Smith & Wesson Response: a new AR-15 pistol-caliber carbine with a versatile feeding system
Smith & Wesson’s 9mm Response semi-automatic, AR-15 style pistol-caliber carbine breaks grounds with its patented FLEXMAG feeding system, allowing the use of Smith & Wesson M&P, Glock, or other magazines
Following the warm market reception for their FPC folding carbine, Smith & Wesson introduces another brand new PCC for 2023: officially released on the US market on October 19th, the Smith & Wesson Response is a blowback-operated, semi-automatic pistol-caliber carbine chambered in 9mm Luger that sports a sapient blend of familiar features with an interesting, proprietary take on feeding.
The Smith & Wesson Response sports an AR-15 style design, with AR-type charging handle, manual safety, magazine release, and hold-open lever, as well as a collapsible MagPul buttstock. A 16.5” / 42 cm barrel with a 1:10” twist rate and a ½×28 threaded muzzle is free to float within an M-LOK handguard which, along with the upper receiver, features a full-length MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny rail for optics or back-up folding iron sights.
Smith & Wesson Response 9mm Luger semi-automatic pistol-caliber carbine – right side
The action of the Smith & Wesson Response carbine is housed in a polymer receiver that’s comprised of upper and lower halves, much like the upper and lower receivers of a standard AR-15. The Response also comes a recoil buffer and buffer spring in an AR-type buffer tube, and an AR-15 compatible fire control group with a flat-face trigger.
Smith & Wesson Response 9mm Luger semi-automatic pistol-caliber carbine – left side
The key feature of the Smith & Wesson Response, however, is the patented FLEXMAG feeding system, which allows the polymer magazine well to be removed from the lower receiver and replaced with others to convert the Response to the use of various magazine types.
The Smith & Wesson Response is set from factory to use double-stack Smith & Wesson M&P pistol magazines, and comes issued with two 23-rounds mags.
The interchangeable magazine wells allow the use of a wide range of double-stack 9mm pistol magazines from Smith & Wesson or other manufacturers. Each Smith & Wesson Response comes from factory with a separate magazine well for Glock 17 and Glock 19 magazines.
Standing at 90 cm (35.3/8”) in overall length with a fully extended buttstock and weighing in at just 2,67 kilograms (94.4 oz) when empty, the Smith & Wesson Response semi-automatic pistol-caliber carbine is available in the United States at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $799.00; for information concerning local availability and pricing outside of the US, consult the official Smith & Wesson importer for your Country.