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Maybe this is what happens when Ruger doesn't copy anyone! Here is my thorough review on the Ruger LC Carbine in 5.7x28mm. This is currently a struggling caliber. It is very expensive and sometimes hard to find. It's main attraction is being very lightweight and possessing high velocity. 

This makes is near ideal as a BOK caliber. But to fulfill that all important POU its platform needs to be compact and lightweight. The LC Carbine gets one of those right.  And like all Ruger guns it has experienced substantial price increases. In the end I was glad to be done testing this unit and happily gave it back to Gunnies.  

Mora Knives “Companion” blue https://shrsl.com/3zi6d

Mora Knives “Basic” (very affordable) https://shrsl.com/3zi6n

Alpina Startimers, totally xlnt, shown in video: https://tinyurl.com/y8f2rf5h

Spyderco Bow River, xlnt:  http://shrsl.com/1yxkf

Spyderco Fixed blades, more reviews coming on these:  http://shrsl.com/1yxkm PSA Rock 57 5.7x28mm, pretty xlnt  https://bit.ly/3Z3GynA 

Keltec Sub 2000  https://bit.ly/3Z6mh0K

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Ruger LC Carbine: Swing and A Miss

Maybe this is what happens when Ruger doesn't copy anyone! Here is my thorough review on the Ruger LC Carbine in 5.7x28mm. This is currently a struggling caliber. It is very expensive and sometimes hard to find. It's main attraction is being very lightweight and possessing high velocity. This makes is near ideal as a BOK caliber. But to fulfill that all important POU its platform needs to be compact and lightweight. The LC Carbine gets one of those right. And like all Ruger guns it has experienced substantial price increases. In the end I was glad to be done testing this unit and happily gave it back to Gunnies. Mora Knives “Companion” blue https://shrsl.com/3zi6d Mora Knives “Basic” (very affordable) https://shrsl.com/3zi6n Alpina Startimers, totally xlnt, shown in video: https://tinyurl.com/y8f2rf5h Spyderco Bow River, xlnt: http://shrsl.com/1yxkf Spyderco Fixed blades, more reviews coming on these: http://shrsl.com/1yxkm TNPrs who donate to me in Patreon make the continuation of TNP possible! https://www.patreon.com/Nutnfancy TNP Patreon is a DEAL. Here’s how much do people spend on entertainment: Movie Card Avg cost is $25, Netflix is $20 month, Amazon Prime $120 yr, Gym Membership Avg Monthly cost is $50, Avg lunch out cost is $21, Avg movie ticket cost is 9.60, Avg Concert ticket is $95] You can now donate to TNP via PayPal if you'd prefer that method, humble gratitude from us for that support: https://tinyurl.com/y5zzf9tq Backup funding: https://www.subscribestar.com/nutnfancy Subscribe to TNP B CHANNEL!  @Lt Col Nutnfancy  Subscribe to TNP on UGETube https://ugetube.com/@Nutnfancy Rumble Nutnfancy: https://rumble.com/user/Nutnfancy TNP Branded Adventure: www.nutnfancy.bigcartel.com Thanks to Gunnies Sporting Goods in Orem, UT ph (801) 226-7080 for the items sometimes provided to TNP for review. Look up gunnies online, say thanks!

Comments

Rick Grad

Saved me money, thank you. It was on the want list.

Matthew Sinn

Can't wait for the R50 review if you're doing one (based on the insert footage...). I SBR'd my P50 and absolutely love it.

The Nutnfancy Project

Yep. R50 is highly rec'd. Infield review is done and waiting for its turn. I want one.

Anthony Schaad

I liked it when it first came out ( looks) , but I just never got into the 5.7 caliber band wagon lol … expensive! Love the reviews Nutn as always!! And product push lol… just too a DMR class trying out a new optic, Athlon Helos G2 2-12 … awesome scope/brand Nutn and affordable!!! If ya wanna give it a looksy !

David Gaines

I love contrarian reviews. Of course all the guntubers are raving over this gun. Thanks for the honest opinion!

