Today, I took the Ruger PC Carbine to the range. Over the last two weeks I laid out the PC Carbine’s specs, and the modifications I did for home defense. First impressions are important, and prior to sending any rounds downrange I’ve been impressed. Getting the PC Carbine on the range was icing on the cake.

I test firearms two ways. I start with “end of the world ammo,” which is anything and everything that’s been left on the range from previous classes. I walk around, pick it up and jam it into a magazine. Some of it’s a week old, most has been laying there in the dirt for months. If a weapon will eat this ammo, it’s likely going to perform well with anything you feed it. For accuracy testing I use good quality defensive rounds. With the PC Carbine it’s Remington Golden Saber, which is what I carry in my Browning Hi Power.

Testing a firearm involves running it with a variety of ammo left over on the range by students from previous classes. The Ruger functioned with it all. Accuracy testing was done with Remington Golden Saber.

The first shots were with the factory iron sights. The rear aperture sight is adjustable for windage and elevation. I didn’t have to touch the elevation, but did bump it right a little bit. Be careful when adjusting – after loosening the Allen screw I almost lost the blade. At about seven yards the PC Carbine was quick to snap on target and get accurate hits. Shortening the length of pull on the stock worked out great for me, and the weight and balance of the PC Carbine is excellent. I had already determined this during dry fire practice, but you never know for sure until putting some rounds on target.

Once the irons were zeroed, I added the Aimpoint Micro sight. I chose to mount the sight low on the receiver’s rail. This created an excellent cheek weld for me. I could still use the iron sights, but they’re located low in about the bottom sixth of the Aimpoint’s window.

After mounting the dot, I moved back to about seventy yards to zero it, and test the PC Carbine’s accuracy. I fired from a standing position – today my back and knees are killing me so kneeling was out - but did brace on a structure for support.

This is where I got the best surprise of all. Using the Golden Saber, the PC Carbine was giving me great groups, especially considering that seventy yards would be a long distance for a self-defense application. With the accuracy it was giving me head shots at this distance would be no problem.

Group on the left was fired with assorted ammo from offhand snap shooting. The six shot group on the right is from braced offhand at seventy yards using Golden Saber ammo and Aimpoint - the high right shot was my fault. A little more fine tuning with the sights and the PC Carbine will be good to go.

Ben, who works for me in the knife/revolver shop also got a chance to test fire the PC Carbine. He’s the next generation of shooters – early twenties - so I wanted to get his opinion of the Ruger. He commented on how the trigger was smooth and crisp, but not too light for defensive work. He also agreed that the PC Carbine would be a great weapon for home defense, especially in areas where owning an AR isn’t permitted.

Whenever anyone asks me about a firearm I don’t like my response is, “I wouldn’t buy one.” I’ve already decided to buy the PC Carbine. As they say ‘round here, “She’s a keeper.” It’s a solid weapon, reliable and accurate. It’s versatile. Ruger offers it in a variety of configurations that should fit any application, plus you can adjust LOP, switch the charging handle from side to side and with the aluminum handguard attaching accessories for your particular needs is easy. Finally, remember my goal was a Carbine that’s compatible with handgun – in ammo and magazines. The Ruger PC Carbine checks every box above. And, it’s a good-looking weapon. What more could you want?

Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy, which is celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary. He is the author of The Book of Two Guns, AR-15 Skills and Drills, has a regular column in American Handgunner and makes some cool knives and custom revolvers. Visit Shootrite’s Facebook page for other details.