FN 509: the one million rounds pistol
FN America, LLC. – the US-based subsidiary of the FN Herstal group – introduces the FN 509 semi-automatic pistol: a derivative of the FN submission to the U.S. Army's MHS program, it has been tested with over one million rounds in the making
Over one million rounds fired during its development: will the FN 509 become the new tip of FN's spear?
The FN 509 is FN America's new striker-fired, polymer frame pistol
As our readers may very well know by now, the month of January saw the official conclusion of the U.S. Army's MHS ("Modular Handgun System") program – aimed to select a new service sidearm to replace the aging M9 pistol, a.k.a. the Beretta M92-FS.
The competition was won by the SIG Sauer P320, but basically all the most important gunmakers of America and Europe submitted their designs to the U.S. Army for testing. Among those is FN America, LLC – the north-American branch of the Belgian FN Herstal group. And on April 17th, 2017, FN America announced the imminent launch of a new semi-automatic pistol, dubbed the FN 509.
The FN 509 is a semi-automatic, striker-fired, polymer frame pistol which is a very close derivative of the design submitted by FN America to the MHS trials.
Essentially, the FN 509 is an evolution of the well-known FNS Compact pistol architecture, which dates back to the year 2011. FN America modified the FNS pistol system both internally and externally to meet the rigorous performance requirements of the MHS program.
The FN 509 is basically an evolved variant of the well-established FNS pistol
Following the conclusion of the MHS program, FN America further developed the design with assistance from industry experts and members of the shooting and law enforcement communities.
Over the course of development, the platform has been tested extensively for reliability, ammunition compatibility and durability – totaling more than one million rounds.
The result is the FN 509: possibly FN America's next tip of the spear, a solidly built pistol that carries the FN name with pride.
The left side of the FN 509 pistol
The right side of the FN 509 pistol
The FN 509 is 3,4 cm / 1.35" wide overall
The FN 509 pistol is 18,79 cm / 7.4" long overall, and sports a 4" barrel with six right-handed grooves and a 1:10" rifling twist. The double-action trigger offers a 2,5 / 3,5 kg (5.5 - 7.5 lb.) trigger pull.
The machined steel slide has been redesigned to offer improved front and rear cocking serrations; an external extractor; a loaded chamber indicator; and either combat-style sights or fixed 3-dot luminescent sights. Fixed 3-dot night sight will be available for LE sales only.
The polymer frame comes with an enhanced grip texture, which enables faster follow-up shots in all conditions; interchangeable backstraps; and a MIL-STD 1913 rail for tactical accessories.
The FN 509 is sold in a soft pistol case with two interchangeable backstraps, two magazines, an owner’s manual and a locking device
Both the mag release and the slide stop on the FN 509 are ambidextrous
The FN 509 is chambered in 9 mm Luger, and feeds through double-stack metal magazines offering a capacity of ten or seventeen rounds; all magazines for the FN 509 feature a high visibility, low-friction follower and a polymer base with black finish.
The FN 509 features a fully ambidextrous slide stop lever and magazine release, while the takedown lever is located only on the left side. No manual safety is available by default, but can be ordered as an optional feature.
The FN 509 pistol will be showcased to the public at the 146th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, to be held in Atlanta (GA, U.S.A.) from April 28th thru 30th, 2017.
Distribution on the U.S. civilian market will kick off in May, with the manufacturer's suggested retail price set at $649.00; law enforcement distribution will start in June. Still no word about exports.