By: Friedrich Seiltgen
Copyright © 2023
SMITH & WESSON
In 1854 – Smith & Wesson® introduced the .41 Magazine Pistol, “The Volcanic,” and never looked back. It was the first repeating American firearm capable of successfully using a fully self-contained cartridge.
In 1877 – The .38 Safety Hammerless became the world gets its first double-action, concealed-hammer revolver.
In 1899, the .38 Military & Police was introduced alongside the .38 S&W Special cartridge, now known as the Model 10; over six million units have been produced since its introduction.
Smith & Wesson produced its first automatic pistol, the .35 Automatic, in 1913.
1935 – Smith & Wesson introduces the .357 Magnum. The .357 Magnum quickly caught the interest of law enforcement agencies looking for a way to deal with more treacherous and better-armed criminals.
1942 – The Victory M&P model was released for the United States Women’s Naval Reserve, better known as the WAVES (for Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) stationed at Norfolk, VA Naval Base, that carried important, confidential messages between various section units.
The Model 36, Chief’s Special®, debuted at the IACP conference in 1950.
In 1955, S&W unveiled the Model 29 chambered in .44 Magnum – the handgun made famous by Clint Eastwood in the movie “Dirty Harry.” In 2005, Field & Stream rated the Model 29 as the 5th best gun ever made, the only handgun to make their top ten.
In response to the U.S. Army Marksmanship Training Unit, Smith & Wesson built a pistol that could fire the newly developed .38 AMU cartridge. In 1961, the Model 52 was introduced and became known as the most accurate target pistol of its day.
In 2003, An entirely new frame size was developed to fire the new.500 S&W Magnum cartridge. The Model S&W500™ is the world’s biggest, heaviest, most-powerful factory-production double-action revolver.
2005 Smith & Wesson® debuts the M&P® Pistol Series. Law enforcement officials championed the new line of polymer pistols. In the first year after their debut, over 100 departments purchased M&P pistols.
The M&P15 is introduced at the 2006 SHOT Show to overwhelming enthusiasm.
2017 – The M&P M2.0™ family is the culmination of a decade of research and design featuring upgrades to nearly every aspect, including trigger, grip, frame, and finish.
THE M&P FPC CARBINE
The new optics-ready M&P® FPC™ is a brand new, compact, folding design. Coming with(one) 17-round and (two) 23-round magazines, the in-stock magazine storage w/ quick-release latch makes reloading convenient and quick.
THE RECEIVER & FURNITURE
The receiver features an integrated recoil buffer system, a reversible magazine catch, and a flat-face trigger with a crisp break. The M&P 2.0 compact grip comes with (4) interchangeable palmswell grip adapters,
The stock features a Horizontal folding mechanism with a locking latch, and the folding design doesn’t interfere with top-mounted optics. M-LOK® slots on the handguard with Picatinny-style rail on top let the shooter pick their style of optics, lights, and lasers. The charging slide/handle doubles as a retainer when folded.
THE BARREL & BOLT
The 16.25-inch barrel is made of 4140 steel with a black oxide finish and is threaded ½ x 28, and includes a thread protector. The bolt is manufactured from stainless steel.
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Blowback
Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
Magazine capacity: 17 or 23
Sights: N/A, Optics Ready
Barrel Length: 16.25
Overall Length: 30.4 Inches, 16.375 Inches when folded.
Width: 2.5 Inches
Height: 8 Inches
Weight: 80.42 Ounces
MSRP: $659
URL: www.smith-wesson.com
THE VERDICT
A folding carbine that’s just 16.375 inches long when folded and fits in a small bag is perfect for your go bag—Smith & Wesson quality at a great price of $659.
The M&P® FPC™ is compatible with M&P® full-size and compact pistol double-stack magazines and includes a carrying bag with additional storage and Velcro® straps.
Check one out at your Smith & Wesson Dealer.
That’s all for now, folks! Please keep sending in your questions, tips, and article ideas. And as always – “Let’s Be Careful Out There.”
Friedrich Seiltgen is a retired Master Police Officer with 20 years of service with the Orlando Police Department. He conducts training in Lone Wolf Terrorism Counterstrategies, Firearms, and Active Shooter Response. His writing has appeared in RECOIL, Soldier of Fortune, The Counter Terrorist Magazine, Off Grid, American Thinker, Homeland Security Today, and The Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International. Contact him at [email protected].