Southfield, Michigan — Ballistic’s Best 2025 has spoken: the Wilson Combat AR-9 with Glock pattern receiver is the top-ranked pistol caliber carbine of the year, earning highest honors in this year’s robust Pistol Caliber Carbines (PCC) category. This accolade recognizes a perfect blend of performance, reliability, ergonomics, and value in a field crowded with capable competitors.

Built on Wilson Combat’s AR-9 platform; a purpose-designed 9mm carbine with a straight blowback system engineered for smooth recoil and consistent performance, the standout PCC impressed evaluators with its flawless function, shooter-friendly handling, and competitive pricing.

Testing this class of PCCs through a rigorous suite of drills, including competition-style movement courses, reloads, and accuracy assessments under identical conditions. All carbines were tested with common 9mm ammunition to ensure a level playing field across reliability, recoil control, and overall performance.

Throughout the evaluation, the Wilson Combat AR-9 consistently returned to the top of the group. Evaluators found themselves gravitating back to it again and again. Its balance of price and performance proved decisive. The AR-9 stood out for delivering exceptional capability without a prohibitively high price tag.

“I knew we were going to have some great PCCs, but the Wilson Combat AR-9 just brought that ‘go-to’ feel for every situation,” said Lead Evaluator of Ballistic’s Best 2025 Pistol Caliber Carbine Robert Jordan. “It handled recoil with aplomb, fed flawlessly, and kept pulling people back for more runs — exactly the kind of gun you wanna go fast with.”

About Ballistic’s Best
Ballistic’s Best is Athlon Outdoors’ annual awards series, evaluating more than 100 firearms and gear entries across multiple categories. Each product is subjected to real-world range testing, judged by veteran shooters, and scored on a detailed 0–5 scale across performance, ergonomics, value and more. The winners represent the best-of-class for 2025, the firearms world’s equivalent of a heavyweight championship.

About Bleecker Street Publications

Bleecker Street Publications is a leading digital media company covering firearms, survival, tactical gear, outdoor living, and skill-building for enthusiasts and professionals. Since acquiring Athlon Outdoors in 2023, Bleecker Street has continued expanding its portfolio with powerhouse brands including Athlon Untamed, RottenGunReviews.com, Athlon Outdoors,Ballistic,Tactical Life, Personal Defense World, Combat Handguns, and GAT Daily.

Whether it’s expert gear reviews, hands-on training guides, breaking industry news, or beginner-friendly resources, Bleecker Street Publications delivers trusted content for the modern firearms community.

To learn more visit www.BleeckerStreetPublications.com or follow Athlon Outdoors and Bleecker Street Publications on Facebook, Instagram, and Open Air Media.

Media Contact:
Katie Burke
Operations Manager
katie@bleeckerstreetpublications.com