Anyone here own or shot the FN Self-Loading shotgun?
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Preacherman
Member
The FN is basically a re-badged Winchester shotgun. Reviews of the Winchester should give you a good idea of what the FN will be like.
I've been waiting for feedback from someone that has used the FN (SX2). I've asked periodically on 2 or 3 forums and so far, no responses. It looks like a promising setup, anyway.
Does FN even still make it? It's not on their web site any more.
I've long thought the SX2 platform would make a good option for a defense auto, but haven't heard of anyone using one set up for that.
Does FN even still make it? It's not on their web site any more.
I've long thought the SX2 platform would make a good option for a defense auto, but haven't heard of anyone using one set up for that.
Preacherman
Member
Preacherman,
Thanks. I've thought about that model several times. If the barrel was 2-4" shorter and had a couple of other changes, I would try it out.
Winchester wouldn't have to change it much to hit the goal - maybe there just isn't enough market for a semi-auto defense shotgun.
Thanks. I've thought about that model several times. If the barrel was 2-4" shorter and had a couple of other changes, I would try it out.
Winchester wouldn't have to change it much to hit the goal - maybe there just isn't enough market for a semi-auto defense shotgun.
Okay, now I could live with this one, if the barrel was at least just a couple inches shorter (preferably 4 inches shorter):
It's the MK I, with rifle sights, instead of the ghost ring setup. (I'm assuming there is a deep groove in that rail, to allow seeing the rear sight blade.)
An 18"-20" barrel and a mag-tube/barrel clamp and I would give it a spin...
It's the MK I, with rifle sights, instead of the ghost ring setup. (I'm assuming there is a deep groove in that rail, to allow seeing the rear sight blade.)
An 18"-20" barrel and a mag-tube/barrel clamp and I would give it a spin...
SteveW13,
Seems like FN has about 3 different home pages. I believe that www.fnhusa.com is the official FN website for the U.S.
They still have the Self-Loading model listed on their website.
Here's the link.
Seems like FN has about 3 different home pages. I believe that www.fnhusa.com is the official FN website for the U.S.
They still have the Self-Loading model listed on their website.
Here's the link.
nickthecanuck
Member
I've got one.
Like Preacherman says, it is basically a 18" 6+1 winchester SX2, It is nice and short, very light, and handles well.
I really like it. I was initially disappointed because I was apparently reading FN's european website where they described the shotty as having the Browning Gold speed loading feature. Maybe it does in europe, mine doesn't.
Once I got it out on the range I quickly fell in love with it. It seems to have about half the recoil of my 870. I have about 1000 through it and have found it to be extremely reliable with the right ammo and easy to shoot accurately at speed. It doesn't like the anemic winchester 100rd pack ammo but it loves the Federal 100 rd pack stuff. It has never choked on buck or slug. I did have one FTF with the federal stuff where the mag spring was not strong enough to push the shell all the way out to drop the bolt. It has not happened since but I plan to replace the mag spring with a wolff spring when I get a chance just for cheap peace of mind.
LPA ghost rings were dead on out of the box although the front bead was not tritium as one of their many websites promised. I really like the LPA sights and plan to put them on my 870 whenever I get a chance. Last month I shot some hand-thrown clays with my SLP and found the sights to be extremely fast.
Remington 1100 stocks can be easily modified to fit the SX2 so I plan to put a speedfeed IV-s on ASAP now that the AWB is gone. The only other thing I plan to change is the charging handle. It is a little bit small so I am going to replace it with an extended one.
I do have a little bit of a lingering bad taste in my mouth because the gun lacks the speed load feature of the Browning Gold. I plan to use it for 3-gun (whenever the surplus time, ammo, and money all converge) where I feel the speed load feature would be an asset. Only one spot to reload at, no need to worry about whether you are shooting the gun dry, etc. One of these days I will find somebody who knows enough about these shotguns to tell me if it is possible to "Golderize" an SX2 with the right Browning parts.
Like Preacherman says, it is basically a 18" 6+1 winchester SX2, It is nice and short, very light, and handles well.
I really like it. I was initially disappointed because I was apparently reading FN's european website where they described the shotty as having the Browning Gold speed loading feature. Maybe it does in europe, mine doesn't.
Once I got it out on the range I quickly fell in love with it. It seems to have about half the recoil of my 870. I have about 1000 through it and have found it to be extremely reliable with the right ammo and easy to shoot accurately at speed. It doesn't like the anemic winchester 100rd pack ammo but it loves the Federal 100 rd pack stuff. It has never choked on buck or slug. I did have one FTF with the federal stuff where the mag spring was not strong enough to push the shell all the way out to drop the bolt. It has not happened since but I plan to replace the mag spring with a wolff spring when I get a chance just for cheap peace of mind.
