A lot! Over the course of 500 rounds I fired seven brands of hollowpoints and three types of ball ammo, both suppressed and unsuppressed, and didn’t suffer a hitch. In factory magazines. No changes needed. SWAT? The 509 Tactical even includes two recoil spring assemblies for tuning for strong/weak ammo and suppressed/unsuppressed. It’s ready to run for duty, carry, home defense, or range use. Where are its bodyguards? At least thats how I understand it. As of today, Sportsman Outdoor Superstore is having a combo sale to buy a FN509 with Vortex red dot for $899. It’s not a system — it’s a gun and a few magazines in a case. It’s amazingly equipped right out of the carrying case and it’s ready to go to work. It feels good, shoots straight, and is highly controllable. Choose the correct plate to match the recoil lug pattern of your optic. Anyway, back on the range I finished ripping the 509 out of its case, slapping on a new Nikon P-TACTICAL Spur MRDS and my CGS Kraken SK suppressor, got over the sight of those 65 rounds loaded into three factory-included pistol magazines, and started sending lead down range. It costs 2 Glockenspiel 19s. Even with the mag in the gun. Prior to the 509 Tactical there were two ways to mount an optic to a pistol (exclusive of handguns with an accessory rail up top): • Machine the slide for the specific mounting pattern of one brand and model of optic. I have the standard 509, nothing wrong with the trigger in it at all. The availability of AR-15 parts and accessories is a huge part of what makes the AR-15 popular among shooters of all walks. Overall the 509 Tactical is a ton of fun to shoot and I found myself very confident with it. Though I admit that when I have an optic I tend to karate chop it to rack the slide and otherwise use it as a giant wall for other slide manipulation. Tell me I’m lyin’! The FN Five-seveN ® pistol was developed in the early 1990s and features a cold hammer-forged barrel that is chrome lined for extended service life. For more information, please visit FNAmerica.com. I fired my first set of groups using the gun’s issue suppressor sights. That hinged trigger reminds me of the stock M&P triggers that I rapidly replaced with Apex triggers. Unlike [almost] every other damn thread protector on Earth, this one won’t walk off on you during your range time. Hot damn. MSRP: $1,049. That o-ring squeezes onto the non-threaded section of the cold hammer-forged stainless steel barrel and provides some stiction. Today, we will review it here on TFB to see if it is worth its salt or if the factory trigger … Threaded barrel? Edit: forgot the Threaded barrel. I’ve had a sample to work with the last couple weeks and I have to say that I am impressed! FREE GUN FRIDAY: Win a SIG P365XL Pistol With SIG ROMEOZero Optic & 500 Rounds of Ammo! Worth noting: if you don’t already own an UpLULA magazine loader, it’s time. As you can see in the picture above, it comes with an optics-ready long slide with a 5” target-crowned, hammer forged barrel underneath. Some sort of feng shui thing? It has the suppressor height night sights, the threaded barrel (minus O-ring, I just leave the thread protector in the case), 17 round magazines (with options for more), and a mostly flat trigger. The optics plate has ‘wings’ to protect the rear sight but the rear sight is dovetailed directly into the slide. FN SCAR 17S .308 Win, 16" Barrel, Side Folder, Tru Viper Camo, 20rd. Disclaimer: I am a die hard Glock fanboi, so that should be noted. “Plenty of room for a fourth, if I grow a sixth”. I have the 45 loaded with a suppressor and light for home defense. Offering models in the Blue Duty and International Holster Series, Comp-Tac STI Staccato holsters... by Tactical Life / The drop safety prevents the sear from moving out of engagement with the striker unless the trigger is deliberately pulled and trigger disconnect safety is actuated when the disconnect cam is pushed out of alignment with the sear, preventing it from releasing the striker; this prevents the gun from firing when the slide is out of battery. FN engineers designed the frame with a replaceable stainless-steel chassis in the event of a part failure. FN has made a huge leap in pistol optics mounting with the 509 Tactical, and, frankly, it puts everyone else to shame. Meanwhile, the slide cap has raised wings to protect the rear sight from blows that might affect its zero. If they’re longer, you’re sacrificing comfort and concealment beyond what’s dictated by the firearm’s size. Tacticool wannabes? prevent over-insertion of the extended mags. Because of the gun’s