Fx9 or pc9?

Unholysavage said:
The bolt catch not working with all mags is well known. Find mags that it likes and it's good to go. If you have a pile of 10rd Glock mags get +10% Wolff mag springs. Mine worked perfectly with pinned PMAGs and KCI mags.
The first gens were picky when it came to hollowpoint ammo, mine included. Not sure about the second gens, but they have a different feed ramp and barrel extension so they could be less picky.
Nothing tends to break on these guns, find the ammo and mags it likes and enjoy.
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Will try those springs. I don't have a pistol so those glock mags are really exclusively for my fx9 and pc carbine. I agree that it's definitely a spring issue since the PMAGS are consistently better but not perfect.

Interesting you mention hollow points. I run similar weight (147gr) Syntechs in the carbine without issue (I have a Gen 2 FX9). I recently decided to freshen up zombie apocalypse mags with the loaded hollow points (the other ones have been sitting in the mags for years). I had 2 rounds fail to feed. Out of 80 rounds that's not a necessarily a bad failure rate (or maybe it is), but it is when I had 100% of the Syntechs, Fiocchis, S&B, Winchesters and Scorpio FMJ brass feed no problem. I would really have to try this again and look for some consistent signs, but it's just going to be a very expensive experiment. But then again, if there is somehow a reliability due to compatibility issue, better I confirm it sooner rather than later, especially when those HPs may be needed at some point in an emergency and that is a bad time to find out there is an intermittent feeding issue. There is a seemingly newer product called Syntech Defense, which I guess is a combination of a hollow point with a synthetic coating (as opposed to the regular TSJ for Syntechs). May try that one, though unfortunately that ain't cheap either ($50 for 50 rounds).
 
thegazelle said:
OP, I will assume you are meaning a new PC Carbine, not PC9 (which was discontinued years ago)

I have both and while this is my personal opinion, take it for what it is...

Ruger PC Carbine:

I didn't care about the takedown feature one bit. Like, it was not even a consideration for me. I did like the aesthetic look of the carbine
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neither did i - bought it as a race gun. however i do a lot of backcountry skiing and started to get warning barks in one of the areas i traveled - presume wolf den. for just in cases i broke down the pc9 and stuffed it in my backpack. gave me the confidence to keep going. went from not wanting the feature to glad i had the feature, as pushing bush with a long arm while on skis is a pain.
 
the radium king said:
neither did i - bought it as a race gun. however i do a lot of backcountry skiing and started to get warning barks in one of the areas i traveled - presume wolf den. for just in cases i broke down the pc9 and stuffed it in my backpack. gave me the confidence to keep going. went from not wanting the feature to glad i had the feature, as pushing bush with a long arm while on skis is a pain.
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It is true. Sometimes the take down feature is useful when you least expect it. My Benelli Vinci I thought I'd never take it apart, but the thing actually doesn't fit into my longest range bag when assembled, and since it came in a nice Toblerone shape plastic case, I appreciate the fact that I can take it apart without tools and can do it very quickly. Makes it easy to clean too, which is a bonus.

I am sure if I use my PC Carbine again, I am going to have to start looking for two new bolts. I don't have them tightened at present anywhere close to what is recommended as the stripping is just going to get worse. I suppose I cleaned it too much, but the 60-65 inch pounds is really high for tightening and pretty much at the top end of my FAT wrench's ability.
 
The PC9 has a clunky bolt cycling. It’s heavier than it needs to be, not sure why they have a Bull barrel on it. Takedown feature is useless. This would never be a backpack rifle in 9mm.

The fx9 aftermarket trigger upgrades are great, it’s lighter and is my choice.
 
thegazelle said:
It is true. Sometimes the take down feature is useful when you least expect it. My Benelli Vinci I thought I'd never take it apart, but the thing actually doesn't fit into my longest range bag when assembled, and since it came in a nice Toblerone shape plastic case, I appreciate the fact that I can take it apart without tools and can do it very quickly. Makes it easy to clean too, which is a bonus.

