Best 9mm Carbine – Top Rifles on the Market (Pistol SBR)

Choosing the right 9mm rifle could mean the difference between spending a lot of money on something that doesn’t fit your needs, or worse, having it fail you when you need it most.

With the explosion of popularity with 9mm carbine-style rifles in the past years, many manufacturers have scrambled to release new products to fit demand, and many times, at the expense of quality.

But don’t worry.

Our team has decades of collective firearm experience, so rest assured, everything you’re about to read has been field tested and certified by our industry-leading experts.

Keep reading to learn more about the best 9mm rifles so you can decide which one fits your needs!

Best 9mm Rifles On The Market

Best At Everything: B&T USA APC9 Pro

The APC9 Pro 9mm Rifle from B&T USA might just be one of the coolest looking and most fun to shoot 9mm rifles on the market today.

Without the stock (as pictured), this compact assault rifle measures only 15.15” in total length, making it extremely maneuverable and ideal for both sport shooting and home defense. As with most rifles on this list, there are plenty of stocks you can add on to modify to whatever you’re looking for.

The APC9 Pro feeds from a 30-round magazine, which provides plenty of ammo for many different applications.

All you need for happiness is a good gun, a good horse, and a good wife.

Daniel Boone

The tri-lug muzzle device found on the barrel of the APC9 Pro was designed to allow for rapid mounting of suppressors and other muzzle attachments such as muzzle breaks.

With an ambidextrous charging handle, this semi-auto carbine is accessible to both left-handed and right-handed shooters. Flip up front and rear sights and a polymer stock complete this standout 9mm rifle.

And the best part?

Our preferred supplier is currently running a sale on the APC9 Pro which makes it by far the best price online. The sale is ending January 16, 2025, so make sure to use the link below to make sure you get the savings:

Best 9mm PCC Under $500: Ruger PC

Carrying the venerable Ruger name, the PC Carbine 9mm Rifle is a versatile and well-built firearm that can be used for home defense, recreational shooting, and competition shooting and can even act as a survival rifle.

It is year after year one of the most popular 9mm carbine rifles that money can buy.

Some of the many selling points of the PC Carbine are:

• Threaded and fluted barrel sheds unnecessary weight and allows for quick handling
• An adjustable Magpul shoulder stock for rapid sling attachment and a forward-mounted accessory rail allows for various accessories.
• Light and finely tuned trigger pull for perfect operation
• The PC Carbine features a takedown design that allows it to be quickly broken down for either storage or transportation.
• The PC Carbine is compatible with interchangeable magazine wells that allow it to accept various magazines, including those from Glock.

It also is excellent for a survival rifle. It’ll take up a small footprint in your vehicle, boat, or pack, and at only 7.3 pounds, it won’t weigh you down substantially.

To summarize, this PC Carbine rifle is built to industry-leading standards. To be honest, it gave our top pick a serious run for the money, which is crazy, considering it’s a fraction of the price of the APC9 Pro.

At time of writing the Ruger PC was on sale with our certified supplier for under $500. I spoke to the rep who said they’re doing “sliding scale” offer, where the price will be slowly rising until returning to its full price on January 31, 2025, so make sure to snag one now using the link below to make sure you’re getting the sale price.

Best 9mm Hunting Rifle: Foxtrot Mike FM-9B

Featuring all machined components and a lightweight design, the FM-9B 9mm Rifle from Foxtrot Mike Products is an excellent option for anyone looking to expand their collection or looking to enter the world of pistol-caliber carbines (PCC) for the first time.

Weighing in at only 6.4 pounds, the FM-9B is a lot of fun to use for long days at the range or hunting.

Compatible with Glock double stack magazines, this 9mm carbine is also equipped with a California-compliant muzzle break and an M-LOK handguard, which allows shooters to attach all of their desired firearm accessories.

The FM-9B 9mm assault rifle features a blow-back action and includes a last-round bolt hold open.

Best For Recreational Shooting: Sig Sauer MPX Noctis

The MPX Noctis Semi-Auto 9mm Rifle from Sig Sauer is one of the best out-of-the-box 9mm rifles available on the market today.

Shooters who choose this rifle will be on the range having fun or participating in shooting competitions in no time.

The gas-operated, short-stroke piston system operates the fully closed rotating bolt for excellent reliability. This rifle can operate with virtually any 9mm round without adjusting the gas valve.

