I got it from the US, a manufacturer called Taccom. I had it sent to a US forwarding service. No issues getting it here. The product is good quality. The machining looks good and the tolerances were accurate. A standard AR hand guard fit it perfectly. They have a few other FPC aftermarket parts. I also picked up a rail that mounts on the receiver which improves the field of view of my red dot greatly. Let me know if you want to see a pic.
Smith and Wesson FPC Range Report and 250 round Review
- Thread starter Ipscshooters
- Start date
I got it from the US, a manufacturer called Taccom. I had it sent to a US forwarding service. No issues getting it here. The product is good quality. The machining looks good and the tolerances were accurate. A standard AR hand guard fit it perfectly. They have a few other FPC aftermarket parts. I also picked up a rail that mounts on the receiver which improves the field of view of my red dot greatly. Let me know if you want to see a pic.
Correct..the FX9, while it doesn't say anything in the manual about ammunition, has an included insert specifically about ammo which suggests to start with a bunch of brands of 115gr, etc, and right at the bottom in bright red letters, it says "Do not use aluminum ammunition in your FX9". I am surprised something that they wanted noted isn't in the manual.
With the FPC, it does mention +P is OK, but +P+ is not. And of course the usual warnings about not using handloads, etc. I do agree with you about aluminum ammo, but for what it's worth I have two friends who had some pretty bad experiences with aluminum ammo in their blowback carbines...and these are not some el cheapo brand - one guy used Federal aluminum cartridges while the other one used CCI. I am sure there will be people who say they have not had issues, but warnings like the Freedom Ordnance one and if memory serves me correctly I think when I had a Kriss Vector, it also said not to use aluminum cased ammo (and steel cased as well) - plus my two friends who had issues with bulged/blown out aluminum cases - I'll be happy to pay the extra few bucks and go with what the manufacturer recommends.
I think I must have hit my 250 rounds for my FPC recently and since I just finished cleaning it for the first time, some initial impressions.
1. Package presentation was superb. Bag and extra mags nice touch. Makes me feel like I got a great deal on the purchase.
2. Charging handle was extremely heavy at first - it was difficult to pull it down to unfold. I am not the strongest guy but once I got it open, I lubed up the area and with with use, it was smooth like butter, unlike my previous Sub2000 where the charging handle was just as super stiff as day one - one of the many things I did not like about my Sub2000.
3. This was accurate out of the box, mated with a Sig Romeo 5.
4. The FPC eats everything - 115gr, 124gr, 138gr (Syntech Defense) and 147gr. It also fed what has been problematic JHP rounds that my PCCs did not like (ie. Critical Defense, Gold Dot, etc.). No issues with the FPC
5. Recoil impulse was fine. Neither good nor bad
6. There was a twanging noise everytime I shot, coming from the buttstock area, where I know there are some springs present. It was amplified by my ear pro, and no, it's not my ear pro that is the issue. Will try it again after disassembly and cleaning today
7. It gets dirty really fast. Yes, it's a blowback, but this level of expedited dirtiness seems to be much more pronounced than my other PCCs
8. Take down was easy and didn't really require any tools aside from a small flathead to pop out that pin in order to get the bolt out. I doubt there will ever be a gun easier to take down to the firing pin in less than 15 seconds like my FX9, but this was not overly burdensome, unless my PC Carbine which needs tools and has a lot parts that can break (read: shock buffer and c clip)
9. The magazine store in the buttstock seemed like an innovative idea at first, but I just didn't find myself using it much at all. I did store some empty mags there just so that area doesn't look empty
10. The hand swell / grip size options was a nice touch. I don't have big hands so with the factory one I couldn't quite reach the cross bolt safety. Switching out the palm swell to the small size fixed that
11. I wish the magazine release was somewhere else and on the right side
12. I swear I got a defective magazine as I was only able to load 9 rounds in mine - with an UpLula if you can believe it - I had to really push down on the Uplula to sqeeze in that 10th round. All three (and more) of my mags new were like that. Hope that gets better over time. Kudos to those strong enough to put in all 10 without the speed loader or with any other assistance.
