Fx9 or fpc

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Cquin

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Just wanted to get some opinions on whether to buy an fx9 or a fpc? Just for fun shooting. I like the folding aspect of the fpc but the butt stock is ugly AF and I'm not a fan or the lack of rail on the action side of the gun as it would be nice to mount a magnifier back there. How reliable is the fx9 now? I'm just starting to look into that one and see lots of ammo related problems.

Thanks
 
Apples to oranges. For someone that is use to AR controls, the FX9 is it, but not so much with the FPC. The FX9 will run, but will run better if you tune it with good parts like a HD hydraulic buffer, heavier recoil spring and good trigger. Myself and a bunch of guys I shoot with built ours with parts that we ran in our (now prohib AR style PCC's) THANKS TURD YOU DOUCHEBAG!!! Polishing the feed ramp will also improve feeding and is easily done with a Dremel and some compound. It's sad that you have to put money into these, but sadly this is what we are stuck with for now. The FPC in my opinion is more geared to a travel rifle to take out and piss around with it. It's still on the new side, but does have my interest as a behind the seat tool when traveling up north. Also, save you're money on muzzle brakes as they don't do anything on a PCC due to not having enough gas to make a brake or comp work .Unless you run 9Major loads which you won't and shouldn't in a PCC. Tuning a PCC to run fast and flat is done through the load, trigger, buffer system and spring. This may seem like a lot of info if you are new to the game, but we built ours to run fast and flat in IPSC. If you plan on buying it as a fun gun the either will work. Hope this helps with the decision.
 
On a side note, the FX9 likes to be run a little on the wet side with oil and being a blow back PCC, they get really dirty with everything blowing back into the mechanics instead of through a gas system . After the break in which most likely will be close to 1000 rounds, it should be running pretty smooth. At least that's what it took in ours to smarten right up.
 
Don't have a FPC and don't plan to buy one, but I have owned a number of PCCs, and for fun, ergonomics, and with a bit of time, the FX9 has become, hands-down, my favourite PCC.

Agree with the other poster about running it wet, but not too wet. It comes bone dry, so lube it up before using it. Also absolutely agree with how dirty it gets. After even a box of 50 rounds, there's always not just the typical powdered carbon build up, but there is some gritty, grainy sediment type of carbon build-up. I have to clean it often and keep it oiled.

You will probably not find a better gun for ease of takedown. I can get the bolt out, and firing pin and spring out in 15 seconds or less. With just a punch or something relatively pointy to push the retaining pin out (I only need to take out 1 of 2).

Controls are superb. Everything is where your fingers think they should be. Weight is OK, far better balance than my PC Carbine (aluminum handguard version).

I am not a trigger guy, but I found the trigger to be totally fine, albeit slightly heavy (I never upgrade the triggers on my guns, so just getting used to it).

The charging handle is very small, even on my latest generation "enhanced charging handle" model. I have small hands, and notice the charging handle could be larger - I can't imagine what those with beefy hands think. And I can't imagine how small the original handle was. There is a guy here who sells third party larger charging handles that he makes, but I am cheap and can't be bothered to drop the cash for that.

I have a Holosun HS515GM mated with a Holosun HM3X magnifier. Also have a Magpul angled foregrip on it, along with a Streamlight Pro Tac HLX on it, all of which adds some weight to it, but it's still manageable.

For ammo pickiness, you will need to try different kinds. It suggests that you use 115gr FMJ (from certain brands for some reason) for the initial use times. I wrote to FO and asked them how many rounds is this "break in period". They said it is not really a break in period and they didn't call it a break in period. What they DO NOT recommend is aluminum cased ammo. So I have just used brass cased.

For weights/performance, you'll have to try different ones. Mine seemed to settle well with 147gr. but your mileage may differ.

Also for hollow points - better try some and out of different mags too. Mine does not like Critical Duty (FTF issues), but is OK with Gold Dots, and mostly OK with HSTs.