The MPX Noctis comes equipped with a full-length Picatinny rail, a free-floating M-LOK handguard, a 3-position telescoping buttstock, fully ambidextrous controls, a 30-round magazine, and a birdcage-style flash suppressor.

In other words, it comes with everything you need to perform extremely well on the range.

Best Survival Rifle: TNW Firearms Aero Survival

You’ll almost want to get lost when you have the TNW Firearms Aero Survival Semiautomatic Tactical Rifle as a piece of your gear.

Well, not really, but the Aero rifle is still very cool.

The removable barrel and 6-pound total weight make it ideal for stowing with your gear on your next hunt, fishing adventure, or bush flight into base camp.

Truly ambidextrous with right-handed or left-handed ejection, this survival 9mm rifle also features an AR-15 style grip and a collapsible buttstock. It has been designed to be able to fire 9mm, .40, and .45 caliber bullets. Talk about versatility!

Versatile and reliable, the TNW Firearms Aero Survival rifle is built from aircraft-grade aluminum, sacrificing weight but not performance.

Due to the popularity of this gun, it has been on backorder for nearly a year, but as of January 7, 2025, they got in a new shipment and have been selling them like hotcakes. The rep told me he’d only expect them to stay in stock a few weeks, so the time is now to pick one up:

Best Carbine Under $300: Hi-Point 9TS

For the ‘budget’ pick on the list, we have the Hi-Point 9TS.

A perfect mix of dependability and affordability, this “no thrills” rifle still gets the job done.

Made with a rugged, polymer all-weather stock and a 4140 steel barrel, Hi-Point is designed to take a beating and keep on coming.

In addition to the durability of Hi-Point carbines, it comes with adjustable rear peep & post front sights for great accuracy and an internal spring buffer in the stock to keep the recall low.

And if you’re not sold, this 100% made-in-America firearm is backed with a lifetime “no-questions-asked” warranty, which is just what it sounds like.

The warranty only applies for rifles bought through ‘approved dealers’, so just make sure you’re clicking the link below to ensure you’re getting the lifetime warranty:

Best “Glock” Carbine – CMMG Banshee MK17

While we are all impatiently waiting for Glock to finally release a pistol-caliber carbine model, we recommend the CMMG Banshee MK17 in the meantime. 

This PC carbine is compatible with Glock magazines, as well as Sig Sauer ones, allowing you to use your existing collection of magazines, mag pouches, and other accessories. 

The Banshee MK17 is a tailor-made personal defense weapon with quick deploying RIPBRACE © and handguards with a full-length top rail for all the accessories you want and need to add to make this gun your personal favorite.

And what’s more, it’s easy to handle and comfortable to shoot because of its delayed blowback system, which makes the recoil impulse even softer and less intense. Hence, the gun also works well for less experienced shooters, and you can go ahead and use your Glock mags with this one without a second thought.

Best Carbine for Suppressor – CZ Scorpion Evo 3 S1

The CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1 is available as a pistol and rifle version; however, we’re going to focus on the pistol caliber carbine (or rifle) version here. This one features a folding adjustable stock and a range of US-made parts, which makes it a fully 922(r) compliant model with nice extra features!

It comes with a top rail with iron sights that allows for the mounting of a wide range of optics. A simple and reliable weapon with ambidextrous controls, it also has a swappable charging handle and adjustable reach to the trigger.

And for more customization, the 16.2” barrel can also either be fitted with a compensating muzzle brake or a faux suppressor. The Sabre suppressor from “AB Suppressor,” for example, was designed specifically with the CZ Scorpion in mind and offers industry-leading suppression, short added length, reduced bolt speed, and blowback – what’s not to love!

Best Carbine for Lefties – Beretta CX4 Storm

This pistol-caliber gun looks like something from the future and convinced us with its sleek design and versatile handling. Thanks to its symmetric design, it has an ambidextrous nature that includes:

• the magazine release
• bolt design
• reversible ejector, extractor, and operating handle

But that’s not everything this model has to offer: it’s compatible with both PX4 and 90 Series mags, giving you flexibility when it comes to the choice of magazines, which is also a great way to save some money.

This semiautomatic PCC is a favorite among recreational shooters because of its low recoil, great reliability, and accuracy, and it has even been adopted by several police agencies across the US because of that.