LPA ghost rings were dead on out of the box although the front bead was not tritium as one of their many websites promised. I really like the LPA sights and plan to put them on my 870 whenever I get a chance. Last month I shot some hand-thrown clays with my SLP and found the sights to be extremely fast.
Remington 1100 stocks can be easily modified to fit the SX2 so I plan to put a speedfeed IV-s on ASAP now that the AWB is gone. The only other thing I plan to change is the charging handle. It is a little bit small so I am going to replace it with an extended one.
I do have a little bit of a lingering bad taste in my mouth because the gun lacks the speed load feature of the Browning Gold. I plan to use it for 3-gun (whenever the surplus time, ammo, and money all converge) where I feel the speed load feature would be an asset. Only one spot to reload at, no need to worry about whether you are shooting the gun dry, etc. One of these days I will find somebody who knows enough about these shotguns to tell me if it is possible to "Golderize" an SX2 with the right Browning parts.
nick,
Thanks for the info. You're the first I've read any feedback from on these. It's pretty much what I was expecting.
I've never seen one in person, but the front sight looks pretty tall. Does it seem that way in person? Does it seem prone to damage/bending, etc? I would really like a lower profile setup. That's why the rifle sighted version looks a little better to me - the lower profile. I also like that you could put an optic or dot on the rail of that version, without losing the fixed sights. Not that I need an optic/dot, but it keeps the option open.
Can you explain the Gold speed loading feature? I've not studied it, only heard about it.
Thanks.
Thanks for the info. You're the first I've read any feedback from on these. It's pretty much what I was expecting.
I've never seen one in person, but the front sight looks pretty tall. Does it seem that way in person? Does it seem prone to damage/bending, etc? I would really like a lower profile setup. That's why the rifle sighted version looks a little better to me - the lower profile. I also like that you could put an optic or dot on the rail of that version, without losing the fixed sights. Not that I need an optic/dot, but it keeps the option open.
Can you explain the Gold speed loading feature? I've not studied it, only heard about it.
Thanks.
nickthecanuck
Member
Steve,
The front sight is taller than many others I have seen, the flip side of that is that it might be easier to aquire. I am not sure about that because I don't have that much experience with other designs. It looks pretty sturdy and I don't worry about it getting knocked off any more than I worry about the same happening to my AR.
It is about 1 1/4 inches high, or almost a full inch shorter than an AR15 front sight. The reason it is high like that is because the rear sight is a little taller than average because it is mounted on the rail. The other way to do that would be to have the rear sight mounted on the receiver behind the rail. I prefer it the way it is because it is so easy on/off and there is the possibility that I might want to put an Eotech or Aimpoint on it some day.
The Gold speed loading feature is pretty cool. If you shoot your gun to slide lock you don't have to throw a shell in the ejection port and hit a button. All you do is slide the shell in the magazine and it automatically chambers it. This appeals to me because you only have to develop one set of muscle memory for reloading and you never have to think about where you are putting the shells, they always go to the same place.
The front sight is taller than many others I have seen, the flip side of that is that it might be easier to aquire. I am not sure about that because I don't have that much experience with other designs. It looks pretty sturdy and I don't worry about it getting knocked off any more than I worry about the same happening to my AR.
It is about 1 1/4 inches high, or almost a full inch shorter than an AR15 front sight. The reason it is high like that is because the rear sight is a little taller than average because it is mounted on the rail. The other way to do that would be to have the rear sight mounted on the receiver behind the rail. I prefer it the way it is because it is so easy on/off and there is the possibility that I might want to put an Eotech or Aimpoint on it some day.
The Gold speed loading feature is pretty cool. If you shoot your gun to slide lock you don't have to throw a shell in the ejection port and hit a button. All you do is slide the shell in the magazine and it automatically chambers it. This appeals to me because you only have to develop one set of muscle memory for reloading and you never have to think about where you are putting the shells, they always go to the same place.
nickthecanuck,
Thank you for your review. I was curious about the two gas pistons. On FN's site that I posted above...it says that it comes with two gas pistons...for heavy and light loads. Can you tell me anything about that? I mean, are the two gas pistons already installed simultaneously? Or do you have to remove one and install the other? Or is there some lever to switch between the two?
Thanks.
