New Member - FPC Curious

[SWConvert]

Hey All,

Just posted in the welcome area and mostly here to learn more about the FPC.

Hello from Georgia

To quote much of what I posted in the welcome thread ..

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"I've been mostly on Glocks for pistols for EDC in the past, but I picked up an M&P 2.0 OR FS 9mm almost a year ago and it's really become my go to for reliability, ergonomics and my accuracy when using the pistol. Next summer I may start looking at the compacts and shield options as well.

Right now I'm really interested in the FPC and frankly my index finger keeps hovering over the left mouse button to pull the trigger so to speak. I've read a lot of articles and watched a lot of videos while comparing comparable systems, but really want to hear from folks who actually own them in the wild.

I found this thread here that helped me with some questions about using a sling with this platform, but I have some other questions as well.

M&P FPC sling -- does that even make sense? "

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Here's a few things I'm thinking about before I purchase. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

- The spacers on the mags give me pause. I actually picked up an M&P compact (with a compensator) originally and sold it within a month to pick up an FS. With the 15rd mag my pinky fell off too much. The spacer for the 17rd was great, but a bit problematic when trying to swap mags quickly. On the compact, I ended up tacking a touch of E6000 on the left and right side to keep the spacer in place. I originally could not understand why they went with the compact grip, but now my guess is the compact is likely a better seller so the FPC mags and spacers would compliment that platform for prospective buyers. Side note - If I get the FPC I'm considering cutting out a space for a small rare earth magnet on the left and right side of the spacers. This might make it easy to keep them in place for the FPC, but remove them rapidly for use in the FS pistol. Anyway, thoughts on how those spacers have worked out for folks with the FPC would be helpful.

- The mag release in the stock seems pretty counterintuitive. I agree with some reviews I've viewed and that a friction retention system might be better as well as orienting the mags so they can come out and be interested in the mag well without rotation. Maybe I have magnets on the mind at the moment, but they might also be used to keep the mags sufficiently in place in the stock until they are pulled out.

- Polymer hand guard? No experience with a firearm with a non-metal M-Lok handguard and curious as to how it hold up with foregrips, slings and weapons-mounted lights.

- Muzzle devices? Curious what others have used on the system from suppressors, flash hiders, brake etc.?

- Other polymer - Looks like the charging handle is polymer and very specific to that carbine. Wondering what folks think about the long term durability of it and any other polymer parts that will encounter a lot of manipulation.

- Folding feature - Sort of got on the folding feature from taking a long look at the KelTec Sub 2ks and that lead me to the FPC. Wondering if folks really found any utility from that feature. Anyone actually using it for hiking, truck guns etc. where the folding might be somewhat useful? Wondering if I'll get one, unfold it, put it in the safe and never need to fold it again really.

Slide release buttons - While ambo, they seem to be sort of useless from the reviews I've seen. Any issues or notes with those?

- Included soft case - Seems nice. I like that it's not branded or obtuse and advertising the fact that it has a firearm inside, but in general, but wondering how it's held up or been used by others.

- Capacity option - Anyone fooled with the Pro Mag 50rd mag for this thing? Good, bad stupid?

Sorry for the wall of text. Would appreciate hearing from anyone with hands on experience with this system.

Thanks!

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I'm at a loss. I own no Glocks nor an FPC but how is there a comparison?

Wait.....I missed your point, I guess.....

You've switched from Glocks to S&Ws and, oh, BTW, besides handguns you want a pistol caliber carbine with a folding stock - did I finally understand you?

You'll get answers..........

 

[rwsmith]

Don't have an FPC...

But I have a couple of PCCs and several rifle carbines. I don't have slings on any of them, but if I wanted to carry one around, I'd use one. I'm still a pretty good flash shooter with one because I got a LOT of practice in my youth and it's second nature to me to throw one up and pop off a shot in one motion. I don't go for accessories but a flash hider is good.

I have a 33 rnd mag for one PCC and that's about all I could want. That's a lot of shooting. I usually break them up into 5 or 10 shot groups and take a little break. I'm not one for hosing lot of ammo downrange without getting a good aim.