compact size I decided to test its accuracy at 15-yards. This is often more comfortable than the little safety blade dingus design that dominates the market, but it feels weird to have the trigger lever shape change and flex while shooting. The iron sights are excellent and the ergos are great — it fits the hand, points naturally, and stays put. Different optic, different plate. Weight: 27.9 ounces If I were to change anything on this gun, it would be swapping in an aftermarket flat trigger. Grip texture and ergonomics are great. and see what you think. While the trigger is heavy and a little rough for the fun-on-the-range and competition types, it’s appropriate — quite refined, actually — for duty and combat use. But FN ups the game by incorporating a rubber o-ring inside the front of the thread protector. Overall * * * * 1/2 Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. I can understand why you’d feel that 1000$ on a pistol without a slick trigger out of the box would be a no-go in a way…but you also have to realize this thing comes out of the box ready for a silencer AND a red-dot. All of which suddenly makes me feel like my front sight is naked. Is one the version submitted for MHS competition and the other a commercial version or are they both available to purchase? The popular FN 509 series gets another addition to the platform with the new Long Slide Edge Tactical model. It hasn’t garnered a lot of attention since its introduction a couple of years ago, and that’s a shame because this is one very well-conceived and executed rifle that you can buy at an affordable price. While not the consistent 1.5-2 MOA I hoped for, I love the rifle. It mounts to the picatinny rail so very easy. … as of today – for $750 it is nearly a no brainer. Clearly this is sightism. I have read the Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Cookie Policy, and I hereby agree to those terms. At 1K you should expect another few hundred for trigger replacement. While it’s common for folks to carry a backup mag(s) of higher capacity than the carry mag in the gun (shorter grip being easier to conceal), they’re rarely optimized by being the same length as the slide. There’s also a little overview of how the 509 Tactical’s optics mounting plate system works and I try my hand at hitting a 50% IPSC silhouette at 100 yards. But their prices hurt the wallet a bit too much. They also designed the 509 to be ambidextrous; both the slide stop and magazine release can be activated from either side of the frame. You have entered an incorrect email address! And what you’ll get is more than a gun; it’s a system. In the video above I put some rounds down range both with and without optics and with and without a suppressor. He lives outside of Austin, TX. It’s a smooth trigger with minimal travel and a fast reset. It’s over twice the price for less than $100 worth of work/enhancements done to the pistol. At 15-yards the red dot fit nicely inside the 2-inch diameter Shoot N C targets I was using. Zero issues and ran strong. Has anyone else had this experience? The 509 Tactical comes in a quality zip-up soft case with two internal pockets and six elastic loops for securing mags and other items. When judging the best AR-15 trigger for adjustability, the Elftman flies to the front of the pack. The grip extensions on the 24-rounders (24+1 = half a box of ammo!) the shield to me has a heavier trigger pull. They can be interchanged by simply pushing out its retaining pin, sliding the backstrap off the frame, installing the new part and reinstalling the pin. And a big ol’ extended mag. There’s a MIL-STD 1913 accessory rail on the frame’s dust cover. The springs on this thing are unbelievably strong. If it isn’t safe enough with a smooth, doesn’t feel silly heavy trigger then it needs a safety. Reliability * * * * * Before I started only building my own ARs from parts, I had used several PSA uppers ranging from 16" FN CHF 4150, 16" FN 410SS CHF, 20" FN 410SS CHF, and 16" 'Premium' versions. As you’re undoubtedly aware, FN America did not win the military’s Modular Handgun System trials. I have a Glock 23 with this setup that I keep loaded with 40 in the night stand at home, and shoot subsonic suppressed 147 gr. Lot of choice out there…. This is both more solid than mounting to a separate (and thin) plate and it reduces the likelihood of rattled-loose bolts. Jeremy is TTAG's Deputy Editor, working mostly behind the scenes but, when he attempts to write, he focuses on comprehensive gun & gear reviews. As I was firing predominately self-defense ammo (300 rounds of IWI 