Other Considerations
My big hands tend to activate slide stops on polymer pistols with my normal grip, but not on the 509. Since it keeps me high on the grip and it is recessed it was never activated. Lower your grip and you can end up pushing it up with a thumb, but that’s a grip not a gun issue.
During testing every kind of 9mm ammunition in the shop was run through it, at least 10 completely different loads, including frangible. It all ran without a hitch. Every hollow-point round fed well and shot well. There is little doubt the FN509 is a supremely reliable pistol. Accuracy was consistent across the board, even with some steel-cased stuff.
Swapping the sights was pretty easy with a sight pusher, but like many the front sight was tight. Installing the Trijicons was as easy as always. Point of impact did not shift perceptibly at 25 yards after the sights were swapped.
Bottom Line
FN America has put together a solid working pistol here with an eye toward reliability, shooting comfort, accuracy, and long term function. It is soft shooting, accurate, and includes features geared toward working in most any condition. It works with any ammunition I could find, and carries well both with and without a light. If you are looking for a comp pistol with bells, whistles and lots of laser cuts this is not it. However, if you want a pistol you can carry with the confidence that it will work when you need it to, the FN509 is an excellent choice. See it at your gun shop, or contact FN America, Dept. OT; Tel.: (703) 288-3500; Web: www.fnamerica.com
Specifications:
Action: Striker Fired / DA
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel Length: 4.0 Inches
OAL: 7.4 inches
Width: 1.35 inches
Weight: 26.9 ounces (empty magazine)
MSRP: $649.00
Ammunition Velocity Group
Remington 115 Grain +P HTP 1170 1.80 inches
Federal HST 124 Grain 1150 1.85 inches
Winchester Defender 124 Grain 1047 2.00 inches
Hornady 124 Grain XTP 1094 1.50 inches
Groups fired from bag (rest) using the hood of my truck as a rest. Distance of 25 yards, 3 five shot groups for comparison. Velocity in Feet Per Second (FPS) measured with a “Chrony” chronograph over three five shot groups.
