Browning Pro 9

[BrokenArrow]

First heard about them a year ago, been waiting for them to pop up on my dealer's shelf...

Made by FN in the USA. Browning's version of the FNP. About the size of a P229.

DA/SA w frame mounted safety/decocker (yep, ya can cock n' lock it).
Polymer frame w rails (M3 fit). 16 shot mag. All metal parts appear to be stainless/chrome/nickel. Adjustable backstrap/grip unit.

Interesting design that borrows from here and there (a lot from FN Forty Nine). Looks like it has the EMR (Extended Modular Rails); look like Glock/HK frame rails but bigger and they can be replaced if needed. Hammer/sear look like it may be modular too. Barrel looks like a Glock, slide like a SIG. Takes down like a SIG. Shoots as well as my SIG... reminds me of the USP compact too, but I like this better than both.

Fits my hand like a glove. Handles very well for me; quick, accurate, and reliable. Several hundred rounds of Fed, Rem, Win, Speer, and Magtech ammo w FMJ/JHP/EFMJ/SCHP from 93 to 147 fired w no problems. DA trigger about 10, SA about 4, both are very nice.

Fit in a Fobus for the USP compact. On the CA DOJ approved list.

Don't know how well the market will accept it, but it is nearly the perfect pistol for me; wish they had done this years ago... but ya never really know how good it is until somebody runs it through a mil-spec/LE T&E, buys a bunch, and puts 'em in service...

Could be a contender for the Army's FHS (Future Handgun System)?

 

[Ivy Mike]

I really like my Forty-Nine (especially since I found full cap magazines for it)
and would love a variant that comes in DA/SA. I also like hammer fired guns a bit more. The adjustable backstrap is also a nice improvement over the Forty-Nine, although its ergonomics are fantastic. I seem to recall CDNN having the FNP's at pretty good prices. I'll take mine in .40S&W in a blued finish. Thrown in a few ful capacity magazines and let me teach these 1911 guys a thing or two about the future of handguns.

My Forty-Nine serves as my daily carry piece if anyone cares. Works great in USP holsters.

 

[Marko Kloos]

I tried one at the store yesterday. It fits the hand pretty well, and the trigger is very decent in both DA and SA. The plastic of the frame feels and sounds a little insubstantial to me, though.

 

[BrokenArrow]

Couldn't be any worse than these dropped polymer pistolas?

 

[Gunz]

I held one about 5 days ago, and surprisingly it felt LARGER than my Forty-Nine. I am surprised to find someone else on the group who likes the Forty_Nine as much as I do. I think the grip is just about perfect in circumference and texture. Larger than a Gen 1 pebble grip Glock, but just as nicely smoothed and contoured. The FN-9Pro had a nice safety arrangement for C&L or decock. The slide seemed thicker than the Forty Nine. The disappointment was the price tag at the store: $549. Man. I cought my Forty-Nine for $250 (used) in stainless, and I was happy. In fact, my Forty-Nine IS my carry gun, and it replaced my GLock 22 for that role. My only complaint about the Forty-Nine is the curved base-plate for finger grip. I wish it were flat. In any event, the FN-9Pro looked good, felt not bad, and hope it keeps a group as tight as the Forty-Nine. For the price tag, I am holding off for now. Maybe if they get discontinued, I may go after one.....

 

[BHPshooter]

Thanks for the report. Sounds like a winner, even though Browning won't market it enough to make it a home run...

Wes

 

[Big Mike]

I've noted before here that the Forty-Nine I held and dry fired was very nice: Smooth pull if not somewhat heavy and incredibly ergonomic and balanced. When introduced I think it suffered from poor marketing and ammo capacity deficiency.

A shop near me had closed because of a fire and then re-opened several months later. I walked in during the back-to-business "Fire Sale" and the Forty-Nine was priced to sell: $150. A guy was buying it at the time. Had I been there 30 minutes earlier It would have been mine. Mike.

 

[Marshall]

If it wouldn't have come out so close to the XD series, it might have been a bigger hit. But, the XD was advertised everywhere you looked and caught the eyes of many, definately overshadowing the Pro series from Browning.

The 4" XD is 25oz compared the heavier 30oz browning. The XD's trigger is better, lighter. The XD is available with night sights and the XD costs less.

Don't get me wrong, I am probably the biggest Browning fan on this board but, when you can buy an XD for less money and, for just a little more money buy a Browning Hi-Power, that's kind of left the Pro series a tough row to hoe.

 

[BrokenArrow]

I like this Pro 9 waaaay better than the XD and HP (I've had both), or anything else... but I'm not the rest of the market.

This gives me all stainless parts, not just the slide. Weight differences w mags is negligible. I prefer external to internal extractors, hammer fired guns to strikers, and I like having a manual safety too. Price? Hard to beat Croatian labor costs in the USA? This compares well w the sig pro, USP/P2000, P99 IMO.

I know what ya mean though... the Pro 9 would have done great 20 yrs ago. Now, it needs a short/light DAO option to sell in the LE market. The FN40/9s RSS (Repeatable Secure Striker) DAO was a bit long/heavy for some (not me). If they have improved that w the FNP/BP, may have sumthin' this time?

 

[mrapathy2000]

btw the FNP-9 is the same thing. if you look around can find FNP-9's for good price with 3- 16 round mags the 40's supposedly use 14 round mags. good luck finding mags havent seen them online. been waiting for someone to post review or something on pistol. design looks nice.

btw XD,Glock vs FNP-9/Browning Pro comparisons.

The XD and Glock are cheap but good pistols overpriced good $100 each not made in America.

FNP-9 and Browning Pro are made in the USA. my understanding is its not foreign imported parts and assembled in the US but manufactured and assembled.

FN doesnt sound like it has too warm of relation with non LEO/Mil crowd though. believe Browning is owned by FN H.

new options are always nice