When it comes to home-defense platforms, you really can’t beat the efficiency of using the same caliber as your everyday-carry pistol, which is a big part of why pistol-caliber carbines (PCCs) have become so popular—the idea just makes sense. And, among the many fine PCC options on the market, the Mitchell Defense Rat Dog SBR (short-barrel rifle) is high on my list.
Before we get into the gun’s mechanics, let’s address the name, which is different enough that I wondered at the reasons. According to Nathan Mitchell, founder and owner of Mitchell Defense, the name first belonged to one of his team members in the U.S. Navy. The man earned the call sign “Rat Dog” because the more pressure he faced, the more his performance improved. PCCs have a reputation for not running so well once they’re dirty, but thanks to some engineering tweaks, Mitchell Defense claims this is not so with the Rat Dog, hence the appellation.
You can choose from five variations of this rifle: the “Slick Rat Dog Pistol,” “Slick Rat Dog SBR,” “Street Legal Rat Dog,” “Tactical Rat Dog Pistol” and, lastly, the “Tactical Rat Dog SBR.” As I already possess the right tax stamp to allow it, I chose the last option; if you lack that stamp, you might consider another version, which shares most of the same characteristics.
The Rat Dog’s 8.3-inch barrel, made by Ballistic Advantage, has an enhanced feed ramp to better accept home-defense ammunition. The barrel is thermal-fit to the upper receiver and sports an HK three-lug muzzle device that should be compatible with all major suppressor manufacturers’ three-lug mounts.
Since the rifle is designed for defensive use, you’ll find a full-length Picatinny rail atop its aluminum handguard, along with M-LOK mounting options placed at four positions, so it comes ready to accept an array of lights, lasers and backup sights. Lastly, quick-detach points can be found on either side of the rifle—slap on your preferred sling and you’re ready to go.
The bolt-carrier group is a solid piece and is coated with ArmorLube Advanced DLC. The thermal fit and coatings result in a near-zero-friction environment designed to keep this direct-blowback gun running. A proprietary coating treatment is also used on its springs; indeed, these buffer springs are beefed up to take the pressure.
On the lower receiver, you’ll find a bolt release with a free-float pin, a flared magazine well for quick and easy reloads of your Glock-pattern magazines, ambidextrous safety selectors from Radian and E-series Cerakoting. I found that its trigger is light and tight enough for accurate and precise shots. The B5 system’s stock and grip complete the Rat Dog—I give it bonus points for being collapsible.
For testing the Rat Dog, I chose several defensive loads, ranging from light to +P. The only malfunction of the day was from my fingers. Group size was right around an inch, give or take, through the various brands tested, and that was out of a pristinely new gun.
Ultimately, besides being a really fun gun to shoot, the Mitchell Defense Tactical Rat Dog’s thoughtful and purpose-driven craftsmanship, mixed with a dash of high-end components, have come together to make an excellent option for home defense that indeed performs under pressure.
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