One of the best parts of being a gun writer is the opportunity to see and shoot guns before they’re released to the general public. This was the case last June when I was invited to Gunsite to preview a brand-new pistol. Called the MC2sc, it is a polymer frame, striker-fired 9mm micro-compact from Mossberg. It offers the concealed carrier an economical choice for an optics compatible, higher capacity pistol.

The Micro-Compact Mossberg MC2sc

Mossberg executives gave us the rundown on the new pistol during a classroom session at Gunsite. According to one official, sales of their MC1sc, single-stack subcompact carry gun were good. That is until Sig screwed up their game plan with the P365. 

When Sig introduced the P365, in 2019, it came with a really good trigger, night sights and a 12+1 capacity. Sig had instantly created a demand among consumers that they weren’t able to satisfy. And other manufacturers, like Mossberg, were forced to upgrade their guns capacity.

The result is the MC2sc with an 11+1 capacity with flush-fit magazine and 14+1 capacity with an extended magazine. Both of which are included with the pistol. It was a logical refinement of an existing platform.

Devil in the Details

Mossberg has a goal weight of 5 pounds for the MC2sc’s trigger. My test sample’s trigger broke right at 4.5 pounds, with a firm audible and tactile reset. For defense use, this is just about perfect. It also features a blade-style trigger safety and some take-up, which isn’t a bad thing for a concealed carry gun. Both the slide and magazine releases are low profile for painless deep concealment. In addition, the magazine release is also reversible for southpaw use.

I also like the ergonomics of the gun. It is undercut at the junction of the trigger guard and front strap. As a result, a high-hold grip puts the shooter’s hand closer in line to the bore’s axis, minimizing muzzle flip. The grip angle is 1911-ish and the gun points naturally.

Mossberg molds the micro-compact’s grip frame from a glass-reinforced polymer and it has a unique texture that provides a secure firing grip while not being so aggressive that clothes will hang up on it when carried concealed. The extended magazine sports the same texturing for a nearly seamless continuation of the front strap and gives the user the feel of a full-size gun. In fact, I did most of my shooting at Gunsite with the extended magazine in the MC2sc.

Optics and Easy Disassembly

The MC2sc’s slide is machined from stainless steel and given a DLC for corrosion and wear resistance. It features forward and rear cocking serrations and an external extractor.

While my test sample was equipped with a Crimson Trace CTS-1500 micro red dot, Mossberg will not offer this option. However, all of the Mossberg MC2sc’s will have an Optics Ready Slide cut designed to accept JPoint and Shield pattern micro red dots. The slide’s optic cut is deep enough that the MC2sc’s fixed sights co-witness with the red dot and that gives the gun an incredibly small profile.

The MC2sc also has a unique take-down system that involves sliding off the rear slide cover and removing the striker system before separating the slide from the polymer frame. It is a quick and easy disassembly procedure that doesn’t require tools and I like it! Like most modern subcompacts the MC2sc uses a dual recoil spring system.

Gunsite Tough

When we adjourned to the range each writer was issued an MC2sc, with a Crimson Trace CTS-1500 micro-red dot as well as a DeSantis holster. We began our range session learning Gunsite’s presentation, by the numbers. While this may sound tremendously boring it gives the instructors a chance to evaluate the shooter’s skill level and make sure no one is struggling.

By late morning it was well over 100 degrees and the sky was cloudless. Though Gunsite’s staff had erected a canopy for shade and set up coolers with water and provided Gatorade, the heat was oppressive.

From there we learned to fire controlled pairs from the 3, 7, and 10-yard lines so we could see that we needed to slow down at distance for good hits.  We also shot a modified El Presidente at 10-yards, 2 shots on each of the three steel targets, mandatory reload, repeat. We did this as many times as we wanted, and I think I probably did it 6 or 7 times. My best time was around 10 seconds clean which I thought was pretty good for a micro-compact pistol!

Before the day finished, we shot Gunsite’s Urban Scrambler, a field course designed to test the shooter’s ability to make hits on close and distant targets while moving and shooting from some unorthodox positions.

Through it all the little Mossberg MC2sc Micro-Compact perked along despite the heat, dirt, and sand.  When we finished our pistols were packed up and sent back to the factory for engineers to inspect for any issues. These pre-productions guns were then cleaned up and returned to us.

On Paper

I didn’t have the opportunity to shoot the guns for groups at Gunsite so this was the first thing I did when I received the gun. My paper target was out at 15-yards and I used a 2-inch diameter Shoot N C sticker as my aiming point.

I fired my very first group with Hornady’s 135-grain Flexlock +P loads. I centered the Crimson Trace’s red dot in the center of the black target and squeezed until the 4.5-pound trigger broke. My very first group measured just 0.76 inches and it proved to be the tightest group of the day.

I fired all groups with the extended 14 round magazine in place for an uncompromised shooting grip. The flush-fit magazine is designed for deep concealment, but it requires me to place my pinky underneath the base pad and that makes it painful to fire groups from the bench.

Everything I fired in the MC2sc fed reliably, from the inexpensive range ammo to +P defense ammo. In fact, there were no failures of any kind with the brand-new Mossberg. My aggregate group size was just 0.90 inches for the four ammunitions tried. That impresses me!

Wrap Up

The new Mossberg MC2sc Micro-Compact proved to be reliable and more than accurate. It possesses all of the features that savvy concealed carriers look for in a subcompact, striker-fired 9mm and it also offers consumers the ability to add an optic.

The suggested retail price of the Mossberg MC2sc is just $555 (without red dot) but you know how that goes. You’ll most likely find the gun for a lot less at your local gun store. Mossberg will also offer the MC2sc with TruGlo tritium night sights and another version with a cross-bolt safety.

For more information on Mossberg’s latest concealed carry gun visit their website at Mossberg.com.

This article was originally published in the Personal Defense World Gun Buyer’s Guide December/January 2022 issue. Subscription is available in print and digital editions at OutdoorGroupStore.com. Or call 1-800-284-5668, or email subscriptions@athlonmediagroup.com.