Ahead of the 2019 SHOT Show, Mossberg announced a new pistol: the MC1sc.
The Mossberg MC1sc is a subcompact 9mm handgun that is designed for the concealed carry and self-defense markets. It offers a range of features that make it worth considering.
The Basics
One hundred years ago, O.F. Mossberg & Sons opened its doors and started selling firearms. The first gun it offered was a handgun called the Brownie – a .22 caliber pistol with four barrels that looked similar to, but operated differently from, some pepperbox pistols of the era.
Fast forward from 1919 to 2019 and Mossberg has become the 6th largest firearm manufacturer in the United States. Even though the company is better known for its shotguns and rifles, it returned to its handgun roots with the new MC1sc pistol.
The MC1sc is a striker-fired, polymer-framed handgun that is an obvious candidate for concealed carry duty. Three years of development and testing suggest the engineers have had ample opportunity to work all of the bugs out of the new design.
Shooters may wonder if the “sc” in the name stand for “subcompact.” It does. Using this naming convention makes one wonder what else may be in the pipeline. Also, this gun is chambered in 9mm only. Other caliber options may also be in the works.
The MC1sc or MC1 subcompact is relatively small and lightweight. It has a 3.4″ barrel, and with an empty magazine, it weighs a little more than one pound.
Today’s shooter has a broad selection of subcompact pistols from which to choose. Mossberg seems to have recognized this as the company attempts to differentiate itself with a number of features such as:
- Clear-Count Magazines: Mossberg uses Clear-Count magazines with translucent bodies that allow the shooter the ability to quickly assess round count. According to the company, the magazine bodies are made from a “lubricious polymer compound” that offers very good wear resistance and low friction. Mossberg also states the floor plates are easy to remove. Bright red followers also help owners quickly ID when a magazine is completely unloaded.
- Mossberg STS: One of the complaints I’ve heard about Glock pistols relates to the need to depress the trigger to field strip the pistol. While I don’t feel the complaint has much merit, I recognize that perception is reality for most consumers. So, I completely understand Mossberg’s use of the STS, or Safe Takedown System, that negates the need for a trigger press to disassemble the pistol.
- DLC Finish: Diamond-like carbon coatings (DLC) have become quite popular for shooters that want excellent wear and corrosion resistance on their firearms. Mossberg uses a black DLC as standard to reduce wear and improve durability of the MC1sc. Both the barrel and slide have a DLC finish.
- Flat Faced Trigger: Mossberg uses a flat faced trigger with a blade trigger safety. The company states the trigger pull weight is between 5 and 6 pounds.
Mossberg includes two magazines with each pistol: a flush fitting 6-round magazine and an extended 7-round magazine. Additional features include 3-dot sights, an oversized trigger guard, reversible magazine release button and forward slide serrations.
Specifications & Variations
At launch, there are five different versions of the MC1sc that can be purchased.
Standard MC1sc Specifications
| caliber | 9mm |
| magazine capacity | 6 (flush), 7 (extended) |
| weight | 19 oz unloaded |
| barrel length | 3.4" |
| overall length | 6.45" |
| action/firing system | striker-fired |
| sights | 3-dot |
| finish | matte black |
| MSRP | $421.00 |
A variation of the basic model is a version with a cross bolt safety. This safety is located on the frame and directly behind the trigger. I wonder how well this configuration works as it looks like a shooter’s trigger finger may activate or deactivate the safety simply by grasping the gun. This variation is otherwise identical to the basic MC1sc pistol.
If the standard 3-dot sights aren’t ideal for you, Mossberg offers two other aiming options. The first has a set of Truglo Tritum Pro sights installed.
The second optional sighting system leaves the basic 3-dot sights in place, but adds a Viridian E-Series laser unit. This unit attaches to the front of the trigger guard and uses a red aiming laser.
The final variation is the Centennial Limited Edition MC1sc. Recognizing the company’s 100th anniversary, this is a limited run of 1000 pistols with sequential serial numbers. It features 24k gold accents on the engraved slide and a titanium nitride finish on the barrel and other metal parts.
Pricing
Mossberg aims to keep this gun affordable. The basic models have a suggested retail price of $421. This beats the wildly popular Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 2.0 by more than $50. It is, however, priced more than $100 above the Ruger EC9s pistols.
Stepping up to the model with the Truglo Tritium Pro sights, the suggested retail price increases to $526. If you opt for the Viridian laser sight with standard 3-dot sights, the price is $514.
As one might expect, the limited edition gold plated pistol is the most expensive at $686.
Final Thoughts
It will be interesting to see what the public’s response to this new gun will be. A gun designed for personal protection must be reliable. For it to be a commercial success, however, it has to feel good in the hand and look good enough to catch people’s attention.
The use of “sc” to indicate “subcompact” certainly suggests that a MC1 or MC1c might also be in development. If this gun sells well enough, Mossberg may have an entire line of pistols on the market by this time next year.
