The FN 509 is a polymer frame striker-fired semi-automatic pistol manufactured by FN America, a division of FN Herstal. It is chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum featuring double-action operation and a Picatinny rail located forward of the trigger guard. Tactical, midsize, and compact variants have also been made available.
| FN 509 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 2015 |
| Manufacturer | FN America |
| Unit cost | $649 (MSRP) |
| Produced | 2017–present |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 26.9 oz (760 g) |
| Length | 7.4 in (190 mm) |
| Barrel length | 4.0 in (100 mm) |
| Width | 1.35 in (34 mm) |
| Height | 5.56 in (141 mm) |
| Cartridge | 9×19mm Parabellum |
| Action | Double action |
| Feed system | Box magazine |
| Sights | Fixed 3-dot (standard); Tactical and MRD[a] variants accept red dot sights |
History
editAs part of the XM17 Modular Handgun System competition (MHS) initiated in September 2015, FN Herstal entered a polymer-framed, striker-fired pistol, derived from the FN FNS.[2] After SIG Sauer won the competition in January 2017 with a modified version of the P320,[3][4] FN America brought a version of their entry, now known as the FN 509, to the commercial market.[5]
FN sought consultation from retired Delta Force operator Larry Vickers during early development of the FN 509.[6] FN America stated that during development and testing of the MHS entry and the FN 509, over a million rounds of ammunition were used.[7]
Design details
editFeatures
editThe FN 509 is a striker-fired handgun with a stainless steel slide with ferritic nitrocarburizing finish and a polymer frame. Black and flat dark earth (FDE) colorings are available. Barrel length is 4.0 inches (100 mm). The slide has serrations on both front and back, for easy slide manipulation. There is a full-sized grip, housing 17-round magazines; 10-round magazines are available for states with a high-capacity magazine ban.
The backstrap of the grip accepts interchangeable inserts; one arched and one flat.[5] Instead of a manual safety, the 509 includes an integrated trigger safety (the articulated trigger type like the FN FNS) as part of its four passive safety systems: a striker block, a drop safety, a trigger disconnect and a trigger safety lever.[8]
Magazine releases and slide locks are present on both side of the gun.[8]
Variants
editSeveral variants of the FN 509 have been made available:[9]
- Tactical – 4.5-inch (110 mm) barrel length, 17- and 24-round magazines, available in black or FDE, threaded barrel, raised sights (to accommodate a suppressor), with low-profile optics mounting system (for a red dot sight).
- Midsize – 4.0-inch (100 mm) barrel length, 15-round magazines, available in black, with a midsize frame intended for concealed carry.
- Midsize MRD – as above, with low-profile optics mounting system.
- Compact MRD – 3.7-inch (94 mm) barrel length, 12- and 15-round magazines, available in black or FDE, with low-profile optics mounting system.
Also available are an inert training pistol,[10] and a Simunition (simulated ammunition) pistol.[11]
The subcompact FN 503, introduced in March 2020, uses the "design, performance and reliability standards" of the FN 509.[12]
Specifications
edit| Specification | FN 509 | FN 509 Tactical | FN 509 Midsize | FN 509 Midsize MRD | FN 509 Compact MRD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barrel length | 4.0 in (100 mm) | 4.5 in (110 mm) | 4.0 in (100 mm) | 3.7 in (94 mm) | |
| Overall length | 7.4 in (190 mm) | 7.9 in (200 mm) | 7.4 in (190 mm) | 6.8 in (170 mm) | |
| Overall width | 1.35 in (34 mm) | ||||
| Height | 5.56 in (141 mm) | 5.75 in (146 mm) | 5.2 in (130 mm) | 4.8 in (120 mm) | |
| Weight | 26.9 oz (760 g) | 27.9 oz (790 g) | 26.5 oz (750 g) | 25.5 oz (720 g) | |
| Magazine capacity | 17-round | 17-round† | 15-round | 12-round‡ | |
| Optics mount | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Color | Black or FDE | Black or FDE | Black | Black or FDE | |
| Reference | [13] | [14][15] | [16] | [17] | [18][19] |
For all variants, 10-round magazines are available for states that restrict capacity.
† For the Tactical variant, 24-round extended magazines also available.
‡ For the Compact MRD variant, 15-round extended magazines also available, which increase height to 5.2 in (130 mm).
Users
edit
United States: Standard-issue sidearm (MRD-LE variant) of the Los Angeles Police Department as of 2021.[20]
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ Burgreen, Todd (August 1, 2019). "FIRST LOOK: The FN 509 Midsize MRD Pistol Brings Red Dots to EDC". personaldefenseworld.com. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
- ^ Patrick Roberts (17 April 2017). "The New FN 509: Not The MHS Gun, But Close". The Firearm Blog. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^ "US Army moves ahead with handgun replacement programme". IHS Janes. May 31, 2016.
- ^ "Army: Your new handgun will be a Sig Sauer". Army Times. 2017-01-19. Retrieved 2017-01-24.
- ^ a b Keel, Tamara (October 11, 2019). "Review: FN 509". shootingillustrated.com. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
- ^ FN-509 4K UHD. YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-11.
- ^ Tendas, Pierangelo (April 18, 2017). "FN 509: the one million rounds pistol". gunsweek.com. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
- ^ a b Association, National Rifle. "An Official Journal Of The NRA | Tested: The FN 509 Pistol". An Official Journal Of The NRA. Retrieved 2021-11-06.
- ^ "509 Series". fnamerica.com. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
- ^ "FN 509 Training Pistol". fnamerica.com. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
- ^ "FN 509 SIMUNITION PISTOL". fnamerica.com. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
- ^ "FN Introduces FN 503 Slim 9mm Pistol for Concealed Carry". fnamerica.com (Press release). March 16, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- ^ "FN 509". fnamerica.com. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
- ^ "FN 509 Tactical BLK". fnamerica.com. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
- ^ "FN 509 Tactical FDE". fnamerica.com. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
- ^ "FN 509 Midsize". fnamerica.com. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
- ^ "FN 509 Midsize MRD". fnamerica.com. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
- ^ "FN 509 Compact MRD BLK". fnamerica.com. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
- ^ "FN 509 Compact MRD FDE". fnamerica.com. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
- ^ "Inside look: Why the LAPD chose the FN 509 MRD-LE as its new duty weapon".