Best Compact “Mini” Carbine – Kel-Tec Sub 2000

The Kel-Tec Sub 2000 could be called the ultimate “backpack gun” – thanks to its unique design, it can be folded down to 16 inches while still being very easy to deploy at the click of a button. It also only weighs 4 pounds, so you’ll hardly even notice you have it with you when you’re out and about! 

How is that even possible? 

Well, this pistol caliber carbine features maximum amounts of light fiberglass-filled nylon, which takes away a lot of extra weight compared to a more traditionally built gun. That’ll be something you’ll appreciate when long hours out hunting, also increasing your response time when moving from rest to an active shooting position.

The design is also made to be extra flexible, allowing you to add magazines from different manufacturers such as Smith & Wesson, Glock, or SIG Sauer. 

But its clever design and lightweight appearance don’t mean you will be limited in your choices: the Kel-Tec 2000 offers loads of extras such as fiber optic front sight, sufficient rail space for additional customization, sling mounts, and a lot of upgrades available to buy. 

So, looking for something compact with easy handling while not sacrificing the freedom to customize like other 9mm carbines? The Kel-Tec Sub 2000 is certainly one to look at – the perfect, lightweight backpack carbine.

Best 9mm Bullpup Carbine – IWI Tavor X95 

The Tavor X95 is a modular pistol caliber carbine that can be used as an assault rifle, carbine, or submachine gun. 

Now, this one has a fully ambidextrous design with controls that can easily be accessed with either hand. Plus, it has a safety and fire mode selector switch too, which is located above the pistol grip where it can be installed on either side of the receiver for added safety and security no matter if you’re a leftie or rightie. 

Also, it does come with a bullpup layout, but there are several conversion kits available for sale where you can configure the weapon to also fire 9×19 pistol ammunition. These conversion kits include different barrels, magazines, and magazine adaptors so you can really turn the X95 into the weapon that works best for you. 

Best Sub-Machine Gun Style – PSA AK-V MOE

The Palmetto State Armory designed the AK-V MOE Rifle with AK shooters in mind but made it into a more compact pistol caliber carbine format with a modern twist. 

Turns out, it’s inspired by the Russian Vityaz-SN and weighs 7 pounds, working with a blowback-operated system to ensure a smooth cycling action. This means the bolts can cycle fast, and you’ll be able to shoot several bullets in quick succession without any blockages, so have peace of mind you’ll have a reliable carbine at that crucial moment in this one.

What’s more, it works well while being suppressed and is compatible with most common 9mm muzzle devices and suppressors thanks to its threaded 1/2×28 barrel.

Also, another benefit to save you some bucks – the gun is also compatible with PSA U9 35-round magazines, as well as takes CZ brand scorpion ones too. So if you already own a gun that utilizes these magazine types, this rifle will definitely be a cost-effective option for you:

Best Carbine That is California Compliant – Chiappa M1-9

This old-school-looking pistol caliber carbine has been modeled after America’s greatest military arms and is a fun, practical, and nostalgic weapon. 

The Chiappa is handy, easy to shoot, and, to be honest, just looks really beautiful (it does have an Italian manufacturer and designer, so that may be why…) 

Adding to that, it has a simple design that’s easy to clean and maintain, offers great reliability when you really need it, and with a soft recoil, it really is a beginner-friendly option. 

Of course, because it’s one of the more affordable guns in our selection, you won’t get the precision of a high-end carbine, but it’s good enough for a small-game hunting rifle and for someone just starting out and wanting to get familiar with shooting rifles. 

The One To Avoid – JP Enterprises GMR-15

At first glance, it’s easy to mistake the GMR-15 9mm Rifle from JP Enterprises as a standard AR-15 rifle. However, it is indeed a 9mm rifle.

Luckily for shooters, that doesn’t mean it lacks an array of impressive features. The GMR-15 has last round lock back, a flared magazine well for intuitive reloading, and an improved magazine release.

This 9mm rifle is ideal for both home defense and competition shooting.

JP Enterprises designed the GMR-15 to cycle with virtually no felt recoil. This allows shooters to get their target back in their sights with as little delay as possible.

In fact, that increase in accuracy is one of the main reasons this 9mm rifle makes for an excellent competition weapon.

