SHOT Show 2019: The Right-Sized FN 509 Midsize

Trimmed in all the right places, FN America’s 509 Midsize offers a concealable and effective personal-defense option.

Say what you will about the U.S. military’s Modular Handgun System competition, it unleashed a wealth of versatile and effective pistols into the consumer market. While not the ultimate choice by the armed services, FN America’s entrant – the 509 – has proven popular with civilian shooters, in no small part due to its ample features and well-thought-out design. Not to mention, for those looking for the extra mile in a handgun, it’s tough to outdo the 509 Tactical – a configuration that certainly doesn’t have a fly on it.

FN has now turned its attention to the concealed carry crowd with its latest rendition of the semi-automatic, offering a slightly trimmed version christened the 509 Midsize. And how the gunmaker chose to shrink the pistol is an intriguing aspect of what being offered. Instead of opting to trim precious barrel length, FN went to work on the pistol’s grip. Given a handgun’s height is among one of the major factors in its concealability, this appears a solid move.

Bone Up On FN Guns:

• FN PS90
• FNS-9 Compact
• FNX 45
• FNX 9
• FN-49
• FN 15
• FN 509
• FN 509 Compact
• FN 509 Compact MRD
• FN 509 Tactical
• FN 509 Compact Tactical

The .36 inch reduction in height may not seem whooping, but it does its part in cutting down the 509 Midsize’s overall profile, without a lot of trade-offs. You give up two rounds, but with a 15+1 capacity the pistol still has more than enough firepower to hold its own. Furthermore, there’s plenty of real estate for most to get their entire hand on the grip. Plus, there’s the original 4-inch barrel, which should keep most 9mm rounds’ ballistics at an optimum and give you a much better (read longer) sight radius in the deal.

FN tweaked a few other facets of the 509 Midsize and others in the line, including a new slide catch, a sculpted frame for better magazine-release access and improved texturing on the backstrap. Overall, the company’s newest entrant to the line is intriguing and most likely has the stuff to earn a place in armed citizen’s hearts.

509 Midsize specs:

Caliber: 9mm
Operation: Double-action
Magazine Capacity: 10 or 15 Rd.
Weight: 26.5 oz.
Barrel Length: 4.0″
Overall Length: 7.4″
Twist Rate: 1:10″ RH
Height: 5.2″
Width: 1.35″
Trigger Pull: 5.5 – 7.5 lb.
Sight Radius: 5.79″
MSRP: $649

For more information on the 509 Midsize, please visit www.fnamerica.com.