I get bombarded with “which one should I get?” That is something you need to decide for yourself. You need to know why you want it and what are you trying or going to do with it. John
I bought the Response in January '24 and got the recall notice in Feb '24. I was pretty annoyed but the turn around on the fix was 2 weeks, which I consider pretty good. I added an entry level Vortex red dot to it and the thing is incredibly accurate. It's a blast to use at the range. It doesn't hurt that I can use my Glock 19 mags with it as well. I bought the S&W metal magazines because I like them better than what the Glock offers but having that Glock magazine module to just drop on the Response is pretty nice. As a relative noobie to guns I think the Response is a great first rifle to buy and I get to keep using all the 9mm I buy for the Glock. Best of both worlds.
I got the FPC cause its honestly one of the best home defense options in CA. Since we're limited to 10 rd mags here (at least law abiding citizens are) having 30 on board instead of just 10 is something no other gun here can give you. So for me the in stock mag storage is the biggest feature whereas its kind of whatever to others. I guess another Cali specific pro is that this is the most compact PCC we can get given that it folds. We can't have anything under 16 inches here.
I'm disgusted with S&W's roll out of the Response. I bought one and while waiting on an optic, I discovered it was being recalled. Should not have been released with this condition, IMO. Now I get to box it up, print out an emailed shipping label, contact a shipper, take it to be shipped, and wait some period of time to get a repaired gun. Then I have to decide if I can trust this gun.
Really the only gripe with the response, besides the immediate recall, of course, is Sooooo much Plastic! The upper on mine is loose, sloppy fitting and wobbles and wiggles. It just does not seem quality or inspire confidence, and that rubberized, bendy charging handle… I probably would’ve rather had a 9mm carbine from Smith and Wesson that was based on me standardized M&P 15 . Take the sport III and make a 9 mm version and call it the sport 9. But I have what I have in the response and as soon as Smith and Wesson sends me my replacement parts so I can fire it, maybe I can get more than 150 round before it breaks again As always, thanks for all the info
I agree, the amount of plastic is over used. I changed out the charging handle for that exact reason you mentioned, it was flimsy. For the price of the Response, it could have been and should have been a metal receiver/upper. I have the Freedom Ordnance FX9 and it was the same price (when I got it) and it was metal, NOT plastic.
I’m new to PCCs, and I am interested in the FPC. You mentioned you switched the hand guard to a metal one, which exactly did you switch it to? Or what should I be looking for if I wanted to switch it to metal? Cheers as well! Love the video.
On my first FPC, I used a Nordic Components handguard from www.taccom3g.com On the second FPC, I used a barrel nut from Taccom3g and placed a standard AR handguard on it. On this one, I had to do some barrel nut modifications to get it to work. Wasn't hard at all, just took a little time and effort to make it work.
So how would you propose that they extend the rail back further on the FPC? And, how would you keep people from trying to mount their scope mount over the break??? Honestly, it's a folding 9mm PCC. All it needs is a red dot sight since it's effective range is in the 50 yard and under range.
I bought the Response in January '24 and got the recall notice in Feb '24. I was pretty annoyed but the turn around on the fix was 2 weeks, which I consider pretty good. I added an entry level Vortex red dot to it and the thing is incredibly accurate. It's a blast to use at the range. It doesn't hurt that I can use my Glock 19 mags with it as well. I bought the S&W metal magazines because I like them better than what the Glock offers but having that Glock magazine module to just drop on the Response is pretty nice. As a relative noobie to guns I think the Response is a great first rifle to buy and I get to keep using all the 9mm I buy for the Glock. Best of both worlds.
FPC. I love mine. It's fantastic.
Excellent review of both. I want both, but can only afford 1. Decisions, decisions........
Try to get both but over time! I still prefer the Response over the FPC, but it is just a slight amount.
FPC, reliable and easy to pack for traveling.
Can't argue with that.
FPC
I got the FPC cause its honestly one of the best home defense options in CA. Since we're limited to 10 rd mags here (at least law abiding citizens are) having 30 on board instead of just 10 is something no other gun here can give you. So for me the in stock mag storage is the biggest feature whereas its kind of whatever to others. I guess another Cali specific pro is that this is the most compact PCC we can get given that it folds. We can't have anything under 16 inches here.
Both. My grandson and granddaughter shoot them in steel Challenge and they run great and are light enough for speedy transitions.
I don't do competitions and stuff, but they are light and easy to use. I am interested in seeing the long term use and how they hold up.
I'm disgusted with S&W's roll out of the Response. I bought one and while waiting on an optic, I discovered it was being recalled. Should not have been released with this condition, IMO. Now I get to box it up, print out an emailed shipping label, contact a shipper, take it to be shipped, and wait some period of time to get a repaired gun. Then I have to decide if I can trust this gun.
I had mine sent in, I haven't had any issues with in the terms of the recall. I agree it should have been discovered before it was released.
fpc
I have both, I do prefer the Response a bit more.
Response is a fun gun. Thanks for all your focus on these.
You're welcome.
Really the only gripe with the response, besides the immediate recall, of course, is Sooooo much Plastic!
The upper on mine is loose, sloppy fitting and wobbles and wiggles. It just does not seem quality or inspire confidence, and that rubberized, bendy charging handle…
I probably would’ve rather had a 9mm carbine from Smith and Wesson that was based on me standardized M&P 15 .
Take the sport III and make a 9 mm version and call it the sport 9.
But I have what I have in the response and as soon as Smith and Wesson sends me my replacement parts so I can fire it, maybe I can get more than 150 round before it breaks again
As always, thanks for all the info
I agree, the amount of plastic is over used. I changed out the charging handle for that exact reason you mentioned, it was flimsy. For the price of the Response, it could have been and should have been a metal receiver/upper. I have the Freedom Ordnance FX9 and it was the same price (when I got it) and it was metal, NOT plastic.
I’m new to PCCs, and I am interested in the FPC. You mentioned you switched the hand guard to a metal one, which exactly did you switch it to? Or what should I be looking for if I wanted to switch it to metal? Cheers as well! Love the video.
On my first FPC, I used a Nordic Components handguard from www.taccom3g.com
On the second FPC, I used a barrel nut from Taccom3g and placed a standard AR handguard on it. On this one, I had to do some barrel nut modifications to get it to work. Wasn't hard at all, just took a little time and effort to make it work.
I did do a video on the process I had to do for the AR handguard.
I have the response, and it's been good. There are no issues, really
So how would you propose that they extend the rail back further on the FPC? And, how would you keep people from trying to mount their scope mount over the break??? Honestly, it's a folding 9mm PCC. All it needs is a red dot sight since it's effective range is in the 50 yard and under range.
They could do something like Taccom made.
How well do you like your Freedom Ordnance fx-9? I’ve got the FPC and was looking at the fx-9 or the Cz scorpion 3 plus carbine.
I will never get rid of my FX-9. I love it, very reliable!