9mm Rifles

They’re called PCC (Pistol Caliber Carbines) and while they can’t compete ballistically with traditional rifle cartridges, they are an excellent choice for home defense. Firing a pistol cartridge in a rifle seems on the surface to be a waste of time. They’re underpowered in comparison with even the lightest rifle caliber but they do have many useful attributes, especially in an indoor setting.

The ammunition is the first thing to look at. If you own a 9mm pistol, sharing that low-cost ammunition with another defensive firearm, perhaps an AR-15 style 9mm has economic benefits. You can target shoot at a much lower cost than higher priced rifle cartridges. A rough estimate of 50 rounds of pistol ammo costing about the same as a 20-round box of lower quality rifle ammo is an example. Depending on the make and model of a PCC and a semi-auto, you may even be able to share magazines. It’s the versatility at lower cost that makes this a viable shooting option.

Lower recoil and noise are inviting factors to many shooters who just can’t handle the thump of a .308 or even a 5.56mm from an AR. A softer recoil allows greater accuracy.

For defending home and family, the 9mm reigns supreme. It offers excellent ballistic performance, relatively low recoil, delivers substantial stopping power and will drop an intruder in his tracks. And unlike a shotgun it won't take out the entire wall when fired. Another benefit of the 9mm for home defense is that is offers one of the widest choices of firearms—including the venerable, yet often overlooked 9mm carbine.

The 9mm carbine may not do everything, but it's a great choice for home defense—perhaps the single-best home defense long gun for many shooters. They're accurate, have a higher ammunition capacity than pistols, and are easier for inexperienced shooters to operate and shoot than many handguns, shotguns or rifles. Many models are even small enough to comfortably using in tight spaces and can be safely stored in home or vehicle.

9mm carbines can be considerably more accurate than 9mm pistols—especially for beginner shooters that don't get to the range that often. Due to its longer barrel, larger sight radius, and greater stability when firing, most shooters find the 9mm carbine easier to aim and hit their target—especially at distance. Just align the front and rear sights with target and shoot!

And once you start shooting, don't stop. That's one of the beauties and benefits of the 9mm carbine over its shorter counterparts. The carbine has a much higher ammunition capacity. Where your standard glock is going to have a mag capacity between 6 and 15 rounds, many 9mm carbine models come standard with a 30 round magazine. With higher accuracy and more fire power, you'll have a better chance of taking an intruder down, and keeping him down, with a 9mm carbine.

When facing off with an intruder in your home, you don't have time to think hand position. You just need to point and shoot. Easier said than done when you don't have adrenaline coursing through your veins, but in the heat of the moment you just react. The larger grip area on the carbine provides better aiming and recoil management, allowing better control and consistent shot placement. Grasp the grip, bring the carbine to shoulder, rack the bolt, and you're good to go.

Overall the 9mm carbine is an excellent rifle for home defense.