First Shots: Ruger PC Charger Pistol

It's positively amazing to see how things can come full circle in the firearm industry. For years, the AR-15-style rifle was the be-all-end-all, and everyone who was anyone offered their take on America's Rifle. With the advent of the pistol-stabilizing brace, AR-based pistols became popular, offering more convenient sizes and configurations. The next wave was pistol-caliber carbines, which came into favor for a host of reasons, but not limited to less expensive ammunition cost and reduced recoil. It was only a matter of time before we came back around to the pistol-caliber... pistol.

Ruger's insanely popular PC Carbine - winner of our 2019 Golden Bullseye Award for Rifle of the Year - brought together the pistol-caliber carbine with the ubiquitous Glock magazine system and a Ruger-esque affordable price. Offering a takedown system based on Ruger's 10/22 Takedown, the PC Carbine represented an affordable pistol-caliber carbine that used standard magazines and could be used for home defense or simply for fun on the range. It's quite a versatile carbine.

Further adapting the PC Carbine to another option enjoyed by the 10/22, Ruger then rolled out the PC Charger, using the same pistol-based Charger setup first offered on its rimfire platform. The PC Charger offers the same capacity as the Carbine in a smaller, more compact form, with the same ability to mount a red-dot optic on top and a light on the fore-end.  There's a short section of rail to make use of popular pistol braces as well. As a handy, durable defensive pistol - or just a fun gun for range day - the Ruger PC Charger is a great choice. 

Ruger PC Charger Pistol Specifications:  

• Handguard: M-Lok 
• Capacity: 17 rounds  
• Weight: 5 pounds, 3 ounces  
• Barrel Length: 6.5 inches 
• Overall Length: 16.5 inches 
• Stock Option: Takedown 
• Sights: None 
• Grip: A2-style 
• Barrel Features: Threaded; 1/2x28 tpi 
• Barrel Material: Alloy Steel; Blued 
• Grooves: 6, 1:10-inch, right-hand twist 
• Receiver: Aluminum Alloy; Type III hardcoat anodized 
• MSRP: $799