Why aren't FNH pistols popular?

[wow6599]

So, after reading a thread in the auto section about favorite poly bottom feeders (I say that with love) I was wondering why more folks aren't drawn to the FNP and FNX line of pistols. They are accurate, priced like the rest of the polymer autos out there, come with 3 mags, have external hammers and a decocker or safety (or both). I think they feel good in hand......not as good as the M&P, but better than Glock. I have either had, or still do have - M&P, Glock, Ruger, Kel-Tec, Kahr and a FNP. I think they all have their pros and cons, but for an American made, hammer-fired gun it seems there might be more interest in FNH pistols, but there's not.........and the .45 holds 16 rds

Anybody want to chime in?

 

[RevDerb]

I guess that they just don't get as much exposure as some of the other mfg's. I don't think that FN is that aggressive in pursuing commercial sales. I've had 3 FN's; FNP-9, FNP-9M, and FNP-357. All three were awesome weapons.

 

[mr.trooper]

Great guns.

I especially like how modular they are - virtually everything in them can be swapped out for another type if desired.

I think they are less popular for two main reasons:
A) They don't advertise much, or plug any celebrity endorsements.
B) They didn't enter the market until WAY after it was already saturated with solid competitors.

 

[TYFOOON]

I've had them all and I adore my FNP-9.

Never think twice about picking one up.

I paid $360 for mine, with Trijicons, + 10 for call in.

Best value to date for me I think.

Foon

 

[JROC]

I like them because they are built here in my home town of Columbia, SC.

I have friends that work at FN Manufacturing

 

[KAS1981]

I'm not sure either.

I just recently discovered them whilst researching what full-size 9mm pistol I'd like to buy, and I'm seriously considering the FNX-9.

The trick now will be finding one in a LGS to check out.

 

[PabloJ]

It's made by company based out of country that Hitler conquered in was it two days?

 

[wow6599]

It's made by company based out of country that Hitler conquered in was it two days?

You can't be serious........can you?
OK, no Browning or FN products for Pablo folks........Hitler done conquered Belgium.

 

[martialartsblackbelt]

^^ here we go with Godwin's Law again

 

[carbuncle]

They were completely under my radar until recently, but I have my eye on the FNP 45: looks like a good gun with a well-considered design.

 

[HK Jake]

It's most likely because of the humorously large cases the pistols come in!

 

[RevDerb]

Wow! You're not wrong about the humorously large cases. I sold one of mine once and had to ship it and it cost me an arm and a leg at UPS.

 

[JohnBT]

"OK, no Browning or FN products for Pablo folks........Hitler done conquered Belgium."



And no German or French guns either; Hitler conquered them too as I recall.

In other news, I have been very pleased with my black -45 USG. It makes all of my other guns seem so small, even the government models, but especially the BHP and R9. Teeny tiny in fact. I have XL hands, to the FNP-45 is just right.

I have suitcases smaller than the FN case it came in.

 

[InkEd]

Can the inside be replaced with foam in those cases? That is crazy.

 

[PabloJ]

You can't be serious........can you?
OK, no Browning or FN products for Pablo folks........Hitler done conquered Belgium.

That was just unfunny joke of sorts. It looks like good product made by folks in South Carolina USA. I see no reason it should be be more popular.

 

[Toforo]

It's made by company based out of country that Hitler conquered in was it two days?

Actually, this was anticipated by the manufacturers...

So much, in fact, that they knew the german war machine would USE the FN/Browning/Hi-Power factories to support the german war machine. And that's exactly what happened....

They stayed in operation as long as possible and when it became inevitable and the german invasion became imminent, all of the engineering designs were moved to Canada so they wouldn't fall in german hands.
In addition - they also took much of the equipment from the factories, put it on ships, and sent it all to England and Canada where they were up and running fast enough to continue to provide weapons to the Allies for the remainder of WWII.

After the end of WWII - they moved everything back to Belgium.

FN is as deep and rich in history, service, production, and weapons development (Thanks to JMB) as many of the classic american weapons icons (Colt, Remington, S&W, etc)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Browning_Hi-Power

Oh, and I'm a fan as well ! ! !

 

[JustinJ]

I don't know why other than weaker marketing perhaps? I do dig the tactical FNP 45 though. For a combat gun few qualities are more important than capacity.

 

[Toforo]

Can the inside be replaced with foam in those cases? That is crazy.

Actually, their large conspicuous cases are part of my secret plan to foil crash'N'grab thieves, robbers, and other evil lurking about....

I have three of the FNH pistol cases with several of those "free" gun cable locks holding them shut. In each of the three cases are two bricks (the builder's kind, lol)

These cases are on my walk-in closet floor in plain site.... My hope is that if a thief breaks in and sees them out in the open - they'll grab the heavy locked cases and run with what they THINK are guns inside gun-cases, lol.

 

[wow6599]

These cases are on my walk-in closet floor in plain site.... My hope is that if a thief breaks in and sees them out in the open - they'll grab the heavy locked cases and run with what they THINK are guns inside gun-cases, lol.

That is a great idea Toforo. I think I'll do the same......it takes up too much room in my safe.

 

[wally]

Price and availability of extra mags is one main reason I don't have more. I want enough mags to load at least 100 rounds for a session (its way too hot here to be standing on the firing line stuffing magazines!).

I really do like my FNP-45 Tactical very much, I was able to get enough extra mags for it (came with three) from CDNN, but I settled for mis-matching floor plate colors. I wish more manufactures would mill the slide for those micro red dots (I've a Trijicon RMR on mine) and put extra tall sights that see over the red dot for backup (not really an issue for the RMR since it has no batteries) or for using with a suppressor.

Actually, their large conspicuous cases are part of my secret plan to foil crash'N'grab thieves, robbers, and other evil lurking about....

I've three Jennings pistols hanging proudly on the wall in a red velvet lined display case (I picked up cheap at a gun show) for this very purpose

 

[Toforo]

I've three Jennings pistols hanging proudly on the wall in a red velvet lined display case (I picked up cheap at a gun show) for this very purpose

GASP!!!

How can you be so casual and flippant about RED VELVET????

 

[bcp280z]

I like to think of them as affordable USP's, they're fine guns but most of the market seems to be going for DAO or SA and CCW pieces at the moment.

 

[FNP45]

I have noticed this same thing though about them not being brought up in discussion much

I like the heck out of mine, FNP45 USG, and kinda like that they aren't as popular as everything else out there. Haven't had a problem yet with mine and its had about 1K threw it.

 

[wow6599]

I like the heck out of mine, FNP45 USG

Same here, that's why I brought this thread up. Anytime folks talk about polymer .45 pistols, all you hear about are Glock, M&P & XD......and occasionally HK.

 

[dogtown tom]

Toforo
Actually, this was anticipated by the manufacturers...

So much, in fact, that they knew the german war machine would USE the FN/Browning/Hi-Power factories to support the german war machine. And that's exactly what happened....

They stayed in operation as long as possible and when it became inevitable and the german invasion became imminent, all of the engineering designs were moved to Canada so they wouldn't fall in german hands.
In addition - they also took much of the equipment from the factories, put it on ships, and sent it all to England and Canada where they were up and running fast enough to continue to provide weapons to the Allies for the remainder of WWII...

Close....but not exactly right.
The Allies DID spirit FN management and some engineers away to Canada, but very little designs and absolutely no machinery made it to Canada. The Inglis design was pretty darned crude compared to even wartime FN HP's.

The John Inglis Co. of Toronto produced a version of the Hi Power for the Allies at the same time the FN plant in Belgium was churning them out for their German occupiers.