Daniel Defense PCC 916 Review [Hands-On Tested]

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Daniel Defense waded into the 9mm world in a big way in 2024 with the announcement of their first pistol, the Daniel H9. Following in theme, they also teased a pistol caliber carbine (PCC).

We can agree that a company’s good reputation doesn’t always result in good products. So, is Daniel Defense’s new PCC up to snuff?

It took the better part of the year, but we finally got our hands on one and tested it at the range. We’ll share the results of our efforts with you below.

So read on!

Specs & Features

Specs

• Caliber: 9mm
• Action: Semi-auto (recoil-operated)
• Capacity: 35+1 (or by magazine)
• Length: 32”-35.25”
• Barrel Length: 16”
• Width: 2.75”
• Height: 7.25”
• Weight: 7.05 lbs.
• Comes with: Plastic case, (1) 35-round magazine, owner’s manual, gun lock

Features

• Fully ambidextrous
• 16” cold hammer forged barrel
• Kynshot buffer
• Last round bolt hold open

How We Tested the Daniel Defense PCC

For this review, we tested the PCC with an Aimpoint Comp M5 Red Dot, shooting 10-round groups at 25 yards.

We went through 500 rounds of ammunition, using both practice ammo in the form of AAC 115gr FMJ and Belum 124gr FMJ, as well as defensive ammo consisting of Federal Premium 124gr HST, and Nosler ASP 115gr.

We also tested the trigger on the PCC with a Lyman Digital Trigger gauge to get an accurate assessment of the actual trigger pull weight.

Daniel Defense PCC Background

Daniel Defense started out humbly enough, making gun accessories, but these were of such quality that they won SOCOM contracts. In 2009, the Georgia-based company created its first AR-15, the DDM4 — many versions and contracts followed.

In 2019, the company moved into bolt guns with the Delta 5 and continued to diversify its offerings with a PDW and suppressors. Finally, Daniel Defense announced its reimagined Daniel H9 and PCC at SHOT Show 2024.

Daniel Defense released three versions of the PCC:

• Full-sized, 16-inch barrel
• SBR, 8.3-inch barrel
• AR Pistol, 8.3-inch barrel and brace

Who Is It For?

Pistol caliber carbines were born out of a need for economy, shooters needing their handguns and long guns to run on the same ammunition. They have evolved past that original design and stand well on their own.

The Daniel Defense PCC will serve well in defensive scenarios with the SBR and pistol versions being easier to conceal. The full-sized version could also be utilized defensively, though it would be a little less maneuverable.

Because of its impressive accuracy and soft shooting characteristics, the PCC would absolutely shine in competition.

Ergonomics: Fit & Feel

While some people are not fans of Daniel Defense’s furniture, I am. If you’re familiar with the grips and butt stocks utilized on the DDM4, you already know what to expect, as they were used on the PCC too.

Admittedly, the rubber (like an all-terrain tire) on the sides of the butt stock can pull my beard hairs a bit, but I still get excellent cheek weld. It also has a fantastic rubberized butt pad that grabs onto your chest and provides solid anchoring.

The butt stock is adjustable to six different positions for length of pull. In addition, it has two sling attachment points and a QD as well.

Moving forward, the charging handle is another thing you won’t have to replace after purchasing. It falls into the just-right category of being bigger than Milspec but not so big that it hangs up on plate carriers or slings.

Down below, the grip is ergonomically shaped and covered in the same all-terrain rubber texture. At the top, there is also a slight well that is hollowed out for thumb placement.

Daniel Defense included an integral trigger guard as part of the lower. It merges seamlessly with the magwell and is curved to create space for gloved fingers.

Forward of this, the magwell is very well flared. As the PCC feels just like an AR-15, you may be tempted to insert the magazine straight up, but it requires more of a forward angle.

The rail is sturdy and well done, with MLOK all around and a Picatinny down the top. However, looking down the pic rail, I did notice a gap between the rail and the upper receiver.

Despite the gap, the lockup between the rail and upper is extremely solid. Our test model also included a QD well on both sides near the interface with the receiver.

Daniel Defense includes one 35-round magazine, and Magpul sent us a few more for mag changes. It takes a while to load all 35 rounds into the EV9 magazines that feed the PCC—this was further complicated by the fact our Uplula’s wouldn’t work on them.

Regardless, the magazines all inserted, locked, up, fed, and locked the bolt back on the last round. They also cleared when we pressed the mag release, with one exception.

Because of the slight curve of the magazine and magwell, if the gun is not very close to horizontal, the magazines will hang. I found this out because I tend to bring the gun up into my workspace a bit for the exchange.

Controls

The PCC’s controls are genuinely ambidextrous. The fire control, magazine release, bolt release, and bolt catch are located on both sides and are easy to manipulate for a range of hand sizes.

Measuring the trigger with a Lyman Digital gauge, it averaged 5 pounds 8 ounces with a very crisp break and strong reset that was both audible and tactile.

While heavier than I would have guessed, it’s very functional. On the same gauge, my DDM4 V7 averages around 3.5 pounds.

How Does the Daniel Defense PCC Shoot?

While zeroing the Aimpoint CompM5, I noticed the PCC had an extremely soft recoil impulse. Granted, I wasn’t expecting to be rocked by the 9mm, but I was impressed with how easy it was to stay on target through multiple strings of fire.

After zeroing, I placed the PCC in an Ultimate Shooting Rest at 25 yards and fired 10-shot groups of a few different ammunition types and brands. The accuracy was resoundingly good.

