In October, Mossberg became one the many companies in 2021 to throw their hat into the large-capacity/micro-compact 9mm handgun ring with the MC2sc. Since I was already familiar with the MC2c and liked it enough to purchase it last year, I was excited to try the new variant to see how it held up to the likes of some of the competition out there. After 100 rounds, I have a nice feel for it and how it compares so far to other micro compacts I tested in 2021.
Feel in the Hand
The Mossberg MC2sc features the same grip texture and pattern as its larger brother, the MC2c, and the older MC1sc. I rather like this grip texture. It’s aggressive in all the right places and features nice texturing both on the backstrap and front of the grip. With the 14-round magazine inserted, it fills the hand quite nicely, nearly identical to the MC2c. However, if you’re looking to go a little more incognito, the 11-round magazine will sacrifice your pinky finger and leave it hanging off the bottom of the grip.
However, it never felt like the gun was going to jump out of the hand even with the pinky hanging out because the grip texture lines up in all the right places and is comfortable. I appreciate that fact, but if I were to carry this gun, I would almost certainly carry it with the 14-round magazine because, well, why not?
Just like its older siblings, the MC2sc features a nice textured pad for the index finger. This is featured on both the right and left side. I happen to enjoy this feature, as I think it helps create the muscle memory to index to the same point every time. The MC2sc also features aggressive texturing at the front of the trigger guard. While I don’t use a grip technique that employs this style, I’m sure those who do would find this useful.
Finally, the MC2sc features slide serrations on both the front and back of the slide. I also enjoy these quite a bit. They aren’t as aggressive as the Walther PDP, but they are miles ahead of the ones I’ve felt on Smith & Wesson guns, which featured more subdued slide serrations.
INNOVATION IN THE BREAKDOWN
One of the most exciting and innovative parts about both the MC2c and now the MC2sc is how the gun breaks down for maintenance and cleaning. The best part is that you don’t have to pull the trigger to disassemble the gun. While this shouldn’t really be an issue (because you’re not cleaning your gun with ammo in the room, right?), it’s a nice backup safety feature built into the gun. Yes, there are other guns that you don’t have to pull the trigger to disassemble the gun. But the Safe Takedown System (STS) from Mossberg is quite unique, especially when compared to its competition.
To break down the gun, you simply rack the slide back to hold open, remove the striker assembly, and then unlock the slide and slide it forward. It’s as easy as that to get the gun broken down and thoroughly cleaned. That’s perhaps the best and easiest way I’ve ever broken down a gun, and I wish more companies would follow suit here.
THE MC2SC AT THE RANGE
Taking the MC2sc to the range and stretching its legs out was unsurprisingly similar to shooting the MC2c, which I’ve had for the past year. In my review of the MC2c I talked about how much I liked the trigger and how I thought the gun flew under the radar at SHOT Show when it was released. Now, I'll admit, I'm a sucker for flat triggers and I think this one is very good. There is some mush to get through at the front of the pull but nothing atrocious and the break is clean and crisp. The reset is comparable to many of the other micro-compacts I've fired recently like the Hellcat or Shield Plus, making for easy follow up shots. This coupled with the 14-round magazine made for an enjoyable shoot at the range.
The three-dot white sights pick up nicely and are nothing necessarily special. The MC2sc has the benefit here over its big brother because it comes red-dot ready with a direct mounting platform. I haven’t installed a red dot yet, but it seems like a fairly straightforward process. You can also upgrade the sights if you wish to Truglo tritium night sights for an increased cost.
I fed the MC2sc a straight diet of Federal Premium, and it ate up all 100 rounds and spit them out without any issues. To date, I’m probably north of 650 rounds in the MC2c without a single failure as well.
CONCLUSION
The MC2sc is yet another contender in the micro-compact large-capacity arena, but it comes with a capacity of 14+1 that puts it in the upper tier of micro-compact guns in general. While further testing is needed to evaluate the gun’s longevity, I would say this model is off to a great start and warrants consideration if you’re someone looking for a new carry pistol.