Racing Psychosis

I'll watch when I have a few minutes, but completely uninterested in that firearm and that caliber.

Scott Kirkwood

you cant fold the sub2k with an optic. right? lame.

Scott

They should have made it a takedown like the PC Carbine,put a smaller rail on the front like a slim AR style front rail

Hugh Amlett

Excited to see you review Smith and Wesson's new 5.7 pistol or their FPC. At least they seem high value and innovatove

cody white (edited)

Comment edits

2026-09-15 18:00 The funny thing is guess who followed NUTNs advice on weight, smith and Wesson FPC 😆😆. The weight alone set me off on this guns release and the safety operation plus the bolt release. There’s probably still a few engineers that were around during bill rugers era and all metal that participated in the project we’ll never know but RUGER is trying to get past that influence of how the old fudd style shooting
2023-03-21 17:14

Todd Strelka

Thanks for the honest reviews. I'm looking forward to a review on the new Smith & Wesson M&P FPC. Though it's in 9mm, not 5.7, so it's more comparable to the Kel-Tec Sub2000.

Andrettski

When I bought my 5.7 pistol, I ordered a bunch of extra mags thinking Ruger would make the carbine, viola they did. My prayers were answered. Nope I didn't run out and buy one. I think it's 'Fuggly', I HATE that squarish handguard. So I'm gonna hold off for hopefully the GEN 2. GET IT RIGHT Ruger, because you know S&W is going to be next with theirs. Can you imagine a Magpul Zhukov furniture outfitted LC Carbine, I CAN.

Bryan Deneen

Ruger should of made it with like half the barrel length. Sold it as a pistol. Be able to accept the socks/brace that attach with pic rail.

Joshua Pulliam

When I first heard about it I was excited. Then I saw one with that huge squared off hand guard and instantly hated it. They would’ve been better off tweaking the PC Carbine and selling it with 30 round mags. I want a Sub 2K so bad. My gun budget is basically 0. But it’s on my short list. I love love love my Spyderco Bow River. Bought it on your recommendation. I just used it in the kitchen on Friday!

Joshua Pulliam

The Zhukov furniture is legit! I’ve got in on my AK. Totally worth the money.

Downtrodden

Funny that I just bought a Ruger BECAUSE of the advertised weight advantage over the completion. The SFAR in 308 is less than a pound heavier than the LC Carbine at 6.8lbs (per Ruger). So they know how to lighten and innovate off of other’s designs! They even eliminated part of the pic rail like Nutn highlights as a missed opportunity on the LC. Despite the shortcomings of the LC I appreciate the innovation of the legacy gun makers that seem to be pushed by the new guys like Kel-Tec. Competition is good.

charles Utz

The "mag in the grip" design is something I appreciate in a pistol caliber carbine. You would think not having a forward magwell would help cut weight and size. One thing you did not touch on, is the lack of assist on a non recip charging handle system. I guess 100% reliability negates the need for one? I am curious how much weight would be cut if the front handguard was polymer? I hope to see more pcc's with mag in grip.

Hold Fast Joe

The accuracy was disappointing and especially scoped at only 50 yards? If it shot very tight groups this would be more exciting 5.7 is way too expensive for me. It's a cool pistol, but not in this lifetime

Trustful Marksman

I was so excited for this gun to come out. I've loved the 5.7 cartridge ever since I bought the ruger 57 and I want a carbine real bad. When I saw 6lbs I just said "why!?" I bet the biggest weight problem is the blowback action. Any other type of action could have saved them nearly a pound. Only thing I disagree with nutn on is the price. On the shelf I've been seeing $800 to $820 and when the pistol goes for $700 and up that's a small difference. Guess I'll just have to build my own with a cmmg kit, won't take ruger mags though.

Elijah Ballard

I’m with you Nutn. I can’t justify buying 9mm or 556 right now. It’s not 5.7’s time yet.

