Daniel Defense 9mm PCC : First Impressions

Today was an eventful day testing out a firearm I’ve been excited about for quite some time: the Daniel Defense 9mm PCC. After wanting one since its initial release, we finally managed to acquire one from a local seller who had only put 10 rounds through it. Here’s how our range session went, along with my initial thoughts on this premium PCC.

The Setup and Initial Challenges

We mounted an EOTech optic on the Daniel Defense PCC and headed out for our first real test session. However, the day started with some unexpected challenges that led to an interesting discovery about ammunition compatibility.

Initially, we were experiencing consistent malfunctions, but only with 115-grain ammunition. The 124-grain and 147-grain rounds ran flawlessly, which had us scratching our heads. After reviewing slow-motion footage from our session, we discovered something surprising – the 115-grain rounds were actually striking the EOTech optic and bouncing back into the action, causing the malfunctions we were experiencing.

Once we switched to an Aimpoint T2 with a magnifier (borrowed from an AR setup), the reliability issues disappeared completely, and the gun began running smoothly with all ammunition weights.

Performance and Handling of the Daniel Defense 9mm PCC

After putting over 300 rounds through the Daniel Defense 9mm PCC during our session, several things became immediately apparent:

The Good:

• Significantly smoother shooting experience compared to other PCCs we’ve tested
• Excellent ejection pattern – brass flies well clear of the shooter
• High-quality Daniel Defense construction and fit/finish
• Ambidextrous controls make it versatile for different shooting styles
• Longer barrel provides more comfortable shooting position
• Much more pleasant recoil impulse than shorter barrel alternatives

Areas for Personal Preference:

• No forward assist (personal preference – some shooters prefer having this option)
• The included grip may not suit everyone’s hand size/preference
• Safety selector could be upgraded to something like a Radian 45-degree selector
• No brass deflector, though the ejection pattern makes this less of an issue

Florida Conditions

One thing worth noting for shooters in humid climates – condensation was a real issue today. Moving from air conditioning to Florida’s humid outdoor conditions caused significant fogging on the optics. This reinforced my general preference for iron sights in certain conditions, though the optics cleared up once they acclimated to the temperature.

Value Proposition

At around $1,600 (current Gun Broker pricing), the Daniel Defense 9mm PCC sits at the premium end of the market. That’s undeniably a significant investment. However, based on my experience with other Daniel Defense products across their AR-15, AR-10, and bolt-action lines, they consistently deliver quality that justifies the price point and stand behind their products.

The reliability factor is crucial for me, and once we resolved the optic height issue with the 115-grain ammunition, this PCC ran flawlessly through hundreds of rounds.

Optic Setup Thoughts

The Aimpoint T2 with 3x magnifier combination worked exceptionally well, even though it wasn’t zeroed for this particular firearm. At 12-13 yards, we were easily hitting 8-inch steel plates, which speaks to both the inherent accuracy of the platform and the quality of the optic setup.

For left-handed shooters like myself, the magnifier’s flip-to-side mount is particularly useful, allowing quick transitions between magnified and unmagnified shooting while maintaining charging handle access.

Bottom Line

The Daniel Defense 9mm PCC delivers on the quality and performance you’d expect from the brand, though it comes with a premium price tag. The shooting experience is notably superior to other PCCs we’ve tested, with excellent reliability (once properly set up) and outstanding build quality.

Is it worth the extra money over alternatives? That depends on your priorities and budget. If reliability and refined performance are paramount, and you’re willing to invest in a premium platform, the Daniel Defense 9mm PCC makes a strong case for itself.

We’ll be putting this through more extensive testing and comparisons in upcoming sessions. What are your thoughts? Watch the full video on YouTube and let us know in the comments.