FNP 45 and Browning Buckmark

[Outlaw Man]

I finally got around to taking pictures, so I figured I'd just throw them up in one thread.

First off, my thanks to all the anti-gunners in Congress who voted for the economic stimulus package. It almost completely covered buying this:




I've only put about 130 rounds through it, but so far it has functioned flawlessly with both FMJ and Golden Sabres. My "range" at my friends house is a metal spinner target, so I don't have any real accuracy numbers to report, but I definitely hit the target more than missed it. It doesn't feel like you're shooting a polymer frame pistol, due, at least partially, I'm sure, to having such a heavy slide. Muzzle dip as the magazine empties isn't as noticeable as I thought it would be.

It is a BIG gun. I went through about 30 holsters before I found one that would fit. I ended up with the Blackhawk, but there was no box. It's a model 1210, if anyone knows what that fits. The Glock 21 holsters fit if you go with leather.

I was thrilled that the gun came with three magazines, as Browning/FN mags are traditionally pricey. It fits my hand really well, but only with the flat backstrap. With the arched one installed I can't quite get my pinky around it. It's an easy swap, though - stick a 1/16" pin through the hole and slide it off.

Overall, I'm extremely happy with the purchase. I still need to go to a range where I can check the accuracy on paper, and I still need to put some more rounds through it, but I'm confident FN did a great job when they upgraded the 9 & 40 versions. I've been pleased with my Browning Pro 9, but I think I like this one better.

On to the second gun.

I was in Academy Sports last week with a friend of mine. He was looking for a new .22, and I was going to grab some more .45 ammo. I got a 250 round case and walked over to where he was looking at the pistols. Their Buckmarks were on sale for $250. So, I put the case of .45 back, and we both came home with new pistols.

What can I say about the Buckmark that most of y'all don't already know? It's the low end one - Camper - but I don't think there's a lot more than aesthetic differences until you get up into the really high end Buckmarks. I kind of wish it came with a fiber optic front sight, but I'm not going to complain for that price. I've already put 400-500 rounds through it, and it seems like it shoots better the more I shoot it. Anyone who's looking for a .22 should definitely check them out if they haven't already. They're not on sale anymore, but they're still pretty reasonably priced.

 

[Comanche180]

+1 on the Camper. I have thousands of rounds through mine and wouldn't give it up.

 

[flinch]

Is this a great country or what. Be sure to send an Email to Hillary and Hussain Obama Momma to thank them and let them know how you spent it.

Congrats on two near perfect guns. You don't need anything else with those two.

 

[spooney]

If you don't mind me asking, what did the FNP cost? The only one I have seen was at a gunshow and it was well over $600. I don't remember the 9 or 40 costing that much.

 

[NWdude83]

How is the trigger on the FN?

 

[jakeswensonmt]

Nice purchases, a lot of guns for that much money. And doesn't FN own Browning these days?

It's the low end one - Camper - but I don't think there's a lot more than aesthetic differences until you get up into the really high end Buckmarks.

There is one important difference. Replace the stock plastic sight base with a factory metal one and the Camper should be as good as the rest.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

+1 on the trigger question from the FNP.

Also, does it have a safety so it can be carried cocked and locked or is it just a DA/SA with decocker?

The FNP45 caught my attention and I have been looking for a reason to support FN for supporting the American civilian market, but none of their toys, including the FNP, really appeal to me because I am not in the market for a 9mm, .40, a poodle shooter, and happen to despise DA/SA autos. Only way I even consider them is if the trigger is decent and the pistol can be carried cocked and locked.

 

[Outlaw Man]

I don't remember the sticker price, but the FNP was $628 after tax. I ordered it from a guy who deals guns in his pharmacy. He just does the gun business for fun, and since he makes plenty of money selling drugs, he's usually VERY reasonable on firearms. In comparison, my Pro 9 was $550 from Gander a couple of years ago. I could have got one cheaper, but the other shop that had them only had the Clinton capacity mags, and they wouldn't swap them for full-caps or order another one until they sold that one. The mags were $50 each.

This particular one doesn't have a safety. I was originally looking for one with the safety, but I got to thinking about how I never used mine on my Pro 9. I always carried hammer down, so it's not really an issue. I saw one in another shop with a safety and a regular stainless slide (this one is blackened) for $609. They're out there, and yes you can carry them cocked and locked.

The trigger pull is great in single action mode. Not like a finely tuned 1911, but still fairly crisp without too much take up. Double action is long, but smooth and not too terribly heavy. I wouldn't want it much lighter without a safety.

I've been looking for a 45 to upgrade my Pro 9 for a while now, and I've tried several guns. None of them really fit the bill - I'm pretty picky - and I had always hoped Browning would release the Pro 45. I guess I got what I wanted, even though it doesn't technically say Browning on the side.

I guess I'm out of the loop on the sight base. I didn't know anything about it. I'll have to check into one.

 

[Outlaw Man]

I forgot to mention: The Pro 9 had a magazine disconnect, but the FN doesn't. I would have figured it would be the other way around.

Oh well. It isn't a big deal to me either way.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

Only companies that care about PC BS put retarded magazine disconnects on their weapons. This list of companies may include the sissies at Ruger and S&W with their billboard safety messages printed on the side of their weapons. For companies that don't think we are a bunch of mindless morons that "...don't need more than ten rounds," like FN, there is a greater consumer base. If people were as stupid as Ruger seems to think they are, then they wouldn't be able to read the warning labels anyways.

FN has made considerable risk to make their products, many of which are not very PC, available to the US consumer. That is why I would love to support them. The problem is that I have absolutely no desire at the present to own a 9mm, .40, 5.56, or 5.7mm. I am into .45s and battle rifles now.

I've looked around on the internet but found no mention of an FNP-45 with a safety until you. Some have rumored that such a version is coming, but I'll believe it when I see it. I just don't like DA/SA. SAO and DAO are fine, but two distinctly different trigger pulls on the same handgun is about as asinine to me as magazine disconnects.

 

[flinch]

Here is one for less : http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_245/products_id/53896

 

[MTMilitiaman]

Here is one for less : http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...ducts_id/53896

I want to believe, I really do. But I am naturally skeptical. They could just mean that the decocker is ambi...