Extar EP9 Pistol Caliber Carbine: Truck Gun Series

This is the next article in a series on Truck Guns, or the firearms you might want to keep nearby in case of an emergency (or zombie invasion, whichever comes first). This all started when Tom R. posted an article about the new Springfield Kuna. Unlike many articles and videos about the compact sub gun (ehem, “large-format pistol”), he framed the weapon as a truck gun. That idea led me down a rabbit hole exploring what constitutes a truck gun, why someone might need one, and the different applications available. Someone living in the country versus someone in suburbia has different needs.

The first article in this series covered a Ruger American in 300 BLK, perhaps the perfect truck gun for rural environments or urban sniping. Since then, I’ve covered a Mossberg 590,  a Flux Defense Raider X, a Rossi R95 in 30/30, and a Hi-Point 995P. Like the Hi-Point article, I wanted to again focus on the budget end of the spectrum and discuss an item that nearly everyone can afford. This time, I selected a more conventional pistol-caliber carbine (pistol)—but with a twist.

A truck gun—at least in my mind—refers to any weapon stored in your vehicle for defensive, hunting, or survival purposes. These firearms possess key characteristics, including versatility, compactness, and lethality. Of course, this definition is somewhat ambiguous, with many variables to discuss.

**Legal Warning** If you are interested in pursuing this concept, I would be remiss if I did not warn you to check local laws concerning the transport of weapons in vehicles, particularly long guns and NFA items. States with concealed carry or constitutional carry tend to favor handguns. Things can get spicy when long guns and other scary items are loaded in vehicles.

Extar?

When I first heard of Extar, I assumed they were a Turkish company trying to sell their inexpensive guns on the American market. Boy, was I mistaken. (In my defense, Extar does sound like a Turkish company.) Really, Extar is an Arizona-based firearms manufacturer. Their founder, a lifelong engineer and injection mold specialist, began working in the firearms industry in 1995 by developing and launching the world’s first molded-polymer rifle-caliber receivers. Impressive.

Operation

Before going over the build like in previous articles, I wanted to discuss what makes this particular PCC unique (oh, and yes, it does take Glock Mags)—that aforementioned twist.

The EP-9 operates through direct blowback. This is a very rudimentary system that produces a sharp recoil impulse. But when I shot the EP-9, I was surprised. The impulse was soft compared to other direct-blowback PCCs—or any PCC. The EP-9 is a different case. It might be the softest shooting direct blowback PCC I’ve shot yet.

Extar achieved this by modifying the existing direct blowback system with a “Recoil Damping System.” Most of the recoil experienced when shooting a PCC results from the bolt striking the end of the receiver extension. Usually, these types of guns use a lightweight bolt and a thin urethane washer, or a soft tip, to effectively absorb the shock. Extar counters the drawbacks of direct blowback by adding more mass to the bolt and incorporating a unique damping system to help slow the bolt’s momentum.

Explanation

Exar explains it best:

“We have a thick, conical, flexible damper with space behind it to meet the traveling bolt mass. This damper acts as a diaphragm to absorb and slow the bolt’s movement, and it flexes into the empty space behind it. This acts as a proper shock absorber by providing resistance against the movement of the bolt and slowing it down through movement (like suspension does).”

In real time, the operation feels a bit sluggish. It’s hard to describe, but it is something one must experience. The closest example is like shooting a roller-delayed system, where there’s a slight pause that allows pressure to drop, slowing the bolt. That’s the highest compliment I can give to a PCC. If it shoots and feels like a roller-delayed blowback gun, then it must be good. And for a gun that costs under 500 bucks, that’s even more impressive.

Spec List & Build

Now for the build list. This was a standard build. Nothing too exotic. The build consisted of an optic, sling, light, hand stop, and upgraded pistol grip.

• Vortex Crossfire Red Dot: The EP9 doesn’t come with factory sights, just a flattop. So, an optic is needed. For this, I installed a Vortex Crossfire red dot in tan. It’s affordable, rugged, and easy to use—perfect for quick target acquisition under stress, and it fits the budget-friendly nature of this truck gun build.

• Inforce WML: No defensive firearm is complete without a light. Enter the Inforce WML, mounted on the top pic rail. It’s simple to operate with an integrated angled pressure pad and offers multiple modes, including momentary, constant-on, and strobe. This is where I wish the EP9 had a full-length top rail. This would make the light easier to manipulate with my support hand thumb.
• Hand Stop: Since this is a pistol with a brace, I cannot add a vertical grip. But I still wanted something that could aid manipulation and serve as a brace against a barrier. These are inexpensive and usually made of aluminum. I can’t recall what model I’m using in the build, but I’ve linked a similar one from Arisaka.
• Magpul K2 Pistol Grip: There is nothing wrong with the factory grip. However, I prefer the feel and grip angle of the Magpul K2. I typically change this out on any AR-style rifle.
• Edgar Sherman Design ESD Sling + BCM M-LOK QD Mount: To finish it off, a lightweight sling was added from Edgar Sherman Designs. It connects to the rear sling slot on the brace and a Magpul QD pic mount placed just forward of the optic. It may not be unconventional, but it’s functional.

How is the EP9 as a Truck Gun?

Once set up, the EP9 handled drills smoothly with minimal issues. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t pleasant, so I didn’t get to snap any photos (I’m sorry, I’m not risking my new camera). The “recoil dampening” blowback operation proved to be pleasant and easy to control. Coupled with the red dot sight and sling attached, transitions were seamless, and quick follow-up shots were easy. It remained reliable during extended sessions with both FMJ and defensive rounds—really impressive performance for an affordable gun.

That said, this makes an excellent truck gun for any situation. It’s lightweight, uses a common magazine and ammo combo, and offers plenty of flexibility for building a bugout bag.

Final Thoughts

For $449.00 to $549.00 (depending on the brace), this is a great deal. The gun ships with four Glock-style mags, a soft case, and a single-point sling—it’s a solid package. For those looking for a reliable firearm to keep behind the seat, this setup is a strong choice. While not flashy, it gets the job done and does it well.

Cory Ross

Cory Ross is currently a writer for OutdoorHub who has chosen not to write a short bio at this time.