Hold Fast Joe

No kidding here, I got a case of 9 and that hurt. Otherwise it's been 22lr show since 2020. I'm seeing a lot of pellet rifles at the range too. It's a fun hobby and skill to keep up but cost of living has been brutal

Matthew Sinn

If you really need something other than iron sights on your 9mm carbine you should use one of the folding optic mounts that have been made for it.

Elijah Ballard

My wife told me she’s getting me a Keltec PMR30 for my Bday. So I’m pretty stoked about that!

Bluegill097

Just what I was hoping for, I'm taking it off my list. TNP saving me money for once! lol usually making me spend it.

Jason Alexander

I'm not sure this gun and caliber even fits into a hunting pou. For most everything I can think of hunting with this I'd probably be ok using a 22 magnum and that ammo is affordable and readily available by comparison. Anything larger or needing more range stepping up to the 22-250 would be my plan.

DuginIN

Please tell us about the Honda.

Bernal

Sub 2000 got the compact design right early. I’m happy with the gun’s sights within 50 yards, not yearning for any sort of optic. I have to adjust my cheek in super tight to line up the sights, kinda funky. But, it seems to hit where I’m pointing it very nicely. I had some issues with reliability at first but KelTec customer services set me straight 👍

Garrett W. Stiles

Thanks for the honest review. Sorry to hear Ruger dropped the ball on this one. I got a PSA 5.7 Rock pistol a couple months ago and am really impressed with it; I wonder if PSA can put out a lightweight carbine upper for it ala MechTech that will add flexibility to the pistol while avoiding the pitfalls of the Ruger 🤞

Kav02

Glad I passed it up last month when I saw one of these on the shelf for the first time. Wound up buying a CVA Scout in 300 AAC instead. Still waiting to pick it up due to that new extended background check garbage that those under 21 have to deal with now. Pretty short overall length in a cool takedown-style package and a spectacular host for a can down the line. Give me some time to play with it and develop a hand load. After that, I'd be willing to send it out for testing if it peaks anyone's interest.

JIMY

For an extra 3 or 4 oz. you could have a DDM4

Dusty Sabedra

“Hell nah, just a fun gun, Nutn” classic!

JIMY

Beretta CX4 Storm is one that comes to mind. Great Nutnfancy review from a few years back.

Aaron Burnett

More excited for the high-value watches and knives in the video than the Ruger. Lol.

Plumber Angelo

Freaking love the honest review Nutn!

Onewizeguy

Hard to beat a Sub2k for sure! I got mine as a companion to a G23 (sorry guys, still love that .40) the weight and form factor are a total win and it’s about the only carbine that I haven’t modified because it just makes sense. Is it a 20k round gun…. Maybe, maybe not but few of us will ever pony-up the cash to test that anyway. The 5.7 never appealed to me. In a situation where your OTM and have to leave your supply line behind- the pistol/pcc combo makes the most sense to me.

BadgerTails

IIRC, it's a Comp. called MCarb that makes the optic swivel/folder mount for our Sub2Ks, along with a HUGE variety of other "upgrades"

BadgerTails

I love the watch reviews, keep those coming please, my AV-8 has become one of my favs for sure. Timely, my neighbor wants to sell me his Ruger 5.7 pistol for $500, and I relayed him to PSA's latest "blem" bundle deals at 699: a dagger + their Rock!!! PSA and Kel_tec kickin it!! We had this debate recently in the Community section, I'm with you: it's an FN-designed caliber for MIL/LE use, with your agency buying the ammo.. I optioned for the PMR/CMR-30s, and the RIA 2011 in 22TCM/9MM combo pistol, within this caliber range. Now, if the R50 is produced with an FN barrel, AND it takes many other OEM mags? Hmmmm....yeah, I'll just buy another caliber of Sub2K in the meantime, Glock mags., $100 rebates right now!?!...

Andrettski

I've got the MCARBO one, solid, holds zero so far through 400 rounds.

Andrettski

Yep, that's whats on my WASR-10. Love it.

Andrettski

9 is .24 cents right now and 5.56 for .37, not horrible.

