By R.K. Campbell | Contributing Editor
Pistol caliber carbines (PCC) are increasingly popular, offering versatility and affordability.
They are not rifles but offer plenty of power for home defense and will serve well in foreseeable emergencies. Effective to 100 yards or so, the PCC is more enjoyable to fire than shotguns or rifles, the ammunition is more affordable, and they offer real utility for many chores.
Ruger is among our largest and most respected firearms makers. Ruger recently introduced the LC 45, a .45 ACP carbine. The LC 45 features many modern improvements and arguably is among the finest examples of a PCC available.
The LC 45 features a folding stock. Press a plunger to fold the stock then fold it to one side. To extend the stock press upward on the hinge to release the folded stock. Be certain to practice this procedure to avoid frustration. The length of pull is adjustable from 12.2 to 14.2 inches.
Featuring a Picatinny rail that runs the length of the receiver and barrel, the new Ruger LC 45 offers plenty of space for mounting optics, lights, or lasers, or even combinations of more than one sighting device. My preferred set up is usually an RDS on the rail and a light on M LOK rails. However, the Ruger LC 45 offers a picatinny rail just in front of the trigger guard. This allows mounting a combat light in pistol fashion. This is a great set up offering the same dynamics as a pistol mounted light. This is possible because the LC 45 features a magazine well in the pistol grip.
Ruger wisely chose to use Glock’s 13 round magazine for this carbine, and it comes with a single magazine. This is a reliable, affordable and widely available magazine. There are extended magazines available. Unfortunately none are as robust or reliable as Glock magazines.
The handguard is a well-designed feature that offers good gripping surfaces and M LOK slots. Controls are simple and intuitive with the ambidextrous safety easily accessed by the thumb without breaking the firing grip. The bolt release is located on the left side and may be pressed upward to lock the bolt in place.
On the right side of the receiver is a plunger that is only a bolt release, it cannot be used to lock the bolt. Rapid speed loads are simple enough. Access a magazine and bring the hands together to reload- simple as that. The magazine release is positive in operation.
One may fairly ask what the LC 45 is intended for. A pistol caliber carbine is far easier to use quickly decisively and effectively than any handgun. The three point lockup—cheek, support hand and firing hand—makes for a solid hold and high hit probability.
In my opinion, the LC 45 is a superior home defender. As a truck gun and personal defense gun the piece has great promise. If you own a Glock 21 .45 compatibility is good, but I don’t, my .45s are 1911s. That doesn’t diminish the usefulness of the combination.
The LC 45 has some use as a hunting carbine. I have taken deer with .45 ACP pistols up to 30 yards so the carbine, with its superior accuracy and increased velocity, would do. Boar hunting is often a head long pursuit and a .45 ACP carbine would serve well enough. Recoil is modest and fast follow up shots are easily made with good control. For hiking or camp defense the LC 45 is light enough and makes a credible all around defender. The LC 45 invites recreational shooting always a plus in a defensive firearm.
The charging handle is easily used to rack the bolt and may be reversed if necessary. The trigger setup is a variation of a safe action trigger. The bolt partially cocks the hammer. The trigger then presses the hammer to the rear breaking against the sear. This system makes for good control.
While the trigger isn’t light it is controllable and offers rapid reset. The LC 45 balances over the pistol grip, a good heft and balance for rapid defense work. The bolt is heavy as it must be for blowback operation. The bolt is similar in design to the Uzi bolt. This makes for a shorter overall length. The LC 45 is similar to the recently introduced 5.7 x 28mm version. The Ruger LC 45 is supplied with iron sights- or polymer sights. The front sight is adjustable and so is the rear, making for easy sighting in with a variety of bullet weights.
Most of the ammunition expended to date has been Black Hills Ammunition 230 grain FMJ. The Black Hills load is the traditional hardball loading proven in so many conflicts. I would never fail to respect the wound potential of the loading.
The LC 45 never failed to feed, chamber, fire or eject in firing more than 300 cartridges over the course of several days. The LC 45 comes to the should quickly, the sights come to the eye easily, and hits are rapid. Firing at man sized targets produced good results to 50 yards. There is some utility in firing with the stock folded in a home defense environment. The LC 45 is an excellent home defender. The .45 ACP offers excellent wound potential and good accuracy. With low operating pressure and limited muzzle signature the .45 ACP is a fine all around defense cartridges.
The last test was accuracy potential. The overall impression of accuracy was good but only by careful benchrest testing is a good measure of accuracy tested. I used the MTM Caseguard K Zone shooting rest in the initial testing. Firing at 50 yards I added a number of personal defense loads to gauge reliability with modern hollow point loads.
50 Yard Testing
Load Velocity 5 shot group
Black Hills grain FMJ 899 fps 2.8 in.
Black Hills 185 grain JHP 1050 fps 3.25 in.
Black Hills 230 grain JHP 922 fps 3.5 in.
Black Hills 230 grain JHP+P 1040 fps 3.6 in.
I elected to perform 100 yard testing. This is a stretch for iron sights. I added TruGlo’s PR 1 Red Dot Sight. This sight is affordable but capable. The aiming point is etched on the lens and illuminated if desired.
The PR 1 offers good adjustment for light and a long battery life. It is very fast with both eyes open at combat ranges but offers good accuracy potential to 100 yards or more. I did not expect great accuracy potential with 1X magnification from a RDS but the results were good within the limits of a .45 ACP carbine. I held on the chin of a man sized target to drop rounds into the high chest area.
100 yard firing results
Black Hills Ammunition 230 grain FMJ 4.0 inch
Black Hills Ammunition 230 grain JHP 3.75 in.
Handloads
Bullet/Powder Velocity 5 shot group
230 grain XTP/Titegroup 934 fps 3.6 in.
200 grain cast SWC Titegroup 860 fps 3.25 in.
The LC 45 is a formidable firearm. It handles quickly, offers a sterling companion to a .45 ACP sidearm, and is reliable and hard hitting.
LC 45 Specifications
Caliber .45 ACP
Magazine capacity 13 rounds
Overall Length 30.6 inches
Weight 7.1 pounds unloaded
Warranty Limited Lifetime
Average price $750, retail $1,009
Ruger.com
TruGlo.com
Black-hills.com