115 grain HP plus a box each of six other brands) I left the stiffer of the two included recoil springs installed in the pistol. After getting used to shooting the FN 57, the first thing I did was a 25-yard accuracy test. What isn’t typical is the package full of various optics mounting components and a separate manual just for that system. For that very reason, I was excited to hear Apex Tactical had introduced a replacement trigger for the Springfield Armory Hellcat with their Action Enhancement Trigger package. You’ll find that guy underneath the plate, providing constant upwards pressure on it. Trigger: 5.5 to 7.5 lbs Jeremy strives to collect objective data whenever possible, and looks to write accurate reviews that reflect the true user experience. To buy a barrel and have the slide rigged to slap a red-dot on any other pistol is going to cost at least a few hundred dollars or so. Nailed it. A uniquely small one. Then there’s upgrading Glock sights. It took me a while to get used to the center-pivoting design of the 509’s trigger safety. Not a bad deal…, https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/208771#reviews. Plus, its protective wings can also be used to cock the slide against an object or just to add purchase when doing it by hand, again reducing the likelihood of damaging or moving the rear sight. It looks good, it feels good, it shoots good well. The gun’s external extractor also serves as both a visual and tactile loaded chamber indicator. The world may never know. A serrated front with a bright white dot around a tritium lamp…. Maximum Width: 1.35 inches The FN 57’s magazine loads exactly the same as an AR’s, making it the easiest pistol magazine to load. I fired all of my groups from a seated position utilizing a DOA Tactical portable shooting bench. Everyone I know with one that “swears by them” has spent $$$ on mods so they aren’t embarrassed to hand it off at the range. FN America 38-100840. While it is far from a match-grade trigger, the pull is serviceable and one of the better striker triggers on the market. And the rest of the gun ain’t so bad, either. Mag releases are larger and taller, yet still appropriate for carry or duty use, and slide stop levers have significantly better texturing and stand just prouder of the frame. The plate is nicely sculpted to the slide and finished to match. I have this on order, paid less than 900 for it, and I have seen it for less if you poke around a bit. But under the front of the optic is a plate. Luxembourg SPECOPS? If SiG or Beretta or So really, for $750 (minus the red dot) is a Glock with optics ready slide, new, better sights, and the same or better mag capacity. Oddly enough, much like that thread protector, a little rubber o-ring brings huge value to the optics mounting system, too. FS2000 [ edit ] Intended for civilian ownership, the FS2000 is a semi-automatic version of the F2000 that first became available in June 2006. It’s IMI, not IWI. I want desperately to love it, but I can’t. If they’re shorter, you’re giving up capacity for no reason. Other controls are fantastic. FN originally developed its 509 pistol for the Army’s Modular Handgun Systems (MHS) trial. I mean it. Check. FN includes a bunch of bolts to work with any optic while also being cut precisely to perfectly mesh with the slide threads. FN’s Low Profile Mounting System enables the platform to accept more than 10 different miniature red dots and includes mounting plates with the gun. But red dot sights are really valuable for quick target acquisition. And expected street price on this FN is about $925 to $975 probably…Maybe $899 on super sale? Sights: suppressor-height tritium night sights And a partially-serrated, mostly blacked-out rear with two little tritium vials of its own. Aside from that, I’m really liking that pistol! Best group was using British milsurp when I emptied the last eleven rounds at 100 yards for a 2.5" group that was unfortunately vertically strung. This is because their tolerances are so tight that it’s a hair detrimental to the pull weight and feel until you break it in. Before we get to that innovative optics mounting stuff here, let’s hit some smaller features that also stand out. Glock offered this package it would make sence. What plate/screw combination did you use to mount the Nikon P Tactical Spur? They also need to recoup some of the cost of competing for a military pistol. The gun shoots relatively flat and is highly controllable. • Use a swappable plate system, most familiar on the GLOCK MOS pistols despite the fact that FN came up with the idea and made