Soft, paddedd case is fine with me. No need for a hard shell. Hopefully the gun is rugged enough to not need one.

I've got one folder and one break down PCC. I hardly ever break it down, but the folder is cool and easy to transport. I can keep it in a small bag about 16" long.

Mags go straight in and straight out on all my carbines. Rocking the mag isn't a deal breaker, but I stick with that configuration if possible.

That's about all I go for. I don't want to put a light on them or really any accessories for that matter. I really don't even see the need for a flash hider for a PCC unless it just comes with one.

I'm somebody that thinks the PCCs are great for secondary HD. I'll grab a pistol first. But anything more threatening a PCC is the ticket for me. However, I'm not going to carry one around, even in the car. Since I'm not going to carry it, it will just be something to get stolen.

 

[hardluk1]

SWConvert Your just going to have to make your own choice on what to buy . I have no interest in the FPC .

My wife wanted one do to the light weight But Not as a at home range firearm. We both found out with the mags on the stock make for a butt heavy and unbalance carbine and that changes as rounds are fired so mags are carried on her belt Not in the carbines stock except when in the gun safe! There is also still a very limited ability to tune it for a load or very better trigger or stock or well heck , upgrades are very limited when compared to an AR based carbine or pistol .

My wife also has a AR15 carbine as her defensive shoulder fired weapon.

The case the FPC come with it is fine for most folks needs unless your flying or don't take basic care of your firearm then you will need a pelican case or something like it . Shoulder strap, Thats your choice . I have the straps but for our AR based firearms .

I have no interest in a the FPC after shooting my wifes a but when new and my wife still has a AR15 is defense is needed .

 

[bobsguns]

- Capacity option - Anyone fooled with the Pro Mag 50rd mag for this thing? Good, bad stupid?

You would get more bang for your buck is you piled your $$ on the ground, poured gas on it & then set it on fire.

Pro Mag & Triple K mags are for gangbangers. Neither one works.

 

[IAM Rand]

Here we go again. This dead horse has been beaten on many other threads but as hardluk1 is here to bash the FPC, I might as well talk it up.

You don't buy a Camry to race Formula 1. If you are expecting a race gun or something for competition the FPC is the wrong gun. It is a plinker/home defense carbine. All the negatives that have been mentioned are minor. You can get a new hand guard as I have done. The back up mag release is a minor issue. Press one way and take out the other mag. No biggie. If you are in a gunfight in your home that you have to make a quick change after 23 rounds then you have a bigger problem and hopefully you have something else close by. Would I use this as a truck gun, sure. Am I going to be using it out to 200 yards, um no, duh. Even though Jerry M can take his out to some ridiculous distance like 1000 yards doesn't mean that he would engage someone with a 9mm at that distance.

I have put a compensator on the barrel as well as the aforementioned handguard. I have a Athlon red/green dot on it.

Every tool has a job, just make sure you use the right to for the right job. Anyone want to get rid of their FPC I would be happy to buy it......At a discounted price of course because it is such a horrible PCC.

 

[lkabug]

SWConvert, There are two FPC's in my safe. We in my house love them.
You have several questions and comments about the FPC, which are legitimate.
However,you don't mention what's your intended use of purpose for the carbine.
That information would go a long way towards recommendations.
I find it a great range plinking, target punching fun gun. I have others that are better self-defense go to guns. I have a green dot on mine and find it very accurate out to 80 yards and very acceptable out to 100. But asking 9mm to go beyond that is a bit much. So...what's your intended purpose?

 

[SWConvert]

We both found out with the mags on the stock make for a butt heavy and unbalance carbine and that changes as rounds are fired ..

This is a great note I have not seen or heard before. Thank you.

 

[SWConvert]

However, you don't mention what's your intended use of purpose for the carbine.
That information would go a long way towards recommendations.
I find it a great range plinking, target punching fun gun. I have others that are better self-defense go to guns.

