Pistol-caliber carbines have become very popular over the last decade, and it’s little wonder why. They have very little recoil so they’re fun to shoot for even newbies and those who are sensitive to heavy recoil. Plus, since they shoot pistol calibers like 9mm, .45 ACP and 10mm, ammo is not only easy to find, but it’s inexpensive compared to rifle rounds.
Of course, chambering a carbine to fire pistol rounds isn’t a new concept. Back in the Old West era, lever-action carbines were often chambered for the same ammunition used in the ubiquitous six-shooters of that time period. Likely the first was the Winchester Model 1873, which was chambered in .38-40 or .44-40, two popular revolver calibers at the time.
While pistol-caliber carbines continue to grow in popularity, a new trend has emerged that is quite exciting. PCCs that fold are drawing a lot of attention, and there are several that have been introduced — and embraced by shooters — in just the past few years. Let’s take a look at five folding PCCs that should probably find a place in your display rack.
Keltec SUB2000
The Keltec SUB2000 was introduced back in 2001 before the pistol-caliber carbine craze took off. The newest iteration, the Gen 3, was released in 2024 and offers shooters a lot of cool features that they likely didn’t even know they needed.
Unlike its folding forefathers, this SUB2000 is a put-it-on and leave-it-on optics-ready carbine thanks to its rotating forend. The simple, singlehanded movement and positive locking system keeps the optic of choice zeroed and ready to go on a moment’s notice.
The GEN3’s modularity is further extended by M-Lok accessory compatibility and plenty of Picatinny rail space on both top and bottom. Designed with a straight blowback system, this little PCC is very simple to operate and maintain and offers the same reliability of the previous generations. The stock is fully adjustable, and field stripping the gun is quite simple.
The one-piece polymer shoulder stock features a ridge-textured butt plate and mounting points for sling straps or a sling hook. The stock can be adjusted for a 13.25-, 13.75- or 14.5-inch length of pull by removing the stock pin.
Best of all, the GEN3 was designed with Glock compatibility in mind, accepting the easy-to-find Glock 19 or G17 magazines. Featuring a 16.15-inch barrel, the SUB2000 GEN3 has an unloaded weight of only 4.2 pounds, and overall length is 30.45 inches. Folded, the gun is a compact 16.15 inches.
As the manufacturer says, this gun picks up where handguns leave off. Folded, it tucks away nicely in situations where space is limited, but it’s quick to deploy in situations where the user might need to put it into action quickly. With an MSRP of only $511, this little PCC should appeal to gun shoppers on a more limited budget.
Smith & Wesson M&P FPC
Smith & Wesson’s M&P pistols have been popular with handgun shooters for years. The semi-auto M&P FPC (Folding Pistol Carbine) builds on that heritage in a long-gun format — although not very long, as you’ll see.
Chambered in 9mm and coming with two 23-round and one 17-round magazine, the gun is compatible with all M&P full-size and compact pistol double-stack magazines. Of course, they load into the grip of the PCC just like they do in the pistols. An in-stock magazine storage feature with a quick-release tab system allows the shooter to carry two extra mags at the ready.
What really makes the FPC unique, however, is its folding design. The gun folds just in front of the receiver by a horizontal folding mechanism with locking latch. S&W engineers designed it where the folding design doesn’t interfere with top-mounted optics, and a Picatinny rail yields the perfect place for mounting such an optic. Measuring a little over 30 inches unfolded, it’s only 16 3/8 inches when folded, making it easy to store in a backpack, truck console or just about anywhere else.
Other features include a flat-faced trigger with crisp break, threaded muzzle with thread protector, reversible magazine catch and M-Lok slots on the handguard. The charging handle/slide doubles as a retainer when the gun is folded, ensuring it will stay that way until the user is ready to unfold it. The FPC comes complete with a carry bag that features additional storage and Velcro straps to secure the gun in place.
I was able to do a thorough test of the FPC shortly after its release and found it to be quite a shooter. With an Aimpoint CompM5s red-dot mounted, I was able to shoot a sub-2-inch five-shot group at 50 yards with Hornady Critical Defense FTX ammo. MSRP is $699.
Ruger PC Carbine
Ruger’s PC Carbine might fold in a different place than the FPC, but it’s just as much fun to shoot. Originally offered in .45 ACP and 5.7x28mm, Ruger is continuing to expand caliber availability.
