FN America LLC has announced that the FN 509 MRD-LE has been chosen by the Los Angeles Police Department as the agency's new duty pistol.

Adapted from FN's original development for the U.S. Army’s handgun trials, the FN 509 MRD-LE gives officers sighting versatility. The pistol features the patented FN Low-Profile Optics-Mounting System, which FN says was one of the reasons the LAPD selected it for a duty weapon. The FN Low-Profile Optics-Mounting System with co-witness tritium 3-dot iron sights, delivers rapid sight acquisition, the company says.

“LAPD needed the ability to quickly and securely mount a variety of duty-rated micro red dots to their service pistols to improve the accuracy potential of their handguns and their officers,” said Charles “Bucky” Mills, senior director of law Enforcement Sales for FN America. “FN pioneered the MRD mounting technology the LAPD required, enabling precision shot placement and immediate target engagement no matter the environment.”

The accuracy of the FN 509 MRD-LE is further enhanced by the high-performance trigger assembly and cold-hammer forged barrel with recessed target crown, according to FN. "The combination of accuracy, speed, longevity and versatility gives the FN 509 MRD-LE the edge that today’s officers need," the company says.

Other accuracy enhancing features of the FN 509 MRD-LE include a high-performance, conical striker and a flat-faced, duty-rated trigger. The trigger has a positive wall at 90 degrees before a clean break, so that officers can maintain their sights on target through the full trigger pull.

Durability was another requirement the LAPD had for its duty pistol. FN says it competed against several contenders in a 20,000-round-count endurance qualification, which it passed with zero malfunctions.

“Exceeding all of the requirements LAPD sought in their new duty pistol was a high performance standard to meet,” said Chris Cole, vice president of sales and marketing at FN America. “With over a million rounds fired in development, the FN 509’s reputation for durability is proven here again, giving LAPD officers a superior handgun they can depend on in the most demanding policing environments.”

Mark Cherpes, president and CEO of FN America, said the company is proud that LAPD chose the FN 509 MRD-LE as its next duty pistol. “The FN 509 MRD-LE is the only choice for agencies seeking an extremely capable and versatile duty pistol platform with proven reliability, accuracy and optic interoperability. Serving the men and women of an outstanding law enforcement agency like the LAPD brings great pride to everyone at FN, we look forward to supporting their police force with a remarkable handgun platform their officers will rely on every day.”

To inquire about the FN 509 MRD-LE, LAPD’s newest duty-issue sidearm, for agency or individual office purchase, contact the FN Law Enforcement Sales team at LE@fnamerica.com. More information about the FN 509 MRD-LE or FN’s other law enforcement products can be found at FN America's website.