As we find ourselves well into 2025, the popularity and demand for new pistol caliber carbines (PCCs) hasn’t decreased. Their compact size and wide range of use have consumers buying them left and right for home defense, hunting, competition, and a multitude of other applications. Catering to the needs of their consumer base, Daniel Defense released three different versions of its new PCC. These versions include not only the DD PCC 916 full-sized version that we tested, but also an SBR and an AR Pistol, complete with a brace.
Having been subjected to all the hype surrounding this gun while we waited for our test sample to arrive, it goes without saying that we were quite happy to receive notification that a package from Daniel Defense had been delivered. Before mounting an optic and hitting the range, I took a moment to give the rifle a good once-over.
Right away, I was a fan of its furniture, specifically the rubberized sections on the grip and alongside the buttstock. Humidity levels are currently at 80% with temperatures in the mid-80s, so we'd undoubtedly encounter a sweaty slip-and-slide scenario without that added feature.
The buttstock is adjustable through six varying points, bringing the overall length of the gun anywhere from 32” up to 35.5”, depending on where you have it set. The overall weight of approximately 7 lbs., combined with the overall compact size of this PCC, makes it ideal for maneuvering around tight corners, such as those you may encounter in a home-defense scenario. For those who may find themselves hiking deep into the backcountry, this would also be a great solution for defense against critters, especially when loaded with ammunition specific for that type of scenario.
Moving forward, we come to the gun’s action. Daniel Defense opted for a simple direct blowback action on its new PCC 916, utilizing a hydraulic buffer to help absorb the energy created with each shot, thus minimizing felt recoil. Our test sample was equipped with a 16” barrel threaded on the end, should you wish to attach a suppressor. Surrounding the cold hammer forged barrel is a free-float handguard, topped with a 13.5” DD4 rail. M-LOK mounting options are plentiful if you are considering various attachments, such as a light or laser. Lastly, at the forend of the rifle lies a foregrip, complete with the same rubber material found on the buttstock and pistol grip.
Daniel Defense does not include sights with this new PCC, leaving the choice up to the consumer. While a simple set of flip-up irons would have been much appreciated, the lack of included sights was of little concern, as we had a Mepro Tru-Vision SR optic from Meprolight that proved to be the perfect fit for our testing purposes. This red dot attaches to any standard Picatinny rail via an included QD mount.
After mounting the optic, there was no change to the balance and overall feel of the gun, in part thanks to the light 10-oz. weight of the Tru-Vision. Featuring two reticles in one, shooters can choose either a simple, lone 2 MOA dot or that same dot enclosed in a 65 MOA Speed Ring. Running off a common CR123a battery, there are two different sleep modes to choose from, or even a third mode utilizing shake awake technology, ideal for home defense use. Additional features include automatic brightness controls to adapt to your unique lighting conditions, with manual selection also available. While we chose to use the optic alone, it is compact enough to allow the mounting of additional accessories, such as a magnifier or laser, with room to spare on the rail.
If someone were to ask you what type of magazine PCCs typically use, the majority of people would answer "Glock mags” or “Colt mags.” The Daniel Defense 9mm PCC opted to part from the norm and chose to utilize CZ Scorpion magazines. This gun ships with a 35-round magazine, providing enough firepower to knock down every piece of steel downrange or, at the very least, blow the bullseye out of your paper target.
For our live fire test, we chose to bring the following rounds: Federal Syntech Range 124-gr. FMJ, Winchester Target and Practice 147-gr FMJ, and Black Hills 115-gr. FMJ. As far as functionality and reliability go, the DD PCC ate up every last bit of 9mm that we threw at it, regardless of brand or weight. While all three selections grouped well, it was Winchester’s Target & Practice that came out on top with an average group size of 1.4” at our testing distance of 50 yards.
With all ammunition tested, the recoil was barely noticeable, and the gun remained well-balanced during the entire firing process, with barely any muzzle flip to speak of. All controls were ambidextrous and easy to reach, from the push-button style mag release to the bolt catch and safety. Lastly, the charging handle was slightly more pronounced than what many may consider standard issue. This would certainly prove to be beneficial should you be wearing gloves.
All in all, our experience with the Daniel Defense PCC 916 was a positive one. There's something undeniably alluring when it comes to a PCC that is accurate, reliable, and has a multitude of applications. Just as comfortable on the range as it is in the woods, there's no doubt this gun will find itself in the safe of firearms enthusiasts coast to coast. If you've been thinking about expanding your collection and stepping into the world of pistol-caliber carbines, now's your chance. MSRP: $1,949; www.danieldefense.com.
Specifications
Mounting System: M-LOK
Caliber: 9mm
Material: Stainless Steel
Manuf. Process: Cold Hammer Forged
Barrel Profile: S2W
Barrel Length: 16”
Twist Rate: 1:10
Muzzle Device: DD A2 Flash Hider
Overall Length: 32– 35.25”
Product Weight: 7.05 lbs.
Rail System: DD4 13.5
Muzzle Thread: 1/2x28
Magazine: CZ Scorpion
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