{"id":409320,"date":"2023-10-27T17:00:21","date_gmt":"2023-10-27T22:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/?p=409320"},"modified":"2025-09-09T16:08:01","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T21:08:01","slug":"the-sub-2000-vs-the-fpc-folding-pcc-shootout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/the-sub-2000-vs-the-fpc-folding-pcc-shootout\/","title":{"rendered":"The SUB 2000 Vs. the FPC: Folding PCC Shootout"},"content":{"rendered":"

The release of the Smith and Wesson Folding Pistol Carbine brought instant comparisons to the Kel-Tec Sub 2000. Why wouldn’t it? The Sub 2000 is one of Kel-Tec’s most popular products, and it’s been in production since 2001. The FPC and Sub 2000 have a lot in common. They are both pistol caliber carbines that fold in half and use popular pistol magazines. They both fill the role of a super compact carbine that stores easily while providing semi-auto firepower.<\/p>\n

The guns have a bit more than that in common as well. They are both straight blowback operated and feature an M-LOK rail system and threaded barrel for accessories. Heck, even Kel-Tec jumped in on the fun comparisons, posting a number of memes poking fun at S&W for copying their design. I’m a Sub 2000 fan and I really like folding guns, so with that in mind, getting an FPC was on my shortlist.<\/p>\n

Now that I have both in hand, it seems like a great time to talk about their differences and if one is better than the other. We had to hit the range for a folding carbine competition.<\/p>\n

The OG versus the Young Blood<\/h2>\n

Let’s first dive into the feature that draws so many comparisons: the ability to fold the gun. While both of these guns fold, they do it in very different ways. What they both do have in common is their inability to fold while a round is chambered.<\/p>\n

The Kel-Tec separates the barrel from the receiver and folds over the top of the design. The barrel then locks into a tab at the rear of the gun that keeps the gun folded and locked in place. When folded, the Sub 2000 is 16 inches long. The Sub 2000 uses the trigger guard to unlock the barrel and allow the weapon to fold.<\/p>\n

\"folding
Both guns are folding and super compact.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The S&W FPC’s barrel folds at the receiver but folds to the side of the gun. It friction fits and locks onto the charging handle of the gun. When folded, the FPC is only 16.375 inches long. The release for the barrel is on the right side of the gun, which is a fairly large tab that is pressed forward to release the barrel.<\/p>\n

Both systems are intuitive, and both require two hands. The Sub 2000 is fully ambidextrous, and the FPC tends to favor right-handed shooters. The systems are both very compact, and each store easily. The FPC is thicker, and the Sub 2000 is taller, but both fit in your average backpack, rifle bag, or whatever. The FPC even comes with a very nice, low-profile bag for storing your gun.<\/p>\n

\"both
Unfolded the guns are still compact.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Accuracy<\/h2>\n

Which is more accurate? That’s tough to answer. Neither are precision rifles, but both can be accurate enough within the range of a 9mm round. The shooter behind the gun makes the biggest difference. I shot both guns with optics. The Sub 2000 comes with iron sights, and the FPC does not. In each case, we are looking at basically a 2 to 2.5 “Minutes of Angle” gun.<\/p>\n

\"FPC
The FPC isn’t just a copy of the of the Sub 2000 it has some unique twists.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The FPC does have a much nicer trigger than the Sub 2000. The Sub 2000’s trigger tends to feel like plastic rubbing plastic. The FPC is identical to the M&P 2.0 series. It’s quite nice, crisp, and predictable.<\/p>\n

Reliability<\/h2>\n

There is something to be said about straight blowback designs. It’s crude and simple but also super reliable. There isn’t much that could go wrong with a blowback design. It’s a very popular choice for pistol-caliber carbines because it works and can be done relatively affordably. It also tends to work with a wide variety of loads and power levels.<\/p>\n

\"Keltec
The Kel-Tec is super reliable.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I have a lot more lead through the Kel-Tec since I’ve owned it for quite some time. Neither weapon has given me any difficulty. The KelTec and FPC both chew through whatever you toss through them and function without a problem. This is another category where the two guns are tied, as far as I’m concerned.<\/p>\n

Recoil<\/h2>\n

While straight blowback designs can be reliable, they aren’t always the softest recoiling options. In fact, a 9mm blowback carbine can often feel like a 5.56 rifle. It’s not a lot of recoil, but it’s more than you expect from a pistol cartridge. The Sub 2000 has a rough recoil cycle. It throws itself backward and slaps you in the face ever so lightly like a mafia guy reminding you who is boss.<\/p>\n

\"shooting
The FPC has much lighter recoil than most blowback guns.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The FPC is different. It’s a pound heavier, but that pound must be well spent. S&W must have done some serious testing to find the right combination of bolt weight and recoil spring weight to create a very light recoiling platform. The difference is apparent immediately, and the FPC has way less recoil. It feels like what you’d expect from a 9mm rifle. Maybe it’s the thicker, more supportive stock that truly makes the difference.<\/p>\n

I have a massive charging handle in my Sub 2000 from MCARBO to help reduce recoil. Even with that aftermarket accessory, the FPC recoils less and is smoother and more comfortable to shoot.
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