Looking for a recommendation on a carbine.

[MoabFJ]

I am open to pistol and rifle caliber versions. I just don't want to deal with ARs or AKs and the whole registration thing anymore.

Condensed version: I used to have a couple of nice ARs and a nice AK, but now the rifles are gone. All that's left is magazines and ammo. My only long gun is an old beater sears shotgun that I don't trust. So I was looking for a carbine in a pistol caliber I have (.357 or .40), or something featureless that uses 5.56 or 7.62X39, which I have plenty of.

I had looked at the Ruger PC carbine, but I can't get past how much it looks like a BB gun I had as a child.

Things I have liked, but are not sure about the Cali implications:
1) CZ EVO Scorpion, sexy. Probably worth buying 9mm for.
2) JARD J68, Ok it's kind of ugly, but it just keeps drawing me back..
3) High Point, We are clearly past ugly here, but it is supposed to be reliable.
4) Beretta CX4 Storm, Cali version
5) Taurus CT9, Looks good, but not sure about Taurus.
6) CAA Micro Roni, Great looking, but new to me.

OK, what do I have no chance of getting here, and what am I overlooking?

[mstlaurent]

Mini-14?

[RandyD]

I like my Ruger .44 Magnum carbine. Its not a tactical rifle, but it handles like a 10-22 and packs a magnum punch.

[ChuckDizzle]

I think pistol caliber carbines don't have much practical purpose outside of recreation.

If it's just a fun gun I'd say the Ruger PC seems like a winner.

If you need a gun for protection, hunting or something practical get a rifle in a rifle caliber.

[ChuckDizzle]

On a side note, is there any chance Ruger adapts the Ruger PC into a Ruger Rifle Caliber Carbine? It seems like such a nifty package, people would eat it up in intermediate cartridges like 5.56 and 7.62x39.

[lexanidubs09]

Take 6 off the list... No longer legal to own in the PRK

[ChuckDizzle]

Ohh and Kel-tec has a few cool options, Sub 2000, SU 16 CA, I think they even have a CA compliant bullpup.

[NATEWA]

Mini 30
Kel Tec su 16

[sigstroker]

On a side note, is there any chance Ruger adapts the Ruger PC into a Ruger Rifle Caliber Carbine? It seems like such a nifty package, people would eat it up in intermediate cartridges like 5.56 and 7.62x39.

No way in hell. Even if it were technically possible, which it isn't, why would they do that when they already sell the Mini-14?

Any centerfire autoloader has to stand up to the same scrutiny that an AR or AK does, so most or all of your list goes out the window.

[ChuckDizzle]

Because the Mini 14 is a hot heaping pile of garbage that is expensive to produce and is machined on old expensive equipment and take expensive magazines.

The Ruger PC, with its ability to accept common magazines from other manufacturers, and the American Ranch rifle signals that Ruger is ready to sell guns instead of magazines.

[TMB 1]

M1 Carbine

[Bigtwin]

Number 3 doesn't fit your description. The Hi-Point Carbine will still require going featureless or fixed mag just like an AR or a k.

[hambam105]

Has the OP considered going to a manual automatic lever action Marlin or Winchester 30-30 Carbine? Less feeding problems for sure. But then the OP would have to endure shooting an obsolete cartridge.

Load, shoot, and your hand automatically cycles the lever. If it's good enough for Chuck Connors...

[OCEquestrian]

Get the original....a nice US Military M1 carbine. Get one in good condition and at a fair price and you wont loose $

[code_blue]

Fightlite SCR for use with old AR mags (legally possessed standard caps also) and 5.56 ammo as well as AR upper familiarity.

7.62x39... Hmmmm, really the Mini-30 or SKS are your primary options.

Of course, Ruger does make a bolt action American that takes AR mags as well as one that takes Mini-30 mags.