NRA Gun of the Week: Ruger PC Charger

by
posted on February 12, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Ruger’s PC Charger in 9 mm Luger presents the market with a blowback-operated pistol based on the company’s PC Carbine first offered in 2017. The full-frame pistol is fully featured to accommodate myriad accessories available that combine with a well-tuned, blowback action.

Black pistol right side metal plastic text on image noting make and model "Ruger PC Charger"

Ruger’s quality, attention to detail and efficiency couldn’t be more prominent with its PC Charger. The gun’s 6.5” cold-hammer-forged, chrome-moly steel barrel provides great accuracy and allows for use with a suppressor; the muzzle threaded 1/2x28 t.p.i. come capped for protection. The overall length measures 16.50”, and the pistol's weight tips the scales at 5.2 lbs.

Black pistol barrel metal plastic

The gun’s length, balance and weight provides myriad options for shooters. A Picatinny rail extends across the receiver’s aluminum top for sights and optics. The removable barrel assembly features M-LOK-compatible slots to further accommodate accessories. At the gun’s rear is a rail for attaching a brace, as well as sockets for slings.

Man wearing green shirt disassembling black pistol with text on image noting "quick-takedown operation"

Ruger takes additional steps to add versatility to the PC Charger experience. Not only does the gun come with a 17-round Ruger SR Series magazine, two removable magazine-well adapters are built into the package to further accommodate magazine offerings, such as Glock’s well-loved over-mold design.

Man in green shirt holding black pistol upside down with red arrow pointing at magazine well

Our experience on the range with Ruger’s PC Charger was a enjoyable—the recoil is manageable and functionality proved dependable. We attached an optic and were able to make fine off-hand groups at close-in distance. Manipulating the magazine release and manipulating the bolt required minimal effort. Ruger supplies a reversible charging handle for all types of shooters, which is a handy feature.

Man wearing a green shirt ballcap ear protection and glasses holding and shooting black pistol with text on image noting "remote camera nra gun of the week"

Watch our NRA Gun of the Week video above to learn more about the Ruger PC Charger pistol in 9 mm Luger.

Ruger PC Charger Specifications
Manufacturer: Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.
Action Type: blowback-operated, semi-automatic, center-fire pistol
Chambering: 9 mm Luger
Barrel: 6.5”, cold-hammer-forged chromoly-steel, blued finish
Receiver: aluminum alloy, hard-coat-anodized finish
Chassis: glass-filled black polymer
Grip: AR-style
Sights: none; Picatinny rail
Magazine: 17-round capacity
Overall Length: 16.5”
Weight: 5 lbs., 3.2 ozs.
MSRP: $799

Further Reading:
Tested: Ruger’s PC Carbine and Security-9 Pistol

Ruger PC Charger Review

Assembling an Urban Survival Kit with the Ruger PC Carbine

5 Perfect Pairs: Handguns and Pistol-Caliber Carbines

Spruce Up Your Ruger Charger Pistol

I Have This Old Gun: Ruger 44 Carbine

NRA Gun of the Week: Ruger PC Carbine

Latest

Federal 7Mm Backcountry Rifleman Review 1
Federal 7Mm Backcountry Rifleman Review 1

Rifleman Review: Federal 7 mm Backcountry

Unlike other recent cartridge launches, the key to Federal Ammunition's 7 mm Backcountry wasn't just in the design of the cartridge but also the type of material used in its case construction.

Big Bite in a Small Package: The Henry Repeating Arms Bear's Leg

Henry Repeating Arms is stepping up its lever-action game with the addition of its Bear's Leg design, a tactical lever-action that provides power and versatility in a compact platform.

I Have This Old Gun: French Model 1777 An IX

French Charleville muskets are a fascinating study in improvement, having evolved from a loosely uniform pattern to what was likely the first military longarm with truly interchangeable parts.

NRA CEO/EVP Doug Hamlin Talks Politics, the NRA, and the Future of Our Freedom

In this interview with The Armed Citizen Podcast at the 155th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston, Texas, NRA Executive Vice President and CEO Doug Hamlin talks about what is going on with the NRA, the many battles for our freedom around this nation the NRA is involved in, and what’s to come.

Best of the Best: American Rifleman's 2026 Golden Bullseye Award Winners

From firearms to accessories to optics to ammo and suppressors, we’ve determined these to be the stand-out products from the last year, providing firearm enthusiasts with innovation, value, utility and performance.

Review: Diamondback 9 mm SDR

Folks might be a bit surprised that Diamondback would choose 9 mm as the second caliber for its SDR revolver, but a closer look reveals why 9 mm is a solid caliber option for the platform.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.