Smith & Wesson FPC 10mm Review: Folding Powerhouse or Overhyped?
The Smith & Wesson FPC 10MM has entered the pistol-caliber carbine (PCC) market as a rugged, foldable powerhouse chambered in 10MM Auto. Known for its versatility, the FPC aims to be a compact, backpack-ready firearm that still delivers the stopping power of a full-sized handgun round. But does it live up to the hype?
With 10MM’s reputation for hard-hitting performance, the FPC brings an interesting mix of power and portability to the table. Whether you're looking for a truck gun, home defense weapon, or backcountry companion, this carbine promises to deliver. But how does it handle? Is the recoil manageable? And most importantly, is it worth your hard-earned money over other PCC options?
In this in-depth review, we’ll break down the build quality, features, accuracy, and initial reliability of the FPC 10MM. We'll also compare it against similar folding carbines and discuss whether it’s a must-have addition to your arsenal.
Let’s dive in and see if the Smith & Wesson FPC 10MM is a game-changer or just another PCC trying to make its mark.
First Impressions & Build Quality
Aesthetics The FPC looks discrete and purpose-built. I don't see any shiny surfaces beyond the screw heads, and I don't feel any important areas that are slick. The overall finish of the gun has a grippy texture and a matte, non-reflective finish.
Ergonomics: The carbine isn't well balanced with three loaded magazines present. The weight distribution is toward the back of the firearm. This makes me think it would be perfectly balanced with a suppressor. Interestingly enough, the weight of two extra loaded magazines in the storage area of the buttstock made it very pleasant to shoot unsuppressed.
The grip angle, feel, and texture are very familiar and welcomed designs coming straight from the M&P 2.0 10MM full-size pistols. S&W gets bonus points from me by implementing this into the design and letting us share magazines between their 10MM pistols and the FPC. It also means I can carry several extra magazines on my belt in our 10MM mag carriers.
The safety and magazine releases are both oversized, easy to reach, and simple to operate. The bolt release, on the other hand, is almost impossible to activate without pulling the charging handle back. I wouldn't plan on being able to drop the action with the flick of your thumb.
The folding stock design works well, however, you do have to pull the action back a little to lock the charging handle to the MLOK rail. Not a big deal, but it would be nice if you could swing the system closed and click the rail to the stock quickly. A little more lead-in on the charging handle in this area would do the trick, but the aluminum rail would wear the plastic charging handle. S&W chose the safer of the two options.
I did find a flaw that bugs me a little. I pinched the "F" out of my finger the first time I cycled the action using the charging handle. There isn't much room between the back of the grip and the front of the changing handle, and my dumb a$$ put my finger between the two when I first cycled the action. I won't do that again.
Materials & Construction: The quality of polymer and metal components is spot on for Smith and Wesson. The MLOK rail is a two-piece design held together with screws and nylon nuts. The texture is consistent throughout the components, which gives it a good look in my opinion.
Weight & Portability: The compact folded length is 16 1/2", and the unfolded length is 30 5/8". It almost folds in half, which is perfect for the bag it comes with and my Ebrlestock Cherrybomb backpack. I haven't tried it in my Vertx backpack yet, but I think it will fit. Even with three loaded magazines, it is light enough to carry all day in a sling bag or backpack. The S&W sling bag included with the firearm is very discreet and well-made. I wish the D rings and sling hardware were aluminum instead of polymer, but that is a minor issue.
Folding Mechanism: Folding and unfolding the firearm is fairly simple. Out of the box, it was pretty stiff. I added a little gun butter to the action and it seems to be a little smoother after firing a few rounds through it.
Features & Specifications
Caliber: 10MM Auto, because every extra MM counts.
Capacity & Mag Compatibility: Three 15-round magazines included, I assume higher capacity magazines will work but I haven't tried them yet.
Barrel Length & Overall Dimensions: 16.25" barrel length with a 9/16-24 threaded muzzle and protector. 16.5" folded, 30.625" unfolded. 91.2 ounces in weight
Optics & Accessory Mounting: Picatinny rails or M-LOK slots. No sights are included with the rifle, however it is optics-ready.
