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My review on the FMK 9C1 Gen2
I would like to begin with the statement that I do not have extensive fire arm experience, I do not own an extensive line of guns (although I am building my collection), I do not have any military or police back ground. I am an average guy who likes to shoot guns for fun and has shot and owned guns for over 10 years.
A little about the 9C1 Gen 2;
- Built in a 9mm with a high-carbon steel slide, 4 inch stainless steel barrel and a polymer frame (the frame comes in black, dark earth and pink for the ladies)
- DAO or Fast Action Trigger (FAT 316), double strike capability
- 14 or 10 round Magazine (only 10 for us Californians as you all well know)
- Fixed 3 dot sight with 7 interchangeable sights
- 5.09”H x 1.14”W x 6.85”L, 23.45oz
- Drop free magazine, chamber load indicator, trigger safety
- Rubberized back strap, snag free design, picatinny rail
-Bill of rights engraved on some
- Comes with 2 magazines, 7 interchangeable sights, G96 gun oil, lockable hard case and a manual (mine came with a book called Red state coalition, Vermont not to be excluded. Haven’t red it yet)
- Made in California
- Retails at $399 (usually sells for closer to $350)
My first impression of the 9C1 was that it was sleek looking with a very nice finish and was very comfortable in my medium size hands. The back grip is a nice rubber and there is a curve on the top of the back grip below the slide so your hand doesn’t slip upwards and get hit by the slide, this also allows a space for someone with larger hands. The trigger guard has a clean curve that wraps smoothly front to back. Some 9C1s come with the bill of rights engraved on the slide, however, the one I bought does not, only “Proudly American” on the extractor, “Thank you; Armed Forces” on the frame and “Freedom/Liberty” on the slide end cap. It was light and the balance was a little top heavy, much to be expected of a polymer framed gun. The trigger pull felt long but the sight picture was better than I expected it would be from a 3 dot sight. It came apart easily and the inside looked about what you would expect. Mine was bone dry from the factory, that must be what the oil that it comes with is for. I was a little hesitant to buy it since I was looking for a .40 cal and was unsure about the stopping power of a 9mm, since I was looking for a HD gun. None the less I decided it was absolutely worth the money and decided to stop the hunt for the original gun I was looking for, the S&W SD40VE, since those seem to be rare in the Bay Area (could only find the SD9VE and liked the look of the 9C1 more). I figured If anything I could always buy another gun in a larger caliber later if I wanted. After doing some research I think the 9mm is a perfect home defense round. Some of the +P rounds run hotter than your typical .40 cal, Buffalo Bore at 460 lbs and 1400 f.p.s. at the muzzle should put a bad guy down, and I have seen ballistics from Hornady +P that rival the .45 cal. I think the issue with 9mm is lack of ballistic consistency.
At the range I decided to run a hand-full of types and different brands of ammo through it to see what it liked. After feeding around 500 rounds through it, Hornady, reloaded purchased at the range, Winchester, Fiocchi, Federal, FMJ, JHP, JFN, TMJ, +P, and I can’t remember what else, I have not had one failure (multiple range days). The gun has fired flawlessly every time I pulled the trigger. The only ammo I have not tried that I have had trouble with in another gun, and have seen other have trouble with in video reviews of the 9C1, is Blazer (I intend on finding some to test). As far as reliability is concerned, 500 rounds without a failure seems reliable to me. If I put another 500 through it without failure I will stamp it good to save my life.
My impression thus far;
I would highly recommend the 9C1 to a first time shooter or someone looking to add an inexpensive 9mm to the collection. I think this is a great looking gun and rather enjoy shooting it. When I find a decent holster it will make a great CCW for me. The sight picture is good and my aim is getting better (I think the issue is me and not the gun). The size fits well in small, medium and large hands, although I think if you have huge hands it might fit to small (not sure since I'm not a giant).
Reloading the mags is not impossible but I picked up an auto loader any. The drop free magazine serves it purpose at the range but would prefer to have the magazines just fall to the floor. Cleaning is a snap. 10 minutes and I can have the gun stripped, cleaned, oiled and put back together. I have noticed a good amount of metal flakes collect inside around the magazine and am not sure if that is typical or not.
