Smith & Wesson M&P FPC 22LR Review: Best Folding Rifle?
We take the portable Smith & Wesson M&P FPC .22LR to the range for some fun and testing. How does this folding rimfire stack up? We find out.
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Pros
- Compact/portable design
- Onboard magazine storage
- Share’s magazines with M&P 22X
Cons
- Fixed length of pull
The Bottom Line
The Smith & Wesson FPC 22LR’s very cool design gives you a portable plinker that’s accurate, reliable, and carries a lot of ammunition.
Smith & Wesson had a winner back in 2023 when they released the M&P FPC. This 9mm “folding pistol carbine” took advantage of a hinge in the middle of the gun to keep it compact and portable.
Three years later, Big Blue has deepened its offerings in what has proven to be a reliable, affordable, and fun firearms design. The FPC now comes in .40 S&W, 10mm, 5.7x28mm, and .22LR.
Was Smith & Wesson able to successfully port the FPC to rimfire?
They sent us one, and we put it through its paces to find out for ourselves. We’ll share what we learned below, so read on!
Table of Contents
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M&P FPC 22LR Specs & Features
Specs
- Caliber: .22LR
- Capacity: 20+1
- Overall Length: 30.4” (16.38” folded)
- Barrel Length: 16.25”
- Height: 8”
- Width: 2.5”
- Weight: 4.08 lbs.
- Comes with: Cardboard box, three 20-round magazines, four grip inserts, Allen wrench, owner’s manual, gun lock
Features
- Flat-face trigger
- Charging handle fold retention
- Folding design
M&P FPC 22LR Backstory
As mentioned above, Smith & Wesson first introduced the M&P FPC in 9mm back in 2023. Folding guns weren't novel, but they were a new venture for Smith.
Ruger released their folding carbine in 5.7x28mm in 2022, and later added other calibers. There have been other folders in different calibers as well, such as the Fold AR we reviewed, or even the Kel-Tec Sub-2000.
However, Smith took the opportunity to move the platform forward and make improvements. By making it available in .22LR, they also edged into the category of the survival rifle, like the venerable Henry US Survival (or AR-7).
By adding rimfire to the M&P FPC lineup, Smith & Wesson entered the waters usually dominated by the Ruger 10/22.
Shooting the M&P FPC 22LR: Accuracy & Reliability Analysis
Rimfire can be a little finicky so I wanted to test a variety of weights and brands of ammunition. My main objectives were to test reliability as well as accuracy.
Toward that end, I fired just over 400 rounds through the FPC 22LR. I also incorporated a suppressor and used both standard and subsonic ammunition.
I started off with a CCI Minimag (Varmint 36gr hollow points) and quickly realized this was going to be a fun firearm to test out. The lightweight polymer body of the FPC 22LR, minimal recoil, and reduced noise were an absolute joy.
The FPC 22LR’s muzzle includes 1/2x28 threads. After removing the thread protector, I simply screwed my Gemtech GM-22 into place and kept plinking.
The pop of each shot was significantly tamed, though it's still not what I would call hearing-safe. After the CCI Minimag, I switched to subsonic ammo and ran both Remington Subsonic and Winchester Subsonic.
This was much more palatable when used in conjunction with the GM-22. Subsonic ammo barely offered a pop when fired through the suppressor.
Reliability was outstanding in feeding, firing, and ejecting. I had two rounds of Remington Subsonic fail to fire, so I ejected them to see what happened. The rim of the case was properly stamped, so this told me it was simply a failure of the ammunition to detonate.
In addition, all magazines inserted, locked up, and dropped free from the FPC 22LR when I pressed the release.
For accuracy, I used the Vortex Triumph red dot and zeroed at 25-yards. I fired 5-shot groups with each ammo while shooting from a CTK Precision P3 Ultimate Gun Vise.
The most accurate ammo tested was Norma Match 40gr. which came in around .67”. Four of these shots were touching while the fifth hovered a quarter inch away.
| Ammunition | Weight | Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| Norma Match | 40gr | .67” |
| Winchester Silvertip | 37gr | 1.05” |
| Remington Subsonic | 40gr | 1.29” |
| CCI Minimag | 36gr | 1.64” |
| Winchester Subsonic | 42gr | 2.04” |
Because this is a .22LR carbine, there really isn’t much recoil to contend with. The GM-22 suppressor even helped minimize what little there was.
In addition to standard testing, I also tried out the folding function several times. The button works well to release the forend, which breaks at the throat of the barrel.
Accuracy was unaffected despite multiple folds and reassemblies. In addition, the locking mechanism that holds the carbine together held strongly, but wasn’t ever difficult to open.