Good point. Range/target practice and as a home defense option.

For the latter I can't see any situation that would require accuracy beyond 20-30 yards. For both use cases the pistol caliber is a plus for cost and shared use caliber with my primary alternating EDCs.
One of which is an M&P so the mags provide shared use as well.

 

[hardluk1]

Good point. Range/target practice and as a home defense option.

For the latter I can't see any situation that would require accuracy beyond 20-30 yards. For both use cases the pistol caliber is a plus for cost and shared use caliber with my primary alternating EDCs.
One of which is an M&P so the mags provide shared use as well.

Do you have a EDC or is the m&p 5" that handgun too . Might be a Gun light and green laser will fill HD needs and still be a good range and carry handgun.

Something like the OLIGHT Baldr Mini Tactical Light 600 Lumens & Green Laser Combo works well indoors with out splash back a brighter light can cause . Charges on the handgun , no removing the battery needed and its has quick disconnect lever for mounting or HD use only !


I do not carry a gun light on my edc. I learned to use a hand held light to shoot with 37 years ago from a shooting buddy and officer like all LE used years ago. Need to see your target before drawing your handgun !! But we have several light and lasers combo's for home use.

Amazon shows the Olight gun light& green laser options avalable .

 

[jakerudy]

I'm not much on the tacticool stuff but got a FPC to keep in the cab of my tractor. Folded in a soft case it fits beside the seat and is there if needed for varmints etc. I've tried a variety of ammo and so far it feeds everything and is accurate enough to hit an armadillo at 50 yards with a dot sight on it. I don't have any need for more rounds than one mag will hold so other than reliability testing the extra mags don't see any use.

For me the FPC is a serviceable hammer and nothing more. It does the job and I don't worry about wear and tear.

 

[LVSteve]

This is a great note I have not seen or heard before. Thank you.

Funny thing is some find they like a gun with weight bias to the rear. Bullpup fans like me are different, I guess.

 

[MoGunGuy]

A week later...

The spacers on the mags give me pause - Not my favorite design either but a piece of 2 sided tape fixes this right up.

The mag release in the stock seems pretty counterintuitive. - Seems like, but isn't once you've actually used them. Their just mag storage spots anyway. I rarely use them, it's kind of a novelty thing IMO.

Polymer hand guard? - The one on my 15-22 has held up for years and probably 15-20k rounds, drops and general abuse. Haven't had any issues with it on the FPC.

Muzzle devices? - I've only run it suppressed. Runs like a champ. I can't imagine bothering to run a muzzle device unless it's a suppressor mount.

Other polymer - I don't see the charging handle being an issue. This is the one thing I don't care for about the stock gun though, there's a couple better aftermarket options.

Folding feature - It's neat. Without suppressor I have thrown it in my backpack but 99% of the time it is unfolded. It does make cleaning a bit easier but if I really want something small and foldy I'm going with my CZ Scorpion Micro. If I run my can in short config it fits nicely in my backpack with the can on.

Slide release buttons - They're small and seem like a good way to get your fingers bit. I treat it like an AR and use the charging handle.

Included soft case - It's really a really nice addition, especially at the price point. I use it for another micro I have and my Scorpion fits nicely in it as well.

Capacity option - I've only run the 17 and 23 round mags. I've got an ETS 30 round mag that runs fine in my M&P9 but will not run in the FPC without grinding a couple spots down.

 

[LostintheOzone]

What is an FPC? Is that a pistol cartridge carbine?

Sorry, not up on all the acronyms.

 

[Tom S.]

What is an FPC? Is that a pistol cartridge carbine?

Sorry, not up on all the acronyms.

Google will set you free...
https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/fpc

 

[Imshootin]

What is an FPC? Is that a pistol cartridge carbine?

Sorry, not up on all the acronyms.

FPC stands for Folding Pistol Carbine. Yes, it is a pistol caliber carbine except it folds in half. The link in the previous post will take you to S&W's web site and that particular firearm.

 

[RUT]

I so want an FPC in my stable!

