A Bone to Pick
The slide rides in a steel insert.
There's always something that takes the shine off a spanking new gun. Our FNP9 was no exception to this rule. It had one little problem.
When you decock the gun using the port (left) decocking lever, the raised, molded area around the slide release digs into the meaty part of your thumb and hurts like heck. Everyone who used it complained about it, and if I was keeping this gun, I'd go to work with a small file and start rounding some edges. Not a big thing, but somebody should take note at FN.
Bits And Pieces
The recoil spring on the FNP9 is a captive one, and the gun comes apart with no problem. Lock the slide back, turn the little lever down, release the slide, and take the whole bit off the front of the frame. The recoil spring comes out easily along with the barrel. Then you'll have four easy-to-manage parts to clean. Reassembly is, oddly enough, just the opposite.
While you have it apart, note that the slide rides on steel rails in the frame assembly. That's good. Also note the hammer assembly. The FNP9 is built so that a certified armorer can simply knock out a pin or two and take out that assembly, replacing it with a new one should the need arise.
Range Time
As is usually the case, our range time was limited due to deadlines. Functionality was first rate, with no malfunctions noted. I did take the opportunity to lube the gun prior to firing. Hollow-points and ball ammo alike ran just fine. The FNP9 felt like any other high-cap "wunder nine," and I don't predict any surprises, even in the long term for anyone who chooses to carry this gun.
Accuracy hovered around the 2-inch mark at 15 yards from a wrested position, and I honestly don't think it will do any better. This is a fighting pistol, not a match gun, so you want it to run anytime, anyplace, and this FNP9 will do just that.
The FNP9 comes with a bold three-dot sight. An optional tritium sight is also available.
FN Herstal
FNP9 Duty Pistol
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 16 rounds
Barrel Length: 4 inches
Overall Length: 7.1 inches
Weight: 22.5 ounces with empty mag
Height: 5.4 inches
Width: 1.34 inches
Action: DA/SA
Trigger Pull: 10 pounds D/A 3.5 pounds S/A
Sights: Fixed dot (optional tritium)
Price: $456 (law enforcement)
www.fnherstal.com
Roy Huntington is the editor of American Handgunner, as well as a member of the POLICE Advisory Board, and the former editor of POLICE magazine.