Mossberg MC2C, The Refined Compact

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Mossberg isn't known as a handgun manufacturer, and their release of the MC2C was unfortunately timed with the panic buys of 2020. Two years later you might have missed this one simply because it wasn't anywhere to be seen.

When breaking into a market segment a company is not known for there are a lot of risks. Brand loyalty, a lack of reputation, and challenges of expertise are among those risks. To make a splash companies either have to risk making something so different that it grabs attention (at the risk of being too different), or make something so normal it risks being ignored. Mossberg seems to have found a middle ground with the MC2C by making a refined version of the classic compact pistol. If you're going to be late to the game you might as well learn from the those who have gone before you, right?

Much in the way the Honor Defense Honor Guard took all the features and customizations single-stack 9mm shooters wanted, the Mossberg MC2C did a great job of modernizing and refreshing the classic compact 9mm.

The Mossberg MC2C includes some smart texturing and a flat-faced trigger

What really made the Mossberg MC2C stand out to me is how slim it is. Often when a pistol gets too slim it's unpleasant to shoot, but somehow Mossberg figured out the right weight, spring weight, and reciprocating mass to negate that. A criticism some might have is the lack of an optics mounting solution. I don't mind iron sights, and we have to remember that a pistol released in 2020 was likely in development for a while before that. Optics mounting had not yet become the "must have" many see it as today.

Specifications below as taken from the Mossberg website:

• Caliber: 9mm

• Frame: Compact

• Capacity:13-Round (Flush)/15-Round (Extended)

• Safety: Integrated Trigger Blade Safety

• Barrel Length: 3.9"

• Sight: White 3-Dot

• Sight Radius: 6.40"

• Twist: 1:16 RH Twist

• Trigger: Flat Profile Trigger

• Trigger Pull: Approx. 5.5 lbs

• Trigger Travel: .5"

• Barrel Finish: 416 Stainless Steel, DLC

• Slide Finish: 416 Stainless Steel, DLC

• Weight: 21 oz (Unloaded), 29 oz (Loaded)

• Length: 7.10"

• Height: 4.90"

• Width: 1.10"

What inspired us mentioning the MC2C is that despite the reasonable MSRP of $505, Palmetto State Armory has them listed today (18MAR22) for just $299.99!

If you missed that deal we found some new and used at varying prices HERE on Guns.com

As you can see from the specifications above, Mossberg used 416 steel and a luxurious DLC coating. Not only does that make for better longevity, but also a pistol with a sharper image. We were curious about the 1:16 twist rate as that's not a path many take with 9mm. How would it impact accuracy, reliability, or ammo sensitivity?

Ammunition seen in our Shooting Impressions video was made possible by our Patrons and supporters of our ammunition savings account through Ammo Squared. Additional, on-demand ammunition through True Shot Gun Club.

The Mossberg MC2C proved to be an excellent pistol and has become one of our favorites. It's lack of popularity is likely due only to so few people having seen or shot one.