In this review, I am firing and testing one of the more interesting firearms to come along in the past few years. I have had good results with the Smith & Wesson FPC 9mm carbine, deploying the piece as an important part of my defensive battery. The .22 rimfire version is a great understudy to the 9mm, but if you don’t own the 9mm FPC, the .22 FPC is still a fine choice for many duties. The M&P FPC 9mm has become a favorite when traveling, camping, and checking out potentially dangerous situations around the home. The .22 Long Rifle version makes for a fine understudy for practice. While 9mm Luger ammunition is more affordable than a few years ago, you may fire 500 rounds or so for the same price as 50 rounds of 9mm. Besides, the .22 LR is a lot of fun to use.
This is a neat, accurate, and fun carbine well worth its price.
In common with the FPC 9mm, the FPC .22 features a firing handle identical to the S&W M&P compact 9mm handgun. The FPC .22 features a flat trigger and a blade-type safety lever in the trigger face. There is also a rifle-type cross bolt safety lever. An ambidextrous cocking lever is actuated to rack the bolt. This is a straight blowback action like all .22 LR semi-automatic rifles I am aware of. The SW FPC .22 features a 16.25-inch carbine-length barrel. The barrel features a ½ x 28 threaded muzzle. This allows mounting muzzle devices or a sound suppressor. In common with the centerfire 9mm version, this carbine features a generously sized rail for mounting optics and MLOK slots in the forend.
The FPC .22 folds into a compact package.
Three 20 round magazines are supplied.
I brought out the tape measure and measured the overall length of the FPC. The carbine comes in a 30.5-inch and 16.5-inch folded. This makes for an easily storable package. When folded, the FPC is side by side, not end over end so it the optic mounted on the rail isn’t affected. The FPC .22 is supplied with three 20-round magazines. In common with the 9mm version, the FPC .22 features storage in the stock for two magazines. The magazine latch is reversible for left-hand use. I did not explore this option but grip inserts are supplied to customize the hand fit. While a nice feature, I didn’t find it necessary to change the grip configuration in a .22 version. The grip insert is easily changed with the S&W system. Simply remove a rod from the base of the grip to release the grip insert. The FPC .22 weighs in a just a hair over four pounds. The butt stock offered a degree of adjustment.
That is a typical 25 yard group.
I mounted a TruGlo Prism PR1 red dot sight for accuracy and firing tests. There are no iron sights. I have used an identical TruGlo sight on an AR-15 rifle; this is a good setup. The sight features a visible reticle, whether or not the red dot capable sight is turned on. I prefer a tube-type sight such as this one on a carbine, but you could also use an open emitter red dot on this carbine. I laid in a good supply .22 Long Rifle ammunition. Be certain to use High Velocity .22 LR in this carbine. Almost all .22 LR is High Velocity, as standard velocity loads are special items for target grade firearms- and more expensive than necessary for most uses. I sighted the FPC .22 in easily enough. I tested several of my favorite rimfire loads for function and velocity, firing 50 rounds of each. Some were fired rapid-fire in fun shooting, and some were fired for accuracy testing. Here are some of my velocity readings as a matter of interest.
Firing offhand the FPC .22 is fast and accurate.
CCI Stinger 32 grain 1470 fps
CCI Mini Mag 40 gr. 1200 fps
CCI Mini Mag 36 gr. JHP 1230 fps
CCI Velociter 40 gr. 1355 fps
Federal 38 grain HP (Bulk) 1167 fps
Remington 40 grain Golden Bullet 1199 fps
I lubricated the bolt before firing. In firing three hundred rounds as quickly as I was able to load the magazines, there were no failures to feed, chamber, fire, or eject. I purposely did not clean the FPC.22 as the round count went higher. The second range outing consisted of another 200 rounds, and by that point function was sluggish. The only type I suffered a failure to feed was when I misloaded a magazine. Be certain to load cartridges one at a time and tap the rear of the magazine every few rounds to set the cartridges. .22s care not always as reliable as we would like, this carbine is another matter. It ran flawlessly with good ammunition and a properly loaded magazine. I had a great deal of fun with this combination. As for absolute accuracy, the FPC .22 is plenty accurate for small game hunting. During the third range outing, I fired the SW FPC .22 for accuracy off the sandbags at 25 yards. The majority of the loads fired simply cut one ragged hole. I had but one opportunity to test the FPC .22 at 50 yards. Taking every advantage for accuracy, I fired over a sandbag rest with the CCI Mini Mag loading. Five shots went into 2.5 inch. Remember, this is a general-purpose sight, a red dot, not a target scope, but the reticle is well defined. I am very pleased with this carbine, and I think you will be too.
SW FPC .22
Length 30.5 inches
Folded 16.5 inches
Three 20 round magazines supplied
Weight unloaded 65 ounces
Average retail $499.00
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