Why aren't FN pistols more popular?

They're the Rodney Daingerfield of semi-automatic handguns. I have a FNP9 and it's an accurate smooth shooter. Priced well too.

I thought the same until I tried out the FNP-45. Not terribly ergonomic, mediocre in the accuracy department and pretty sorry trigger. Yep, nice high capacity in .45 ACP but pretty big and blocky. Average pistols. Yeah, the company is solid, but frankly, most of us are gonna go with more established makers, be it SA, S&W, or even (ugh) Glock ... There's just better offerings in polymer pistols, IMO ...

Possibly because they are DAO, I don't know. While I've seen ad copy stating 'low bore axis', they certainly don't appear to have a low bore axis and in fact to my eyeball, they appear to have a fairly tall bore axis comparable to SA XD/XDM guns and Sigs.

Now, while Smith & Wesson states their M&P line is 'double action', they are most certainly NOT double action guns and are as single action as any handgun ever made. Likewise with Glock--'safe action' is something of a hybrid, adding some striker cocking on trigger press. However, while they are not single action, they are only somewhat double action.

I don't know if this is the reason they are less popular than other brands, but my feeling is that full DAO guns are going to be limited in application, and especially popular for pocket and possibly BUG use, less so as a primary full size. Probably only somewhat more popular are the DA/SA guns (e.g. Sig).

Now, not to take away from your personal preferences, but I find the FN pistols (and the FNX's I've seen) to be particularly butt-ugly guns and a bit on the pricey side for butt-ugly guns. So, if aesthetics weren't important to me I'd likely go with a Glock--to get less of a DA feel, far lower bore axis and an unlimited supply of aftermarket crap. It could be my view is shared by more folks than those who like the FNs. I don't know.

It could also be that they are not as well-distributed in the states as the other brands.

I wouldn't let any of this speculation and opinion sway you from trying to find one to shoot, however. I'm confident they make a high quality firearm and you may actually want a DAO pistol. In my case, I actually wanted a small carry weapon and DAO was very acceptable and even attractive. I chose a Kahr to fit the bill. For a full-size carry or night-stand gun, however, I simply wouldn't choose the FN platform for all the reasons mentioned.

FN is a HUGE maker of military weapons for the US and I imagine many other militaries around the world. Think of all the countries that used the FN FAL. I always get the impression that they don't make much effort regarding the civilian market in terms of advertising or coming out with tons of different product configurations. They do make lots of excellent weapons though.

Old Dog said:

Yeah, the company is solid, but frankly, most of us are gonna go with more established makers

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More established than F.N?

F.N is the largest supplier of small arms in the western world and has been around since 1889. I think that is pretty well established.

More established makers of polymer pistols, there, Sam Cade.

Old Dog said:

More established makers of polymer pistols, there, Sam Cade.

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FN has been making polymer framed pistols for what, 15 years now?

I think it's just lack of publicity, every where you go gun stores/tv/ movies, you see mostly glocks ( by the way I am mostly a glock guy) so not bashing, and everyones heard of S&W, but FN you hardly see or hear about them except on gun forums..they need better PR people IMO...

Possibly because they are DAO, I don't know.

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If FN makes a DAO pistol I haven't seen one. They use an HK type safety or Sig type depending on the model. They are a traditional SA/DA design with a decocker. With some models the safety will lock the hammer back like a 1911 and can also be used as a decocker.

I've had a couple. I really like the design but mine were not accurate enough to suit me. I sold or traded them off for other guns.

I think it is because people are trying to figure out what FN is selling this week. Is it the FNP, the FNX, or the FNS. Three different polymer pistols that, while similar, are not compatible with each other.

Message to FN, pick something and stick with it. Heck, you've been pretty successful with the Hi-Power.

FN has been making polymer framed pistols for what, 15 years now?

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...and every model has had design related issues that could stop function in the pistol.

"Is it the FNP, the FNX, or the FNS."

People seem to be smart enough to figure out the multiple Glock models and Gen 1 through Gen 4.

