Mossberg’s MC1sc proves to be the ultimate in concealed carry handguns. Nearly every handgun training course I’ve ever participated in has been centered on a single scenario: a one-armed individual, defending himself against a deadly threat.
There are other shooters present on the line at the range, but we’re fundamentally individuals practicing as individuals amid a group. Such an environment is great for learning how to draw a handgun, assume a proper shooting stance, and brush up on trigger press and sight acquisition. The only problem is, that kind of training doesn’t prepare you for the very likely scenario that a defensive shooting engagement might require you to defend not only yourself but a loved one or friend, especially if you’re both armed.
I recently had the opportunity to train at the famed Gunsite Academy, in Paulden, Arizona, as a participant in the new Team Tactics course: a three-day training experience designed to teach two people how to work as a team in personal defense situations. Paired with my good friend David, we both brought Mossberg’s new MC1sc along for the class, a subcompact 9mm of the striker-fired variety that’s built for concealed carry. We utilized the Desantis Kydex pistol and mag holsters, both worn outside the waistband and under an outer garment to simulate a real-world concealed carry situation.
Pint-Sized Perfection
Made for concealed carry, Mossberg’s new MC1sc is a pint-sized package of striker-fired perfection. I wasn’t sure what to expect of the firearm before the course; Mossberg is a shotgun and rifle company, after all, and it’s been exactly 100 years since the company launched its first and, until now, only handgun, the .22-caliber Brownie. After several days of comfortable, accurate shooting and exactly zero malfunctions, I’d happily rank the MC1sc as one of my favorite subcompacts on the market.
First, the MC1 features carry-friendly ergonomics, including a slim, dehorned profile that doesn’t catch on clothing or jab into your body. Available with or without cross-bolt safety, the handgun is 6.25 inches in length and features a 3.4-inch barrel. At just 22 ounces (loaded), you barely notice the MC1 is even there. Multi-angle slide serrations make slide manipulation a thing of beauty, while aggressive texturing on the grip allows shooters to keep a strong purchase on the firearm. An extended trigger guard supports fingers of all sizes, while a flat-profile trigger utilizes an integrated blade safety. The MC1sc comes with different sight options, from standard black and white to TruGlo Tritium or Viridian laser.
One of my favorite features is the Clear-Count magazine, which is polymer built and allows you to manage your ammunition supply in an instant without the need for guesswork. Low friction, the magazines insert easily and withstood the weeklong pounding we gave them at Gunsite. The MC1 comes with a six-round flush magazine and a seven-round magazine with grip extension.
I’ll be honest, I’m not much for cleaning guns, but it is necessary. I didn’t clean the MC1sc all week, and we put hundreds of rounds through it. When it is time to clean the handgun, takedown is ridiculously easy. A button on the rear of the slide allows you to quickly disassemble without trigger press, ensuring maximum safety throughout the cleaning process.
I’ve shot plenty of subcompact pistols that are extremely snappy and uncomfortable to shoot, but the MC1sc was smooth and stable in hand. Recoil was easily manageable even after three days of shooting and hundreds of rounds sent downrange. When compared to other popular striker-fired pistols, the MC1 is every bit their equal.
Shooting in Pairs
One of the most useful training drills was to stand in the line with my partner, David, and be given five targets to cover between the two of us. An instructor would operate the moving targets, and it was our job to cover each target, manage our ammunition, and communicate clearly with each other about who was covering which side and targets. With a seven-round magazine and two or three shots on each target, that means it’s imperative not only to know where your ammo count stands but also your partner’s. Communication is key. We learned to yell out whether we were reloading, holstering, or if a threat had been eliminated.
One of the most enlightening aspects of the training was the Simunitions scenarios we were put through. Equipped with non-lethal training rounds and blue guns, David and I were staged in several situations mirroring everyday life. The most memorable took place at a makeshift “restaurant.” A role player came into the room, got in a fight with the host, then drew a firearm. Dave and I had to respond in an instant, drawing our firearms and firing upon the gunman as he turned his pistol on us. Such a scenario makes you think about how to prevent armed conflict, why you need to stay alert, and how to prepare mentally for a scenario before it happens.
As Col. Cooper himself intended, our course ended with a pair-on-pair competition on steel to measure time, speed, and above all, accuracy. Staged against a couple of Alaskan bushmen and their .45-caliber 1911s in the final rounds, we hit the last steel target first, but it didn’t fall as fast as theirs. David and I were edged out, but only ever so slightly. It’s pretty dang impressive when a subcompact 9mm can keep pace with a full-size 1911, which only speaks to the accuracy and handling of the MC1sc.
About the Author
