FN Introduces New FN 509 Pistol

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FN America has introduced its new FN 509, a full-size polymer-framed, striker-fired pistol born out of the Army's Modular Handgun System (MHS) competition.

FN America has announced the release of a new full-size, 9mm striker-fired pistol. Dubbed the FN 509, this new pistol was developed out of FN's work to produce a contender for the U.S. Army's recent Modular Handgun System (MHS) competition.

As many shooters are aware, the Army's MHS competition, designed to replace the aging Beretta M9, has been an ongoing process for several years. The competition was first announced back in 2011, but delays pushed back the deadline for entry to February of 2016. Close to a year later, on January 19, 2017, the Army chose its winner.

A number of major manufacturers participated in the competition, and though only one pistol was chosen, much to the delight of civilian shooters, many of those pistols entered in the MHS have also found their way onto the commercial market. FN's new 509 has now joined that list.

The new FN 509 isn't the exact pistol FN submitted for the competition. According to the manufacturer, it is heavily based on that pistol but has been re-tailored for the U.S. law enforcement and commercial markets.

“When the requirements for MHS were released, our team of engineers immediately went to work, taking the successful elements of the FNS Compact and further developing those to meet the needs of the U.S. Army’s solicitation for a new, full-size pistol,” said Mark Cherpes, President and CEO of FN America, LLC. “Between the submission of MHS and the commercial release of the FN 509, we have worked with law enforcement agencies throughout the U.S. and captured on-site feedback that we used to further optimize the pistol to far exceed the expectations of our valued customers.”

As Cherpes notes, the FN 509 is built upon the proven FNS Compact framework. FN has made several key internal and external design changes in accordance with some of the Army's MHS requirements, but the FNS Compact lineage is clearly evident. And since the conclusion of the MHS competition, industry experts have also helped refine the design into what is now the finished FN 509.

The FN 509 has been tested to meet extreme reliability, durability and ammo compatibility standards. According to the company, more than 1 million rounds were used to test the FN 509.

There are some new, easily observed changes on the FN 509 pistol. One of the most prominent includes the grip, which features an enhanced texturing scheme. The parts of the grip are uniquely textured to be more gritty where needed and smoother where excessive texture can become abrasive. Side panels are more aggressively textured, while texturing on the front and rear backstraps is less pronounced.

Other enhancements include more aggressive cocking serrations on the slide for easy manipulation, redesigned controls for easy and secure operation and an improved cold hammer-forged stainless steel barrel with a recessed target crown. The new 509 does not have a manual safety, but a non-manual safety works in conjunction with passive safeties for safe operation.

The full-size pistol features a 5.5- to 7.5-pound striker-fired double-action-only (DAO) trigger and comes equipped with fixed, three-dot luminescent sights (fixed, three-dot night sights will be available for law enforcement buyers only). The 509 will be available in 9mm and will have a standard magazine capacity of 17 rounds, with state-compliant 10-round magazines also an option.

According to FN America, two models of the new FN 509 pistol should be available to consumers in early May 2017, with two law enforcement models becoming available sometime in early June. The company states that additional models, including those with manual safeties and other features, will also be in the works.

The initial models of the new FN 509 pistol will be available for $649. Each gun ships with two interchangeable backstraps, two 17- or 10-round magazines, a locking device and an FN logo soft pistol case.

For more info on the new FN 509 pistol, visit the FN America website.

Specifications:

FN 509
Type: Semi-auto, striker-fired double action
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 4 in., 1:10 RH
Overall Length: 7.4 in.
Height: 5.56 in.
Width: 1.35 in.
Weight: 26.9 oz.
Trigger: 5.5-7.5 lbs.
Sights: Fixed three-dot luminescent
Grip: Polymer, enhanced grip texture, interchangeable backstraps
Capacity: 17, or 10 rounds
MSRP: $649

Bone Up On FN Guns:

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

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