With a cryogenically treated barrel, a matte black finish, Glock 9mm magazine compatibility, and a Hogue pistol grip, the GMR-15 semi-auto carbine has a lot of great features.

The issue is the price, at around $2,000; it just feels overpriced for what you’re getting, especially since there are so many incredible rifles on this list for a fraction of that.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great rifle, but it just can’t justify the price. But if budget isn’t an issue for you, it’s a great option:

The Different Uses of a 9mm Carbine

Recreational Shooting

For recreational shooting, the 9mm rifle is an excellent choice for many reasons. The ammo is cheap, the guns are typically lightweight, and the recoil is negligible. 

In other words, ripping through rapid-fire semi-automatic bursts with a 9mm rifle won’t put a dent in your wallet when compared to shooting rifle caliber rounds. And we all know how much fun it is to empty a full magazine as fast as we can pull the trigger.

Many 9mm rifles also have plenty of rails and attachment points for aftermarket accessories such as laser sights, flashlights, and scopes. Having the ability to customize a gun for recreational shooting is always looked upon favorably by shooters. 

That’s because searching for, and eventually finding, that ideal mix of weapon attachments to maximize each gun’s potential is one of the most satisfying parts of recreational shooting and gun ownership as a whole.

Another great recreational shooting feature of a 9mm rifle is the fact that they can share magazines with 9mm pistols. That means that if you already own a 9mm pistol and have spare magazines for it, you won’t have to spend extra money on them to use with a 9mm rifle.

Less money spent on boring accessories like magazines means more money to spend on sights, attachments, and ammo.

Survival Rifle

Nobody ever plans on getting lost in the wilderness or spending an unplanned night in the backcountry. However, injuries, GPS malfunctions, engine trouble, and other unexpected things can always occur and cause a hunter, angler, backpacker, hiker, or other outdoor enthusiast to be stranded.

Having a survival rifle on hand in these types of situations makes all the effort of carrying it around well worth it. Even if you never wind up relying on it for survival, the peace of mind its presence offers is comforting to have.

If you do wind up having to hunt small game for food or fire three shots to signal rescuers, a 9mm survival rifle is the perfect answer. It is much better than trying to hunt small game with a large caliber hunting rifle, a makeshift weapon such as a spear, or attempting to use traps or snares.

Home Defense

Using a 9mm rifle for home defense is one of the most common reasons for owning one. In general, 9mm are some of the best personal defense weapons out there. Let’s take a quick look at some of the pros and cons of using a 9mm rifle as a home defense weapon.

First, let’s consider some of the pros.

Less Recoil

A 9mm rifle or carbine has significantly less recoil than its shotgun and rifle caliber home defense gun counterparts. They even have less felt recoil than a 9mm pistol, thanks to the increased weight and the shoulder stock. 

Less recoil means less muzzle jump and increased control for multiple shots. If a home defense situation arises that requires you to fire, the last thing you want is the muzzle jumping all over the place. A 9mm rifle helps with that.

Longer Sight Radius

A gun with a longer sight radius is much more forgiving of the sights not being perfectly aligned. 

Maintaining perfect form and ideal accuracy during a home defense situation isn’t something that is always possible. The shorter sight radius of a 9mm pistol amplifies mistakes, and that can be the difference between an accurate and an inaccurate shot when it counts the most.

Compact Size

A 9mm rifle or carbine is typically shorter than a full-sized rifle or shotgun. 

In fact, a shorter barrel length greatly increases the maneuverability of the weapon. This is especially true in the close confines of a house, hallway, or building. 

While a 9mm pistol is obviously even more maneuverable than a 9mm rifle would be, the 9mm rifle finds a good balance between pistols and larger weapons like AR-15 rifles or shotguns.

More Room For Attachments

Depending on the make and model, pistols usually only have room for one or two smaller accessories, such as a flashlight and maybe a reflex sight. 

But thanks to the larger overall size of a 9mm rifle compared to a pistol and to the typical inclusion of rails and other attachment points, there is a lot more room for a wider range of accessories on a 9mm rifle. 

So, if you have specific attachments that you don’t want to sacrifice, but the other benefits of a 9mm rifle as a home defense weapon sound desirable, then a 9mm might be a great choice for you

It is also important to take a brief look at some of the cons of using a 9mm rifle as a home defense gun.

