Posted on 01/01/2022 9:38:38 PM PST by Paul R.
What do FReepers think of 9mm carbines as a mid-power varmint rifle? My requirements are relatively cheap ammo, typical range is < 100 yards (usually 50 yards or less, really), only moderate penetration, with stopping power similar to a .357 handgun / somewhere between a .22lr hollow point and a 12 ga. deer slug. More...
Really the .223 carbine is ideal for this.
That said a 9mm carbine would work well. Not at 100 yards. 9mm is a 50 yard cartridge MAX. It’s really better suited for 25 yards down to contact distance.
If you want to split the difference a 357 Magnum carbine might be an option as well. 158gr bullets loaded hot will hit 1800+ FPS from a rifle barrel. Should take the starch right out of any overly aggressive canines.
Over a decade ago, I read an article that compared three 9mm carbines, a Beretta, a Taurus and a High Point. The Beretta and the Taurus were basically their military submachine guns modified to shoot semiautomatic. To the astonishment of the author, the High Point won in all categories except for trigger pull and visual (it is pretty ugly). The trigger pull can be improved, but it will always be ugly.
I assume “mine” is a 9mm carbine? Model?
Regs here dictate 12 ga. slugs for deer — but this mid-size caliber is not for hunting deer anyway.
I could make a lifetime of shots like you describe with the .223 for less ammo cost than any 9mm carbine (new gun plus ammo) and have the huge benefit of more practice with the more capable gun.
BUT, if you want to justify a new gun -- get a nice one and have fun.
If you want to save money go with the 223. That caliber is great for varmints and widely used as such. The 9mm in a carbine is great all around cartridge. Yes it’ll do varmint work at your range extremely well.
Freedom Ordinance FX-9 rifle. 16" barrel.
9 mm pistol caliber carbines are nice but they have a lot of drop so ballistics kind of suck. If you want a nice one the CZ scorpion evo is a solid choice and very fun to shoot. If it were me, I’d choose the venerable M1 carbine. Light (about 5lbs), compact and the ballistics are much more suitable for your application. They are still in production and there are a number of companies making them including Auto Ordnance and Inland. Another decent choice would be an AR-15 M4 pattern carbine in 300 black out. The 300 blk round is available in subsonic versions for suppressed use which would punch your ticket for lower power and lower noise but it is still available in a sonic version that is comparable to the Russian 7.62x39 in the AK47. If you have an AR-15 pattern rifle you cab buy an upper receiver and bolt/carrier that drops into the AR-15 lower to save money. There are also 9mm uppers for the AR-15 lowers
Ruger PC Charger would be my preference, but if you really want a carbine, you could get its biological cousin the Ruger PC Carbine.
Been down the road your going, 9mm, 45acp, 44mag, 357 carbines. Then I discovered the 300 blackout in 10.5 barrel. Very versatile platform, esp if you are a reloader and great for getting into suppressors.
If you’re gonna go .410 then buy a Taurus Judge or a Smith & Wesson Governor. You can shoot .45Colt, .410 shotgun rounds, bird shot, and even PDX self defense rounds [my favorite].
They’re illegal in California, of course.
I have a Beretta 9mm carbine, and have shot several other brands. They aren’t the most accurate things in the world. A good 22 or 22magnum really outshines them considerably. They are in that catagory of neither fish nor fowl. To powerful and not accurate enough for squirrels or small varmints, and too weak for deer of larger stuff. A 22 hornet would probably fit your needs IMHO.
I was looking a little online and could not seem to find a definitive answer: What’s muzzle ENERGY going to be for a typical hollow point 9mm round (slug) coming out of a 16”* carbine? Vs., say, a .357 (handgun vs. rifle) or even a .410?
I have a .357 Magnum revolver w/ 4” barrel and it’s PLENTY powerful. But, accuracy (mostly “me”) is problematic — I’m not gonna kill a dog or coyote, 1st shot, with it, 99% of the time. Pretty loud, too... My wife is scared to death of it. A 357 rifle should be quieter, but even more powerful...
5 rules of a gun fight:
1) gun beats no gun.
2) fast beats slow
3) a hit beats a miss
4) bigger bullets beat smaller bullets
5) two holes beat one hole
To your specific question, I would agree with either 9 mm or .357 mag. Both are widely available, both work well in pistol and/or carbine. Both are often reloaded.
I am of the opinion that there is a slight advantage to the .357 because when shooting / practicing gets expensive, you can also use .38 special.
If decibels are a big concern, a .45ACP carbine is going to be somewhat less loud than a 9mm carbine due to it’s lower operating pressure and velocity. Both will be quieter than when fired out of a pistol and a lot quieter than a .223. Don’t expect either to act like Thor’s hammer shooting coyotes or large dogs, though. Shot placement is still key.
Ah, thanks! Nice gun.
Oddly enough, I’d be happy with an 18-19” barrel for this app, but I don’t recall seeing any 9mm rifle in that length. Might not have worded search on local seller’s website well.
So much fun!
I also like the idea of having several weapons that use the same common easily obtainable affordable round.
I have a .357 Magnum revolver w/ 4” barrel and it’s PLENTY powerful. But, accuracy (mostly “me”) is problematic — I’m not gonna kill a dog or coyote, 1st shot, with it, 99% of the time.
***Consider just adding a laser to your 4” .357 Mag revolver. You’ll get that first shot in.
Your sense is wrong.
Is a subsonic hollow point round available in .223”? (Dumb question I suppose - I’m on the front end of this and just haven’t looked. Easier to ask?) Seems like anything off std. would be pricey and hard to get.
The only animal I ever shot (some years back) with the .223 was a good size raccoon. Cartridge — I don’t recall EXACTLY, but, pretty std. The round went clean through, essentially body-lengthwise not including the head. I definitely want less penetration than that. Less noise too, preferably. Could get a silencer, maybe, but may not be legal in my state - would have to check.
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