Mossberg MC2c Review: This 9mm Has Everything You Need
The Mossberg MC2c comes very close to the mythical “one-for-all” pistol. These days, many people, especially those new to guns, are looking to invest in their own security by seeking a single firearm that can be used effectively by several family members.
That might come as a surprise to those of us who own more guns than socks and underwear. But many families just starting out in the sometimes bewildering world of firearms opt to start with one and take it slowly from there. I found out first hand that the Mossberg MC2c might be a good place for them to start.
Mossberg MC2c At Gunsite
I was fortunate enough to attend a course at the famed Gunsite Academy in Paulden, Arizona recently on Team Tactics for Two. The course was designed not for SWAT teams, but more for a pair of civilians – spouses, friends or co-workers – who suddenly find themselves confronted with a potentially deadly situation and must work together to survive.
The course covered situational awareness, the importance of communication with your partner, problem solving in different scenarios, room clearing techniques, and much more. Those subjects merit another complete article, however. Stay tuned for that one.
The course also included a substantial amount of shooting at one of Gunsite’s outdoor ranges.
Most of us were shooting the Mossberg MC2c to get a good feel for how it performed. A personal defense handgun is just that: personal. There are many good ones out there and we all have our personal preferences. Sometimes we go through considerable trial and error until we find one that is the best fit.
But because we were focused on team considerations throughout this course, I started thinking that it’s a big plus for a defensive handgun, whether for use in the home or when you’re out and about, if it’s a comfortable fit for any appropriate member of the family. That’s because when you’re thrust into a life-or-death situation, you never know who in your group might have to pick up that gun and use it. The people who attended this course represented every shape and size. I heard no complaints about the pistol from anyone. Everyone handled it and shot it well and seemed comfortable with it.
Mossberg MC2c Nuts And Bolts
Mossberg has come a long way in the recent years. Once known primarily for its affordable shotguns, the company has extensive offerings in rifles too. And now, they have two 9mm pistols. You can tell the company made a considerable effort before bringing these pistols to the market, because they got it right. First came the MC1sc, a subcompact model that they introduced a couple years ago. That made sense as subcompacts are extremely popular with those who carry concealed.
But it also made sense that they should follow that model with a slightly larger compact version. Compacts are still small enough to carry concealed easily. And, generally speaking, they’re easier to shoot well because of the longer sight radius, full grip and slightly heavier weight. So, earlier this year Mossberg introduced the MC2c.
The pistol comes with two coated metal magazines: a flush-fit 13-rounder and a slightly extended 15-rounder.
They have easy to remove floorplates and high-visibility followers. The double-stack magazines are designed in such a way that the pistol’s grip is still able to be quite slim at 1.1 inches wide. That’s key for a family gun when it’s all hands – large and small — on deck.
The black polymer grip frame is well textured without being too abrasive. It has a single-slot accessory rail. The barrel and slide are constructed of stainless steel. The slide is available with either a black DLC finish or with a matte stainless finish in the two-tone models. The slide has angled serrations fore and aft. The barrel is 3.9 inches long.
The trigger is flat with an integral safety blade in it that’s common with these types of pistols. The trigger is listed as having a 5.5-pound pull. I wasn’t able to measure it, but that seemed about right. It was as good as a striker-fired pistol usually gets with a distinct short reset.
Truglo Tritium Pro Night Sights Available
Standard sights are of the three white dot variety, adjustable for windage by drifting the sights in their dovetails. One model is available with factory-installed Truglo Tritium Pro night sights. The magazine button is in the standard position. It’s easy to reach and it’s reversible for lefties. Takedown is accomplished by clearing the gun, removing the striker assembly and then removing the slide. No trigger pull is required for disassembly.
Good Performance On The Range
There were nine of us using this handgun during the Gunsite course. We shot hundreds of rounds each and I’m not aware of a single stoppage. So, that checks the box for reliability. The sights were fairly well regulated, meaning the bullets hit where you were aiming if you did your part.
Tactical and speed reloads were smooth. Everyone seemed to handle the pistol well. During the course, we used DeSantis Gunhide D94 DS Paddle Holsters paired with DeSantis Quantico Double Mag Pouches on DeSantis E25 EDC Belts. This gear made a good system with the MC2c.
Naturally, the pistol’s reliability was aided by the fact that we used quality ammo. Throughout the course we used Federal Premium ammo, both training and hollowpoint defensive loads. New for Federal is their Practice & Defend packs. These packs include 50 rounds of Syntech Training Match ammo and 50 rounds of HST Personal Defense. They are available with either 124-grain or 147-grain bullets that provide the same ballistics and points of impact. Both bullet weights operated flawlessly in the Mossberg pistols.
A Pistol With No Regrets
I believe that anyone who purchases this pistol, especially if it’s supposed to serve as the one-and-only defensive firearm in the household, will be satisfied with the decision. The Mossberg MC2c pistol is a reliable, accurate 9mm that’s easy to shoot well. For more information, go to www.Mossberg.com.
Key Features: Mossberg MC2c
Type: Polymer-frame, striker-fired semi-automatic pistol
Cartridge: 9mm Luger
Capacity: 13, 15 plus 1
Overall Length: 7.1 inches
Height: 4.9 inches
Width: 1.1 inches
Sight Radius: 6.4 inches
Weight: 21 ounces unloaded
Barrel Length: 3.9 inches
Construction: Stainless steel slide and barrel
Slide Finish: Black DLC or matte stainless steel
Magazines: 1 flush-fit 13-round and 1 15-round extended steel mag included
Sights: Three-white-dot, drift adjustable for windage; Truglo Tritium Pro night sights available
Other: Flat trigger with integral safety (5.5-pound pull); reversible magazine release, cross-bolt safety available
MSRP: $505
Steven Paul Barlow is a retired sergeant/station commander and former firearms instructor with the New York State Police. He is an avid hunter, fisherman, and enthusiast with all things related to firearms, knives, and survival. He has been writing on outdoor topics for more than 35 years. His collections of outdoor humor stories are available at BriarHill Books.
Holsters