Accuracy is nothing to write home about. This is not a precision rifle or carbine. More of a plinking, fun gun, but it's not bad accuracy either. Depends on your ammo and of course the skill of the shooter (for which I have none)

I did have an issue with me with the last round bolt hold open getting progressively unreliable to the point it didn't work for 90% of the time. Then the bolt catch/release went off by itself when the gun wasn't even touched...that was more annoying than anything else. Once I found out there was a lifetime warranty on these things, I opened up an RMA with Wolverine, sent mine back, they did something to better mate some parts (I can tell, as the bolt catch is only slightly a hairline wee bit off center), and now it runs like butter. Bolt catch/release never goes off by itself and last round bolt hold open works 100%.
 
Hold these in your hands and you will know instantly.

The FPC is 95% Polymer and the only metal is internal.

FX9 is full metal build, light for what it is and accepts many of the off the shelf goodies. Just seen a guy post he hit 12k rounds thru his fx9. Mags are plentiful.

I was really looking forward to the FPC. As soon as I felt it hands on it was back on the shelf and I walked away.
 
Tvw said:
Hold these in your hands and you will know instantly.

The FPC is 95% Polymer and the only metal is internal.

FX9 is full metal build, light for what it is and accepts many of the off the shelf goodies. Just seen a guy post he hit 12k rounds thru his fx9. Mags are plentiful.

I was really looking forward to the FPC. As soon as I felt it hands on it was back on the shelf and I walked away.
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Yeah, I know they are not the same, but I have been there once with the Keltec Sub2000. The novelty of folding wore off quickly for me once I realized some of the things I did not like about the gun, including something that the FPC has fixed insofar as keeping an optic mounted. But there is something to be said about a relatively predominantly plastic gun - my tolerance level for a lot of plastic probably is at the limits with a GSG16. Anything bigger caliber than that I'd prefer some weight and heft, particularly when you are dropping that kind of money on something. Just my 2 cents.
 
Hey thanks for the replies. Yeah I wish there was a store close by (Calgary) that had the FX9 as it would be good to hold and check out, especially the weight. I do like the fact that it's all metal and nicely machined but I'm also not too turned off by the polymer guns seeing they tend to be so light. And I definitely agree that is lame you go buy a brand new gun that should work flawlessly but doesn't and subsequently have to do a bunch of work to it to get it to shoot like it should. Tbh I'll probably just end up buying both over time, but I do like the FPC for the compact nature and how easy it seems to run right out of the box. The other thing that draws me to the FPC is, being polymer and less pretty, I won't be as butt hurt with it when I drop it and mark it up. Always kills me when a brand new shiny toy gets it's first scratches.
 
Honest Outlaw seems to like almost everything about his:

The Truth About The S&W FPC: M&P Folding 9mm Carbine 2000 Round Review & Extreme Conditions Test


 
I had a chance to shoot a FPC over the past weekend. My first thought upon picking it up was that it felt cheap and clumsy. The mag release is a little to hard to reach and breaking your grip is a little akward due to the stock. The charging handle at the rear is a little annoying. Overall shooting it was fine. I can't speak to accuracy as the individual who it belonged to had neglected to equip it with any sights of any kind. I have an FX9 which runs great with a little tuning. There is no way in hell I would trade it for a FPC.
 
there seems to be a lot of "with tweaking works well" and "swap out this and it works well" in this thread.
i guess one of the questions you might wanna ask yourself is if you want be become a tinker?
 
wayupnorth said:
there seems to be a lot of "with tweaking works well" and "swap out this and it works well" in this thread.
i guess one of the questions you might wanna ask yourself is if you want be become a tinker?
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That may be be the case for others and I should have been more clear in my post. By tuning I meant the right mags and the right ammo, ie pinned mags instead of factory 10s and no steel case or aluminum cased ammo. The only mechanical part I have changed on mine is the CH. Aside from that it is mechanically bone stock and it runs fine. Others have swapped triggers, buffers etc. but I have not found the need to.

If one want an AR battery of arms and ergos then the FX9 is a solid choice. If not then fill your boots with a different offering.
 
Cquin said:
Just wanted to get some opinions on whether to buy an fx9 or a fpc? Just for fun shooting. I like the folding aspect of the fpc but the butt stock is ugly AF and I'm not a fan or the lack of rail on the action side of the gun as it would be nice to mount a magnifier back there. How reliable is the fx9 now? I'm just starting to look into that one and see lots of ammo related problems.

