TFB Review: Strike Industries SMC Charlie

Pistol chassis systems have become increasingly popular in recent times. These systems appeal to many shooters by combining the compact size of a PDW with the ability to use standard pistol magazines and fire control units (FCUs). This versatility is attractive because it allows users to purchase a single firearm and configure it in multiple ways. Several companies, such as CAA and Flux, have introduced their own unique interpretations of the pistol chassis concept. However, the Strike SMC stands out as one of the most distinctive designs I've had the opportunity to use. Not only is the SMC visually striking, but it is also relatively affordable compared to many other options on the market, while offering both modularity and solid performance. I have put nearly 3 thousand rounds of 9mm through the chassis since I received it and have been thoroughly impressed with it.

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One of the first things I noticed when I received the SMC was its design and aesthetics. Strike Industries has never shied away from angular, sci-fi-inspired designs, and that style really shines through with the SMC Charlie. Strike clearly embraces this look, as evidenced by marketing that leans heavily into franchises like Halo and Helldivers—the website even claims it's “perfect for annihilating Covenant and Terminids alike.” The SMC Charlie looks like it came straight out of a video game, regardless of its configuration.

Assembly was fairly straightforward; it took about five minutes to go from individual parts to a fully configured chassis, with everything torqued down and installed. Strike also offers a modular purchasing approach, allowing you to order only the parts you need for the Charlie, so you don’t have to pay for unnecessary components. Pricing ranges from $120 for the bare chassis to $276 for a fully accessorized setup (sans brace). One design choice I highly appreciate on the SMC Charlie is that it uses a 1913 Picatinny adapter for braces and stocks, giving you near-limitless options for customization.

Initially, when building out the SMC, I used an AR buffer tube folder with an SBA3 brace. While heavier and bulkier than Strike’s OEM offerings, it balanced the overall weight well when fully kitted out and made the platform incredibly soft-shooting. During my first range session with the SMC, I ran 600 rounds of 124-grain American Eagle through it without any issues, aside from some minor rubbing from the suppressor-height front sight on the Legion slide, which was easily resolved by filing down a small bit of material at the front of the top rail.

The upper rail attaches via two push pins and locks in on the front via 2 notches. I was curious how well the top rail would maintain zero with optics and lasers, so I mounted a MAWL C1+ and took it to several night shoots. Throughout the course of the review, the top rail held zero reliably, and the MAWL remained zeroed for 700 rounds during those sessions. Additionally, I have not been easy on the SMC. I have taken it out in the woods and it has taken multiple tumbles off the top of a table and fallen off my hood more than once and has still managed to hold zero at 25. 

Reliability has been great with the SMC functioning flawlessly throughout the 3000 rounds. Over the course of the review, I have run everything from 124gr HST defensive loads to G9 80gr external hollowpoints. Additionally, I have taken the SMC out in almost every environment, from the snowy mountains of the 7 Devils to pouring rain in the Pacific Northwest, and it has remained functional and smooth. The polymer frame of the SMC Charlie has held up well in sub-freezing temperatures and I have not noted any issues with any of the furniture.

The controls on the SMC are easy to use and well-designed. With the top rail installed, you are required to use the charging handle, which replaces the back plate of the slide. It has held up to abuse and remains firmly locked in place, thanks to the Loctite that comes pre-installed on the hardware. Throughout the review all of the accessories have remained solid with none of the screws backing out after initial installation. The built-in magwell allows for easy reload even under night vision, and the extended trigger guard further widens the magazine funnel, making it nearly impossible to fumble a reload. The trigger guard also functions as an angular foregrip, which makes shooting the SMC much more comfortable while properly keeping your thumbs out of the way of the slide and charging handle. The SMC also has a built-in blast shield to prevent any muzzle blast from hitting your fingers, even when choked up on the angled foregrip. All this leads to a very shootable platform, which allows you to really get high up on the gun and run it hard without worrying about any ergonomic issues.

During one of the range sessions, I had the chance to compare the SMC directly to some of its competitors, such as the Flux Raider and the SMC Bravo, which is Strike's lighter, more streamlined variant of the SMC. Side by side, the Charlie held up extremely well, shooting softer than the Flux. This is partly due to the half-pound weight difference and partly due to the improved ergonomics. I found the Charlie far more comfortable to run than either the Flux or the Bravo, without being notably heavier or larger. Fully configured with an X Five legion slide, the SMC Charlie weighs 3 lbs 9.4 oz with a Leupold Deltapoint Pro on a riser and a 21-round mag. In comparison, the Flux, when set up the same way, weighs in at 3 lbs 5 oz with a single mag. This results in a noticeably softer shooting platform, something I quickly came to appreciate during longer range sessions. I also found the Strike FSA Dual Folder to be far more comfortable, allowing me to get up onto the gun much faster and more consistently. Ergonomically, I found the SMC Charlie to be superior to the Flux as well. I much preferred the side charging handle on the Strike to any of the offerings on the Flux, and the overall handling is much improved while still remaining slim and easy to conceal.

One of the main benefits of a PDW system is the improved handling, stability, and accuracy compared to a normal handgun, all while still retaining high concealability. In testing, I did not notice any degradation in mechanical accuracy when compared to a standard 320 X Five, both when grouping off a rest and when handed to other shooters. We saw noticeable reductions in group size at 25 yards, ranging from a 20% to 50% improvement depending on the shooter. Handgun shooting has always been an inherently difficult discipline to master, and a PDW chassis really helps people take advantage of the accuracy possible with some of these handgun platforms.

I’ve had the SMC Charlie for several months now, and for most of that time, I’ve concealed it in a normal-sized backpack. The SMC has gone pretty much everywhere with me, from work to the remote wilderness of Oregon. The SMC Charlie, when folded, fits perfectly into a smaller backpack. I personally used a Beretta Multipurpose Pack to carry the SMC for the majority of the time I had it. With a pouch size of 13" L x 5.5" W x 16" H, the pack is relatively small, but it still has plenty of room for spare mags as well as my normal everyday items. While it took some getting used to, with practice, I was able to consistently deploy the SMC Charlie in about 4.5 seconds from concealment. I found that, in comparison to my normal EDC concealed carry setup, I am notably quicker and more accurate with the SMC. I believe that for the average shooter, it will be a significant force multiplier compared to a typical CCW setup, all while remaining relatively easy to conceal.

After the final range session, I was left very impressed with Strike Industries' latest chassis offering. Not only is it relatively affordable compared to other major players on the market, but it also brings notable improvements in ergonomics and features. I experienced zero failures with the chassis system throughout the review and plan to eventually SBR the setup, keeping it in my daily rotation. I believe that for the vast majority of people interested in a pistol chassis, the SMC Charlie is a solid choice. Its modularity and the ability to use 1913 braces and stocks make it highly configurable for almost any setup, whether that’s an ultralight, slim bag gun or a heavy PCC setup for night vision. The SMC Charlie makes a great choice, whether you're deep concealing a bag gun or hunting down automatons on Malevelon Creek to defend Super Earth.