SMITH & WESSON FPC (folding pistol-caliber carbine)
Since the dawn of time, men and women have sought rifles and pistols of the same caliber, out of sheer practicality if nothing else. Whether you had a Kentucky Long Rifle and matching brace of flintlock pistols, or an 1873 Winchester lever action to match your pair of tied down Colt revolvers, choices have been available. So it doesn’t matter if you are a modern day frontiersman, avid backpacker or just someone that does not have a deep need for a high powered rifle, today’s market has several offerings that do not disappoint. This year Smith and Wesson, a leader in firearms manufacturing and one of the oldest gun companies in America, introduced their FPC (Folding Pistol Caliber Carbine) to today’s consumer.
The first thing you’ll notice upon picking up the FPC is the light weight, at just over five pounds unloaded. The team at Smith and Wesson kept things very familiar to current M&P owners, and putting your hand on the grip will make you feel right at home. Included in the rifle package are one 17 round magazine, two 23 round magazines and a selection of palm swells to adapt the grip.
Other features incorporated into the FPC consist of a cross bolt safety in the front of the trigger guard, like a lot of rimfire rifles, and a threaded muzzle for adding a muzzle device or suppressor. Moving back to the stock is where you’ll find the ambidextrous charging handle that also serves to lock into the handguard when the rifle is folded, and storage locations for two of the three magazines that come with the rifle.
But the real star of the show is the side folding action, which cuts the 30” total length of the rifle down to a hair over 16” for easy storage, or putting in your go bag or backpack. Outside of cutting the overall length in half, the real benefit of the side folding action is the ability to leave your mounted optic in place without the need to install an awkward fold away mount like is needed on the KelTec Sub-2000 and without having to worry about repeatable accuracy due to the optic being mounted on the receiver like the Ruger PC Carbine.
Overall this is a very well thought out and well-constructed rifle, and Smith and Wesson’s venture into the pistol caliber carbine market should make everyone stand up and notice. S&W never disappoints and this is no exception. So if you haven’t put your hands on one of these yet, head down to your local gun store and check one out, I’m sure there is room in your gun safe for this little charmer.
Check out Crosshairs Texas’ video review online here: https://fb.watch/lJA5twVs4n/