At first I was shooting low and to the left. The heavier bullets dropped a significant amount more than the lighter ones but I think that says more about the ammo than the gun, you can make your own opinion about that if you wish. I decided to change out the front sight to get my aim higher and it helped. I was still shooting to the left and decided to work on trigger pull instead of sight picture. After a few magazines I realized I was pinching my finger at the last second. I started pulling 50% on the trigger before I focused my aim, was making sure not to pinch and then follow through. I would not say the trigger is smooth but it is consistent in where it releases. Since then I have been grouping 2 inches at 10 yards 1.5" to the right, guess I need to do a little more work.
There are a few things I don't like about this gun but intend to upgrade and do some modifications. I have heard other reviews that they are easy to do. First I am going to do some work to the trigger. At 8.4 lbs it’s a hefty pull and think it is distracting, alternatively it is good for practice. I am not sure if I am going to go with the FAT 316 upgrade or have a local gunsmith do a custom job. I also intend on getting rid of the drop free mag, it's nice at the range but in a jam it could cause an issue. I read a review that the person did the modification and it was extremely easy. The last thing I am going to do is change the color of either the front sight or the rear sights to make it easier to distinguish between the two. I really fel that the only hang up with this gun is the trigger so I recommend getting one with the FAT 316 (there was a recall on the first FAT so make sure you don't buy one with the old one).
One thing I have heard is people comparing the 9C1 to a Glock. I'm not sure why you would, they are in completely different price ranges, you could buy two 9C1s for the price of a Glock. SO needless to say, Glocks are more commonly know, have more parts and accessories available, have better sights. What the 9C1 has going is styling and price (if you think a Glock is a good looking gun you must not have very high standards, they didn't make them to look pretty). As for reliability, mine has a spot free record but I have not had the gun long enough to say much about longevity.
In summary; The FMK 9c1 is easy on the eyes, feels good in the hand, feeds without issue, the sights track well, it shoots straight (as far as I can tell) and is easy on the wallet. The only real downside is the trigger but with a little practice you get used to it and for a little more cash you can change that, unless you are in a state that it comes with the FAT standard. All in all this is a fantastic gun for the price. IMO You get more than what you pay for. Now if they could only make decent AR lower, lol.
Keep in mind I am not a professional writer and just overlook any spelling or grammatical mistakes. I'm not trying to get an A+ on an exam, I'm just trying to inform everyone about a nice little gun I picked up.
Thanks for reading.
-Gunner
I would like to begin with the statement that I do not have extensive fire arm experience, I do not own an extensive line of guns (although I am building my collection), I do not have any military or police back ground. I am an average guy who likes to shoot guns for fun and has shot and owned guns for over 10 years.
A little about the 9C1 Gen 2;
- Built in a 9mm with a high-carbon steel slide, 4 inch stainless steel barrel and a polymer frame (the frame comes in black, dark earth and pink for the ladies)
- DAO or Fast Action Trigger (FAT 316), double strike capability
- 14 or 10 round Magazine (only 10 for us Californians as you all well know)
- Fixed 3 dot sight with 7 interchangeable sights
- 5.09”H x 1.14”W x 6.85”L, 23.45oz
- Drop free magazine, chamber load indicator, trigger safety
- Rubberized back strap, snag free design, picatinny rail
-Bill of rights engraved on some
- Comes with 2 magazines, 7 interchangeable sights, G96 gun oil, lockable hard case and a manual (mine came with a book called Red state coalition, Vermont not to be excluded. Haven’t red it yet)
- Made in California
- Retails at $399 (usually sells for closer to $350)
My first impression of the 9C1 was that it was sleek looking with a very nice finish and was very comfortable in my medium size hands. The back grip is a nice rubber and there is a curve on the top of the back grip below the slide so your hand doesn’t slip upwards and get hit by the slide, this also allows a space for someone with larger hands. The trigger guard has a clean curve that wraps smoothly front to back. Some 9C1s come with the bill of rights engraved on the slide, however, the one I bought does not, only “Proudly American” on the extractor, “Thank you; Armed Forces” on the frame and “Freedom/Liberty” on the slide end cap. It was light and the balance was a little top heavy, much to be expected of a polymer framed gun. The trigger pull felt long but the sight picture was better than I expected it would be from a 3 dot sight. It came apart easily and the inside looked about what you would expect. Mine was bone dry from the factory, that must be what the oil that it comes with is for. I was a little hesitant to buy it since I was looking for a .40 cal and was unsure about the stopping power of a 9mm, since I was looking for a HD gun. None the less I decided it was absolutely worth the money and decided to stop the hunt for the original gun I was looking for, the S&W SD40VE, since those seem to be rare in the Bay Area (could only find the SD9VE and liked the look of the 9C1 more). I figured If anything I could always buy another gun in a larger caliber later if I wanted. After doing some research I think the 9mm is a perfect home defense round. Some of the +P rounds run hotter than your typical .40 cal, Buffalo Bore at 460 lbs and 1400 f.p.s. at the muzzle should put a bad guy down, and I have seen ballistics from Hornady +P that rival the .45 cal. I think the issue with 9mm is lack of ballistic consistency.
