A new contender — FNP-9 - Out of the Box

Guns Magazine, Sept, 2003 by Jim Gardner

Scanning the current listings of semi-auto pistols, it's difficult to accept the diversity we see. It hasn't really been that long ago that if you wanted a self-shucking pistol, your choices were limited to perhaps three domestic designs and a trickle of strange and rather suspect foreign guns. Well, no more.

We have a bumper crop of new offerings, each with a different set of features designed to make them safer, easier-to-use sidearms. With all this variety, the ball is in your court to select the best match to your personal requirements. That being said, here's a contender you should know about.

Adjustable Frame

The FNP-9, manufactured in Columbia, S.C., by FNMI, fits the modern mold for a duty/defensive pistol. The polymer frame is tough and lightweight as well as being maintenance free. A very nice feature is the interchangeable backstrap. Both flat and arched versions are included, and may be interchanged in a moment. This feature not only permits you to tailor the frame for comfort, but also aids in attaining proper trigger "reach" for your hand size. A light rail molded into the dust cover accepts a variety of accessory light and sighting units.

At roughly 7 1/4 inches, overall length is fairly compact. Barrel length is right at four inches. Sights are dovetailed front and rear, making for easy replacement. Sights on the test sample were of the white, three-dot pattern, however tritium night sights are available.

The FNP-9's magazines look to be particularly well made, with a capacity of 16 rounds for LE use, 10 rounds for mere civilians. They dismount quickly for cleaning, something usually not as well appreciated as it should be. Two are included with guns destined for the civilian market.

Control Layout

The pistol's controls -- all frame mounted -- consist of a takedown lever, slide stop, magazine release and ambidextrous decocking lever. The magazine release is reversible. Slide stop and takedown lever are neatly recessed/shrouded by the frame's contours to prevent inadvertent operation. Takedown, by the way, is straightforward and as easy as it could possibly be. The slide stop, although shrouded, is easy to access, even when locking the slide open without a magazine in place.

The decocking lever on the other hand is just a touch difficult to control. It protrudes above the frame by only a sixteenth of an inch or so. With dry hands, it's easily operated, but I wonder how it would be to try to employ it with a wet, slippery hand or while wearing gloves. Initially, it required significant pressure at the bottom of its stroke to trip the hammer, but this has smoothed up nicely with use.

The FNP-9 utilizes a traditional double/single-action trigger. The DA stroke from the hammer at rest position is long but smooth. After the first shot, the pistol transitions to single-action operation. SA trigger break was crisp and light at just under three pounds. It's a delight to use, but may be a touch light for a duty pistol.

100 Percent Function

On the range, the FNP-9 functioned without a hiccup. Test ammunition included both standard pressure and " P" loadings. Offhand groups at 25 yards ran about 2 to 2 1/2 inches. The gun was nicely sighted -- hot P ammunition shot perhaps an inch high at 25 yards, the standard pressure loadings a bit higher. Windage was spot on. Controllability was good. Several magazines worth of fast pairs from the ready position at 10 yards grouped into a playing card-sized cluster.

The FNP-9 functions perfectly, shoots well, and offers a number of good features. If you're in the market for a defensive pistol of the modern type, visit your local dealer and give it a look.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Model: FNP-9

Caliber: 9x19mm (.40 S&W soon)

Capacity: 10 1 (16 for LE)

Sights: 3-dot (tritium available)

Weight: 25 ounces

MSRP: $561

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

FN USA, Inc.

[703] 288-1292

www.fnhusa.com