The FN 509 is One of the Best Compact Pistols Around: The FN 509 is awesome. And that’s saying something. If you’ve read some of my other gun reviews, you know I can be pretty critical and reluctant to hand out recommendations. The 509 isn’t immune to criticism, but I was pretty hard-pressed to find much wrong with this pistol. I might be a little in love with it. Yeah, it’s a little more expensive than my beloved Glocks, but it seems to be worth it. I’m not saying drop everything and purchase it right this minute. I am saying that this pistol needs a place on the “buy list.” If you want to know more about the FN 509, keep reading along.
What Makes the FN 509 Work So Well
The 509 looks fantastic right out of the box. Since it was designed to compete with other polymer, striker-fired pistols, you’ll find that it’s build is similar to pistols like Glocks and the CZ P-10C. It has a polymer frame with some great texturing. No stipple work is required here. Also included are front and rear serrations. Not everyone loves them, but I’m partial to the cuts on the forward end. It’s a little bit bulky, but that means you get a little bit less recoil, even if it is just 9mm.
Accuracy is extremely solid too. I’m talking tack-driving at 25 yards off the rip. This was mostly done braced on a DIY sandbag. My precision was definitely improved by a nice set of iron sights. Plus they glow in the dark (also known as night sights), and while I love them I feel like the FN 509 is begging to have an RMR thrown on it.
I gotta mention the trigger too. Typically, I find most striker-fired pistols to have somewhat of an unsatisfactory trigger pull. That’s not the case with the 509. It has a fantastically crisp trigger and not too much “mush” on the take-up. I’m sure it was one of the biggest factors that makes the FN 509 feel so good to shoot.
The magazine capacity is as expected: 15 rounds. It’s nothing new, but while we’re on the topic I want to mention the prices for extra magazines if you’re a magazine fiend like me. They’re an absurd $55 dollars for a standard capacity mag, but it’s FN. What did I expect?
If you couldn’t tell already, the FN 509 is a pretty amazing choice for concealed carry. It’s about the size of a Glock 19, albeit a little bit heavier. Not a bad choice at all for concealed carry.
FN 509: The Bottomline
The FN 509 feels pretty perfect right out of the box. There aren’t many modifications that I’d put on this pistol besides a flashlight and red dot. I couldn’t ask for more out of this pistol except for a smaller price tag. $700 isn’t bad but you can find a lot of serviceable pistols out there for cheaper. Still, if you can swing it, the FN 509 is 100% worth your money. I love this pistol and I think that anyone who gets their hands on one will love it too.
Image: Creative Commons.
Image: Creative Commons.
Image: Creative Commons.
FN 509 in Black (Image courtesy from manufacturer).
Richard Douglas writes on firearms, defense, and security issues. He is the founder and editor of Scopes Field, and a columnist at the National Interest, 1945, Daily Caller, and other publications.