Once opened, the forend locked into place with an easy click and never came apart. Drawing the and deploying the FPC 22LR from a 5.11 backpack was a breeze.
Ergonomics: Fit & Feel
I appreciate the aggressive grip texture in the M&P lineup. It’s one of the first things I noticed when I reviewed the M&P9 2.0 Metal.
Besides the standard grip, you can choose from three other grip modules to customize for your hands. Users have a total of four different options to customize the grip size.
Sticking with a utilitarian theme, Smith included a punch tool in the base of the grip that’s required for field stripping. The punch is held in place with a twist of the base.
Folded up, the FPC 22LR is light, compact, and easy to conceal in a backpack. Even with an optic and three loaded magazines on board, it’s not heavy.
The onboard storage is notable. When each magazine holds 20 rounds, this makes your grand total 60 shots (61 if you’re an overachiever).
Magazines tuck neatly into the buttstock in storage slots on either side. Pressing a spring-loaded bar underneath releases the opposite side magazine.
The magazines are also stored in the buttstock with the base plates out. This is a great choice because it enables the shooter to index by feel and get oriented without looking during a reload.
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On the back of the buttstock, Smith provided ample rubber to grip the shoulder only, since there is no recoil to speak of. There’s also a QD point in the stock, though none on the front of the gun, and placement for such an accessory would need to keep the folding action in mind.
Overall ergonomics are good, though the only user-adjustable component is the grip. The buttstock is not adjustable, though the cheek weld is user-adjustable based on body mechanics.
I found myself resting on a spot that had me in contact with both the stock and part of the tube. Interestingly, the same tube, without a buffer or spring, has a small storage cavity that can hold small items.
Forward on the FPC 22LR, the rail is reminiscent of an AR-15 with MLOK present in the classic seven positions. Picatinny adorns the top of the forend, though only forward of the hinge.
There is no 1913 railing on the receiver itself, so shooters won’t be able to mount a dot and magnifier. I’m not sure why anyone would want to, but the limitation still stands.
The receiver is polymer, with the grip and trigger guard formed as a single continuous piece. It also helps form the hinge, the widest part of the firearm.
Folding and unfolding the FPC 22LR is a piece of cake. Pressing a large button on the right side of the gun releases the rail, allowing it to smoothly fold to the left, back onto itself.
The rail comes to rest neatly alongside the rear tube and buttstock. Smith designed the FPC 22LR so that a small latch on the charging handle fits into an MLOK slot, holding the firearm together.
It isn’t locked up by any stretch of the imagination, just held in place. By simply pulling the two halves apart, the FPC 22LR opens easily and locks into place when you unfold it all the way.
The result of this design provides repeatable accuracy and greater convenience. It doesn’t have to be a backpack gun, but it will take up less room wherever you decide to stow it.
That charging handle also works well for its intended purpose. Mounted on the bottom, the handle has two wings that can be activated from either side of the gun.
Below this on the grip, the magazine release is on the left side and reversible for lefties. There is also a bolt release on both sides, above the trigger, that is fairly easy to reach for longer thumbs.
And it’s a good thing too. Smith included the feature of the bolt holding open after the last round is fired, making those reloads a breeze.
Speaking of magazines, Smith did a great job. These 20-round units have a slot in the middle so you can see your progress, and a lever on the side greatly aids in releasing pressure on the follower, making it easier to load rounds.
Notably, the 20-round magazines also fit into Smith’s M&P 22X, an optics-ready pistol. This compatibility is pretty cool and gives shooters a wider array of plinking options.
The safety is a cross-bolt style with an aggressively textured button. It’s located above the trigger guard and is easy to reach from either side of the carbine.
Finally, the trigger is well done for a rimfire carbine. The shoe has a nice flat face on a curved bow and a well-integrated safety lever that flattens to the surface when pressed.
Pressing back, the safety device melds nicely with the trigger’s shoe. There are a few millimeters of take-up before a defined wall, then a solid break.
On a Lyman Digital Trigger gauge, the break averaged right around 4.5 lbs. Reset was light, happening near the end of the return, but it was tactile and audible.
Since no sights were included with the FPC 22LR, I installed a Vortex Triumph red dot. This little 2 MOA optic is inexpensive and fits the bill great for this setup.
Improvements We’d Like To See
During testing, I noted a magazine fell out of the buttstock a couple of times. I wasn’t sure what caused this since there is tension holding the magazines in.
My best guess is that I likely bumped the release while moving the firearms around. It doesn’t appear that the tension is user-adjustable, but it only happened twice.
In addition, the buttstock not being adjustable loses the FPC 22LR some points in the ergonomics category, but this was a sacrifice. Designers favored the fixed length and storage capacity instead.
Who Is It For?