it first. You’re giving up the optics ready part of the platform but for under $600 it’s a really fun pistol with a trigger you may end up really liking. Even still, it fits its anticipated role. Both suppressor- and optics-ready, the all-new FN 509 Compact Tactical is the latest addition to the 509 series with capacities of 12+1, 15+1 and even 24+1. It also has a new frame texture that enhances the shooter’s grip and t wo interchangeable backstraps.. Have I been asleep, Only seem 17+2 or 33 round mags, or Magpul 21 round mags, with the 27 round mags coming soon!!!!! It’s a shame such otherwise good products are still haunted by a horrible trigger. I like FNH, they make excellent products. Overall Length: 7.9 inches The gun digested everything from 77-grain solid copper hollow points to 138-grain synthetic jacketed lead without a bobble. No offense to the good folks at FN, but the FNX-45 Tactical rattles like a toolbox and the frame feels like a toy. The 509 Tactical is definitely ready to rock right out of the case. Controls: fully ambidextrous magazine release and slide stop. Great sights help. Grab physical or digital copies now at OutdoorGroupStore.com. A heavy, gritty trigger hurts. Spare springs. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! I have the regular fn 509 and the trigger is fine. Comp-Tac Releases Duty, Competition Holster Fits for STI Staccato, FEDERAL SYNTECH DEFENSE 138-GRAIN TSJ HOLLOW POINT, Action: Semi-auto, Short Recoil Locked Breech, Striker-Fired, Sights: Trijicon Tritium Suppressor Sights. Not only is their Low-Profile Optics Mounting System™ compatible with nearly any micro red dot sight (MRDS) on the market, it’s physically and functionally better. It’s fine for duty and combat, but I wasn’t doing either. Use solvent to wash out polish comp and lube. Ergonomics * * * * * I’ve been shooting competitively for 30 years and have used quite a few different firearms. With the 509 Tactical, FN has effectively created a hybrid of the two methods mentioned above. Best feature on the 509 Tactical? Also try to lighten your firing pin & anti firing springs be prepared for trial and error. Then again, who needs sights? I like FN, but for that money, the FNX45 tac is what I’m buying. Confident. FN America also includes a third magazine that holds 24-rounds though I can’t think of a situation that I’d be inclined to use it. I think most shooters would find the gun easier to shoot using the larger magazine. It looks good. Competitive shooters? NRA and SAF Sue City of Seattle Over New Gun Storage Law, Have a Case of 10mm Envy? $749 at Four Season’s Guns, Woburn, MA, without even negotiating. The usual kudos for a comprehensive review Especially considering that FN had a rebate program that gave the buyer 3-4 free mags with the purchase of the 509 last year. At least average. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Who is the target audience? It has been cold hammer forged with a 1:10” right hand twist and given a recessed target crown. I think FN nailed this setup, balancing control and comfort perfectly. You don’t want to be loading these things by hand; they have stiff springs and lots of capacity. Its extended mags are almost exactly the same length as the slide. For purposes of clarity, I consent to Athlon's collection, storage, processing, and transfer of my Personal Data and Non-Personal Data (as defined in the Privacy Policy) for the purpose of signing up for the email newsletter. The skinny raised lines separated by wider recesses, all with crisp edges, is a good recipe. Grab physical or digital copies now at OutdoorGroupStore.com.. FN originally developed its 509 pistol for the Army’s Modular Handgun Systems (MHS) trial. FN 503 The 503 is FN’s entry into the single-stack micro-compact market. FN America introduced the gun in 2017 several different variations have since appeared, including a mid-size gun with a slightly abbreviated grip frame and reduced capacity, as well as Tactical models with suppressor sights and a threaded muzzles. It is fully adjustable from 2.75 to 4-pounds without removing the trigger group from the lower. May 18, 2020, Stay in the know with the latest from the Tactical-Life newsletter, WATCH: Vegas Police, Gun Range Workers Fatally Shoot Suspect, WATCH: Bay Area Officer Puts Down Armed Felon Who Goes for Gun, WATCH: Gas-Soaked, Barricaded Suspect Throws Molotov Cocktail at Police, Kelsey DeSantis: The Marine Vet, MMA Fighter, and All-Around Badass, Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun news, gun reviews and gun magazines for gun enthusiasts, military