Almost every decent big-name AR manufacturer has either already jumped into the PCC market or is planning to. Names like Ruger, Smith & Wesson, and others have brought out their version of this increasingly popular gun over the past several years. The market is growing because of what pistol caliber carbines offer: the accuracy of a rifle but in a caliber more commonly found in handguns. Springfield joins the fray with the new Saint Victor 9mm PCC.
Now, before you say, “Wait a minute! Isn’t there already a Saint Victor 9mm PCC?” Yes, you are correct. There is. But even though it shares much of the same guts, the new shorter-barrel pistol version acts like a different gun in some ways.
Like many rifle owners, I’ve spent considerable time with ARs and AR pistols, and the prospect of a compact, 9mm version from a reputable manufacturer like Springfield Armory got me more than a little excited.
When it arrived at the range where I work, I cleared the paperwork and immediately went downstairs to throw some rounds downrange. This first session blew the dust off and proved it would work. Later, I took it outdoors to a friend’s makeshift range on his farm to spend some more serious time behind the gun. Not only did I shoot it, but so did all three of my kids, my wife, and a family friend. Spoiler alert: we all liked it. But it’s not perfect.
First Impressions
What’s the old expression? You never get a second chance to make a first impression. The Saint Victor 9mm PCC seems like a high-quality firearm out of the box. The fit and finish are excellent, with a clean, anodized coating on the forged aluminum receiver. The controls are familiar to anyone experienced with the AR platform, and the overall design is well thought out. The pistol feels solid and well-balanced, crucial for accurate and comfortable shooting, especially in a compact platform. Like every good AR pistol, it’s basically a shrunk-down version of its big brother.
Specs at a Glance
Before diving into the performance, let’s cover the essential specifications:
- Caliber: 9mm
- Barrel Length:5 inches
- Overall Length:75 inches
- Weight (Empty):9 lbs
- Upper & Lower Receivers: Forged 7075 T6 Aluminum, Type III Hardcoat Anodized
- Handguard: 5-inch M-Lok
- Pistol Brace: SB Tactical SBA3
- Trigger: Single Stage
- Muzzle Device: Threaded Muzzle Drum
- Magazine Compatibility: None, which I’ll address below
- MSRP: $1,099
Ergonomics and Handling
The Saint Victor 9mm PCC pistol feels remarkably comfortable thanks to its well-designed ergonomics. The SB Tactical SBA3 pistol brace provides a stable and adjustable platform for shouldering the pistol, enhancing accuracy and control. It’s nice to see braces making a comeback since the ridiculous ban was overturned. The brace is easy to adjust, allowing for a customized fit.
The 5-inch M-Lok handguard offers ample space for attaching accessories such as lights, lasers, and foregrips. The handguard’s slim profile and smooth finish make it comfortable to grip, even during extended shooting sessions. The pistol grip is standard AR-style, providing a familiar and comfortable feel.
The controls are intuitive and easy to manipulate. The charging handle is readily accessible, and the magazine release is well-positioned for quick and efficient magazine changes. The short-throw 45-degree safety selector switch operates smoothly and positively, providing a clear indication of the firearm’s status. It’s also ambidextrous, which is handy even if you’re not a leftie. I wish more AR makers made this standard.
Performance on the Range
Now for the most crucial part: how does it shoot? In short (pun fully intended), the Saint Victor 9mm PCC is a blast (also intended) to shoot. The combination of its compact size and manageable recoil make it an enjoyable firearm to operate. Even my kids liked shooting it.
Accuracy: I tested the pistol at 10 to 50 yards. At 10 yards, it was easy to achieve tight groupings, with nearly all shots landing within an inch of the point of aim. Even at 25 yards, I maintained consistent groupings of around 2-3 inches. At 50 yards, the groups opened up to around 4-5 inches, which is still respectable for a pistol with a 5.5-inch barrel.
Recoil: As you might expect from an AR platform, recoil is minimal, thanks to the 9mm chambering and the brace with an AR-style buffer tube. Larger caliber ARs barely recoil, so the less powerful 9mm version kicks even less. The recoil impulse is more of a gentle push than a sharp kick, making it easy to stay on target for follow-up shots. This is particularly beneficial for new shooters or those sensitive to recoil. My 11-year-old daughter shot it with no issues.