Bullet Penetration

Although a lot of people think that a pistol round is safer for home defense use because it won’t penetrate walls and other objects as much as a rifle round, the opposite is true. 

Let’s take another common home defense load, the .223 Remington, as an example. The .223 Remington uses a high-velocity and lightweight bullet. That combination of characteristics causes it to quickly begin to tumble and fragment when they collide with things such as drywall.

I’m a Texan – my idea of gun control is hitting what you aim at and nothing else.

Blake Farenthold

That isn’t to say that both 9mm pistol rounds and .223 rifle rounds won’t go through walls. They will. They are both pieces of metal traveling at high velocities and are both designed to damage targets. 

Proper safety precautions are always important. There might not be a huge difference in the bullet penetration potential of these two rounds, but it is worth considering.

Stopping Power

Put simply, a shotgun loaded with defense rounds or an AR-15 chambered in a rifle caliber both have much more stopping power than any weapon that fires 9mm rounds. If you prefer the peace of mind of a high amount of stopping power, then a 9mm rifle probably isn’t the best choice for you.

Now that you’re more knowledgeable about each of the uses of 9mm rifles, let’s dive into how they came to be, its features, and what you need to consider to find the best pistol-caliber carbines for your specific needs.

What is a PCC?

Brief History On the PCC

While pistol caliber carbines (PCC) have been around for a long time, they have recently gained a lot of popularity among shooting and gun enthusiasts for their great versatility and reasonable ammunition costs. 

But what is the origin of those pistol-caliber carbines? 

Well, soon after metallic cartridges became the norm in the 1800s, pistol-caliber cartridges were developed to “go with” the most popular revolvers of these days, as they used the same cartridge (and ammo) but had more accuracy and velocity than the short revolver models. 

However, after the end of World War I, there was a lot of development going into creating shorter rifles, creating carbine versions instead of full-length rifles. 

And in WWII, mobility became increasingly important in modern warfare, and the troops were more often moving around and needing their arms on the go instead of the fixed lines and trenches of the past. This accelerated the need for shorter and more mobile rifles once more, and the idea was to create a short rifle with less power at large distances but that would still produce casualties at short ranges. 

The result: the PCCs we know today. 

British Carbines

The British army invested a lot of time in developing the perfect carbine for their troops before it was officially adopted in 2003. The idea had been to replace the infantry rifle and the submachine gun with a single weapon. 

They went for a bullpup configuration, but it took some trial and error until the final prototype was approved in 2003 and became the standard issue for several British army units. 

German Submachine Guns

The MP 40 (“Maschinenpistole”) is one of the most famous submachine guns that was developed during the second world war and extensively used. This model was very popular during and after the war and had a significant influence on the design of later weapons all over the world. 

PCCs vs. Rifles

There are many advantages of a modern PCC over a more traditional rifle:

• You can get cheap 9mm ammunition for almost half the price of more traditional 5.56 or .308 ammo. This means you get more bang for your buck and have more money left to buy more or better additional equipment!
• Because of their smaller size and shorter barrel, PCCs are handier than old-school rifles, which can have many advantages when it comes to increased mobility in a home defense scenario, the space the gear takes up in your backpack when you are out and about, and more. 
• The PCCs can be used to shoot at steel targets where normal rifle calibers usually cannot be used. This means more options for a fun day of recreational shooting for you and your friends. 

PCCs vs Handguns

Here are some interesting facts and mentions if you’re trying to decide whether or not to get a PCC for yourself! Especially if you already own a handgun, it’s good to know that a PCC can be a nice option to expand your equipment because you can use the same magazines for both. 

• PCCs are generally considered to be easier to control as they are fired from the shoulder and have 3 points of contact when firing, which makes it easier to fire an accurate shot in comparison to a standard handgun. 
• Indoor range users, listen up! With a PCC, you can go to any indoor range where handguns are allowed without any additional cost (as is usually the case for high-velocity rifle calibers).
• Magazine compatibility: Many PCCs are designed to be compatible with common handgun magazines. So this can be very handy, and again, saves you money! 
• Recoil: a PCC has a soft recoil and low sound signature in comparison to a standard handgun, which makes it a comfortable and fun piece of gear to shoot with. 

Insert Image handgun

Why Use PCC?

Here are 8 good reasons to invest in a PCC right away! 