At the range I decided to run a hand-full of types and different brands of ammo through it to see what it liked. After feeding around 500 rounds through it, Hornady, reloaded purchased at the range, Winchester, Fiocchi, Federal, FMJ, JHP, JFN, TMJ, +P, and I can’t remember what else, I have not had one failure (multiple range days). The gun has fired flawlessly every time I pulled the trigger. The only ammo I have not tried that I have had trouble with in another gun, and have seen other have trouble with in video reviews of the 9C1, is Blazer (I intend on finding some to test). As far as reliability is concerned, 500 rounds without a failure seems reliable to me. If I put another 500 through it without failure I will stamp it good to save my life.
My impression thus far;
I would highly recommend the 9C1 to a first time shooter or someone looking to add an inexpensive 9mm to the collection. I think this is a great looking gun and rather enjoy shooting it. When I find a decent holster it will make a great CCW for me. The sight picture is good and my aim is getting better (I think the issue is me and not the gun). The size fits well in small, medium and large hands, although I think if you have huge hands it might fit to small (not sure since I'm not a giant).
Reloading the mags is not impossible but I picked up an auto loader any. The drop free magazine serves it purpose at the range but would prefer to have the magazines just fall to the floor. Cleaning is a snap. 10 minutes and I can have the gun stripped, cleaned, oiled and put back together. I have noticed a good amount of metal flakes collect inside around the magazine and am not sure if that is typical or not.
At first I was shooting low and to the left. The heavier bullets dropped a significant amount more than the lighter ones but I think that says more about the ammo than the gun, you can make your own opinion about that if you wish. I decided to change out the front sight to get my aim higher and it helped. I was still shooting to the left and decided to work on trigger pull instead of sight picture. After a few magazines I realized I was pinching my finger at the last second. I started pulling 50% on the trigger before I focused my aim, was making sure not to pinch and then follow through. I would not say the trigger is smooth but it is consistent in where it releases. Since then I have been grouping 2 inches at 10 yards 1.5" to the right, guess I need to do a little more work.
There are a few things I don't like about this gun but intend to upgrade and do some modifications. I have heard other reviews that they are easy to do. First I am going to do some work to the trigger. At 8.4 lbs it’s a hefty pull and think it is distracting, alternatively it is good for practice. I am not sure if I am going to go with the FAT 316 upgrade or have a local gunsmith do a custom job. I also intend on getting rid of the drop free mag, it's nice at the range but in a jam it could cause an issue. I read a review that the person did the modification and it was extremely easy. The last thing I am going to do is change the color of either the front sight or the rear sights to make it easier to distinguish between the two. I really fel that the only hang up with this gun is the trigger so I recommend getting one with the FAT 316 (there was a recall on the first FAT so make sure you don't buy one with the old one).
One thing I have heard is people comparing the 9C1 to a Glock. I'm not sure why you would, they are in completely different price ranges, you could buy two 9C1s for the price of a Glock. SO needless to say, Glocks are more commonly know, have more parts and accessories available, have better sights. What the 9C1 has going is styling and price (if you think a Glock is a good looking gun you must not have very high standards, they didn't make them to look pretty). As for reliability, mine has a spot free record but I have not had the gun long enough to say much about longevity.
In summary; The FMK 9c1 is easy on the eyes, feels good in the hand, feeds without issue, the sights track well, it shoots straight (as far as I can tell) and is easy on the wallet. The only real downside is the trigger but with a little practice you get used to it and for a little more cash you can change that, unless you are in a state that it comes with the FAT standard. All in all this is a fantastic gun for the price. IMO You get more than what you pay for. Now if they could only make decent AR lower, lol.
Keep in mind I am not a professional writer and just overlook any spelling or grammatical mistakes. I'm not trying to get an A+ on an exam, I'm just trying to inform everyone about a nice little gun I picked up.
Thanks for reading.
-Gunner
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