The New NEMO Mongoose | A PCC That Is Actually Better

Overview of the NEMO Mongoose PCC

The hosts introduce the NEMO Mongoose pistol caliber carbine, chambered in 9mm. They note that many PCCs have entered the market, but this model stands out visually, describing it as futuristic and one of the best-looking options they have seen. The gun uses AR-style controls, including a familiar selector and grip, and accepts AR-style trigger packs. A key feature highlighted early is magazine compatibility with CZ Scorpion Evo 3 magazines, which they prefer over Glock magazines for both reliability and appearance. They emphasize that the Mongoose is designed as a compact, modern 9mm platform that blends PCC characteristics with AR-style ergonomics.

Controls, ergonomics, and magazine system

The discussion moves into the Mongoose’s controls and handling. It is fully ambidextrous, with mirrored bolt catch and bolt release controls and an AR-style selector that the hosts describe as crisp with good tension. The forward charging handle is reversible, allowing setup for either left- or right-handed shooters. The magazine release is accessible from both sides and can be operated easily by right- or left-handed users, though one host notes needing to slightly adjust grip to reach certain ambidextrous controls. The gun uses CZ Scorpion Evo 3 pattern magazines, which provide a different visual profile than Glock magazines and include side cutouts for round count. Overall, they characterize the control layout as familiar to AR users, with a small learning curve for the Scorpion-style magazine insertion and removal.

Weight, barrel, and linear compensator

They outline key specifications, emphasizing how light the NEMO Mongoose feels. Unloaded, it weighs about 3.6 pounds without a brace and around 4.6 pounds with a brace attached. The barrel length is approximately 5.8 inches, and the upper features a monolithic Picatinny rail. The hosts point out the slim profile of the gun and a window in the receiver area that allows visual confirmation of a loaded magazine. At the muzzle, the gun uses a detachable linear compensator housed in a shroud, which they feel gives the PCC a distinctive look compared to other designs. The comp is removed by pressing buttons on each side and retracting the bolt, allowing the user to swap to other muzzle devices if desired. They repeatedly refer to it as a linear comp and note that it is already showing discoloration from use, suggesting it is redirecting gases effectively.

First shooting impressions and recoil

On the range, they fire the NEMO Mongoose for the first time on camera, using 9mm ammunition. The operating system is described as direct blowback, yet the recoil impulse feels smoother than expected. One host compares the feel to some semi–roller-delayed guns, describing the recoil as a controlled up-and-down movement that makes it easy to stay on target. They remark that the trigger feels high quality and that the overall build seems well put together, though they stress these are initial impressions rather than the result of long-term testing. The linear compensator is credited as likely contributing to the mild recoil and controllability, given the visible wear from gas exposure. They also mention that the gun locks back reliably on an empty magazine during this initial shooting session.

Quick-change barrel and modularity

The hosts then disassemble the Mongoose to show its internal design. While staying within platform guidelines, they explain that retracting the bolt and removing the charging handle allows the barrel and internal carrier assembly to be taken out. Inside, they point out a Browning-style tilting barrel, similar to a pistol barrel, housed within a carrier. The recoil assembly sits at the rear, with a guide rod that supports the charging handle. This configuration reveals a quick-change barrel system and suggests potential modularity for other calibers such as .40 S&W, .45 ACP, or 10mm, though they frame this as a possibility rather than a confirmed option. They emphasize that the tilting-barrel, carrier-based system sets the Mongoose apart from more conventional fixed-barrel blowback PCCs and is a core part of its design.

Shooting without the comp

After reassembly, they remove the linear compensator to compare recoil characteristics. Using a full magazine of 9mm, they note that the gun still locks back properly and functions as expected. The shooter reports feeling a slight increase in recoil, estimating roughly a 10 percent difference compared to shooting with the comp installed. The change is described as subtle rather than dramatic, and the gun remains easy to control. They conclude that the compensator does provide some benefit in recoil management but that the Mongoose remains very shootable without it. Aesthetically, they prefer the look of the gun with the comp attached, but from a functional standpoint, they consider both configurations viable for practical use.

Suppressor testing and point of impact shift

Finally, they install a Dead Air Mojave 9 suppressor and begin testing with various 9mm loads at approximately 30 yards. Using 115-grain ammunition that had been performing normally unsuppressed, they observe a significant point of impact shift to the right after the first shot once the suppressor fills with gas. The same rightward shift appears with a different brand of 115-grain 9mm and with 124-grain loads. They try another suppressor and see similar behavior, leading them to believe the issue is not specific to a single can. When switching to 147-grain subsonic 9mm, the point of impact shift disappears, and hits return to the expected location. They note that the rifle and unsuppressed shooting had been consistent, and they plan to investigate further, including contacting others, to better understand why lighter 9mm loads exhibit this rightward shift when suppressed on the Mongoose.