Because this FPC is chambered in .22LR, the carbine fits neatly into the plinker category, making it a fun option for just about anyone. It’s lightweight, has little to no recoil, and fits just about anyone who wants to shoot it.
The FPC 22LR would also serve as a hunting/varminting carbine for smaller prey. Its portability gives it high points for storage and convenience when not in use.
However, one of the more exciting categories shoppers may consider this carbine for is survival. With miscellaneous storage and a 60-round magazine on the gun, this compact folder has a lot of potential to save your bacon in the right scenario.
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By the Numbers
Reliability: 10/10
With just over 400 rounds fired through the FPC 22LR, I experienced zero malfunctions. As noted, there were a couple of failures to fire, but these were ammunition issues, and no fault of the gun.
Ergonomics: 6/10
Overall, the carbine's ergonomics are good, but points were lost for a fixed length of pull. Controls are mostly easy to reach and operate, though the bolt release can be a stretch for people with shorter thumbs.
Accuracy: 5/10
Shooting from a rest at 25 yards, totaled groups averaged 1.33”, with the smallest being .67” and the largest just over 2”. This kind of accuracy doesn’t lend itself to an NRL22 match, but it is serviceable and highly dependent on what ammunition you use.
Customization: 6/10
Being a fairly recent release, there isn’t a great deal of aftermarket support for the FPC 22LR though I did find some flat face triggers and metal charging handle upgrades. Some, or all of these may not fit the rimfire version and may be intended for other calibers. Shooters can mount different accessories to the MLOK and Picatinny, and the threaded muzzle creates options too.
Value: 6/10
With prices in the low $400s, the FPC 22LR is a great deal. The comparable Ruger 10/22 Takedown is around the same price but doesn’t have the features of Smith’s offering.
Overall: 7/10
Upgrades & Accessories for M&P FPC 22LR
Hearing protection is a must, even with rimfire, so I trust Shell Shock to cover my hearing. It's all day long comfortable to wear, and I can still hear range commands with the active listening.
If you're looking for a great red dot that won't break the bank, look no further than the Vortex Triumph. This 2 MOA dot is motion-activated, has an auto-shutoff, and runs for 50,000 hours.
Shooting rimfire is an absolute joy for many reasons, but you can take that experience to the next level by adding a suppressor. The Gemtech GM-22 is inexpensive, but it does a great job of taking that hypersonic crack down to tolerable levels.
How We Tested the M&P FPC 22LR
I tested the M&P FPC 22LR by shooting just over 400 rounds, using a variety of brands and types of ammunition. Reliability was assessed by total round count while watching for malfunctions.
- Norma Match 40gr Lead Round Nose
- Winchester Silvertip 37gr Segmenting Hollow Point
- Remington Subsonic 40gr Copper-Plated Hollow Point
- CCI Minimag 36gr Copper Plated Round Nose
- Winchester Subsonic 42gr Copper-Plated Hollow Point
Accuracy was tested by mounting a Vortex Triumph red dot, which was zeroed at 25 yards. This combination was fired from a CTK Precision P3 Ultimate Gun Vise on a bench at paper targets. Groups were later measured with calipers.
In addition to the red dot, I installed a Gemtech GM22 suppressor. This allowed me to test reduced recoil and sound reduction as well as additional durability.
Various multi-target drills were used to gauge the rifle’s maneuverability shooting steel targets at distances as close as 10 yards and as far as 100 yards. The carbine was cleaned and lubricated before testing, and all three included magazines were used for testing.
Meet the Experts
This review was written by Sean Curtis, Content Producer and Lead Review Analyst for Pew Pew Tactical. Sean spent 22 years in law enforcement in Colorado, where he served as a Patrol Commander, SWAT Team Leader, and firearms instructor for his agency.
Sean has decades of firearms training and instruction. The principles of that knowledge are applied in conducting this review. In addition, Sean learned to shoot with a .22 rifle as a child and has enjoyed rimfire ever since.
Final Verdict on the M&P FPC 22LR
At the beginning of this review, I questioned whether Smith & Wesson could seamlessly port the FPC to .22 LR, a caliber known to cause occasional malfunctions. I can definitely say they did that, and much more.
In fact, the M&P FPC 22LR goes a step further. While it doesn’t have hair-splitting accuracy, it is serviceable, and the reliability is extremely sound.
Moreover, the utility and overall design make it an entry that spans multiple categories—plinking, hunting/varminting, and survival —and does some things even better than the giants that came before it, like the Henry US Survival and the Ruger 10/22.
Will you be purchasing an M&P FPC 22LR? Let us know in the comments below. And for even more rimfire rifle fun, be sure to check out Best .22 LR Rifles!