In my experience, Mossberg makes quality firearms. So, I have high expectations for how well this gun performs. Time will tell.
At least it doesn’t look cheap or weird. To many companies make little handguns that just look cheap & flimsy. Or strange. Odd angles, ridiculous protrusions, and strange “checkering”. I don’t know whether or not that appeals to noobs. This one looks well made & conservative enough to appeal to a broad range of shooters.
It does appear that Mossberg has been re-investing some of the money it’s made off selling a bajillion Shockwaves. Maybe 3 years of R&D will prevent an R51-type debacle…
Mossberg makes decent stuff at a fair price – I wish them the best in their new venture!
Any word on when orders will become available? 1,000 of the centennial line will sell super fast and I’d love to add one to my small collection
Hi Brendan,
I’ve reached out to Mossberg for that information, but I’ve not heard back yet. I’ll let you know when I get additional details.
-Richard
Seems like it is a nice firearmthat is 3 years late to the market.
A few observations of the firearm tell me that Mossberg is a long gun company and know very little about handguns. They put emphasis in areas that are not cucial.
– See through magazine is kitchy, but pointless. You can only see that when it is out of the firearm.
– Stippling placement is off
– Barrel exceeds slide length
– It’s not ambidextrous
– Low capacity
Mossberg = low price and value in long guns.
They will get placement because they are a big company and will force dealers to purchase.
But if they want to be big in pistols, they need to invest in forward-thinking pistols like chassis systems and newer designs.
Mossberg = low price and value in long guns.
This is a ridiculous comment. 3 years too late to what. If i’m in the market for a 9mm am i gonna say “oh well, i’ll just buy the shield, it came out first so i have to buy what came out first”….that is such a bogus statement.
Seems like it is a nice firearm that is 3 years late to the market.
A few observations of the firearm tell me that Mossberg is a long gun company and know very little about handguns. They put emphasis in areas that are not cucial.
– See through magazine is kitchy, but pointless. You can only see that when it is out of the firearm.
– Stippling placement is off
– Barrel exceeds slide length
– It’s not ambidextrous
– Low capacity
Mossberg = low price and value in long guns.
They will get placement because they are a big company and will force dealers to purchase.
But if they want to be big in pistols, they need to invest in forward-thinking pistols like chassis systems and newer designs.
Mossberg = low price and value in long guns.
Hi Lou,
Thanks for reading my article and taking the time to post your observations. While I believe Mossberg has a lot to prove before I recommend any of their handguns due to a lack of recent track record, I’m not sure I’d be willing to say that they know very little about pistols. After all, they are shooters and probably hired folks with prior handgun design experience for this project.
For example, subcompact pistols like this one are quite popular with buyers so things like “low capacity” (7 or 8 rounds) are fairly standard. Glock’s similar sized pistol, the G43, has the exact same capacity and I’m sure we can agree that company is familiar with handgun development and sales. Likewise, Walther, Kahr and other handgun oriented companies offer 6+1 9mm pistols for concealed carry. Also, many pistol barrels extend beyond the front face of the slide.
Without having a production gun on hand to independently test, I can’t say if I like the gun or not. At first sight, it looks like a reasonable effort by the company. Can it be improved on? Probably. But, I’m willing to give it a fair shake once it hits my LGS.
Thanks again for reading & sharing your thoughts.
-Richard
I agree about the stippling, but that can easily be fixed.
It is clear that Mossberg was inspired by the ETS magazines for the Glock 43, which incidentally will fit and function in the MC1sc. The use of common Glock 43 magazines with common aftermarket extension base plates will add nicely to capacity. Alternatively, you could simply buy the extended ETS G43 magazines in 9 to 12rd lengths for spares.
The barrel doesn’t stick out any further from the slide than the Glock 43.
The Glock 43 and its new brethren, the G43X and G48, are no more ambidextrous. However, the magazine catch can be swapped to the opposite side.
Basically, Mossberg tried to copy a Glock 43, but made enough internal changes that should hopefully prevent a trade dress infringement lawsuit.
Building a striker-fired chassis gun should be avoided until Steyr’s patent finally expires in a couple of years. At last check, Steyr’s lawsuits against Beretta and SIG-Sauer are still active.
Excellent observations as always Daniel.
I was wondering if Mossberg simply contracted out the magazine production to ETS. I’ve read the report at TFB about the Glock 43 compatibility, but haven’t been able to officially confirm that yet. It is something I will check when I buy one for review.
-Richard
Does the Mossberg MC1sc gas-delayed blowback system that makes it easier to to pull the slide back like to Walther CCP M2?
Hi Jeff,
According to the information I’ve received from Mossberg, this is a conventional recoil system so it will likely need a moderate amount of force to operate the slide properly. I hope this helps.
-Richard