Home Defense

PCCs are easy to use, quick to understand, and offer great mobility in a home defense scenario due to their compact size. They make for a great first-timer gun for anyone who is looking for some added security and safety in and around their home. 

Not only that, but a PCC will also offer you increased accuracy and consistency in comparison to a standard pistol thanks to their low recoil, and they’re easier to control as they need to be held with both hands and supported by your shoulder. However, this is also a downside as you have to use both hands to operate it instead, unlike a handgun. 

Hunting

There is plenty of hunting where you don’t need a long-range weapon. Whether it’s stalking whitetail in the forest, following hounds through the hills, or hunting bears over bait, a lightweight pistol-caliber carbine will do the trick just fine! 

What’s more, its small design and light weight make it a great companion for long days out and about while delivering when you need them most. Thanks to their low recoil, these PCCs also work well for delivering fast follow-ups in hunting and are also a suitable choice for less experienced hunters. 

Versatile Ammo

Because most carbines are compatible with a range of different magazines, there is also a great variety of compatible ammo out there! So, you’re free to choose how much you’re willing to spend on ammo and can, of course, also use your 9mm ammo from your handgun if the mags match. 

Cheap

There are loads of affordable and high-quality carbines out there on the market to make them an accessible choice of weapon for a lot of people. Additionally, because of the magazine and cartridge compatibility, which we will talk about in a second, you can even save money if you have several different types of guns! 

Magazine Compatibility 

This is one of the most outstanding features of pistol caliber carbines: the weapon is compatible with magazines of other weapons and brands! This is a great way to save money because you can use your pistol mag for your PCC and vice versa. This way, there will be more money left to buy additional attachments or more ammo!

Cartridge Compatibility

Again, a great way to save money and make the most of your existing equipment!

Pairing a handgun and a rifle around a common cartridge is nothing new and is one of the reasons that pistol-caliber carbines are so popular. 

Common Uses

A PCC is a great and versatile gun for a variety of uses. Whether you want to use it for hog hunting, home defense, or keeping in your truck for added safety, a PCC is a reliable, strong, yet compact choice. 

As they’re often compatible with magazines and ammo from other weapons, it makes them an easy and affordable addition to your equipment. Also, thanks to their low recoil and easy handling, they’re also enjoyable to shoot.

Customizability 

While you already get a good piece of equipment with standard pistol caliber carbines, there are a lot of options to add on lights, lasers, optics, and whatever your heart desires to make your PCC really work for YOU! 

These additional accessory rails the PCC guns have are a huge advantage, and because you can get them from a low price point and save money on ammo, there will be some budget left for some fun add-ons for sure. 

Different Types of PCCs

Here are the different kinds of rifles:

• Automatic rifle
• Bolt-action rifle
• Lever-action rifle
• Semi-automatic rifle

Any rifle can theoretically be turned into a carbine by adapting the design to make the barrel shorter and the gun as a whole lighter and easier to maneuver while still offering better stability and accuracy than a handgun. 

Choosing the Right Pistol Caliber

A PCC is a nice weapon to have in addition to your main carry gun. Depending on what caliber that one is (a 9mm or 10mm, for example) will determine which caliber PCC you should get so you can use the magazines and ammo for both of them. This compatibility is a great advantage of the PCCs and one of the reasons why they have been so popular over the past few years. 

Other considerations to find the perfect PCC for you are your budget, what scenario you are likely to use it in (home defense vs. hunting, for example), and your experience with shooting. In the list above, we have many great options for a PCC that will help you make the right decision in no time. 

Carbines and Optics

Carbines are great weapons for a variety of uses, but often you will need to spice them up with some additional gear to really make the most of them. Most models feature a complete rail to add accessories such as viewers and optics to improve your shooting experience. 

However, it’s important to keep in mind here that carbines are often shorter and lighter than standard rifles, so you will want to get a small and compact optic. This way, you will maintain the mobility of the gun and not make it too bulky.

Our Optic Recommendation for 9mm Carbines

The HoloSun 510C is a small and compact open reflex sight for PCCs at an affordable price point. 

It helps you find your target fast and easy, instantly placing a dot on it to help you place your shot in no time. The large viewing window makes it easy to shoot while moving and doesn’t obstruct your view. 