13. What I noticed thankfully before full assembly was that the firing pin retaining pin popped out on its own. Was sitting on the floor. It happened twice so I suspect when you mate the two parts of the bolt assembly and turn it upside to install, it seems to have a propensity to fall out.
14. The one design flaw / detraction in my view is the clumsy bolt catch/release. I could never figure it out and honestly wasn't about to subject my fingers to risk, so I just use the charging handle to send the bolt home, when it locks back on an empty mag (which it has done every time).
I was very leery on the FPC at first thinking it was just a gimmick to compete with the Sub2000. After 250-300 shots with it, I can say that for myself, I view the FPC as head and shoulders over every aspect of the Sub2000. The fact that it doesn't run Glock mags bothered me at first, but getting those included three (3) S&W mags seems to diminish the angst somewhat. I was able to get a couple of more mags through other channels.
In my humble view, S&W has a winner here.
I didn't think I would ever have anything best my FX9, but this FPC is close. If I could improve it (at least for me), I'd change the style of the charging handle a bit. But all that said, this gun is a solid addition and fun to shoot.
1. Package presentation was superb. Bag and extra mags nice touch. Makes me feel like I got a great deal on the purchase.
2. Charging handle was extremely heavy at first - it was difficult to pull it down to unfold. I am not the strongest guy but once I got it open, I lubed up the area and with with use, it was smooth like butter, unlike my previous Sub2000 where the charging handle was just as super stiff as day one - one of the many things I did not like about my Sub2000.
3. This was accurate out of the box, mated with a Sig Romeo 5.
4. The FPC eats everything - 115gr, 124gr, 138gr (Syntech Defense) and 147gr. It also fed what has been problematic JHP rounds that my PCCs did not like (ie. Critical Defense, Gold Dot, etc.). No issues with the FPC
5. Recoil impulse was fine. Neither good nor bad
6. There was a twanging noise everytime I shot, coming from the buttstock area, where I know there are some springs present. It was amplified by my ear pro, and no, it's not my ear pro that is the issue. Will try it again after disassembly and cleaning today
7. It gets dirty really fast. Yes, it's a blowback, but this level of expedited dirtiness seems to be much more pronounced than my other PCCs
8. Take down was easy and didn't really require any tools aside from a small flathead to pop out that pin in order to get the bolt out. I doubt there will ever be a gun easier to take down to the firing pin in less than 15 seconds like my FX9, but this was not overly burdensome, unless my PC Carbine which needs tools and has a lot parts that can break (read: shock buffer and c clip)
9. The magazine store in the buttstock seemed like an innovative idea at first, but I just didn't find myself using it much at all. I did store some empty mags there just so that area doesn't look empty
10. The hand swell / grip size options was a nice touch. I don't have big hands so with the factory one I couldn't quite reach the cross bolt safety. Switching out the palm swell to the small size fixed that
11. I wish the magazine release was somewhere else and on the right side
12. I swear I got a defective magazine as I was only able to load 9 rounds in mine - with an UpLula if you can believe it - I had to really push down on the Uplula to sqeeze in that 10th round. All three (and more) of my mags new were like that. Hope that gets better over time. Kudos to those strong enough to put in all 10 without the speed loader or with any other assistance.
13. What I noticed thankfully before full assembly was that the firing pin retaining pin popped out on its own. Was sitting on the floor. It happened twice so I suspect when you mate the two parts of the bolt assembly and turn it upside to install, it seems to have a propensity to fall out.
14. The one design flaw / detraction in my view is the clumsy bolt catch/release. I could never figure it out and honestly wasn't about to subject my fingers to risk, so I just use the charging handle to send the bolt home, when it locks back on an empty mag (which it has done every time).
I was very leery on the FPC at first thinking it was just a gimmick to compete with the Sub2000. After 250-300 shots with it, I can say that for myself, I view the FPC as head and shoulders over every aspect of the Sub2000. The fact that it doesn't run Glock mags bothered me at first, but getting those included three (3) S&W mags seems to diminish the angst somewhat. I was able to get a couple of more mags through other channels.
In my humble view, S&W has a winner here.
