I’m a fan of the 5.7x28mm round, but I had only ever used it in pistols and PDW-sized packages. That was until the Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous a couple of weeks ago. Amongst the many guns I got to check out was the Smith & Wesson FPC chambered in 5.7. This particular one was fitted with a Gemtech Nebula suppressor, and the two proved a perfect match.
The Smith & Wesson M&P FPC 5.7x28mm is a slim, compact folding carbine designed for easy storage and quick access. Inspired by the popular M&P handgun line, it features a familiar grip and flat face trigger, along with full compatibility with M&P 5.7 magazines. The carbine includes onboard storage in the stock that securely holds two extra magazines with a quick-release tab system.
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Its handguard offers M-LOK slots for mounting accessories, as well as a full-length Picatinny rail on top. It can be quickly field-stripped for maintenance and ships with three 22-round magazines. I love that it ships with three mags, and really think that every semi-auto should these days. Kudos to Smith & Wesson on that decision.
The M&P FPC utilizes a compact side-folding design that reduces its length from 30 3/8 inches unfolded to just 16 3/8 inches when folded, without disturbing any mounted optics. That’s a nice upgrade over some other older folding carbine designs.
It comes with a threaded barrel with a 1/2×28 thread protector, a charging handle that doubles as a fold retainer, a reversible magazine catch, and a fixed polymer stock with a 14.5-inch length of pull. Weight is just over four pounds without optics or accessories.
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MSRP is $719.00, although a quick look at street prices shows it selling around $650 currently.
The Gemtech Nebula 5.7 Suppressor
Gemtech’s Nebula 5.7 suppressor offers a nice combination of compact size, exceptional strength, and ultralight weight. It features a 3D-printed titanium core optimized for 5.7x28mm and is rated for full-auto use. That also makes it fully capable of shooting with .22LR, .17HMR, and .22WMR without issue. A stainless steel blast baffle enhances durability and reduces muzzle signature while supporting full-auto fire.
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The Nebula 5.7 offers mounting options, including a 1/2×28 direct-thread mount and Plan B compatibility. That allows it to work equally well with both PDW and rimfire platforms. Constructed with a 4140 QPQ mount, a 17-4PH tube, and a 6Al4V titanium core, it measures 7.8 inches in length, 1.2 inches in diameter, and is finished in durable Black High-Temp Cerakote. Weight is impressively low at just 9 ounces.
MSRP on the Nebula 5.7 is $549.00.
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Shooting and Handling Impressions
While one range session isn’t enough time for a full review of the FPC and Gemtech combo, it was enough to give me some initial impressions. I was impressed with the weight, balance, and handling characteristics of the FPC. It reminded me a lot of my cherished M1 Carbines, which are my gold standard of light rifles.
An M1 is around 35 inches long and weighs about 5.5 pounds. Super handy and easy to shoot. The FPC is just over 30 inches and similar weight, depending on your optics setup.
Recoil on both is extremely light. You can tell it’s not a .22LR, but the recoil is negligible, and fast follow-up shots are easy to manage and stay on target. The M&P style grip is comfortable, and the controls are easy to access. 22 rounds in the grip is an impressive capacity. With two more mags stored in the stock that gives you 66 rounds on tap, just by grabbing the carbine.
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That’s pretty serious potential for a truck gun or bugout bag gun. Although I didn’t get a chance to mess with the folding mechanism, it folds to just over 16 inches, so that’s very easily stowed in a pack or bag.
Reaching Out is Easy
While my M1s are easy to shoot too, the 5.7 round shoots especially flat. We were shooting at steel targets out to 150 yards. I was holding dead on with the Vortex green dot mounted on the FPC. Honestly, this thing was like a laser. Drop the dot on target, pull the trigger, and listen for the steel ping.
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Speaking of which, it was easy to hear hits with the Gemtech Nebula installed. The suppressor adds 8 inches of length to the FPC, but that still keeps the overall length around 38 inches. Only 3 inches more than my beloved M1 carbine.
The 9-ounce weight addition is negligible and didn’t affect the handling characteristics that I could notice. 5.7 can have a fairly nasty bark and blast, but the Nebula cut the blast to nothing and the bark well into the hearing safe range. It isn’t movie suppressor quiet, but not much actually is. It does make it safe and pleasant to shoot, even without ear pro, though. That can’t be said of an unsuppressed 5.7.
The $550 price tag for a titanium can with the performance that it offered is a pretty good deal, too.
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An Impressive Combination
The Rendezvous was the first time I shot the 5.7x28mm out of a carbine, and the first time I used the 5.7 with a suppressor. As a result, I’m walking away impressed with both Smith’s FPC carbine and its pairing with the Nebula suppressor. That would make a heck of a bugout package. Both the gun and its ammo are light, it’s extremely accurate, and it’s easy to carry or store.
With the Nebula, you can keep your shooting discreet, not to mention saving your hearing. Since we don’t have to worry about tax stamps anymore, you could get into the whole setup for around $1200, depending on your choice of sights. That’s with three mags too. I hope other companies are paying attention to that! I wasn’t necessarily in the market for a 5.7 carbine, but now maybe I need to be.
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