I am sure if I use my PC Carbine again, I am going to have to start looking for two new bolts. I don't have them tightened at present anywhere close to what is recommended as the stripping is just going to get worse. I suppose I cleaned it too much, but the 60-65 inch pounds is really high for tightening and pretty much at the top end of my FAT wrench's ability.
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i'm not sure it needs a lot of torque - there should be enough tolerance in the mag feed to deal with the receiver being a bit loose. with my crom chassis they actually say to not overtighten as it may distort and not feed properly. but if you gotta, i've had great luck with helicoils and time serts and the like for thread repair when chossy aluminum pulls out.
 
the radium king said:
i'm not sure it needs a lot of torque - there should be enough tolerance in the mag feed to deal with the receiver being a bit loose. with my crom chassis they actually say to not overtighten as it may distort and not feed properly. but if you gotta, i've had great luck with helicoils and time serts and the like for thread repair when chossy aluminum pulls out.
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Yeah, I knew I wasn't going crazy...

https://ruger-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/_manuals/PC-Carbine_Chassis.pdf

Page 39, points 2 and 3. The 2 screws - front takedown and grip mount screws/bolts are to be torqued to 65 inch/pounds.
 
Shooter_01 said:
Pretty well Remington 115 gr. FMJ and Federal Syntech 115 gr. exclusively.
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that might be the catch depending on the OP's proposed use. if i am going to race with it the benefit would be to be able to use the same ammo/magazines as my pistol. typically i am loading at the bottom of the range (say 3.2gr titegroup) with 147 gr flat nose bullets. or just burning cheap aluminum stuff when training. everything i've read says the fx9 doesn't like that and i'd hate to risk it on a $1300 rifle. ruger eats everything but you gotta pay to get controls in the proper place.

ps, the other benefit of the takedown barrel on the pc9 is that atrs is selling a short barrel for it now at much less than a new fx9 upper would cost.
 
alpining said:
I'm curious, too. I don't think anyone has commented directly on this yet.
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I literally said FX9 is not reliable. I have latest gen and occasional FTFs and misfires and failures to hold bolt open in my books are not signs of reliability. And it was even worse before I installed heavier buffer.
 
Horilka said:
and misfires and failures to hold bolt open in my books are not signs of reliability. And it was even worse before I installed heavier buffer.
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I put $1.75 in quarters in the tube recently just as a test to see if that helps to reduce the bolt travel. If the difference is negligible, I may just take that out at my range afterwards and proceed to get a Tim Horton's coffee...

Been a while but can I even get a Tim's coffee for $1.75 these days? Guess I'll find out.
 
the radium king said:
that might be the catch depending on the OP's proposed use. if i am going to race with it the benefit would be to be able to use the same ammo/magazines as my pistol. typically i am loading at the bottom of the range (say 3.2gr titegroup) with 147 gr flat nose bullets. or just burning cheap aluminum stuff when training. everything i've read says the fx9 doesn't like that and i'd hate to risk it on a $1300 rifle. ruger eats everything but you gotta pay to get controls in the proper place.

ps, the other benefit of the takedown barrel on the pc9 is that atrs is selling a short barrel for it now at much less than a new fx9 upper would cost.
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I hear what you’re saying. However, in the manual, Freedom Ordinance notes which ammo to use for maximum reliability. Stick with these and you should be good to go (which is why I use the Remington’s). If you choose to deviate, then you’ll have to accept the results.
 
Shooter_01 said:
I did. Mine is the most recent generation and has been perfect in the reliability department.
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Horilka said:
I literally said FX9 is not reliable. I have latest gen and occasional FTFs and misfires and failures to hold bolt open in my books are not signs of reliability. And it was even worse before I installed heavier buffer.
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Good info, thanks - Neither of you mentioned that you had the latest version of the FX9 in your original posts. So it looks like some problems still exist, depending on your specimen.
 
