There used to be this idea that cowboys carried a revolver and rifle that chambered the same caliber. It was supposed to simplify their logistics. I can’t really say how true that is, and if I were a cowboy, I’d probably rather have a .45-70 rifle and a .45 Colt handgun. But the idea exists; what’s the modern take on this concept?
Which modern PCCs and handguns make perfect pairs? A perfect pair would be a handgun and rifle that can share magazines and ammo. The obvious answer is Glock mags and Glock mag-fed rifles, but that is not the only answer, and I’ve found a diverse set of perfect pairs for your consideration.
Perfect Pair Blasters – Big and Small
CMMG MkGs and Glock 19
Okay, let’s get the obvious answer out of the way. Glock mags are ubiquitous, and plenty of carbines exist that take Glock mags. To me, the best combination is the CMMG MkGs series and the Glock 19. The MkGs are AR-type rifles that use the famed CMMG radial delayed blowback system. The MkGs come in pistol and rifle variants under the Banshee and Resolute lines, respectively.
These guns use Glock 9mm magazines and pair perfectly with the Glock 19. The Glock 19 was chosen over the seventeen because the Glock 19 and MkGs can take the widest variety of magazine sizes and is not a subcompact pistol. This perfect pair allows you to mix and match magazines and ammo without a problem. You can use magazines ranging in capacity from 15 to 50 rounds.
Ruger 5.7 and Ruger LC Carbine
The 5.7x28mm round has had quite an increase in popularity. It’s made a real comeback, with affordable pistols and rifles being made widely available. It’s no surprise that the Ruger 5.7 pistol would share magazines with the Ruger LC Carbine. The 5.7x28mm round was always made with the idea of working in both handguns and rifles, so it was suited as a perfect pair.
The Ruger 5.7 magazines hold 20 rounds of ammo and fit perfectly flush in both platforms. The little 5.7x28mm round offers you a flat shooting cartridge out to 150 yards or so. It’s super low recoiling, and this pair of guns packs a lot of power at close to moderate range. Both are highly reliable and modular, with optics and lights being easy to attach. It’s a long-range, high-tech, high-speed perfect pair.
SIG P320C and Henry Homesteader
The Henry Homesteader is one of the few carbines to use a modular magwell. You can swap between Henry’s own magazine or use Glock, S&W, and, of course, SIG Magazines. The P320 has had a meteoric rise in popularity, and it’s no surprise Henry would jump on the magazine as an option. The P320 mags vary from ten to 32 rounds and are very high quality. The Henry Homesteader and the P320 are both modular and to me, that ties them together.
At first glance, the two seem too different to be a perfect pair outside of their ammo and magazine compatibility. The homesteader looks like an old-school cool rifle with an oddball appearance. The SIG P320 is a polymer frame pistol. However, they are both modular, and adding red dots and even suppressors to either isn’t difficult. Heck, they can share mags, ammo, and suppressors in stock configurations easily enough.
Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm and S&W FPC
Another perfect pair from the same company. The Smith & Wesson M&P pistol works perfectly with the S&W M&P FCP. No real surprise there. The S&W M&P, 9mm pistol, is S&W’s answer to the Glock handgun and provides a modern polymer frame, striker-fired handgun that’s accessory-ready. The gun has been around for years and is the second most popular duty handgun in the United States.
The FPC is S&W’s latest carbine that took everyone by surprise. It’s a 9mm PCC that uses S&W M&P magazines and also happens to fold in half. Yep, it folds and collapses into a very compact platform. This allows for a S&W M&P in the waistband and a folded carbine in the backpack. That takes the perfect pair concept to a new level.
CZ 75 and the Ruger PC Carbine
A new level? Well, it’s a level we can stay on! The Ruger PC Carbine and CZ 75 go together like peanut butter and yogurt. Meaning it can work, but you’ll need some help. Mainly, you’ll take advantage of the modular magwell available on the Ruger PC Carbine. You’ll need an aftermarket magwell, but with that quick and easy fix, you’ll now be able to use CZ 75 mags in your PC Carbine.
Am I cheating? A bit, but since CZ won’t make a CZ 75 mag-compatible carbine, then I will. The Ruger PC Carbine brings you a very reliable, modular rifle that can be thrown in with the latest and greatest of PCCs without a stupid price. The CZ 75 is a legendary 9mm handgun that I can’t help but adore. Both guns are dead nuts reliable, and the presence of an Innovation Armoury magwell makes them a perfect pair.
Beretta 92 and the CX4 Storm
I promise this is the last time I’ll take two guns from the same company in perfect pairs. A lot of readers have constantly mentioned the CX4 Storm to me, and I finally tried one and walked away impressed. I didn’t even know it took Beretta 92FS mags, which made it even better. The CX4 is a simple straight blowback operated carbine that houses the mags in the pistol grip.
This keeps it nice and small, which is odd because no one will ever describe the 92FS series as nice and small. This bulky, full-sized DA/SA spaghetti blaster is one of the best 9mm handguns ever. They served our country for decades and really helped Americans embrace the 9mm cartridge. With two guns paired together, you’re not only ready to take on the enemies of freedom, democracy, and America but also the Cylons. (Battlestar Galactica used the CX4.)
S&W 327 TRR8 and the Henry Big Boy X Model
Reject modernity and return to tradition…sort of. Our last perfect pair takes the old-school idea and embraces a bit of modernity. This combination brings us the S&W 327 TRR8, the most tactical revolver ever, and the all-black Henry Big Boy X Model. Both are classic styles of firearms that use a lot of modern features.
Both guns use the .357 Magnum cartridge and both can hold eight rounds total. The Henry Big Boy X Model and TRR8 are tactical as hell but also classic as hell. These guns can both accept optics and lights for that home defense plan. I’m no cowboy, but if I’m packing these two, smack my ass and call me Rip.
A Perfect Pair
It can be annoying to deal with multiple calibers and magazine types, so if you can simplify your life, why wouldn’t you? It’s especially handy if you compete in action shooting sports. Using the same mags and ammo for pistol matches and PCC matches makes a ton of sense and makes the entire sport a bit cheaper. Another good reason is for the truck gun enthusiast who might want to pair their carry pistol with a truck rifle so ammo mags can be copesetic.
There are plenty of reasons to go with a perfect pair, so I have to ask, what’s yours?