P.S. And will....I just ordered one!

 

[3rdgenfriend]

Is there no Keltec Love out there?

Thanks to the great folks at my club, I have had the opportunity to shoot several PCC like the Rugers incl. 5.7, the SWFPC, the Hi Points, and I own the Keltec Sub2k which I bought a couple of years ago. I am really glad I have the Keltec because:

I have the Sub2k model with the S&W Magwell, so I have a M&P full size Pistol and lots of mags.

Sub2k super light and folds in half (16") and I have it set up in a specific bugout bag which is a small inconspicuous Nike backpack/laptop bag that holds a lot.

With the Sub2k low recoil, I can hit steel in groups at 100 yds from my shoulder with the included MBUS sites. Very fun to shoot at the plinking range also.

It has plenty of mlok to hook up any accessories I want...I only have a cheap sling on it...perfect for me. I first shot a friend's sub2k a few years ago and thought it was more like a toy in my hands. After doing some research and more shots with it, then comparing it to the other PCC's I tried. it fit my needs enough to get one. No regrets...not a toy.

I have included a picture of my M&P 1522, CS9 pistol and Keltec.

That's my take, I advise anyone to try them all out first.

3GF

 

[SWConvert]

Update - I did grab an FPC from Gunprime.com at $518 shipped and took advantage of a S&W rebate for a free Vortex Crossfire red dot. https://www.smith-wesson.com/rebates. It arrived from S&W in 10 days or less I think from the time I claimed the rebate.

Haven't had to the range yet, but here's my first impressions.

Out of the box feels great, really like the cheek weld and overall feel of the stock and butt plate.

Very solid overall. Just like my M&P FS 9mm, ergonomically it just feels right and well built. All the actions seem smooth though I did add some gun grease to the contact points for the charging handle's slide.

It has some great lines from a design perspective. That rise above the receiver from the stock to the barrel reminds me of an MG42. It's a hammer and a tool, but I also appreciate the aesthetics.

Didn't think I'd like the polymer handguard, but it's GTG in my opinion. Not planning to swap it out.

The mag spacers, I still don't like them. Thinking about the mag spacers and extensions from Floyd's but don't like the additional cost and unsure about the compatibility for my M&P 2.0. FPC

Also thinking about other mag spacer solutions from embedding a couple small rare earth magnets into the inside of the mag spacers to keep them in place or just dabbing some super glue in a couple of points between the mags and the mag spacers. I really wish S&W or another aftermarket vendor would make solid spacers with the same outward surface etc, but just make them stiff and with a tighter on the mags so they wouldn't move around.

When fully loaded, the 23rd mags definitely change the balance of the rifle. Interested to see how I perform with it at the range with no mags and one or two mags in the stock.

Related to that and this was something I haven't seen noted anywhere else, the 17 round mags do not seat or lock in the stock. This was really surprising and I still can't really see why as they seem the same visually where they would lock in. Unless I'm missing something, that is a bit of a ding as I would like the choice of storing shorter mags in the stock to change the balance differential a bit.

Some don't like the location of the mag release and the safety, but I have big mitts and they don't pose a problem for me.

I'm adding a Sig Romeo5 G2, a flash hider and a forward grip both TBD, but I think that's it for now. Maybe a sling too.

The folding option is neat though it will likely remain unfolded most of the time, however I can see actual use cases where it will be helpful camping, hiking, ATV riding etc.

Lastly I saw they released a .40 option. Surprised it wasn't 10mm, but I do hope the additional caliber drives more aftermarket upgrades.

Oh and lastly, lastly I can already tell I would like to get another (or more) PCC. Currently circling around the Ruger PCC.

Of course I keep seeing and considering the KelTec Sub2k. If I do get the KT I think I might go with the G1. I sort of like the chonky look of the thing. It reminds me of a toy gun you would get with a Star Wars or GI Joe figure. I wouldn't add anything to a G1 aside maybe from a sling. I see it a bit like an SKS where you just appreciate it for what it is and don't try to bubba it out.