Carbines and Barrels

Different Barrel Types for Carbines

There are three different ways to manufacture carbine barrels:

• Cold hammer-forged (CHF)
• Cut-rifled
• Button-rifled

While they all have their pros and cons, the most common one in mass production nowadays is the button-rifling method, as it is the most cost-effective and fastest of the three methods mentioned above. 

Button-rifled barrels tend to be very accurate and consistent because of the manufacturing process, where the rifling button is pushed through the barrel only once. However, they have to be stress-relieved after being rifled to reduce the risk of the barrel splitting or deforming when being used. 

On the other hand, cut-rifling takes longer and is a slower process but does not create this stress on the material. 

Best Barrel Length

The length of the barrel influences the accuracy of your shot as well as the power of the bullet. 

The longer the barrel, the more power is “burned” before the bullet reaches its target, giving it more velocity along the way (when compared to handgun cartridges fired from handgun barrels, of course). But if the barrel is too long, it can end up slowing down the bullet, so there is a fine line between adding power and slowing it down when it comes to barrel lengths. 

A Few Last Words…

Of the many different rifle types, pistol-caliber carbines are growing in popularity, and for good reason. They’re versatile, fun to shoot, and can perform in a variety of roles, including home defense, competition, recreation, and survival. 

The 9mm rifles on the list above boast minimal recoil and increased maneuverability over their full-sized AR-15 cousins. Use the list above to help you decide on the best 9mm rifle for your specific requirements (1),(2),(3).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best 9mm carbine rifle?

In our opinion, the B&T USA APC9 Pro 9mm Rifle is the best 9mm carbine rifle.

Because it doesn’t just look awesome, it’s also fun to shoot, very maneuverable, and ideal for both sport shooting and home defense.

What is the best compensator for 9mm carbine?

The VG6 precision AR-15 Epsilon 9mm is the best compensator for your 9mm carbine. It is smooth to operate, fits well, and is reasonably priced. 

What’s the most accurate 9mm carbine?

The most accurate 9mm carbine is the MPX Noctis Semi-Auto 9mm Rifle from Sig Sauer. It’s also very reliable thanks to its gas-operated, short-stroke piston system and a great choice for those who want to improve.

What is the range of a 9mm carbine?

The range of a 9mm carbine is between 50 to 100 yards (46 to 91 meters).

What is the best zero distance for 9mm carbine?

The best zero distance for 9mm carbines is about 25 yards. This is a good “general purpose” distance to accomplish 95% of general shooting tasks. 

What are carbines good for?

Pistol caliber carbines are good for various scenarios ranging from being your truck gun, your backup gun, or your hunting gun, or can even be used in a home defense scenario. 

Is a pistol caliber carbine good for home defense?

Yes, a pistol caliber carbine works good for home defense because of its compact design, low recoil, and increased stability in comparison to a standard handgun.

What is the best 9mm self-defense ammo for carbines?

The best self-defense 9mm ammo for carbines is a 147-grain load from a major manufacturer such as Winchester, Speer, or Federal. They work well for handguns and work well with the increased velocity and accuracy from the added length of the carbine barrel. 

What is the best sight for Hi-Point 9mm carbine?

The Sig Sauer Romeo 5 is the best sight for the Hi-Point 9mm carbine because it offers a large battery life, a low profile that won’t weigh you down, and 10 illumination settings. 

What is the best ammo for a Chiappa 9mm M1 carbine?

The best ammo for a Chiappa 9mm M1 carbine is the Black Hills 115-grain full metal jacket.

How good was the M1 carbine?

How good was the M1 carbine from the second world war can be answered by saying it was revolutionary in a variety of ways and ahead of its time. It was accurate and effective, up to 300 yards, and easy to handle in close combat as well, making it one of the world’s first personal defense weapons ever. 

What is the best ammo to use in my TS495 9mm carbine?

The best ammo to use for my TS495 9mm carbine is a 147-grain load 9mm bullet from a big manufacturer such as Federal, Winchester, or Speer.

What kind of bullets does the Hi-Point 9mm carbine shoot best?

The kinds of bullets that the Hi-Point 9mm carbine shoot best are 147-grain load 9mm bullets from a big manufacturer such as Federal, Winchester, or Speer. Remember, the heavier the bullet, the higher the accuracy.

What is the best grain bullet for a 9mm carbine?