Thank you for your review. I was curious about the two gas pistons. On FN's site that I posted above...it says that it comes with two gas pistons...for heavy and light loads. Can you tell me anything about that? I mean, are the two gas pistons already installed simultaneously? Or do you have to remove one and install the other? Or is there some lever to switch between the two?
Thanks.
nickthecanuck
Member
discusser,
It is an either/or situation. The piston slides on the magazine tube between the gas ports and the tappet that whacks the bolt carrier. From what I can, tell the number and size of the holes in the piston determine how much of the gas imparts momentum to the piston and how much gets vented to atmosphere. Changing or cleaning it is as simple as field stripping. I have used the "light" piston exclusively and had no problems with buck (regular and reduced recoil), slugs, and Federal bulk-packs. It has proven susceptible to "limp-shouldering" with the cheapo winchester wally world packs. If I was only going to shoot the cheap promo loads I would probably buy the piston for the sporting clays model; but since I also shoot buck and slugs I think I will stick with the "light" piston so as to avoid battering the gun with overly vigorous cycling.
It is an either/or situation. The piston slides on the magazine tube between the gas ports and the tappet that whacks the bolt carrier. From what I can, tell the number and size of the holes in the piston determine how much of the gas imparts momentum to the piston and how much gets vented to atmosphere. Changing or cleaning it is as simple as field stripping. I have used the "light" piston exclusively and had no problems with buck (regular and reduced recoil), slugs, and Federal bulk-packs. It has proven susceptible to "limp-shouldering" with the cheapo winchester wally world packs. If I was only going to shoot the cheap promo loads I would probably buy the piston for the sporting clays model; but since I also shoot buck and slugs I think I will stick with the "light" piston so as to avoid battering the gun with overly vigorous cycling.
Here's a review posted today on another forum:
http://www.jobrelatedstuff.com/forums/topic.html?b=6&f=1&t=187169&page=1
http://www.jobrelatedstuff.com/forums/topic.html?b=6&f=1&t=187169&page=1
DHart
Member
During e-mail discussions with a guy at FN-USA, I was told that the Gold quick-loading feature reduced the reliability of the shotgun. FN SLP models do not have that feature... he indicated that the guns are more reliable without it, basically. It sort of makes sense as the more complicated a mechanism, typically the more opportunity for failure.
I have an FN SLP on order through my dealer and its expected in next Wednesday... I'm really excited about this gun... I think it will make a great HD shotgun with 00 buck.
I have an FN SLP on order through my dealer and its expected in next Wednesday... I'm really excited about this gun... I think it will make a great HD shotgun with 00 buck.
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During e-mail discussions with a guy at FN-USA, the Gold quick-loading feature reduced the reliability of the shotgun and current FN SLP models here in the USA do not have that feature... he told me the guns are more reliable without it, basically. It sort of makes sense as the more complicated a mechanism, typically the more opportunity for failure.
Hey, that's good to know. I wondered why they didn't have that feature. I'm not sure that I would even miss it, though. I'm already used to throwing a shell into the ejection port, so it would be a bit different manuals of arms for me.
Steve
Hey, that's good to know. I wondered why they didn't have that feature. I'm not sure that I would even miss it, though. I'm already used to throwing a shell into the ejection port, so it would be a bit different manuals of arms for me.
Steve
No_Brakes23
Member
I like this one a lot.
This variation looks like a good alternative to the Wilson 870, (Assuming you can use the 1300 and 870 interchangeably.)
All it needs is a Surefire foreend and you are in mall-ninja heaven.
This variation looks like a good alternative to the Wilson 870, (Assuming you can use the 1300 and 870 interchangeably.)
All it needs is a Surefire foreend and you are in mall-ninja heaven.
DHart
Member
Steve... you know you want the FN SLP.... the size is right, the weight is right, short 13" pull, short 18" barrel, 7-shot capacity, SX2 action and reliability.... I think it's a dream self-loading defense shotty.
It's been calling you for a long time now! Now you know it's a high grade machine of quality. Go into the light. Give in to the call. You know you will love it! They are in stock and available. It's only money and you only live once... and it's a short life at that!
It's been calling you for a long time now! Now you know it's a high grade machine of quality. Go into the light. Give in to the call. You know you will love it! They are in stock and available. It's only money and you only live once... and it's a short life at that!
DHart
Member
I ultimately sold my FN SLP, Winchester Super X2 because I found over time that even with buck shot and clean mechanisms, the guns often failed to cycle in colder circumstances and when pointing downward. THese guns were intended for defense for me and such performance is unacceptable. I'm back to my Mossberg 500A Persuader which never fails to function for me under ANY circumstances.
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