Notably, the defensive ammunition grouped slightly larger, averaging around 1.25 inches to 1.5 inches. The practice ammo grouped under 1 inch, with AAC taking the cake at 0.75 inches for 10 shots.

Pushing back to 50, even 100 yards unsupported, the PCC easily hit torso-sized steel with just a red dot. It made me wonder what accuracy the gun might be capable of with an LPVO.

Afterward, I moved to our VTAC barricades and ran through several drills, shooting from different positions. The PCC handles every bit like an AR-15 with a 16-inch barrel.

Once again, I was impressed with the soft shooting nature of the PCC. It felt like I could shoot extremely fast without losing my sight picture due to recoil.

The CompM5 dot would hop but not march up and over the target during sustained fire. As we conducted the review pre-release, there wasn’t much information available on the PCC to refer to.

At one point, while reloading, I field-stripped the PCC and pulled the buffer. Lo and behold, a Kynshot was revealed.

If you’re unfamiliar, Kynshot is a company that produces buffers containing aircraft-grade hydraulic oil. These devices absorb some of the recoil without affecting the firearm’s reliability.

The result is a more controllable recoil impulse. This becomes important during rapid firing when the muzzle rises naturally over the target.

Thankfully, controls were extremely familiar, so manual of arms came easily. Anyone familiar with the AR-15 will be very comfortable with the PCC.

While I don’t need or even prefer ambidextrous controls, I can appreciate that many people do. Lefties were not omitted when Daniel Defense assembled the PCC.

Despite taking a while to load the magazines, it only took moments to empty them. The PPC ran hard and fast and had zero issues throughout 500 rounds, consisting mainly of FMJ but also some defensive ammo.

The only functioning issue we experienced during testing was the bolt occasionally not picking up the first round on a fresh magazine. Not fully loading the magazines seemed to alleviate this.

The accuracy, reliability, ergonomics, and recoil impulse of the PCC were truly impressive.

Why is the Daniel Defense PCC Unique?

First and foremost, the PCC is unique because it is the first of its kind from Daniel Defense. Otherwise, it distinguishes itself with good ergonomics, truly ambidextrous controls, and useful features like last-round lock back.

By the Numbers

Reliability: 4.5/5

There were no failures to function, though we did find that loading the magazines fully occasionally caused the bolt to not pick up the first round. Not loading them fully alleviated the problem, and it’s conceivable that breaking the mags in further will eliminate the problem, but only further testing will tell.

Ergonomics: 5/5

I find Daniel Defense’s furniture very ergonomic, and I appreciate the shape and rubberized texture for helping me stay connected with the gun. Additionally, the fully ambidextrous controls make it friendly for left-handed shooters or people who switch.

Accuracy: 5/5

Placing ten shots in a group just over one inch from 25 yards was impressive for the defensive ammo. Coming in under an inch with practice ammo was even more so. The PCC is very accurate.

Customization: 5/5

Daniel Defense’s PCC has all the modularity of an AR-15 meaning you can accessorize it to your heart’s content. They included MLOK and QD aplenty, so you can attach as little or as much as you intend.

Value: 4/5

There are three versions of the PCC: a pistol-braced 8.3-inch barrel, an SBR of the same dimensions, and the full-sized we reviewed. They are all listed on the Daniel Defense website at $1,949, which places them on the more expensive side, according to our Best Pistol Caliber Carbines article. However, with all the features and performance, they are a good value.

Overall: 5/5

Upgrades & Accessories for Daniel Defense PCC

While the Aimpoint CompM5 is a nearly bombproof optic, if you don’t imagine an incredibly hard-use scenario, the Vortex SPARC will serve perfectly for your sighting needs while attached to the PCC.

Blue Force Gear makes a great kit, and their slings are a must-have for long guns. Whether you select the Vickers or GMT (Give Me Tail!) version, you’ll be in good shape when it comes time to tuck up your tool.

AAC ammo is the bee’s knees and we know because we shoot it during nearly ever test. It’s accurate, affordable, and reliable, too — the whole shooting match!

Why You Should Trust Pew Pew Tactical

At the helm of this review was Pew Pew Tactical Content Producer Sean Curtis. Sean has been shooting since childhood but really began to delve into guns more during his law enforcement career. He spent over two decades in law enforcement, where he became a POST-certified handgun instructor and NLEFIA Red Dot Instructor and received CLEFIA Advanced Firearms Instructor Training and AR-15 armorer training. He has since attended a variety of training, including Tactical Performance Center Handgun Mastery & Carbine Mastery, and earned USCCA rifle instructor certification. Aside from training and prior to joining the Pew Pew Tactical team full-time, Sean wrote for several gun publications evaluating and testing guns and gear and has written hundreds of articles.

This review was edited by Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings, who runs Pew Pew Tactical’s experienced team of reviewers. Jacki is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association and has her bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications. She has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years, and has worked as an editor for five years. She uses her extensive professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards.

Final Verdict

The Daniel Defense PCC is an outstanding shooter that was very ergonomic, soft-recoiling, and extremely accurate. While we had an issue with the bolt not liking stuffed magazines, it was a simple matter to avoid and may be resolved with more shooting.

While the price is fairly steep, the features, performance, and Daniel Defense warranty make this gun a solid value if you’re in the market for a high-end pistol caliber carbine.

Will you be picking up a Daniel Defense PCC? Let us know in the comments below. Check out our Best Pistol Caliber Carbines for even more options.