No, not the misfire that was the SMG-45, but the new IC-9. Haven’t seen a lot of buzz about these, although they’ve been out 1 1/2 years or so? Not sure whether it’s the high price or bad memories of their previous PCC, but it looks like they got this one right. My overall impression is that it’s reliable, accurate, and well built. Although it looks like just another Glock magazine AR9 type, it has a different delay system than most 9mm PCCs. It uses a chamber ring delay system that has a pair of annular grooves in the chamber where the brass expands into to cause a delay in the case, and therefore the bolt, moving back. It also includes a Kynshot hydraulic buffer and a flatwire spring. I didn’t have my Scorpion with me to compare with a straight blowback, but my impression is that the IC-9 isn’t as harsh, but not quite as soft shooting as a roller delay system. The recoil feels more like a long duration push than a sharp quick thump. Ran it suppressed with 147 grain Winchester target and 150 grain Syntech with 100% reliability. I don’t reload, so I can’t speak to that, but the spent cases seem pretty smooth on the sides. There is a slight discoloration where the case expanded into the chamber groove, but it looks like any bulge was straightened out by the remainder of chamber on the way out. Ejection was pretty strong at about 4 o’clock, so the system doesn’t seem cause any extraction issues.
Fully ambi controls and charging handle, with a nickel boron bolt and trigger group. The single stage trigger is smooth and crisp, but a little heavier than I’d like it. I measured 6.5-7 pounds, which is in the middle of their wide factory range of 5.5-8.5 pounds. Other than screw type anti-walk pins and finish, it looks like a standard AR trigger at first glance. I noticed a cradle under the FCG that ends in a hoop over the rear of the disconnector, presumably to stop the hammer from beating on the disconnector, which can happen on blowback 9mm guns with a heavy bolt. Since we don’t have FRTs in FL, I don’t know if would affect putting one in, but the cradle looks like a removable part so maybe it can be left out? But it does show that LWRC put some thought in designing the gun specifically for 9mm. Comes with a 8.5” threaded barrel with a thread protector. Also available with a shorter 5”K barrel and a 16” barrel.
Feeds from Glock magazines, although I found that the included 33 round factory mag, as well as a second one I tried, was a very tight fit and required a thump on the bottom to get it to seat and lock in. That said, once locked in, the mags ran fine. Both 24 round Glock mags and 27 round Magpuls dropped free and locked in easily. I’ll probably mostly be using the Magpul mags, giving up a few rounds for the ease of insertion and dropping free. The LRBHO works well, both on the empty mag as well as manually with the bolt catch lever. Seems a lot more robust than the one on my CMMG Banshee, which doesn’t seem to want to work manually for me.
One other minor nit is the safety. Although the right side lever is shorter than the left side, I wish it was a bit shorter, or a shorter throw than 90 degrees as it hits the top of my index finger. Overall, I’m happy with it. Something a little different it the crowded world of 9mm PCCs (or PC-PDWs if you’re a purist who believes carbines should have 16” barrels ??).
