 for a cabine platform. If you think they are all junk, why even reply. You certainly did come close to answering the damn question.
OP - 9mm IMO for all the cost reasons noted above. Enjoy your rifle when you get it.
- Location
- Burnaby B.C.
To the OP. I have a JRC 9mm and theuron 45. Like another post said the cost is not much between 9 and 40 but 45 can get a bit pricy sometimes. They are a heck of a lot of fun and the fact that they take glock mags is a plus with the 10 round goodness . Lots of Pros to shooting a pistol carbine. Less parts, as most are blow back operated they are more simple design so that can be a plus. The ammo is smaller so you can pack more in one can than lets say even 5.56 or .308. Much less recoil. Lighter weight, ect. plus the free floating 18.5 inch barrels really highlight the ballistics of the smaller rounds. Very accurate up to 100 yards no problem. IMHO theuron is best design as far as being the most user friendly.
. Lots of Pros to shooting a pistol carbine. Less parts, as most are blow back operated they are more simple design so that can be a plus. The ammo is smaller so you can pack more in one can than lets say even 5.56 or .308. Much less recoil. Lighter weight, ect. plus the free floating 18.5 inch barrels really highlight the ballistics of the smaller rounds. Very accurate up to 100 yards no problem. IMHO theuron is best design as far as being the most user friendly.To the OP. I have a JRC 9mm and theuron 45. Like another post said the cost is not much between 9 and 40 but 45 can get a bit pricy sometimes. They are a heck of a lot of fun and the fact that they take glock mags is a plus with the 10 round goodness
I forgot to mention that one.....
MauroUlisse
Regular
- Location
- Woodbridge
IMO a carbine should be in rifle caliber only. Just my 2 cents
9mm would be the answer to your initial question.
I sent a lot of time with a just right carbine in 45 acp and it was plagued with problems. Thureon defence gets much better reviews if you are looking for something that same style but I have no personal experience with them.
HK USC (45 ACP) is also a good option, it can be made non restricted with a longer barrel and it is probably the most reliable of any of the choices out there.