Elijah Ballard

Both are still about a $1 each up here in AK

Micah G

Thanks nutn! Love your honesty, keep on keeping on.

Rob Miller

Agree, I found some old notes from Pre-Obama era on what we paid for ammo. Todays prices are not too bad on some select calibers (like 9mm) forget about Trump prices of $9.00/box for brass case 9. That was a gift era and u should have stocked up then.

Patrick Brichta

Thanks Nutn! Great review bud. I totally love my two sub2k's. Gen 1 40 s&w and gen 2 9mm, easily my favorite travel gun. Couldn't agree with you more! Any chance of getting ahold of one of the new PSA Sabres or the new Beretta A300 ultima patrol? Taking your advice and waiting until reviews are complete before spending my $$$!

A

If only the Gunnies crew knew about guns. I have heard mixed results from people and online reviews.

Roarke O'BRIEN

Love my sub 2k been with me on many road trips. Think you will do a psa rock 5.7 review nutn?

fishlanding

do have the R57 pistol, only issue was feeding on the first round racking the slide..... seems to be a magazine issue that Ruger did replace but were reluctant to talk about it, perhaps, might be my imagination but they did send me a new magazine that works. Love the pistol but the magazines are easier to load with a mag loader whichI bought off Amazon. Still own a Kel-Tec Sub 2000 in Glock 9mm don't see the need for another pistol based carbine.....

innom1776

Love to see you review the Diamondback DBX57. I'm super interested in 5.7 for home defense and I'd love your take on it!

RECALL

Survival/BOK stuff? I've decided against 5.7 since college... where are you going to find, let alone afford, ammo for it? Nothing against your assessment, I just haven't taken the 5.7 plunge. I'm waiting for your take on the Walther WMP. Other "connected" reviewers belonging to the "cool kids club" seem to love it, but I'm thinking either 10/22TD & .22 pistol, or Ruger American Rimfire in .22mag w/o pistol until you review the Walther :)

Craig

I keep trying to tell people the same thing! Without the AP LEO/Military ammo this is really no better than modern 9mm or .22magnum. A bullpup 5.56mm would be more capable in the same size package.

Ryan P

The DBX57 is only 3 pounds, would make a perfect BOK gun assuming it functions well. I just wish they started offering it in more magazine compatibilities.

innom1776

For sure would excell in that. I have an fn FiveSeven so mag interchangeability is nice for me, they come in 30 and even 55 round drums. I think 5.7 works best in around that 10 inch barrel size. With ss198(i have like 500 rounds of it) your hitting about 2200 fps.

BadgerTails

I was having a mixed bag range day, then I remembered I still had to break in my Sub2K, 124 gr RN 9mm rounds, 100 yards with just the open sights unsupported. It was hotter than hell that day and I was already fatigued. Pie plate group at 100 yds, w/o my glasses. The ballistics of the 9mm PCC are pretty close to the .357 from a pistol. The CMR/PMR duo had some hiccups in the first 200 rounds or so but now they're both stellar!

Matthew Sinn

For BOK I would love to see someone 3D print a replacement stock for the Henry AR7. Slim it down, make the way things are stored more efficient and maybe add an extra small storage space for rudimentary cleaning supplies/tools.

Racing Psychosis

Don't like that. Don't like the Kel-Tec either. Not interested in either. Not interested in the 5.7x28. Don't care about it. Just grab a rifle and be done with it.

Mike S

I think 5.7 has had a hard time taking off because the ammo is still uncommon and expensive. Most folks will likely stick to the tried and true calibers that they will be familiar with and that they can stock up on.

MCatl

Looked up the weight of the PS90 -- 6.3 lbs?! By comparison, the LC Carbine's weight isn't completely out of line, but the whole 5.7 concept is one big snoozefest for me. It doesn't offer enough advantage of any significance to justify the ridiculous cost of equipping with it. It's a one-trick pony and I don't find the hypothetical advantage of being able to get through 3A body armor to be something I lie awake at night worrying about.