I didn't think I would ever have anything best my FX9, but this FPC is close. If I could improve it (at least for me), I'd change the style of the charging handle a bit. But all that said, this gun is a solid addition and fun to shoot.
- Location
- Vancouver Island
Regarding loading the magazines with 10 rounds..... there is a thread on here on how to "fix" that issue.
For me, it included sanding down the length of the mag follower legs, and shortening the mag spring. I had to do both, but can now load 10 rounds into each magazine.
M&P mags for the high cap 17, the 10 round and the Compact all use the same springs
When I use 17 rounders in the US the mags are easy to load, when using the other two sizes they get harder to load. The mag bodies for the two smaller barreled guns are the same with only the bases being different. The overall length for all three are the same.
Take Care
Bob
When I use 17 rounders in the US the mags are easy to load, when using the other two sizes they get harder to load. The mag bodies for the two smaller barreled guns are the same with only the bases being different. The overall length for all three are the same.
Take Care
Bob
After my cleaning the FPC I took it to the club yesterday. That twanging noise from the buttstock is still there, amplified through my ear pro. So looks like I will just have to live with that. I am hoping down the line they may produce a third party / aftermarket buttstock, maybe even adjustable, that doesn't have the mag holder. I suspect the twanging is coming from that, as there are multiple springs there. When I shoot my FPC, there are no mags in the storage areas.
I don't think the difficulty in the 10th round is a dealbreaker. With my Uplula I can get the last round in there, but it's with some additional effort. I am going to try loading up the mags and leaving the rounds in there for a week to see if it is easier. But honestly, not a big deal - guess I am just used to Glocks. These are brand new mags, so I presume there is some break-in period, perhaps. Well made though. I am not sure if S&W has any larger capacity, pinned to 10 mags. Would be interested in trying those out. I haven't see any though in the regular retail outlets (but then I haven't been looking overtly for these either) - just happy to see regular 10 rounders in stock.
I am debating whether to throw out those mag base collars which just move around and seem of an annoyance than anything else. Without the collars there is a gap at the bottom of the mag when inserted into the gun, but it seems more of an aesthetics thing. I ran Syntechs through the gun yesterday and even in 100 rounds, the gun was super dirty after (which is surprising given Syntechs generally run cleaner in my other guns)
I think I may have found some way to more easily operate that mag release. Regardless this thing has become a regular mainstay in the range bag.
I don't think the difficulty in the 10th round is a dealbreaker. With my Uplula I can get the last round in there, but it's with some additional effort. I am going to try loading up the mags and leaving the rounds in there for a week to see if it is easier. But honestly, not a big deal - guess I am just used to Glocks. These are brand new mags, so I presume there is some break-in period, perhaps. Well made though. I am not sure if S&W has any larger capacity, pinned to 10 mags. Would be interested in trying those out. I haven't see any though in the regular retail outlets (but then I haven't been looking overtly for these either) - just happy to see regular 10 rounders in stock.
I am debating whether to throw out those mag base collars which just move around and seem of an annoyance than anything else. Without the collars there is a gap at the bottom of the mag when inserted into the gun, but it seems more of an aesthetics thing. I ran Syntechs through the gun yesterday and even in 100 rounds, the gun was super dirty after (which is surprising given Syntechs generally run cleaner in my other guns)
I think I may have found some way to more easily operate that mag release. Regardless this thing has become a regular mainstay in the range bag.
Get hold of Iringuns and order three 10 of Compact Mags. Your gun has the Compact sized grip. A cheaper way is to have Iringuns order you Compact bases from S&W. The mags will fit flush then. As you know the metal portion of the mag is the same for all the 10 rd mags for the FS. Compact & Sub Contact models. The only difference is the length of the mag base.