and law enforcement, You use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance of our. Like you wrote with range time it should lighten up a bit. Just this past January, FN introduced its new 509 Compact model with a slightly shortened barrel and grip frame. Yikes! It’s a mountain of steel unto itself. Just trying to get other’s perspectives. There are pictures with the rear sight attached directly to the slide and others with the rear sight attached to the removable plate. I hit the range, loaded up all three magazines, and took a step back. Surprisingly, my groups with the red dot sight averaged just slightly larger than my iron sight group. For accuracy’s sake FN uses a blackened stainless-steel barrel. Try A .45 Super Conversion, The Taurus PT-92AF Is Not Obscure, But I Sure Desired It Anyway, Obscure Object of Desire: HK VP70Z Pistol. Heavy trigger, have heard that gripe from 509 owners. You’re good to go with a threaded barrel, tritium suppressor sights, extended mags, optics mounting options galore, ambi controls, fantastic slide serrations, desert badass color scheme, and more. The F2000 Tactical TR variant is similar to the F2000 Tactical model, but includes a triple rail handguard for add-on accessories. Home defense, self-defense, combat…it’s a serious contender. Every FN America firearm is crafted with uncompromising standards, unmatched build quality, and unrelenting passion. Also; the biggest issue with a lot of the FNS/509 triggers is that they do tend to be a little gritty/heavy out of the box. That’s 65 rounds, loaded and ready to rock! Fn Gnomes say fn optics and suppressors are for the sick and the lame. And while the FN gun didn’t win the contract, the 509 certainly won the civilian market. The fully ambidextrous magazine release and slide stop are upgraded versions of what we’ve seen on previous 509s. Forgot to add for trigger work and threaded barrel. There’s some slop to the pull but once you get past it the experience is light and smooth and I really like it. IWI is a division of IMI? FN America outfits the slide with Trijicon Tritium suppressor height sights. Okay, okay, I’m pretty sure it’s related to carrying the 509 in a holster; especially one that also holds a spare magazine. Introducing FN America's legendary Hammer Forged 16" Barrel. The couple of reviews I have seen make it look very heavy. Does anyone have any experience with the Desert Eagle .50 cal? I have a plain old 509. A Glock ready for ops additionally $250. Low-Profile Optics Mounting System™, threaded barrel, swappable backstraps, two recoil spring strengths. I can produce .5" at the same distance with my Rem 700, so I can shoot fairly well. Yeah, they smooth out after 1k+ rounds. Height: 5.75 inches Accuracy * * * 1/2 It looks so tacticool you can probably hit bullseye at 500 yards! A thousand bucks?!? The bottom of the plate matches the slide, and the top of the plate matches your optic of choice. Is it a way of saying that even the extended mags will fit in the same case as the pistol? Then I re-fired the groups. In fact, all you need to take advantage of that is a cool $1,049 to exchange for the FN 509 Tactical. If you don’t want to spend $1k but you still want a gun sort of like this, I’d highly recommend the CZ 75b Omega Suppressor Ready. Every gun that I want in this setup I have needed to build, which is quite expensive. I carry the 509 every day and it is just an awesome gun. The FN 57 comes with 3 magazines when you buy it and you have the choice of either 10 round or 20 round magazines. The gun also has an oversized trigger guard for use with gloves. At The Range. My sample broke just north of 7 lbs with some grit when new, but broke in during the first couple hundreds rounds fired and is now a bit lighter and noticeably smoother. oh yea. In other words, a very limited market for a pistol with a slightly less limited market. Without going too deely into it, it’s almost impossible to keep the bolts tight unless you physically stake them. It also has many modern features including an adjustable or A2 fixed stock, pistol grip, adjustable sights and, MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail. A flat backstrap is tossed in there for shooters who prefer it over the pre-installed, curved version, a second recoil spring assembly is included for use with lower-powered range ammo, and there’s also the typical stuff like an owner’s manual, warranty card, and gun lock. Nice pistol, but too expensive, twice the price of a regular 509. I.E. The FN 509 Compact Tactical is our cover gun for the 2020 Tactical Life Gun