Mossberg MC1sc Compact Semi-Automatic 9mm Pistol

Mossberg has entered the popular striker-fired compact pistol market, and their effort is a home run. The MC1sc is a lightweight, compact, reliable little 9x19mm pistol that fills a very popular segment of the defensive pistol market; that of a pistol with enough power to do the job, while being small enough and light enough to carry every day. The Mossberg has some features which will endear it to those who carry such pistols. First is the excellent trigger for this type of pistol. The trigger releases with just over four pounds of resistance, but more importantly, the trigger pull is relatively short, and has a positive reset. The trigger is straight, and has a bladé insert trigger safety, which releases as the shooter places his or her finger on the trigger. There is a model available (89002) which has a crossbolt safety just behind the trigger, if desired. These features make the MC1sc easy to fire, and easy to fire accurately. Disassembly requires no pull of the trigger, and is accomplished by removing the slide plate at the rear of the slide. Mossberg calls this the Safe Takedown System, as the striker is removed and disabled before removing the slide. No tools are required.

Unlike some compact pistols on the market, the Mossberg is fitted with a real set of usable sights. They are the three-white-dot pattern, dovetailed into the slide, and are made of steel. Thank you. There are also models available with tritium night sights and lasers attached. The black polymer frame is well-textured in the grip area for a positive hold. The magazine release is right where God intended it to be, behind the trigger guard, and is reversible to suit the preference of the shooter. The MC1sc is supplied with two clear plastic magazines. The one with the shorter base plate holds six cartridges, and the one with the extended base plate holds seven. Both functioned flawlessly in this pistol.

The slide and barrel are made of stainless steel, and wear a matte black finish which Mossberg calls a Diamond-Like Carbon Coating. The slide is serrated front and rear for a positive grasp.

Critical specifications for the Mossberg MC1sc are listed in the chart below. Weights are listed in ounces. Linear dimensions are listed in inches. Trigger pull is listed in pounds of resistance, as measured with my Lyman digital trigger pull scale. Height includes sights and standard short magazine base.

Chambering	9x19mm (9mm Luger)
Weight with Empty Magazine	19 ounces
Trigger Pull	4 pounds, 3 ounces
Barrel Length	2.36 inches
Barrel Diameter	0.51 inch
Overall Height	3.92 inches
Overall Length	6.25 inches
Grip Width	1.04 inches
Slide Width	0.9 inch
Maximum Width	1.04 inches
Frame Material	Polymer
Slide Material	Blackened Stainless Steel
Manual Safety	Optional, Crossbolt
Magazine Safety	No
Trigger Reach	2.7 inches
Magazine Capacity	6 and 7
Magazines Supplied	2
Sights	3-Dot, Windage Adjustable
MSRP as of February 2019	$421.00 US

I fired a variety of ammunition over the chronograph to check velocities, with the results listed in the chart below. Velocities are listed in feet-per-second. Bullet weights are listed in grains. JHP is a jacketed hollowpoint bullet. DPX is a hollow nose homogenous copper bullet. FP is a frangible, pre-fragmented flatnose bullet. FMJ is a full metal jacket roundnose bullet. Velocities were taken at an elevation of 541 feet above sea level, with an air temperature of fifty-six degrees Fahrenheit. Velocities were recorded at ten feet from the muzzle.

*Ammunition*	*Bullet Weight*	*Velocity*
Super Vel +P	90	1410
Super Vel +P	115	1211
Remington Black Belt JHP +P	124	1066
WCC NATO FMJ	124	1014
Buffalo Bore +P JHP	115	1331
Buffalo Bore +P JHP	147	1043
Super Vel FMJ	115	1133
Cor-Bon Pow'RBall	100	1289
Cor-Bon +P DPX	115	1123
Cor-Bon JHP	125	1005
Stryker JHP	115	1001
International Cartridge FP	100	1034
Precision Delta JHP	124	1025

The MC1sc proved reliable with each type of ammunition tried. Every cartridge fed, fired and ejected flawlessly. Recoil was easy to handle, even with the hot +P ammunition. +P+ ammunition is not recommended, so none was fired through this Mossberg pistol, but it handles the +P ammo perfectly. The grip is shaped just right for my hand. While compact, the palm swells and texturing make the MC1 easy to handle, with either magazine in place. It is almost as if Mossberg had the human hand in mind when they designed the grip! This is one of the easiest-to-shoot compact pistols on the market.

As mentioned above, the MC1sc has a unique procedure to disassemble for cleaning. With the magazine removed and chamber cleared, lock the slide open. Push the button in the center of the slide plate at the rear of the slide, and push the slide plate downward and off the slide. The orange striker guide can then be grasped and removed rearward, and the slide moved forward off the frame. Very simple, and does not require the trigger to be touched. Reassembly is in reverse order.

There are many good choices on the market today for those seeking a compact pistol for self-defense, and this Mossberg fills that role nicely. It is small and lightweight, but has enough size and heft to handle well and deliver accurately on target.

Check out the MC1sc pistol and other Mossberg firearms and accessories at www.mossberg.com.

For the location of a Mossberg dealer near you, click on the DEALER FINDER at www.lipseys.com.