Any opinions on the New Crop of FN Autos...the FNP's

[Nalapombu]

Hey all,

I have been reading more and more posts about the new FN FNP Pistols. It seems like the most popular right now are the 45ACP and the 9mm versions. When I first heard about them I checked them out on their website and they looked pretty nice, nothing to get overly excited about. I didn't think much more about them until I started seeing more and more comments about them, then I started paying more attention.

Well I was at one of my local shops the other day just browsing and low and behold right there in the case was one of the new FNP 9mm in BLACK. Of course I had to see it and handle it for a bit. After spending a few minutes with it I came away thinking that this is a heck of a nice pistol. I carry a Glock 19 and it seems to be similar in size and weight to it. I like the external hammer, the different backstraps, true single action fire and the external safety/decocker. They also aren't that expensive when compared to lots of other pistols out there today. I would have no problem using it as my carry gun assuming it proved to be reliable.

The 45ACP also seems to be gathering lotsa fans. I'd like to see one of those too, but I don't think that is going to happen.

I just wanted to ask and see what you all thought about these new pistols and whether you have had the chance to handle or shoot one.
If you own one how about posting your thoughts and pics? I'd like to check them out. How accurate are they? How do they stack up against their competition?

Thanks for the time.

BD

 

[ScareyH22A]

I'm wondering as well. Looks nice in pictures I did watch their vid and apparently the slide rails in the polymer frame are completely replaceable. A regular polymer frame will get looser and looser over use and if that happens with the FNP, you can replace the slide rails. And I also found out that they're not available in CA.

 

[Kind of Blued]

I've only groped one in a gun shop, but it felt really nice in my hand and pointed very naturally for me, both points where certain polymer competitors fall short.

If you don't mind doing a search, Stephen A. Camp did a nice write-up on THR a while ago.

 

[TheVirginian]

I have a 9mm version. It's a great gun. Nice and light, well balanced. They are some of the most accurate on the market, similar to the CZ75 in that respect.

They are combat weapons and so are very rugged and easily serviced. They have a picatinny rail for a laser or light. You can also get Tritium night sights on it or for it. I have a set but have yet to have them installed. They appear to be in need of a press rather than a drift, so I'm going to give the slide to a gunsmith for the install.

I've not had the best of luck finding a holster that I like. It'll fit in a Sig P220 or P229 holster as it's almost exactly the same size as the P229. I am trying to find a full length holster for both the FNP9 and a CZ75. I am picky because I want fitted leather and I want it full length to protect the barrel end, plus it has to be a hip holster and be affordable. That's a tall order. I have found one that suits from Bianchi (Model 19) other than it's not full length and the barrel sticks out a full 1" or more. Any suggestions on which exact Model 19 holster is long enough would be sweet. They don't list dimensions on the site and as usual, no place has enough to try a few out...

The only thing that I am not really impressed with is the aluminum guide rod and phenolic seat, which is part of the return spring assembly. I am guessing that it is going to be upgradable with steel parts elsewhere, I'm not sure though. I'll probably just buy a couple of stock spares if not. The idea behind the trigger group assembly and the slide return spring being in assemblies is to make the gun modular. That allows for a combat armorer or a soldier in the field to simply replace the whole assembly and get as new performance in minutes.

They had some reports of the trigger assembly modules cracking as they have a phenolic carrier but mine has been good and they have sold way more weapons than they have complaints. The current thinking of most users and of course of FN is that it was a defect in a parts batch rather than a design flaw. It's also easy to replace as noted earlier. If it does become an issue again in time, they can simply upgrade the module and you'll be able to buy that if you like. Supposedly, the defect, which is a crack in the carrier, only effects DA operation and so the gun will still function in SA mode. I only shoot SA, so I'd probably never notice until after I was done shooting and I field stripped it for cleaning or if the trigger felt any different. It is also widely reported that the defect is thought to surface only in guns that have been dry fired. It is a practice of some shooters to dry fire weapons many times to break in the triggers and other wear parts.

I never dry fire any weapon and only use dummy rounds (snap caps) for testing the trigger pull and cycling rounds to test feeding after cleaning them or if any adjustments have been made (not a safe practice for most folks BTW). I'll also use live rounds to test the cycling with the actual ammo that I intend to leave in a magazine for self defense. That isn't the safest thing to do but I'd rather find a feeding or ejecting problem then than when i need it to operate.

I've not tried the .45 but it is the same basic version. It's a little heavier empty as the frame is larger and so may be harder to conceal. I am not a fan of concealed carry anyway and if it was required, any full size service pistol is going to be a little on the large side for that task IMO. Of course the .45 also has a lower magazine capacity than the 9mm version.
-Bill

 

[Texastbird]

I have quite a few hundred rounds through my FNP 40 and I am starting to like it more and more. Very simple design and it looks like the accuracy is pretty darn good. And when pricing them out remember they come with three mags instead of only one or two with some manufacturers. This is my first polymer pistol and it seems to be a keeper.

 

[NW JS]

Hi all new to THR. I have been reading a lot of posts and really like all the different views here. I bought the FNP9 about two weeks ago. I have put 200 rounds through it so far. The only thing that could be called a problem would be, a few spent rounds ejected straight back and over my head, It only happened with the last round of the mag. So IMO not a problem at all. I was a little bit nervous about shooting it for the first time ,As i have not shot a handgun in about ten years. I was pleasantly surprised it had vary low recoil and i found myself relaxing my white knuckle grip after only a few rounds. It is vary accurate even in my novice hands. I found it simple it take down and clean as well. I like the smooth DA for the first shot and the light pull of the SA. I feel good about my choice to get it. The price was good as well 499.99

 

[Big Daddy Grim]

I also want to look into there .45 have felt the 9 and it does fit and point well but what can I say I love .45's

 

[camper]

Outstanding!!!! Have the FNP40 and 45.