Annual! I shot most of the groups with the short 12-round magazine in place and didn’t at all feel hampered by its small size. This is functionally the best solution, but it locks the user into a single optics choice. Barrel Length: 4.5 inches Both the chamber and integral feedramp have been polished to perfection and the muzzle is threaded ½” x 28. I got this gun to run with an optic. It’s no wonder IMI stopped being the TTAG ammo sponsor when you guys can’t even get the name of the company right. The FN TPS (Tactical Police Shotgun) is a pump-action shotgun designed and manufactured by FN Herstal. Yes, that’s right, 24-round magazines. It’s the best pistol optics mounting system on the market. Figured it out. Good review, thanks for writing it. These Mil Spec Barrels are built with the same barrel material as the M240 and M249 Saw light machine guns used by our military. It’s ready to run for duty, carry, home defense, or range use. Those guns are probably the most accurate autos I’ve ever fired. The 509 Compact Tactical also uses a dual recoil spring system to give the gun all of the spring mass needed to cycle reliably. Someone willing to spend $1000 on a pistol who has a lot of different MRDSs and suppressors and wants to try them all on the same pistol. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. I sort of wish I hadn’t reviewed it, though, because instead of this gun going back to FN, I’ll probably be sending a check to them and an apology to my wife. The issue is that there are so many options from competitors that are better out of the box, and even better when worn-in, that they still don’t make sense. But let’s be real: you’re going to shoot the 509 Tactical suppressed. The wings are actually part of the blanking plate that can be used when running the 509 Tactical without an optic. Like many of the other current generation of striker-fired guns, the FN 509 has a trigger safety that blocks rearward movement of the trigger unless purposefully pulled; this prevents inertia movement of the trigger if the gun is dropped on its muzzle. Big ass Glock mags $30 each. Shooting with both eyes open I was able to find the red dot much quicker than I could align the sights. Ask Foghorn: What’s With the Silencer “Fad”? Squeeze frame between breakdown lever and slide stops and move trigger back and forth (manually pull and reset) 100 to 200 cycles. Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), North Star NS15: Defense Contractor Bringing Rifle to Civilian Market, Winchester Super X4: Modern 12-Gauge in Old School Woodland Camo, CZ Hammer Classic: Go Full Doc Holliday With the Side-by-Side 12-Gauge, Bergara BMR: Mirco Rimfire Brings Big Features in Small Platform, Streamlight TLR-10: Rail-Mounted Weapon Light Pushes 1,000 Lumens, Night Vision 101: The Pros and Cons of Single-Tube vs Multi-Tube NODs, Stay Ready With the High Speed Gear Compact ReVive Medical Pouch, Mepro RDS Pro V2: Built Mil-Spec Tough and Fast on Target, WATCH: Range Time With the Primary Arms GLx 2.5-10×44 FFP Scope. While that sounds good on paper, it’s problematic in practice. If it included optics, light/laser, suppressor, holsters, etc, it would be a system. 24 round Glock 9mm mags????? We specialize in concealed carry pistols, target pistols and … No external safety. Jeremy please. It ain’t inexpensive, but it’s a heck of a lot of gun that’s fully kitted-out right from the factory. The 509 Tactical isn’t inexpensive. The injection molded grip frame features grenade-style checkering on the frontstrap and backstraps and sharp, pyramids on the side for a no-slip grip. As of last year, there were none in this setup. Find everything from accessories, apparel, ammunition, and more all in one place. Common Uses for AR-15s The FN 509 Compact Tactical is our cover gun for the 2020 Tactical Life Gun Annual! I don’t think I could have paid over $800 and felt comfortable with that price, but for the price I paid, it’s a NO-brainer! Four threaded holes in the slide provide a direct connection between optic and gun. Find all of the tactical gear and supplies you need for military and police needs. Comedy like that in the morning, makes for a wasted mouthful of coffee. And yet it shoots a stout .45ACP by any standard quiet well. Looks like the same gripe about the trigger in my review of the FNS 40 Long Slide. Switching to the 15-round magazine made it feel like I was shooting a full-size gun. 9mm out of with a 23-9 conversion barrel at the range/for fun(before some snob comments on this being unreliable, I have fired 2500 rounds out of this setup without failure).