Take Care
Bob
Take Care
Bob
I should add the springs for the 17 rd mags are used in the 10 rd mags hence the difficulty in loading the mags. Loading the mags and leaving them won't help
Either file the legs of the mag follower or cut a coil off of the springs. The springs bottom out about the same time you try to loD the last rd. Smith knows about the issue and will not change the spring length
Take Care
Bob
Either file the legs of the mag follower or cut a coil off of the springs. The springs bottom out about the same time you try to loD the last rd. Smith knows about the issue and will not change the spring length
Take Care
Bob
I used to order from iRunguns when their shipping rates were still borderline palatable. With the recent increased cost across the board, the shipping rates are now too rich for my blood. I looked into ordering some mags a couple of months back and almost had a heart attack (never mind the currency conversion fees and other such things).
I have maybe 6-7 magazines, including the 3 that came with the FPC. All new.
Has anyone tried the third party magazines on the FPC? Like the Promags, etc. They seem to be on sale cheaper (and available) at the occasional place
Super thanks for the input. FOC has the Promags in stock and they also currently have a store wide 10% discount, so may give these a try. I previously have owned a few Promags for Glock and they seem to be fine (they take apart much easier for cleaning too than OEM Glocks). Never had a Promag mag for any other platform but for the cheaper price at present, worth trying out. Thanks.
I'm finding myself more and more drawn to this gun; the biggest roadblock that stops me is those dang magazines. I have a crapload of Glock mags, so buying this and needing to amass a different mag system just doesn't appeal. All this goofiness regarding those collars certainly doesn't sweeten the pie at all.
I've never even seen, let alone handled, one of these guns, so excuse me if this is a silly suggestion...but is there a possibility of simply attaching one of those collars to the bottom of the grip itself, rather than having a separate one on each magazine? Wouldn't rattle around, seems to serve the same purpose....except possibly slowing down reloads for someone who might happen to have a mix of long and short mags on hand at once.
Whatever; until S&W introduces a Glock-mag version or conversion, this is a no-go for me, and likely many others as well.
I've never even seen, let alone handled, one of these guns, so excuse me if this is a silly suggestion...but is there a possibility of simply attaching one of those collars to the bottom of the grip itself, rather than having a separate one on each magazine? Wouldn't rattle around, seems to serve the same purpose....except possibly slowing down reloads for someone who might happen to have a mix of long and short mags on hand at once.
Whatever; until S&W introduces a Glock-mag version or conversion, this is a no-go for me, and likely many others as well.
I hear ya regarding the S&W mags, especially given that on the whole, they cost more per unit than the OEM Glock. What I did like with the Glocks was that I was able to get comparable Magpul alternatives for (at the time) dirt cheap. Even so, the cost of $45 or whatever everywhere for an OEM Glock 17 G5 mag was not too bad. I have seen the S&W mags run from $53 all the way to $80, depending on vendor. If I had a S&W handgun or have the opportunity to get one, it would be more compelling to stock up on these. My Glock mags work across multiple PCCs. These S&W ones as of right now only work on my FPC. The secondary market has few, if any used ones for sale. Seem like a hot commodity, so to speak. Conversely if I can get a magwell conversion kit for my PC Carbine to take these things that may be interesting (and solve one of the issues I have with my PC Carbine but that's another story)
Gluing the collar - I'd probably glue it to the base of the magazine if anything, but I don't have any third party magazines (yet) to know whether or not if I glue it to the grip, whether it would pose problems. I am really surprised S&W didn't consider the average user's experience with these and how it can realistically impede function and as you say ease of mag changes. My oldest son remarked, it's almost like keeping an excised foreskin dangling around. Gross. I have yet to rid myself of that imagery everytime I use the FPC.
All that said...that quirk along with some others I consider fairly minor since I am very impressed with this gun overall, and have no regrets in getting it.
These are exactly my feelings about the FPC. Love the look and the functionality, hate being limited to M&P mags.
Same here. But I guess I can look at it this way, and perhaps it's wishful thinking. Presuming PP and the CPC reverses / kills C21 as promised, then handguns would be readily available. I have always wanted a S&W pistol, not a Glock (even though I have a ton of Glock mags - I got them for cross-compatibility for the carbines, not for a future handgun purchase. I suppose if I can get meself a S&W pistol, I'll be somewhat set on the magazine front.
Personally I like the metal feel of the S&W mags over the Glock ones. I just don't like there's not a whole lot of third party / aftermarket options for the mag.
