Overview of Smith and Wesson's New 9mm FPC Carbine

Introduction

• Presented by Jerry Miculek.
• Sponsored by Smith and Wesson.
• Product provided free for a show and tell.

Unboxing and Initial Observations

• The package includes a gun in a bag, placed inside a box.
• The gun is a 9mm FPC Carbine.
• No rounds in the chamber; empty magazine.
• Product is unique; Jerry has been with Smith & Wesson for 33 years.

Key Specifications

• Type: Blowback operated, semi-automatic 9mm Carbine.
• Barrel Length: 16.25 inches.
• Magazine:
  • Comes with two 23-round mags and one 17-round mag.
  • Accepts any M&P magazine.
• Overall Length: 30 and 3/8 inches (unfolded), 16 and 3/8 inches (folded).
• Weight: 5.78 pounds unloaded (with 3 magazines).
• Material Features: Stainless steel bolt, aluminum receiver, hardcoat anodized.
• Stock: 14.5-inch length of pull, made of polymer.
• Other Features:
  • Picatinny rail along the handguard for various attachments.
  • Interchangeable grip panels (comes with 4 extra palm swells).
  • Ambidextrous controls: magazine release, bolt release.
  • Crossbolt safety.

Demonstration and Performance

• Setup: Attaching points for magazines on the buttstock.
• Velocity and Ballistics:
  • Lighter 90-grain bullets have higher velocity in carbines.
  • 90-grain bullets show about a 250 feet/second gain over a 5-inch barrel.
  • 115-grain and 147-grain show lesser gains.
• Shooting Experience:
  • Engaged targets with 90-grain XTP and 115-grain bullets.
  • Bolt locks to the rear after the last shot, a feature not common in some other blowback-operated carbine platforms.
• Optics: Used Vortex Spark solar optic, not included with the carbine.
• Target Results:
  • Shooter engaged a can of corn and soda cans to demonstrate efficacy.
  • Noted significant hydrostatic shock and bullet expansion.

Pricing and Additional Information

• MSRP: $659.
• Carrying Case: Discreet bag that doesn't look like a gun case.
  • Includes compartments for gun lock, manual, magazines, grip panels.

Final Thoughts

• Carbine offers enhanced shooting experience over handguns, especially in terms of ease and velocity.
• Concludes with a thought on the versatility and practicality of the 9mm carbine for various shooting needs and wants.