FNX DA problems in hot weather?

[Zaydok Allen]

So I am thinking about picking up a FNX 9mm, .40, or FNP .45. I just read two posts that said that in hot weather, these pistol owners couldn't get thier FN's to fire double action.

Is this a wide spread problem?
Please share any related FN pistol stories, good or bad.

 

[HOOfan_1]

Did they explain it any further? Was the hammer not striking hard enough, or was the trigger not cocking the hammer?

I have an FNP, which is the progenitor to the FNX, I don't often fire it DA, but since I bought it back in May, I have taken it shooting at least 3 or 4 times, every time it was over 80-90 degrees and I probably have about 530 rounds through it now. I've shot Remington UMC, Blazer, Magtech and my own reloads, I have not had a failure to fire yet.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

The first post read.......

Ok.. now onto the FNX. Here is where things got ugly today. Having read about the FNX issue with firing in DA when hot, I decided to get the gun nice and hot, then try to shoot it repeatedly in DA, to see what happens. Mother of god. It WILL fire in DA... but it's extremely difficult to make it do so. It's not even a matter of the drastically increased pressure at the end of the stroke. It's that you need to apply that pressure for about 2 full seconds before the frakkin hammer will drop. Totally, absolutely, positively unacceptable. Will call FNX next week and get it repaired.

In SA, everything works fine and the gun is a delight. Feels great in the hand and is very light, recoil is super soft. In fact, it was even softer than the 5906, despite weighing probably half (or less than half) of what the 5906 weighs. The aggressive checkering that feels crappy when just dry firing felt completely fine at the range when you're actually shooting the gun, so I'm now a little less angry at FN for changing the checking over what the FNP had. The big arse front sight is nice and easy to see in the dimly lit range too.

I'd be happy with the FNX if DA worked properly..

And the second one read.....

NO WAY! I had the exact same thing happen with my FNP 40 when it was hot out. (105F, plus your typical IA 90% humidity) With mine, however, the gun would literally not fire in DA. Sent it back to FN, and they said that there were "microscopic cracks in the trigger assembly which widened under heat to the point of causing malfunctions". Their words, not mine. It's due to arrive back in about a week. Send it back and tell them that you've heard of other guys having the same problem. Quite frankly, this shouldn't happen with a "military grade" pistol.

Like my OP, I am just wondering how wide spread of a problem this is. I'll check out the FN website to see if this is addressed at all.

 

[wow6599]

FNP 45 USG here.........never had a problem in 100°+ Missouri weather.

As always, YMMV.

 

[GLOOB]

Check out the FN forums for more info from consumers. It appears to sporadically affect just about all serial numbers, recent manufacture included. FN has not made any official statement as to the cause. First time I've heard of "micro cracks."

My guess is when hot enough, some plastic pieces are getting too bendy and/or distorting. Heck, maybe it's the entire frame. Even the plastic trigger could be contributing. There is a little elasticity to it. End result is the trigger runs out of travel before the sear reliably releases in DA mode, only.

This is probably a good reason to NOT put a trigger stop on your FNX, as I've seen some people do.

The reports are usually after a string of at least a few mags plus hot conditions. And I've noticed the FN slide gets unusually hot while shooting, compared to a Glock. For what it's worth, I have shot a hundred rounds in 100 degree heat and had no malfunctions. I did convince myself that the trigger was breaking later in DA mode, but I don't have any scientific data.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

It sounds like it's only the FNX-9's.

 

[wbwanzer]

I don't think I've ever fired my FNX in DA. I'll need to test for this heat problem.

I will say that the FNX feels flimsier than my XDm. Not knocking it, just an observation.

 

[dcarch]

I am the aforementioned "second poster." Here's a link to a thread I started which references my problem: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=601118 Please feel free to ask me any questions about time, weather, ammo, etc. I will only be too happy to help. At this point, I would tentatively say that it's a isolated problem, but I don't have enough info to make a truly informed judgement.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Hey thanks for participating dcarch. Yeah, from what I've been seeing it sounds like there are just some isolated cases, and FN is fixing them for free, or replacing the pistols all together. I've decided not to let it bother me. If there is a problem then I'll deal with it. Hey, have you shot the FNX-40 or FNP-45? How does the recoil compare to the .40 caliber cartridge?