Thanks
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Taccom3g in the states sells a different butt stock for the FPC... and a different hand guard and some other bits I think.
 
AlphaCharlieDelta said:
Taccom3g in the states sells a different butt stock for the FPC... and a different hand guard and some other bits I think.
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They don't sell / ship to Canada or Canadians. I asked.
I also asked if, alternatively, if they had a Canadian vendor......and Tim answered with a "no sir".

Ya so...... if you are in Canada, you are not privy to purchasing these items, unless you pay-for and use an importing business like Prophet River or I Run Guns, etc.

I am waiting for a left hand-use safety button to become available.
 
The FX9 was my first gun ever, and I have to say, I do not regret it whatsoever.

Pros:
- Super easy to use and clean (Heavily due to the fact its based on an AR)
- Extremely Reliable (With over 1000 rds through it, I have never had any failure)
- Not picky on ammo (But as with all 9mm PCCs, stay away from aluminum/steel cased stuff)
- Really well built, Freedom Ordnance actually cared about designing this rifle well
- Shoots straight (lol), Even with a cheapo sight from amazon, I have a good average MOA

Cons:
- No Ambi Safety out of the box (But, compatible with any AR safety)
- Proprietary charging handle is not compatible with AR ones (FO did make an ambi charging handle but is sold separately)

Welp, that's all I can think of, but I hope this helps :)
 
Hmatt said:
Consider the just right carbine. (JR carbine)
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The JR is a very nice handling, light carbine, that's fun to use.
Its only downside is the need for 2 different sizes of hex key, an AR wrench, and blue loctite for every cleaning session, as opposed to toolless takedown for the FX9.
I have a personal preference for 147 grain bullets which the JR handles flawlessly. I've heard that the FX9 might be a little finicky with the heavier rounds...
 
Well my FX9 has been anything but a PITA. I have spent more time Fnnnn around with springs, buffers and load that I care to think about. The straw finally broke when a case let go due to the FX9 not fully supporting the case when the cartridge chambers (Source Wolverine's gunsmith). When the case let go so did the extractor on my 10" upper. Since I was experiencing case bulging in both the 10" and 18.5" upper I sent the two uppers and the lower to Wolverine, who have been excellent to deal with incidentally. The 'smith there assures me he will not send the gun back to me until the issues are resolved and the gun is safe to shoot. He has replaced the extractor on the 10" upper and will tend to the guns inability to hold the bolt back on the last round.

Will I keep the gun certainly. When it wasn't spraying metal parts of the case at me the gun ran wonderfully except the bolt hold back situation. The carbine is extremely accurate and fun to shoot. If you get a good one, go to church, thank the lord or whom ever you think got all this going and carry on.

I have just bought a Lockhart Raven and from shooting two other Ravens I think the new gun may move the FX9 to plinking duties. Time will tell.

As an aside Freedom Ordnance told me the case bulging was due to Canadians using pinned 10 rd Glock mags. Seriously, That was as much help as I got from them. I am confident Wolverine will solve the issues with my FX9 either by replacing parts or by sending me a replacement if indeed that is necessary.

One of the guys from Kitimat has a JR Carbine and used it at one of their bi-weekly steel shoots. The gun ran like a sewing machine. No drama.

Maple Leaf Up

Bob
 
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Good NEWS! My FX9 and the 10" upper are on their way home. I spoke to Heather at Wolverine today - what an absolute gem she is. Talk about customer orientated and willingness to help... I digress.

She read me the gunsmith report on the 18.5" and 10" upper. BOTH barrels have been replaced due to head spacing issues. The 'smith has tested the carbine using both uppers and neither have case bulging issues now. Excessive head spacing is what caused the case bulging and the two or three cases that let go just in front of the webbing. Who would have thought that two uppers made several months apart would have the same issues? Freedom Ordnance quality control may not be what it should be. I am told the bolt will now stay open after the last round and the broken extractor on the 10" upper has been replaced.

The gun should ne in my hands next Monday and I will report back here to confirm all is well. Wolverine has been very candid with me, and helpful. A special shout out to Heather for her patience and assistance.

Maple Leaf Up

Bob
ps I now have a Raven to compare the FX9 to. I'll do a comparison in the coming weeks.
 
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