Gun Of The Week: FMK Firearms 9C1-G3 Elite

by
posted on April 14, 2023
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

Now in its third generation, this optics-ready FMK Firearms 9C1 is a single-action, striker-fired 9 mm pistol that is packed with many great features, and it’s available at a price that is hard to beat. Throughout the construction of the FMK pistol, you’ll find subtle notes of American pride. Though the FMK 9C1’s operating system is modeled after a European design, it is truly an American-made pistol. Watch the Gun Of The Week video above to see the 9C1-G3 in action on the NRA Tech range.

man on shooting range wearing protective gear shooting 9 mm FMK 9C1-G3 Elite pistol

FMK Firearms builds many creature comforts into its 9C1.  Starting with its polymer frame design, the frontstrap has a series of grooves molded for a three-finger hold, and its backstrap is made of a shock-absorbing material. A high undercut at the rear of the trigger guard and a generous beavertail cut combine to place the pistol low in the hand. The result of this placement lowers the bore axis, which makes for a gun that is easy to handle, even with the heaviest personal defense loads.

FMK Firearms left-side view black handgun pistol 9 mm gun on stand with white background

At the forward portion of the frame, FMK provides a single-slot accessory rail, should users want to install a light, laser or training aid. As for the gun’s slide, it is made of carbon steel, and given this is the third-generation pistol from FMK, you’ll get a series of slide serrations not just at the rear, but the front, too. This Elite version of the 9C1 pistol has an open-top slide to reduce weight and most significantly, it contains a milled portion dedicated to optics. Just forward of the rear sight, beneath the factory-installed cover plate is where you will direct-mount your choice of optic, whether it be a Burris Fastfire 3, Vortex Viper, Vortex Venom or Trijicon RMR. This model did not come with an optic pre-installed, however, FMK does offer models that ship with an optic included.

close-up view fmk pistol 9 mm optic cut slide example detail black metal gun parts

On the range, our testers thoroughly enjoyed the FMK experience. The gun’s white-outlined rear sight is easy to pick up on the range, and since it is based on the Glock pattern, there are many aftermarket options to choose from. FMK’s Fast-Action trigger made for quick shooting and the gun’s accuracy showed in our range experience. Our testers particularly enjoyed the frame’s ergonomics, which includes a beveled magazine well for reloads, as well as its recoil-absorbing backstrap.

rear view of FMK 9C1-G3 Elite slide marking detail gun pistol

The large trigger guard allows for quick and uninterrupted access to the trigger and its blade-in-bow trigger is a nice safety addition for those who wish to carry this gun concealed. To top it off, the emblazoned “Thank You Armed Forces” on the frame’s right side and the words “Freedom” and “Liberty on the striker plate adjacent to the loaded chamber indicator are nice touches. And if you’re in the market for a gun that comes in colors other than black, FMK has several to choose from, such as Sniper Grey, Dark Earth and Pink. OD Green is offered too, in addition to Burnt Bronze, Titanium Grey and Blue Jay.

FMK 9C1-G3 Elite Specifications
Manufacturer: FMK Firearms
Action Type: recoil-operated, semi-automatic, centerfire pistol
Chambering: 9 mm Luger
Barrel: 4"
Slide: carbon steel;
Frame: polymer
Magazine: 10- and 14-round detachable box
Sights: white-outlined, drift-adjustable rear; fixed front dot
Overall Length: 6.85"
Height: 5.09"
Width: 1.14"
Weight: 23.45 ozs.
MSRP: $369

Latest

Taurus Expedition Rifleman Review 1
Taurus Expedition Rifleman Review 1

Rifleman Review: Taurus Expedition

Taurus entered the bolt-action rifle market with its Expedition, a Remington 700-pattern design that's built to be versatile and affordable.

New For 2025: Charter Arms Pathfinder II

Charter Arms updated one of the oldest models in its lineup with the new Pathfinder II, which features a lightweight 7075 aluminum frame, making it more well-balanced and easier to carry.

Review: Kimber 2K11

The 2011-style pistol was designed to address the capacity limitations of the single-stack M1911 platform, and Kimber's approach to the concept is its 2K11, a competition-ready offering with several notable features.

Favorite Firearms: A High-Flying Hi-Standard “A-D”

Manufactured in New Haven, Conn., in late 1940, this Hi-Standard pistol was shipped as a Model “A,” but a heavier Model “D” barrel was installed later to replace the original, light barrel, leading one American Rifleman reader to call it a Model “A-D.”

Ruger Helps Families In Need Through The Kids & Clays Foundation

In the effort to help tens of thousands of critically ill children and their families across the nation through local Ronald McDonald Houses, Ruger is among some of the industry’s foremost Platinum-level sponsors of The Kids & Clays Foundation.

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.