The pistol caliber carbine has really come into its own, thanks in no small part to its acceptance in practical shooting competitions. Other gun owners are realizing, though, that having an easy to shoot gun on-hand that’s more accurate than their defensive pistol yet still uses the same ammunition might just be a very good idea.
Extar | EP9 Carbine
Light, handy and affordable, Extar’s EP9 carbine is an eminently sensible way to get into the pistol-caliber-carbine category, whether for home defense or just plinking fun.
▶Threaded barrel
▶Reciprocating charging handle
▶Standard AR-15 grip and stock
▶Compatible with Glock 9 mm magazines
Specifications
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 18 rounds
Barrel Length: 16.3 inches
Overall Length: 31.3 to 35 inches
Weight: 5 pounds, 2 ounces
MSRP: $499
(928) 583-9265 extarusa.com
KelTec | SUB2000 Gen3
This third generation of KelTec’s folding pistol-caliber carbine features a rotating fore-end that allows the carbine to fold even with a red-dot sight attached.
▶Threaded barrel
▶Oversize charging handle
▶Takes Glock 9 mm magazines
▶Loaded-chamber indicator
Specifications
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 15 rounds
Barrel Length: 16 inches
Overall Length: 16 inches (folded), 30 inches (deployed)
Weight: 4 pounds, 3 ounces
MSRP: $499
(800) 515-9983 keltecweapons.com
Ruger | LC Carbine
Following on the heels of its popular LC carbine that was originally chambered in the small powerhouse known as 5.7x28 mm, the versatile platform can now be coveted by fans of .45 ACP.
▶Adjustable folding stock
▶Ruger Rapid Deploy Sights
▶Ambidextrous controls
▶Threaded barrel
Specifications
Caliber: .45 ACP
Magazine Capacity: 13 rounds
Barrel Length: 16.3 inches
Overall Length: 22.5 inches (folded), 28.6 to 30.6 inches (deployed)
Weight: 7 pounds, 2 ounces
MSRP: $1,009
(336) 949-5200 ruger.com
Smith & Wesson | Response
Yes, it takes Glock magazines. That’s the question any new pistol-caliber carbine faces, and the Response has a clever system for swapping out the magazine well to accommodate. Of course, it also takes M&P magazines.
▶Magazine well adaptor for Glock mags
▶Flat-face trigger
▶M&P grip
▶Polymer fore-end with M-Lok slots
Specifications
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 23 rounds
Barrel Length: 16.5 inches
Overall Length: 32.1 to 35.4 inches
Weight: 5 pounds, 14 ounces
MSRP: $799
(800) 331-0852 smith-wesson.com