Interesting. One thing both my FX9 and Ruger enjoy is reliability.

My FX9 really had a problem with bulged bullet cases. This has been resolved with an 11 oz Buffer. Oddly enough the bulged cases occurred with both the 18.5" and 10" barrel. The latter is useful shooting IDPA in Canada. The US has the short barrel rifle restrictions so the 18.5" will accompany when I go south. As mentioned on other threads Wolverine is sending me a new mag catch part. I am hoping this will resolve the last round bolt open issue. My neighbour just bought a new FX9 and his gun holds the bolt open open the last round using all my Glock OWM and after market mags so I am hoping I jus t have a bad part. I'll know sometime next week. My FX9 consumes all the different ammo I have run through it. It will receive a steady diet of 147 CanPro bullets for competition as well as 125gr BDX. Both run through the gun just fine.

My Ruger, the 2nd one I have owned is accurate and reliable. I have the basic model and it works great. Mount an Optic on it and it runs just as well as the FX9 in Competition. I say that as a 78 year old shooter whose running might be described by some as a slow stroll. The super competitive types might run faster but they don't score much better. For most shooters pimping out either gun is just for show. For some a faster reset trigger might help both guns but beyond that skill trumps all the upgrades some think they need. Just saying.

I suspect more engineering went into the Ruger than the FX9. Some of the early issues you hear about with the FX9 indicate to me more beta testing might have helped with the guns reputation. Both guns are pretty basic in their design. Both are more accurate than most can shoot and accurate enough for any use I can think off out to 50 yards. Neither gun is ever going to do much bench rest competing but both are very capable within the 9MM cartridge limitations.

Neither require more work to compete with by most folks. You can spend a lot more and not get much more than you do with both of these guns.

If you don't compete but do a lot of shooting than the appeal of the FX9 just has to draw you to it. I may even go with a 1.5x - 4X scope on the 18.5" barreled upper and continue to run a Sig Romeo on my 10" upper.

If you are looking for a boring, dead nuts reliable, accurate shooter that your grand children might have a chance to shoot than the basic Ruger would be my choice.

For back packers buy yourself a take down .22lr. They are lighter and more useful. The largest Grizzley ever shot was shot by a little old First Nation lady with a .22lr back in the 1950's just south of Slave Lake, Alberta. Use google... don't ask me to "prove it"...millennials:<)

Take Care

Bob
ps 1.My neighbours FX9 has not exhibited any of the issues my gun has nor has another member of our club.

2, Complete disclosure, I did buy a Blue Force sling for my FX9 and installed one of those grip thingees to prevent over reaching the forearm when using the shorter upper. I also have one of those grip thingees you can install on the forearm to make my gun and me look like a tactical operator albeit and ageing tactical operator. It is sitting in one of my gun drawers. With it, my buddy Troy will wilt as I race around the stages. Oscar will more than likely change divisions. LOL

pps. Just 45 more days and we can get back to shooting behind walls and burning copious amounts of ammo.
 
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I have the mlok adjustable stock Ruger and I like it a lot. No failures of any kind in 500 rounds, glock magwell last round holdopen has functioned 100% as well.

She is front heavy though. A handstop and a sling has helped it feel more balanced but it can be fatiguing to shoot off hand after a while.
 
climbingrocks said:
I have the mlok adjustable stock Ruger and I like it a lot. No failures of any kind in 500 rounds, glock magwell last round holdopen has functioned 100% as well.

She is front heavy though. A handstop and a sling has helped it feel more balanced but it can be fatiguing to shoot off hand after a while.
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Interesting...I am still trying to figure out why my Ruger magwell holds back the bolt 100% whereas the Glock one doesn't.

Hardly scientific but last year (or the year before, I forget which). I took the following photos. First is the Glock, second is the Ruger.

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J both the Ruger I have now and the one I sold held the bolt back after the last round 100% of the time using Glock and after market Korean mags.

Take Care

Bob
 
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