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9mm Carbine Rifle thoughts...

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  • Reelthrill

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    I am looking at 9mm carbine rifles for gun range plinking and around the house protection.

    So many options. I have it narrowed down in my mind to a Beretta Cx4 Storm, Sig MPX, or CZ Scorpion EVO 3.

    I like my Beretta 92FS and the Storm has compatible magazines, plus.

    Sig MPX people rave about it, but magazines are pricey

    CZ seems to be the budget leader in the space, but complain about deleting the safety digging into their hand and the trigger.

    Countless reviews abound, a lot of information out there in research is causing information overload. Lots of manufacturer fanboys out there seem to skew thoughts.

    Instead of asking which one would you pick, I want to ask the question a different way.

    Which would you eliminate off the choices and why are you eliminating that firearm(s)?
    Hurley's Gold
     

    skfullgun

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    I have the Beretta carbine and a 92. It makes the PERFECT pair. I usually keep the 92 on me while I travel, and have the carbine cased in the back seat. I would not look any further than Beretta...

    Unless...you look at the Keltec. I had one of those - not anymore. There were no issues, but it just did not feel as "substantial" as the Beretta. The folding attribute the Keltec is a positive, and you can get buy variations to share magazines with the Beretta, or Glock, etc.
     

    Moonpie

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    Gunz are icky.
    As an owner of a Beretta Storm carbine there are several things on it that need improvement.
    Probably the biggest issue is the trigger. It sucks.
    Sierra Papa sells an upgrade kit but it costs damn near half the price of the entire gun. Berettta should do better.
    A few other minor items such as a recoil buffer are needed. That big bolt slaps harder during recoil than you’d think.
    The purchase price is way too expensive for what it is.
    While a quality firearm you can go the 9mm AR route for a lot less.
     

    Younggun

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    It’s easy to improve the CX4 trigger. Just take it easy and test as you go.


    Most of the issues with the CX4 are related to stupid import laws. I’ve found it it be very reliable and plenty accurate. Don’t like the giant plastic ears that protect the sights though.

    I have an Uzi Model B. That is a shitty trigger with no hope of improvement and a much worse case of “heavy sloppy bolt” so maybe it’s subjective. Even so, I much prefer it to the CX4 simply because it is what it is. I do think the CX4 runs a little high for what it is, but I hasn’t found any real quality issues with it. Go a different direction if you want to suppress it at any point.

    No experience with 9mm ARs. Seems a 300BO AR is a better alternative but you loose the mag sharing abilities if you have a glock.

    IMO, all the PCCs are fun and it’s worth having one.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     

    DD130

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    There are a few others out there, like he GP Stribog, and of course the pricey MP5 clones from the likes of PTR and Zenith (and POF but I've yet to find anyone that will admit to having them in stock).

    I'll be watching this thread since I'm in the market for the same thing. I like the "fell" of the MPX, but I hate the AR charging system, and it has expensive mags.. so those are both detractors for me (oh.. and the price too). The EVO3 keeps popping back up. I'm not at all a fan of all that polymer, but it does seem to balance well in my hand and the trigger is not horrible. Stribog was interesting as well and there are parts to add braces, like the CZ and everything else for that matter.

    I've come close to buying a couple of AR 9mms, the prices are always right... heck, for the price of the MPX, I can get the CZ (or 2) and an AR9.

    I'll be interested to hear what you end up doing and why.
     

    Moonpie

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    Gunz are icky.
    A couple of different 9mm’s I have are fun.

    Sterling Type II carbine - semi-auto 16” barrel version of the WW2 British SMG. These were built by Wise-Lite and Century about 5-6 years back in limited numbers.
    Heavy. Accurate. Reliable. Always gets lots of use on range days. Even kids like to shoot it because recoil is just a pulse.
    The Type I had the half length barrel shroud.
    The Type II had the full length barrel shroud.

    GSG-MP40 - semi-auto version of the WW2 German SMG. Lots of fun but the lack of a folding stock makes it dfficult to shoot accurately.
    The one problem with this gun is the charging handle doesn’t lock in to place securely and falls out. It can be lost easily in the grass. I’m still trying to figure out a simple fix but its going to take a machinist to fix.
    Other than that the gun runs great.
     

    Darqhelmet

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    I have the Beretta and the CZ. They both need little tweaks. I like that the Beretta takes 92FS mags. My better half loves the 92 so she has her pistol and the storm, same mags 15/17/30 rounds for both. I have a red dot on it and it works great. Recoil is sharp for a 9mm in a carbine.

    The CZ has a few issues, the grip angle and safety HAVE to be fixed before its a shooter. (Personal opinion) The CZ has a ton of aftermarket support if that is your thing that are well priced compared to the Beretta. One last option I have a bunch of trigger time behind is the Just Right Carbine. FIL has one in 9mm, works great less felt recoil, takes glock mags. (If that matters to you, doesn't to me)

    Between the Beretta and the CZ I would get the CZ. I would sell the sig as fast as possible if it was given to me and not look back. Its over complicated and expensive for me.
     

    deemus

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    I had a Marlin Camp 9 for a while. Had zero issues with it, and shot great. I sold mine for around $600. Not sure what those others go for. But a 9mm AR is likely sub $500, especially at Palmatto Arms.
     

    SQLGeek

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    I'd go for a Ruger PCC before any of the others you have listed. It reviews well, is relatively inexpensive and accepts Glock mags. Plus it have some after market support. It doesn't have a pistol grip though which makes the profile different from what you're looking at.
     

    Big Green

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    I looked into a few of the ones you mentioned and decided to go with an AR in 9mm instead. I’m familiar with the manual of arms it takes Glock mags. That’s a combo I couldn’t beat.
     

    CyberWolf

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    Which would you eliminate off the choices and why are you eliminating that firearm(s)?