I've had an FNP-45 USG for 5 years and I still like it. It fits my XL hand, it's accurate and the trigger pull is okay. The USG means this model can be carried cocked and locked or used in standard DA/SA fashion.

I don't think it's quite as accurate as my Sig P-210-2 or my Sig TAC TB, but that's okay.

I know 2 people who bought FNP-9's when the price dropped into the $300-$350 range and they're very satisfied.

John

Don't like their DA/SA setup and hated the grips of the few I've handled.

There's a decent list of guns I'd choose before settling on any of FNs current offerings. Heck I'd probably take a Glock over their FNS, and I'm far from a Glock fan.

As for why they aren't more popular with other people, who knows.

I like my FNP. The ambi controls make it great for lefties.

Definitely not DAO.

Personally, I don't like DA/SA, and I believe that SFA pistols should come without a manual safety. FN believes that civilians need a manual safety, so they have a low-profile safety on the FNS for those that don't want it.

S&W makes two models of theirs, one with and one without a manual safety (well four if you factor in magazine disconnects). Glock and Springfield have no manual safety on theirs.

I don't know what the quality of FN is, but their attitude towards preemptively deciding what I need makes me not want to go with them. Pity...they have pretty much the only truely ambidextrous SFA pistol on the market.

Handled an FNP9 a couple of weeks ago and almost purchased it. I liked it better than the M&P models but no where near as much as my XD models.

The cost was $423 out the door (new) and after looking online, the price was rather well. The gun shop gives us military retiree's a good discount but since I can get Glocks at the same discount, I'll most likely go with Glock rather than FN.

To each his own I guess. Variety is the spice of life right?

breakingcontact said:

I really like the look and feel of the FNP series of pistols by FN.

I haven't shot any.

They don't seem terribly priced and I know it's a solid company.

Most guys seem to be into Glocks/XDs or M&Ps.

What's up with FN pistols?

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Try their beer and chocolates those are very good. I do not care for their handguns.

Seems every minor variation requires different, scarce and overpriced mags. Like with HK, civilian sales are second class citizens.

Well the Belgians certainly hit a home run with the Browning Hi Power, and FN FAL, so I guess they can make pretty darn good firearms. Both are still widely used worldwide.

I suspect their newer U.S. made polymer offerings are pretty darn good too, once they get more widely circulated and accepted.

Pilot said:

Well the Belgians certainly hit a home run with the Browning Hi Power, and FN FAL, so I guess they can make pretty darn good firearms. Both are still widely used worldwide.

I suspect their newer U.S. made polymer offerings are pretty darn good too, once they get more widely circulated and accepted.

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Well, their chocolates and beer is big notch above what we can make domestically.

FN focusses on military contracts. Thus their marketing to civilians is not the best. FN is a great manufacturer that produces high quality products. Their capacity is high in all models, their ergos are generally considered great, though some certainly don't care for them, the guns are durable, and shoot straight. I love my FNP45. It is a hell of a lot of gun.

However, when you can get a M&P or a SA for $100 less, those well established companies become more attractive.

I think another problem is that there poly guns are just not as well known to new buyers. Ask any nongun owner what a Glock is or if they have heard of S&W and they will nod. Ask them about FN and they will give you a blank stare. They MAY recognize a HP, but probably couldn't tell you the model.

The FNMAG is very good if you have need for light machine gun. It does not pain me to say so but when someone thinks of hi-cap polymer .45Auto G21 immediately comes to mind. There is also G30 that can accept G21 mags as spare reloads.

I like the newer FN handguns but one thing that I think really sinks them is magazine cost and availability. If they were adopted by more LE agencies they would be more 'out there,' much the same as Glock or the M&Ps are nowadays. I do absolutely love the Hi-Power and the FAL though, an excellent pair if there ever was any. I guess the modern equivalent would be an FNX-9 and a SCAR-17S. Just try finding mags for both of those.

"I don't know what the quality of FN is"

You must be new to guns. You've never heard of the Hi Power, the Auto-5, the Superposed, the M240, etc?