Safety: Manual, ambidextrous cross-bolt design
Magazine Catch: Reversible design, well made
Trigger: Feels like a standard M&P trigger to me. There is a small amount of take up, a firm wall, and not a lot of overtravel. Almost feels identical to my 4.6 M&P 2.0 10MM pistol. I am curious to see if someone like APEX Tactical has an upgrade that will work.
Finding a suitable 9/16-24 muzzle device and reputable suppressor for this thread size and pitch has been a challenge so far. I wish S&W would have gone with a 5/8-24 thread pitch, although that would probably require a different barrel profile.
Performance Testing
Accuracy: So far I have shot three types of ammunition through the firearm at 10 and 15 yards. Initial accuracy tests are very promising. I need to raise my optic to get a faster and more comfortable sight picture. We are going to come back to the accuracy testing after I have the optic where I want it.
Recoil & Handling: The recoil is mild. The buffer design seems to work well.
Reliability: Initial testing had zero cycling issues. I have a plan for long-term reliability and accuracy testing, keep your eye out for another article.
Trigger Feel & Reset: I like the trigger. I don't have my trigger gauge with me today, but I estimate a 6-pound trigger pull. The take-up is about 3/6" of an inch with a firm wall and crisp break.
Use Case Scenarios
Home Defense: This is a strong candidate for a home defense gun, especially if it proves to be reliable and accurate. I like the 10MM over the 9MM for home defense, however, over-penetration is a concern. It has the added benefit of having extra ammunition on the rifle.
Truck/Backpack Gun: The FPC 10MM is easy to carry and deploy quickly. The fact that it has 2 extra magazines is a bonus for this purpose as well. If I am grabbing a gun from a backpack, I don't want to mess with grabbing extra magazines.
Hunting & Outdoors: I probably won't hunt with this, unless I am doing it for the fun of killing a deer with a 10MM. I am rather fond of my 450 Bushmaster for Indiana Whitetail hunting on my property. Never say never though, it is more than capable of killing a deer quickly.
Bowling Pin Shoots and Range Plinking: Two of my favorite pastimes are a competitive bowling pin shoot at our local range and ringing steel at 100 yards with a suppressed firearm. The FPC 10MM will excel at both once I find that 9/16-24 muzzle brake and suppressor mount.
Pros & Cons
✅ Pros:
- Compact folding design
- Uses 10MM for extra stopping power
- Accepts existing S&W mags
- Smooth operation and ease of handling
- Familiar Ergonomics
- Manageable recoil
❌ Cons:
- Heavier recoil compared to 9MM PCCs (I don't mind)
- Availability of muzzle devices
- Price point and availability vs. competitors (at launch)
- Ammo price
- Charging handle pinch point
- Hard to cycle action
Competitors
- Kel-Tec Sub2000 10MM
- CMMG Banshee 10MM
- Hi-Point 10MM Carbine
- Ruger LC Carbine 10MM
- Other PCCs (Mention your favorite in the comments, I might pick one up)
8. Verdict & Final Thoughts
The Smith & Wesson FPC 10mm is best suited for outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, and preparedness-minded individuals who need a compact, powerful, and versatile firearm. Its folding design makes it easy to store in a vehicle or backpack, while the 10mm caliber delivers strong ballistics ideal for backcountry defense and hunting medium game. It’s also a great fit for anyone who may need a reliable, stowable firearm with serious stopping power. Recreational shooters who already own 10mm Smith & Wesson pistols will appreciate the shared magazine compatibility, and anyone can take advantage of the M-LOK slots and optics-ready rail to customize the platform to their needs.
Final recommendation: Buy, 100%.
Comments:
We want to hear from you—what are your thoughts on the Smith & Wesson FPC 10mm? Whether you’ve had hands-on experience or you're just curious about its performance, folding design, or 10mm punch, drop your thoughts in the comments below. Your insights help others in the community make informed decisions, and we’re always up for a good conversation about gear. Let’s talk FPC 10mm!
