Fnp .45 usg-- cons/pros

[DrewBegley]

I've been pushing to get a new open carry full frame semi auto and the FNP45 is definitely on my mind. I've been looking for the bad on the gun and have come pretty much empty handed, couldn't find much on the gun in general other than the FNH website and SHOT SHOW stuff. Why should I and why shouldn't I buy this pistol?


P.S. I currently carry an older, beaten .40 Glock 22 that's never failed me from being my old duty weapon for the PD and now my every day open carry SD... it's just time to move on.

 

[gathert]

Ive shot one and it felt pretty good on recoil. Trigger could use a little work for my taste and it feels like holding a square. Other than that it felt great to shoot and follow up shots were a breeze. I enjoyed it since the recoil was pretty soft.

 

[DrewBegley]

That's what I hear and better follow up shots means less deviation on target acquisition. I got to see one (not fire, unfortunately) and it fits in my hand unlike any handgun I've messed with and in a good way. What do you mean about the trigger?

 

[Mr.357Sig]

I've heard really good things about it. Michael Bane was so impressed by the one he test-fired for his show, he bought it.

I bought my wife an FNP-9. It's got the same ergonomics as the 45, which are really good.

 

[RX-178]

Why you should:

1: Larger round. After all, the rule is to carry the largest, most powerful round you can comfortably handle.

2: Lighter trigger (in SA mode) can make it easier to shoot more accurately.

3: Compares well, arguably even favorably against the more expensive USP45.


Why you shouldn't:

1: No DAO mode like you're familiar with. You'll either have to get used to operating a manual safety in condition 1, or get used to a much heavier DA first shot (compared to the Glock), and then much lighter follow up shots (again, compared to the Glock.) A more strictly practical choice would be a Glock 21 or Glock 21SF, to keep your familiarization of using the platform.


Not that I always recommend that people do what's strictly practical! The FNP-45 USG is a great weapon and it'll do everything you want it to.

 

[DrewBegley]

Lately I've been changing habits and living conditions where a good safety on a gun is a good idea. I'm liking the manual safety and decocking feature and I use an M&P as often as the G22 so I am familiar with the thumb safety. Not to mention that the FNP USG is fully ambidextrous!


P.S. I would probably be carrying the weapon on safe with the hammer engaged for practical to tactical open carry use.

 

[gathert]

What I mean by the trigger is there is a decent amount of take up in SA mode. Also some over travel from what I remember. I didnt put a lot of rounds downrange with it but I think thats what got my about it. But then again I'm a 1911 guy and those triggers are about perfect for me. I'm not saying the trigger was bad, it just seems different for a while. It did break very cleanly and with minimal pressure.

 

[wow6599]

I have a FNP 45 USG and love the thing. Less recoil than a 1911, I can shoot it better than any other .45s I've owned and it can hold 16 rds of .45 ACP. I think the trigger is a little spongy, but good. DA is about as heavy as they come. SA is not great, but close to it for a DA/SA pistol. The controls are well placed........seems to feel like a much smaller pistol than it is. Now, the cons -

FN won't customize a thing on it, not even a trigger job. I live 30 miles from their American service center and have tried.......they won't. Almost no aftermarket equipment - holsters, magazines (Mec-Gar), springs, night sights, etc. Although, I think Trijicon makes some for it now. Also, the factory mags are high - around $40 + shipping.

The problem is, not enough people buy them. I think this is due to FNH's poor advertising. I have had Glocks, M&Ps, FNPs, etc.
They are all fine weapons, but I like hammers, a thumb safety and 16 rds of .45!.

 

[JustinJ]

I can't find the article but supposedly in a military test that compared the FN .45 tactical against just about every other .45 on the market it was preffered above all others. Of course that probably had a bit to do with all that the tactical package included but the gun as a whole performed excellent. I'd probably prefer an HK if it weren't for the FN 15 round capacity.

 

[DrewBegley]

I looked at the HK USP and I just didn't care for the angles on it, not to mention the price, at about 300 less the FNP is worth my money; especially when it does come out on top of all these reviews.

 

[MikePaiN]

I traded for an FNP-45 USG earlier this week and I have to say this FNP is a very impressive weapon.... Its built like a tank but not at all over weight or sized. I like the ergos and love the aggressive stippling on the grip, FN go it right the gun feels positive and secure. I have it for HD /SHTF imo....its a true battle pistol built for this business. Its trigger is not bad, compared to "worked" triggers yes it'll be heavy in DA and a little spongy in SA but it works well and feels good to me. The USG with its safety/decocker allows carry "cocked&locked, DA safe or DA locked(if you you are the really nervous type ).
I got this one with a DeSantis Speed Scabbard # 002 T2 It fits perfectly on the FNP45, I'm sure it was designed for it. I normally carry a small gun AItW..for ha-has I threw this FNP setup on @ about 4oc with a t-shirt and jeans, I damn well knew it was there but it stayed put and carried well enough.
The FNP-45 is a solid shooter, but I hardly have enough run time to comment more.

 

[gathert]

You will like it more and more the more ammo you send down range. It handles well even with 15 rounds of .45 in the grip.

 

[GLOOB]

Here are a few cons:
1. Can't detail strip without:
A. Breaking (or futzing) the decocking lever to remove the fire control group.
B. Have to remove the rear sight to clean the firing pin safety or to replace the extractor.

2. Safety lever ergonomics aren't for everyone. The back of the lever can be uncomfortable with a high thumb hold.

3. Left side safety lever has been known to break off under normal use.

4. Known to fail in DA mode when the gun gets hot. Haven't heard of this with the 45 cal, specifically, but several people have noticed this failure with the 9mm and 40's in both the FNP and FNX versions. This is not part of the FCG recall. Recent serial numbers have also failed, and there's no official statement from FN. This makes it a quality control and/or design issue.

5. Mag latch isn't as secure as it could be for a fighting handgun.

6. There's been at least one report of the gun breaking if your try to cock the gun with your finger behind the trigger. Gawd knows how or why that ever happened, but it's a bit disappointing that the gun broke before the finger.

Of all the polymer framed hammer fired pistols I can think of (SIG, Ruger P, HK, Beretta PX, CZ), the FN version is the least durable and serviceable, from what I have gleaned from firsthand observation and the internet.

Pro's: easy to shoot. Great sites. Nice trigger with short reset. Low felt recoil. High mag capacity.