NRA Gun of the Week: Ruger PC Charger

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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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

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