The gun features an aluminum alloy receiver and a 16.25-inch steel alloy barrel threaded for the muzzle device of the shooter’s choice. The CNC-milled handguard is Type III hard-coat anodized for maximum durability and features M-Lok slots on seven sides. Multiple QD sling sockets allow for maximum versatility.
For sights, the gun features Ruger Rapid Deploy folding sights on both the front and rear. They’re adjustable and very easy to fold up and down. The folding stock is easy to unfold with the push of a button and locks into place with no wiggle. While it is adjustable for length of pull, it can easily be replaced with an AR-pattern stock for those who wish to do so.
The charging handle is forward on the left side. The magazine loads into the pistol grip and drops free easily with a push of the magazine release. Interestingly, the LC Carbine is also rated for +P .45 ACP ammunition for those wanting to get a little more oomph out of the gun.
I was fortunate enough that Ruger sent me a PC Carbine chambered in .45 ACP to test and found it to be quite accurate well beyond typical pistol range. Shooting five, five-shot groups from a Lead Sled rest, Federal’s Punch ammo had both the smallest group and the smallest average groups of the ammo at 1.5 inches and 2.5 inches, respectively.
Just before the time of this writing, Ruger released a 10mm version of the PC Carbine, giving shooters even more caliber choices. MSRP is $1,009 for the .45 and 5.7x28mm models, and the 10mm model has an MSRP of $1,049.
Paramax PMT-9
Paramax Tactical’s offering in the folding pistol-caliber carbine arena is quite different from many of the other models discussed. The company calls it “a spicy backpack gun that is 100% USA made and looks sharp too,” and one glance proves them right on that last account.
Chambered in 9mm, the PMT-9’s machined AR9 billet lower/upper receivers are machined in-house from a solid brick of 7075-T6 aluminum to provide a higher quality over 6061-T6. Additionally, all of the critical features and dimensions are cut in a single operation, ensuring that every receiver is perfectly in spec.
The 16-inch barrel is produced in-house from raw bar stock to finished product. The barrel is properly stress relieved after rifling, and extensions are torqued after it is nitride treated. The company’s own Crusader muzzle device comes attached to reduce recoil and help ensure smooth performance.
The upper receiver is paired with a 13-inch 6061-T6 CNC machined billet handguard mated direct to the upper and features anti-rotational tabs. The M-Lok handguard features superior tensile strength and is designed to endure heavy impact without throwing iron sights or optic out of alignment.
The gun comes with one 35-round Glock-profile magazine made by Toolman Tactical. Since this gun comes with a threaded muzzle, it’s ready for a muzzle device right out of the box. Additionally, the trigger is tuned at installation to a crisp 3.5-pound pull.
The price tag for the PMT-9 is in line with the higher priced models discussed here, so should be appealing to customers with a decent PCC budget. MSRP is $1,159.
Ruger LC Carbine
Mirroring the robustness of the aforementioned PC Carbine, the LC Carbine, offers a sleeker and more compact design for those seeking additional manageability and convenience in their firearms. Featuring a folding stock and the fun 5.7x28 chambering, the Ruger LC Carbine is another gun that can serve many purposes, one of which is plinking, as Ruger calls the gun “the ultimate range companion.” In fact, the gun is ideal for the range, backpacking, small-game hunting or any other situation where a versatile, reliable carbine is appropriate.
Weighing in at under 6 pounds, the lightweight, compact carbine accepts the same steel magazines as the Ruger-5.7 pistol and uses the same ergonomic controls that are familiar for users of the pistol. And its unique bolt-over-barrel design with the magazine in the grip allows for excellent balance and ease in acquiring targets. The folding stock and collapsible iron sights make storing the gun easy, and the 16.25-inch fluted steel barrel is nitride treated.
The gun’s CNC-milled aluminum handguard is Type III hardcoat anodized for maximum durability and offers M-Lok slots for mounting accessories. It also features multiple QD sling sockets for versatility.
The LC Carbine features 20-round capacity for more time between reloads, but is also available in a state-compliant version that has a 10-round mag. The barrel is threaded for adding a suppressor or other muzzle device, and a thread protector is included. Other cool features include a Picatinny rail for mounting optics, a 1911-style ambidextrous safety and reversible charging handle. Overall length is 28.7 to 30.6 inches when unfolded.
MSRP for the LC Carbine is $1,009. For those who already own the Ruger-5.7, this is a good companion carbine to add to their collection.