The best grain bullet for a 9mm carbine is a 127 to 147-grain load 9mm bullet from a big manufacturer such as Federal, Winchester, or Speer. These will work great for your 9mm carbine as the extra weight adds some more accuracy in comparison to shooting with a handgun.

Best buffer weight for 9mm carbine?

The best weight for a buffer for a 9mm carbine is around three ounces (85 grams). This keeps the carbine light and easy to use without weighing it down and throwing off the weapon’s center of balance. 

What ammo is best for Citadel 9mm carbine?

The best ammo for the Citadel 9mm carbine is A 127 to 147 grain load 9mm bullet from a big manufacturer such as Federal, Winchester, or Speer is ideal for your citadel 9mm carbine. 

What are the best inexpensive 9mm carbine pistols?

The best inexpensive 9mm carbine pistol is the Hi-Point 9TS 9mm carbine, in our opinion. It offers dependability while being affordable and gets things done without any unnecessary and expensive add-ons.

What CQB scope is best for 9mm carbine?

The best CQB (close-quarter battle) scope for a 9mm carbine is the Vortex Strikefire II Red Dot Sight. A CQB requires specific scopes to help you identify your target at short distances and in a complex environment. The Strikefire II offers a sturdy build, shockproof performance, and waterproof and fog-proof abilities. 

What is the best reflex sight for a 9mm carbine?

The best reflex sight for a 9mm carbine is the HoloSun 510C It is an affordable and compact option that’ll help you find your target fast and easily. It features a big viewing window and immediately places a red dot on your target to improve your accuracy. 

Which 9mm carbine is best for SHTF?

The 9mm that is best for SHTF is the CZ Scorpion EVO, as it has plenty of magazine capacity, excellent stopping power, and low recoil. You’ll be prepared for anything with this weapon! 

What length of barrel is best for 9mm carbine?

The best barrel length for a 9mm carbine is between 4.5” to 16” inches (11.4 to 40.6 centimeters). Keep in mind that a longer barrel means more accuracy and more velocity for your bullet but also adds weight to your carbine and makes it less compact, which can be a disadvantage in a home defense scenario, for example. 

What is the best Glock magazine to use in the Ruger PC carbine 9mm?

The best Glock magazine to use in the Ruger police carbine 9mm is the Glock Gen ⅘ 9mm 33-round factory mag. While it is on the more expensive side, they are built to last, so they’re more of a long-term investment! 

What is the best option for a buffer and spring on a 16 inch 9mm carbine?

The best option for a buffer and spring on a 16” 9mm carbine depends on the weight of the bolt. The buffer and bolt together should weigh about 22 ounces, and the buffer should have sliding or reciprocating weights on the inside. Many modern 9mm bolts weigh around 13 to 15 ounces, so the buffer should be heavy enough to reach the 22 ounces we mentioned above.

Which is the best carbine round 9mm, 40 cal or 45acp?

When asking what is the best carbine round you must take into account that in general, a heavier bullet has more accuracy, carries more energy, and therefore delivers better performance. A carbine features a longer barrel than a handgun, so heavier bullets have more time to charge up energy and build up their velocity. 

To decide which round works best for you, you need to know what you will use it for and what your goal is before you’re able to see what works best!

What 9mm bullet weight does CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1 carbine get best accuracy from?

Generally, a slightly heavier weight for your 9mm bullets for your CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1 carbine gives you more accuracy. A bullet weight from 124 to 147 should work well. 

Can you hunt with a 9mm carbine in Canada?

Usually, yes, 9mm caliber is legal for hunting in Canada, and the restrictions around minimum length for cartridges have been removed. But make sure to double-check before you hit the road.

Can you hunt with a 9mm carbine in the United States?

Yes, you can hunt with a 9mm carbine in the United States (in most places) assuming you have legally purchased and registered the gun. But make sure to check with your home state first!

For similar reading, see our guide to what caliber is 9mm.

Our Top Pick: B&T USA APC9 Pro

References:

1. Online Etymonline Dictionary, “Carbine”, retrieved from: https://www.etymonline.com/word/carbine
2. U.S. Department of Justice, ATF Rul. 2011-4, retrieved from: https://www.atf.gov/file/55526/download
3. Cornell Law School, Legal Information Institute, Short-Barreled Rifle, retrieved from: https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/uscode.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=18-USC-632039198-943489804&term_occur=999&term_src=title:18:part:I:chapter:44:section:921