The United States Congress formed Grand Canyon National Park. Oregon was the first state to tax gasoline at 1 cent per gallon. The United Parcel Service was established, and 2 million gallons of sticky, brown syrup engulfed Boston in what came to be known as the Great Molasses Flood. Welcome to the year 1919.
This was also the year that positioned O.F. Mossberg & Sons as a leader in shooting sports with their first gun ever produced, the Brownie 22. The Brownie was a four-shot .22LR pocket pistol designed for trappers to finish off trapped animals. This 4.5-inch gun weighed 10 ounces and retailed for just $5. This year, in celebration of their 100th anniversary, Mossberg released the MC1sc, their first semiautomatic, subcompact 9mm defensive handgun.
Between the Brownie 22 and the MC1sc spans 100 years of innovative firsts from Mossberg. Leaving the tiny trapper gun in yesteryear, Mossberg has become a leader in the shotgun and rifle realm. Mossberg was also the first company to introduce a range-finding telescopic sight, pump-action shotguns that met military requirements, and a bolt-action rifle that reliably fed from standard AR/M14 magazines. And that’s just a highlight of the many innovative contributions Mossberg has delivered with reliability and success.
The MC1sc is a subcompact 9mm pistol designed for concealed carry. Three years in the making, this gun is a formidable competitor amongst the rest in its class. Visually, the MC1sc is attractive, and it’s evident that Mossberg designed it to be optimal for everyday concealed carry. The trigger and sights, which are two of the first components people typically replace, are good to go right out of the box.
The flat-profile trigger with an integrated blade safety breaks right around 5 pounds but feels lighter. A crisp break, smooth take-up, reduced overtravel, and a beautifully short reset reduce the amount of hand movement for follow-up shots. This is imperative when carrying for self-defense. Snag-free white three-dot dovetail sights enable a quick draw and target acquisition. Mossberg also offers an option featuring TruGlo Tritium Pro Night Sights. The entire pistol has smooth, rounded edges and well-designed ergonomics. Textured grip panels with a unique palm swell lend a natural, comfortable grip. Fully loaded, the MC1sc weighs a mere 22 ounces.
A unique feature of the MC1sc is the Safe Takedown System, which is exclusive to Mossberg. The user is not required to pull the trigger to disassemble the handgun for cleaning or maintenance. There is a button located at the rear slide; once pressed, the back plate is removed, exposing the striker assembly. The striker is then removed, and the slide pushed forward off the frame — a very “outside the box” and innovative addition that only takes a matter of seconds.
Running the MC1sc was as pleasing as the aesthetics. The low bore axis (the barrel sits lower in the frame) reduces recoil, giving you a lightweight gun that isn’t snappy. Since this pistol is designed for carry and self-defense, I wanted to put it through its paces on the range. I started by static shooting for groups to get comfortable with it. From there, I moved to various defensive handgun drills and scenario drills shooting from concealment. I was able to maintain accuracy, quick target acquisition, and speed. Follow-up shots were on target, and I found the gun to be easily drawn from concealment. There were no malfunctions or feed issues.
Mossberg has outdone themselves with the MC1sc. In addition to the standard version, Mossberg offers four other models. One features a cross-bolt safety that sits behind the trigger; another has TruGlo Tritium Pro Night Sights; the third includes a Viridian E-Series red laser mounted at the front of the trigger guard; and then there is the Centennial limited edition. The Centennial has an engraved slide with 24-karat gold accents, titanium nitride barrel, and special sequential serial number and small metal parts — only 1,000 will be made.
Oscar Frederick Mossberg was a 53-year-old Swedish immigrant when he began this company with his sons in 1919. Now, 100 years later, his legacy and company live on through the fourth generation of Mossbergs. As a titan of the firearms industry, Mossberg offers more than great products — the nostalgia of the American Dream paired with family values and pride run through this company’s veins. One-hundred years of accomplishments, innovation, and family loyalty have now come full circle in the MC1sc. Here’s to the next century.
Karen Hunter is a contributing editor for Coffee or Die. As a freelance writer, Karen is featured in national print magazines such as Personal Defense World Magazine, Ballistic Magazine, Gun Primer Magazine, Concealed Carry Handguns Magazine, and Skillset Magazine. She is also a regular contributor to online magazine platforms such as NRA’s America’s 1st Freedom and Getzone. Karen is an avid Second Amendment and Personal Protection advocate and has been a guest on a variety of podcasts. She is the Senior Range Officer for Force Options USA as well as a certified firearms instructor in defensive handgun and carbine.
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