

For more information, visit https://fnamerica.com/.

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We here at GunsAmerica first heard about what would become the FN 509 back in January, 2016 at SHOT Show. There were plenty of looks back and forth between the FN folks, followed by a polite “We’ll get back to you” when asked about it. Fast-forward 12 months to the 2017 SHOT Show, and FN responded with an invitation to a meeting at an undisclosed location in Las Vegas. At that meeting, we were given the opportunity to fire a few hundred rounds through the FN 509. We received our sample of the 509 a few weeks ago after promising not to discuss it publicly until April 17th, 2017.

The Birth of the FN 509

Army Contracting Command released the official MHS RFP on August 28, 2015. The XM17 Modular Handgun System competition was a request for a new Army and Navy handgun to replace the M9 handgun. The list of requirements was demanding, to say the least.

Compatibility with accessory items, to include tactical lights, lasers, and sound suppressors.

Fully ambidextrous controls.

Ergonomic designs that could accommodate female shooters.

Pistols that can service higher chamber pressures (over 20 percent greater than SAAMI specification for the cartridge) without degradation of reliability.

2,000 mean rounds between stoppages, 10,000 mean rounds between failures, and a 35,000-round service life.

90 percent or more chance of hitting in a 4-inch circle out to 50 meters, consistently, throughout the weapon’s lifetime.

Ergonomic design minimizing recoil energies and controlling shot dispersion.

Modular features to allow for the adaption of different fire control devices, pistol grips, and alternate magazine options.

Incorporation of detection avoidance by having a non-reflective neutral color.

Modularity, reliability, and durability in all environments.

There were eight entries to the initial test.

The Army Times reported on January 19, 2017 that the competition for the new U.S. handgun had been won by SIG Sauer Inc. on January 18, 2017. The resulting P320 is a great gun, but more than one person has asserted that Sig Sauer owes its victory to the price point. The P320 comes in at $207 a unit—more than $50 cheaper than the M9. As expected, Glock is still protesting Sig Sauer’s win, as their pistol’s box clearly says “Perfection.”

Why Second Place Might Be Better Than First

Sometimes, second place can be more valuable than first. If you are in second place, you have reason to improve and better yourself, as well as an example of what to work towards. If you’re in first, you have no incentive to improve. FN took a hard look at their pistol and decided to use it to pursue the civilian market with the 509. This pistol has plenty of potential to disrupt the current leader in consumer and Law Enforcement sales, especially considering that Glock came to the 2017 SHOT Show with approximately zero new pistols to showcase. I asked about the Glock 17M and was told we might see it next year.

The 509 is well-equipped for the task it has been assigned. It is a striker-fired, polymer-framed 9mm pistol. The four-inch, stainless steel, cold-hammer-forged barrel sports a recessed target crown. There is a slide and magazine release on each side of the gun, accommodating both right and left-handed shooters. FN offers three choices of interchangeable back-straps, and a tapered grip with texturing. The slide has cocking serrations both in the front and rear, along with a left-side-mounted takedown lever. There is an optional ambidextrous manual safety mounted at the rear and top of the frame. The dust cover has a Picatinny rail for accessories. The trigger guard is elongated and rounded, to allow firing with gloved hands. The trigger is a metal two-piece design with a pivot in the middle.

Unboxing

My gun arrived wrapped in shipping paper to protect the plain cardboard box—Christmas came early! Upon opening the box, I saw a zippered black case that resembled a day planner from back in the era of pen and paper. The FN logo embroidered on the outside was a clear indication that the contents were not dreary notes and scribbled appointments. Instead, the case contained the FN 509 and two 17-round magazines. This gun was not your typical FN pistol; in fact it looked more like FN and Sig had worked together to design a Glock 19. The 509 was not big and boxy, but simple and compact. The fact that FN had built a pistol with a capacity of 17-plus-1, and yet smaller (in most respects) than a Glock 19, was impressive. The standard sights were metal, and all the controls were present on both sides of the gun. The gun fit nicely in my hand, and the trigger was better than I expected from a polymer service pistol.

SPECS

Chambering : 9mm

: 9mm Barrel : 4 inches

: 4 inches OA Length : 7.4 inches

: 7.4 inches Weight : 26.9 ounces

: 26.9 ounces Grips : Polymer, integral

: Polymer, integral Sights : Three-dot, luminous

: Three-dot, luminous Action : Striker-fired

: Striker-fired Finish : Matte-black

: Matte-black Capacity : 17+1

: 17+1 MSRP: $649

On the Range

I was not able to get the 509 to the range for a couple of days, so when the time finally came I had my plan ready. I brought a slew of 9mm rounds to run through the gun, along with a few trusted friends who would not break the embargo on the new pistol.

The 509 was passed around like a collection plate on Sunday morning, with each person trying it in the hand, working the controls, and finally testing the trigger before handing it down. The two magazines were loaded up and the fun began! I would guess that the first 200 rounds of my ammunition were run through the gun in a matter of a few minutes. Once everyone had had a turn on the New 509, I asked the “Well, what do you think?” question. Everyone responded with general approval, save one person who took issue with the feel of the trigger. I asked what he was referring to, we arrived at the conclusion that the trigger’s smooth rounded convex face was throwing him off. He had never shot a gun without a Glock style trigger before. His opinion was it was not bad, but different.

Next on my agenda was speed shooting. I had set up some steel plates and other steel targets down range. We all started at the 10-yard line and worked our way back. Our ability to keep control of the pistol under pressure was due in part to the three different kinds of checkering on the grip of the 509. We took turns shooting faster and farther away until we had all exceeded our abilities. I believe the gun had more potential than we did, in terms of speed and accuracy.

As my merry band of helpers departed, I took stock. We had fired 500-plus rounds of practice ammunition, and the FN 509 had suffered no malfunctions. While I had taken the gun apart to inspect it prior to shooting, I did not apply any oil or perform any maintenance; it went from box to range without fail.

I wanted to test the accuracy of the FN 509, so I put a target out at 20 yards and made some marks with my sharpie. What I discovered was that the gun will do its part if you can do yours. I chose three loads from three separate brands, and the table of my results shows that the gun performed consistently with all the ammunition choices.

The FN 509 is going to be a factor in LE gun purchases. I also predict that it will be the pistol that gains FN widespread acceptance in the civilian market. I hope that FN has already loaded the distribution chain to avoid the wait time we often see for new guns.

The Bottom Line

The 509 makes sense to me, and I welcome a new take on the polymer service pistol. It is clear to me that this gun is not lacking anything. This is a gun that I personally will be running, as it fits in a compact footprint with a full-sized capacity. You can get a gun developed for the military world, but refined for the civilian self-defense market. It will work equally well from either hand, without needing to change over parts. The price is competitive, and from a company that will stand behind their products. I think the 509 could be a serious competitor in the largest category going.

For more information, visit https://fnamerica.com/.

To purchase an FN pistol on GunsAmerica.com, click this link: https://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=FN%20pistol.