FNH FNS 9mm Review

[plouffedaddy]

I've had the FNS since last November of last year and have been putting a good bit of rounds through it to date and here's what I've found.

Pros:
-100% reliable thus far
-Comes with 3x 17 round magazines
-I like the night sights with the wide "u" notch rear
-It's more accurate than I am
-Reasonably priced vs. its' competitors
-Low bore axis
-Cold hammer forged barrel
-Standard 1913 rail
-Ambi mag release and slide lock
-Great ergos
-Forward and rear cocking serrations
-Ease of maintenance
-Comes with interchangeable flat and arched backstraps
-Extractor doubles as a loaded chamber indicator like a Glock

Cons:
-I think the trigger's a little heavy (breaks between 6-7 pounds)
-FN seems to have fixed the initial trigger locking issues but the gun took a hit to its' reputation when it was released from this for sure
-The standard model has an external safety. The LE restricted model doesn't. I'd like to see them offer both to everyone as many folks do not want an external safety.
-Aftermarket magazine availability is an issue compared to its' competitors

Here's a video with a little shooting, a demonstration of how to break the gun down, a size comparison with a G17/1911 for those unfamiliar with it, and a discussion of the features of the gun:

[Blackhorse2010]

Agreed on all which is why I own two (living in a free state and all).
To me, it's absolutely the best feeling gun I've handled.
Both of mine were manufactured/test fired early this year and I've had them since April.
The trigger "problems" have been fixed.

[GlennG31]

Thank you very much for the review. This is one of the guns that I've been eyeing to get for a while now.

[Freq18Hz]

Great review, thanks for contributing!


-Freq

[SOAR79]

I was wondering about the version with no safety. there's no way to do SSE on this firearm for non leos?

[Sentenza]

You're in Cali? LOL! Your reviews are great stuff.

I picked up an FNP-9 last month - it's now my dedicated HD.

[plouffedaddy]

Not anymore, no. I lived there for a while though before I couldn't take it anymore!

[Sentenza]

I hear ya; thanks for the reviews.

[tjbeck]

I think you hit the nail on the head with this review.

I had one for several months last year. I bought put a little bit of clp on it and shot 2050 rounds out of it in about 6 months. Never had a hiccup. If FN has fixed the trigger issue this is an outstanding pistol that if FN would market it approriately could compete and probably take a sizeable piece of the pie from S&W/Glock. For an out of the box pistol that you don't want to tinker with I think it is superior to its competitors in ergos, controls, sights and texturing. One thing you didn't mention that I noticed when reloading at speed is the magwell seems to just attract the magazines much better than its competitors.

I sold mine when I got out here in favor of a glock for the simple reasons of aftermarket support and availability of mags/holsters etc...and the trigger locking thing always stuck in the back of my head and the answers I got from FN about just pull the slide hard enough never really sat well with me.

I will probably buy another one in the future...maybe then I can get the long slide or compact versions too.

[Blackhorse2010]

I think you hit the nail on the head with this review.

I had one for several months last year. I bought put a little bit of clp on it and shot 2050 rounds out of it in about 6 months. Never had a hiccup. If FN has fixed the trigger issue this is an outstanding pistol that if FN would market it approriately could compete and probably take a sizeable piece of the pie from S&W/Glock. For an out of the box pistol that you don't want to tinker with I think it is superior to its competitors in ergos, controls, sights and texturing. One thing you didn't mention that I noticed when reloading at speed is the magwell seems to just attract the magazines much better than its competitors.

I sold mine when I got out here in favor of a glock for the simple reasons of aftermarket support and availability of mags/holsters etc...and the trigger locking thing always stuck in the back of my head and the answers I got from FN about just pull the slide hard enough never really sat well with me.

I will probably buy another one in the future...maybe then I can get the long slide or compact versions too.

http://www.fnhusa.com/l/products/competition/competition-handguns/fns9-long/

No release date set yet.

[tjbeck]

I think there is a police department that is actually purchasing the Long slide version for their duty guns as well as some major competitors shooting it. The rest of us will just have to wait...

[norcalAF]

I had a FNP-9, but I didnt like how the handgrip would flex when gripped tightly and the mags wouldn't drop freely. Have they fixed that issue with the newest FNs? I like the plymer that my SIG P290RS uses, it doesnt have a lot of flex.

[tjbeck]

I didn't notice any flex in the grip with mine and the mags dropped free without any issue.

[Caseless]

Is the barrel stainless steel, or chrome lined?

[hcbr]

I envy the OP/reviewer, being an FN nut and all, this is one gun I wish I had funds for right now :P

Great post