Reliability: I fired several hundred rounds through the Saint Victor 9mm PCC, using a variety of ammunition types and magazine brands. I experienced no malfunctions or failures to feed, extract, or eject. The pistol ran flawlessly, demonstrating its reliability and quality construction no matter what I fed it.
Trigger: The 5.5lb trigger is decent. It’s not match-grade, but it’s adequate for its intended purpose. The trigger pull is consistent and breaks cleanly, with minimal creep or overtravel. Of course, if you don’t like the factory trigger, you can swap it out for a lighter competition-type bang button. But for most people, the OEM trigger will work just fine.
Stuff I Liked
- M-Lok Handguard: The 5-inch M-Lok handguard provides ample space for accessories. Mounting flip-up sights and a red dot was easy.
- SB Tactical SBA3 Brace: It’s nice to see braces returning to the mainstream now that the ban has been lifted. The SBA3 brace is comfortable and adjustable and provides a stable platform for shooting.
- Compact Size: The 5.5-inch barrel and overall compact design make the pistol easy to transport and maneuver, making it a serious contender for home defense.
- Reliability: The pistol ran flawlessly with a variety of ammunition and magazines. I had zero stoppages, regardless of ammo brand and weight. It ate everything up and spit it back out perfectly.
- Full-Length Picatinny Rail: The entire top of the gun is covered with a Picatinny rail, allowing for mounting just about anything, from optics to sights to lights. I started with a pair of Mission First Tactical pop-up sights before switching to a Riton red dot. As expected, swapping everything out was super simple.
- Threaded Muzzle Drum: Not only does the drum do a great job of reducing blowback into the shooter’s face by directing the gases forward (with recoil offset by the AR-style buffer tube in the brace), but it’s also threaded, so you can detach it and screw on a suppressor instead. Yay, hearing protection! Adding a suppressor also balances the short barrel a bit better, making the gun slightly easier to shoot.
Not So Great Stuff
- Small Hand Stop: I’m getting nitpicky here, but the handguard preventing your support hand from slipping forward in front of the muzzle seems a bit undersized for such an important job. My hand didn’t move during shooting, so maybe it’s functionally fine, but I would rather see one with a longer tail for a more confident feeling that my hand will stay in place under rapid fire. Thankfully, it’s held on by M-LOK, so you can swap it out for a bigger one of your choice.
- Proprietary Magazines: While Colt SMG-style magazines have traditionally been associated with some pistol-caliber rifles (see the original .45ACP Thompson and others), they are expensive and sometimes hard to find. Plus, one of the biggest appeals of PCCs is their cross-compatibility with handguns, including borrowing their magazines. For instance, Ruger PCCs use Ruger handgun magazines, and many PCCs can run off Glock magazines. It would be nice to see the Saint Victor line at least accept other Springfield magazines, if not be more compatible with an adaptor for Glock ammo feeders. Oh, and Springfield only includes one magazine with the gun. Including at least two with the $1,099 price tag would be nice.
- Weight: At 5.9 pounds, this compact gun outweighs my 5-pound full-size AR-15 with a 16-inch barrel. While an almost 6-pound gun is certainly manageable, other PCCs are lighter. If you’re concerned about weight, this might not be your gun. If you don’t care, then fire away! In its defense, however, it is lighter than some other PCCs on the market, so there’s that.
- MSRP: The $1,099 MSRP may be a barrier for some buyers. While the pistol offers excellent quality and features, other good PCCs are priced hundreds less. Springfield may disqualify potential owners by pricing the Saint Victor just out of reach. And since it doesn’t offer anything buyers can’t get in other similar PCCs, there is no obvious compelling reason to spend the extra money.
Parting Shot
Overall, I’m thoroughly impressed with the Springfield Armory Saint Victor 9mm PCC Pistol. It’s a well-built, reliable pistol that’s fun to shoot. It would make an excellent home defense gun because of its short barrel, which makes maneuvering inside confined spaces easier while delivering lethal rounds. It could also be a great choice for a backpack gun. If you’re looking for a compact, 9mm AR-platform pistol, I highly recommend giving this one a serious look.
To locate a dealer near you visit www.lipseys.com/dealerfinder