    Personally, not sure I could "eliminate" any of them outright so much as prioritize (black rifle disease is indeed a 'thing')...

    I went with the MPX (K) initially (over the EVO) primarily due to considerations such as flexibility of configuration, manual of arms, and aesthetics. They run great OOTB, but a number of aftermarket upgrades are available, and in some cases standard AR15 parts can be used (e.g. grip, FCG, etc.)

    The EVO is still high on the list of targeted acquisitions, but lately has found itself competing in the decision-making process with a Vector 10mm w/ folding PSB (which I may or may not like, have never fired/used a Vector)...


    ....Seems a 300BO AR is a better alternative but you loose the mag sharing abilities if you have a glock....

    300BO is also a great choice for the OP's stated use (not counting potential over-penetration, which is a concern in either case), but much more expensive in terms of feeding...

    On that note, I'd say that any of the choices presented would likely be a good choice for HD/plinking, and personally, am rarely more than a few feet from either MPX or 300BO when home (both have tiny footprint).

    ETA: wanted to add that while a common argument against the MPX is cost, it's worth pointing out that lots of these options can get a bit pricey depending on configuration (e.g. one of my BO's was more costly than the MPX)...
     
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    Hill Billy

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    I had a Marlin Camp 9 for a while. Had zero issues with it, and shot great. I sold mine for around $600. Not sure what those others go for. But a 9mm AR is likely sub $500, especially at Palmatto Arms.
    I too have a Marlin Camp 9. Sweet shooter. Wouldn't mind finding a Camp 45 as well.
     

    diesel1959

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    I've got several 9mm carbines and I'm a big fan. Here's my list:

    1. Two MKE94 9mm carbines with 16" barrels which I've had converted to "HK34" by having the triple-tree moved forward, extended the cocking tube, and it now uses HK33/93 forearm. Lots of fun. One can take a suppressor and the other has a target crown with no threading.
    2. Marlin Camp 9 carbine, which is a LOT of fun. The trigger is nothing to brag about, but it's very reliable. I don't like the fact that it uses S&W mags, but it is what it is. I've put an aftermarket bolt handle on it and new buffer, both of which help a lot. You've got to add a rail if you wish to use an optic. Iron sights are not ideal, but are pretty traditional.
    3. Ruger PCC which is a total win, in my book. If it had a pistol grip it would be even better. The fact that it takes down is awesome. The fact that it can use GLOCK mags is even awesomer. LOL I like the fact that the bolt handle can be switched to the left side. Also, the barrel is threaded, so suppressor use is a cinch. Easy to use optics of any type you wish due to the picatinny rail, but the factory irons are great--including a peep rear.
    4. Freedom Ordnance FX-9 carbine and pistol. The carbine has a 16" barrel and is threaded. The pistol has an 8.25" threaded barrel and a KAK stabilizing brace. Both are very AR-like and I've installed Larue MBT-2S triggers into each of them. Both use GLOCK mags, of course.
    5. HK94, which is an expensive option, for sure. But if you have one, you're likely never to sell it--they're that good.

    If I was starting with a clean slate and had to have a 9mm carbine, I'd go with the Ruger PCC. Full stop, end of story.
     
    Last edited:

    Hill Billy

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    I've got several 9mm carbines and I'm a big fan. Here's my list:

    1. Two MKE94 9mm carbines with 16" barrels which I've had converted to "HK34" by having the triple-tree moved forward, extended the cocking tube, and it now uses HK33/93 forearm. Lots of fun. One can take a suppressor and the other has a target crown with no threading.
    2. Marlin Camp 9 carbine, which is a LOT of fun. The trigger is nothing to brag about, but it's very reliable. I don't like the fact that it uses S&W mags, but it is what it is. I've put an aftermarket bolt handle on it and new buffer, both of which help a lot. You've got to add a rail if you wish to use an optic. Iron sights are not ideal, but are pretty traditional.
    3. Ruger PCC which is a total win, in my book. If it had a pistol grip it would be even better. The fact that it takes down is awesome. The fact that it can use GLOCK mags is even awesomer. LOL I like the fact that the bolt handle can be switched to the left side. Also, the barrel is threaded, so suppressor use is a cinch. Easy to use optics of any type you wish due to the picatinny rail, but the factory irons are great--including a peep rear.
    4. Freedom Ordnance FX-9 carbine and pistol. The carbine has a 16" barrel and is threaded. The pistol has an 8.25" threaded barrel and a KAK stabilizing brace. Both are very AR-like and I've installed Larue MBT-2S triggers into each of them. Both use GLOCK mags, of course.
    5. HK94, which is an expensive option, for sure. But if you have one, you're likely never to sell it--they're that good.

    If I was starting with a clean slate and had to have a 9mm carbine, I'd go with the Ruger PCC. Full stop, end of story.
    Good read. I enjoyed it. Thanks.
     

    Dawico

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    I just picked up an AR9 recently and like it.

    Best thing is it is an AR. Parts and upgrades are easy to find and usually pretty affordable.

    It takes Glock mags too so I don't have to worry about availability or price.
     

    vmax

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    OP is asking for a 9mm Carbine Rifle

    Really a carbine is a carbine shorter than a rifle
    I'm really unaware of a true 9mm Rifle

    I've had a Camp 9 and sold it when I got hard up for money 25 years ago
    Makes me sick to this day

    8 years ago I bought a Keltec Sub 2000
    Shot great but just jarred my face alot and never got comfortable with it

    Ended up with a Beretta Storm
    Great gun and matches my M9

    Takes same magazine
     

    Kar98

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    8 years ago I bought a Keltec Sub 2000
    Shot great but just jarred my face alot and never got comfortable with it

    It sure does. It's like getting slapped with a pipe every time you pull the trigger.
     
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