 

[dcarch]

I have not shot either the FNX (in any incarnation) or the FNP-45. Mine has yet to be repaired by FNH's CS, but they told me they are rather backed up. Personally, I don't care how long it takes, just so long as they get it done right. I used to trust the FNP implicitly, and would like to get it back in properly functioning condition. Honestly, though, the FNP was my first pistol, and since late 2009, I've moved almost exclusively to shooting 1911 platform pistols. If I had to have another go at it, though, I would have gone for the FNX, not the FNP. I much prefer the safety lever on the FNX as compared to the FNP. The added magazines and backstraps are just icing on the proverbial cake. I really do like the design of the firearm, and hope that these few issues are fixed, because I really want to see the FNX/FNP develop as a first rate pistol. I think, just so long as the quality stays under control, that the FNX could really pull the rug out from under the feet of more expensive pistols like the SIGs and the HKs. (Maybe they might even bring the prices down on those brands. I can dream, right?) Anyhow, all the best with your luck. Hopefully they get the DA trigger issue under control.

 

[HOOfan_1]

I like the safety on the FNP better, that is why I bought it instead of the FNX. Mine came with 2 bakcstraps and 3 magazines. I like the rounded backstrap.

I also don't like the pyramid type stipling on the FNX

 

[wbwanzer]

I tested mine this afternoon. I sat it outside on the front threshhold to my front door, which was pretty hot. It was directly in the sun. I checked it after 20 minutes in the sun and it worked as it should. I then flipped it over onto it's other side for another 20 minutes and it still dropped the hammer in DA mode. I'll heat it up by firing it the next time at the range and try DA.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

wbwanzer,

Do you have an FNX-9 or a different caliber?

Now I'm considering just going all the way and getting a 1911 since I don't own one. I'm looking at the Springfield Loaded model that's all stainless, with Novak sights.

 

[dcarch]

Get a 1911. Seriously. I shoot better with a 1911 than any other model of pistol, except maybe the CZ. The ergonomics of the gun are just "right", and the short trigger pull keeps the gun very controllable and accurate. You might want to check out the SA Range Officer, too. It's supposedly built to be as accurate as SA's top competitive guns, and from some of the reviews I've seen, it looks like it hasn't disappointed. I personally shoot a Kimber Custom II, but mine isn't even close to box stock anymore. If I ever figure out how to upload pictures, I'll put it up sometime... Anyhow, I'm rambling, again. If you want to go with a FNH, I wouldn't be too worried. Of course, going into it, you just need to be aware of the known issues with the gun. If you want to get into the wonderful world of 1911s, however, then go for it. This is the golden age of the model 1911. Don't miss out on it. Just my humble opinion, of course. Stay safe!

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Yeah, I'm a bit worried about getting into 1911's. I have a rather severe OCD problem, and I'm worried that once I get into 1911's............. well, I'll never have any money again. Like you said, there are so many tweeks you can do to a 1911, I know I'll have all kinds of stuff for it. Different mags, grips, grips , and more grips, lasers, engraving...... The list could easily go on. I haven't decided yet. and am leaning toward getting the FNX since it comes with just about everything you need in one package. And I do sort of want one down and dirty, beat her up if need be, hi capacity pistol. The FNX line seems to fit the bill best for that purpose.

 

[wbwanzer]

460Kodiak - I have the FNX-9. I like it and have not experienced any problems yet. I didn't have the mag problem that some of the early examples had.
I don't shoot her as well as I do some of my other pistols, but I seem to take a different one each time so I'm not putting a concerted effort into getting 'good' with the FNX. I shoot best with my Witness Elite Match and my SIG 229.

There aren't too many tweeks for the FNX. I bought a Fobus holster (for the PX4) and added some grip tape that was left over from my XDm. See below.