Images by the author. (Yes, I left the paper “brand band” on the handguard.)
I am no stranger to Smith and Wesson’s folding pistol carbine line. I reviewed two others, a good while ago, in .22LR and 10mm. They were well-built, effective firearms.
So, it was no surprise that when they introduced the FPC in 5.7×28, I wanted to see it.
It did not disappoint.
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s look at the specifications.
Specifications and Features
- Width: 2.5 in
- Length: 30.4 in
- Height: 8 in
- Weight: 65.2 oz (4 lbs., 2 oz)
- Caliber: 5.7x28mm
- Size: Rifle
- Capacity: 22 (three magazines included)
- Action: Blowback
- Barrel Length: 16.25”
- Grip: Polymer
- Sights: None
- Optic Ready: Yes
- Safety: Cross-Bolt
- Color/Finish: Black
- State Compliance: N/A
- Threaded Barrel: Yes
- Barrel Material: Carbon Steel
- Stock: Folding
- Model: FPC
- Frame Material: Polymer
- MSRP: $719.00
Here’s what the website says about this carbine…
- 16.25” 1/2×28” threaded barrel w/thread protector.
- M-LOK® slots on handguard with Picatinny-style rail on top.
- Charging slide/handle doubles as a retainer when folded.
- Compact, side-folding design.
- 30 3/8 ˝ unfolded length to 16 3/8” folded
- Flat-face trigger with crisp break.
- Reversible magazine catch.
- Fixed 14.5” LOP polymer stock.
- In-stock magazine storage w/quick-release tab system.
- Ships with three 22-round magazines.
Photos
I took these at my backyard bench, prior to, and during shooting. The gun sports a Monstrum Ladon 1-6×24 FFP LPVO from a previous review. Hindsight, which is always 20-20, told us we should have reversed the mount to bring the scope closer to the shooter, but we carried on. Future shooting of this gun/scope will require the mount to be reversed.
One unique feature… dual magazine storage in the stock. They changed the locking mechanism to make it more intuitive… the original worked backwards, to my way of thinking. Here, you just press the release button for whichever one you want to grab.
The M-Lok handguard and Pic rail on top make mounting accessories easy.
Folded, and (below) extended. As it says above, the charging handle serves as a retainer when the carbine is folded… it clicks into place. That’s a good feature.
Receiver, right side, with a close-up of the ejection port and locking lever.
Range Time
My brother-in-law, a very experienced shooter, came over to help with the testing. He likes the 5.7 and was interested in seeing what this thing could do.
We set targets up at 50 yards and grabbed what 5.7 ammo I had on hand… a box of American Eagle 40-grain FMJ. Its advertised speed is 1655 fps, and we came close to that at 1640 fps. This is great all-around range and practice ammo, plus I could see using it to dispatch varmints found at reasonable ranges… the bullet pretty well explodes on impact.
Here is a representative target showing two groups on one target…
Each of these three-shot groups measured about an inch, give or take. As I said, this ammo is a good all-around practice round. I would bet that, if we invested the time and money, we would find other loads that shot closer together but for its intended purpose (the way I see it, at least), a personal defense weapon, this accuracy is sufficient. You most likely would not be shooting at that distance. Once we reverse the mount and dial the scope in, I think this little carbine would earn its keep.
Observations
I keep mentioning this gun’s role as I see it as a personal defense weapon (PDW). That may or may not be the case for you. I could also see it as a very handy, foldable truck gun.
Here’s yet another thought… I live in the boonies and never have a lack of predators trying to take out our chickens (two days ago, I dispatched a very angry raccoon from a live trap that had taken about 15 hens out… this is too common an occurrence). This FPC would serve very well as a varmint eraser, especially “way out there”. Its threaded barrel accepts suppressors… we have a Gemtech coming that didn’t make it for the review. Stick one on the barrel and have the ultimate predator/varmint combo. Look for an update soon with the suppressor in place.
Another thing to consider is that the 5.7×28 was developed in the 1980s, when NATO was considering replacing the 9mm with a cartridge capable of defeating Kevlar vests. Originally produced by FN in Belgium, the round gained popularity among civilian shooters. I said that to say that sometimes you need a bit more punch with a gun to penetrate a barrier, for whatever reason… maybe your target varmint wandered behind scrap plywood or 2x4s. There is 5.7×28 ammo designed to do just that. This is yet another possible use for this dandy little carbine.
Summing Up
If you are a 5.7×28 fan and maybe own a pistol in that caliber… There are several, and I’ve reviewed many of them … you might want to consider adding this FPC to your collection. You could keep it in a bag until needed, then unfold it and get it into action very quickly.
Its price is reasonable – I’ve seen it as low as $673 online – and, considering you get three 22-round magazines with it, you could have plenty of ammo with you, since you can carry all three either in or on the carbine. In terms of accuracy, it was plenty accurate with the do-all ammo we used… do some research and find a load the gun really likes to take care of those critters way out there.
There are several possibilities here… the fun is in the trying. I think S&W has another winner on its hands with this gun — you might want to give it a look.
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