FN FNX

The FN FNX pistol is a series of semi-automatic, polymer-framed pistols manufactured in Columbia, South Carolina, by FN America (branded FNH USA), a division of Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal.[4] The pistol is chambered for the 9×19mm Parabellum, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP cartridges.

FN FNX
FNX-40 with matte black slide.
TypeSemi-automatic pistol
Place of originUnited States
Belgium
Production history
ManufacturerFN America
Produced2009–present
VariantsSee Variants:
Specifications
MassUnloaded:
  • 21.9 oz (621 g) (FNX-9)[1]
  • 24.4 oz (692 g) (FNX-40)[2]
  • 33.2 oz (941 g) (FNX-45)[3]
  • 33.3 oz (953 g) (FNX-45 Tac)[3]
Length
  • 7.4 in (188 mm) (FNX-9)[1]
  • 7.4 in (188 mm) (FNX-40)[2]
  • 7.87 in (200 mm) (FNX-45)[3]
  • 8.64 in (219mm) (FNX-45 Tac)[3]
Barrel length
  • 4 in (102 mm) (FNX-9)[1]
  • 4 in (102 mm) (FNX-40)[2]
  • 4.5 in (114 mm) (FNX-45)[3]
  • 5.3 in (135 mm) (FNX-45 Tac)[3]
Width
  • 1.55 in (39 mm) (FNX-9)[1]
  • 1.55 in (39 mm) (FNX-40)[2]
  • 1.58 in (40 mm) (FNX-45)[3]
  • 1.58 in (40 mm) (FNX-45 Tac)[3]
Height
  • 5.45 in (138 mm) (FNX-9)[1]
  • 5.45 in (138 mm) (FNX-40)[2]
  • 6.33 in (161 mm) (FNX-45)[3]
  • 6.7 in (170 mm) (FNX-45 Tac)[3]
Cartridge
ActionMechanically locked, recoil operated (DA/SA)
Feed systemDetachable box magazine; capacities:
  • 17 rounds (FNX-9)[1]
  • 14 rounds (FNX-40)[2]
  • 15 rounds (FNX-45)[3]
  • 15 rounds (FNX-45 Tac)[3]
  • 10 rounds (all models, for jurisdictions with magazine capacity restrictions)
Sights
  • 3-dot white, fixed combat (Standard)
  • Enhanced high-profile combat night sights (FNX-45 Tac)[3]

Standard features

All variations of the pistols (save some law enforcement models that are decock only) include ambidextrous safety/decocking levers, magazine releases, and slide stop release levers.[5] All variations also include a Picatinny rail, tritium night sights, and a loaded chamber indicator on the right side.[5] New models are sold in a plastic hard case with three magazines, and two interchangeable backstraps.[5] As of 2012, new models include 4 interchangeable backstraps rather than two. One is shipped on the handgun and three extra are in the case. The backstraps are two different thicknesses and two different patterns (a cross-hatch pattern similar to the sides of the grip, and horizontal lines similar to the front of the grip).[6]

FNX-40 field stripped: 1. barrel; 2. slide; 3. recoil spring; 4. receiver.

Field stripping is accomplished by locking the slide to the rear, rotating the takedown lever clockwise ninety degrees and releasing the slide stop while carefully allowing the slide to be pushed forward out of the frame. The barrel and recoil spring then separate from the slide to complete the disassembly procedure.[5]

Joint Combat Pistol Competition

The FNP-45 Tactical was developed to be entered into the Joint Combat Pistol from late 2005 to early 2006 for a new military sidearm to replace the M9 Pistol. The program was started in 2005 and run by USSOCOM which was a merger of two earlier programs, the army's Future Handgun System (FHS) and the Special Operations Forces Combat Pistol. The requirements for the JCP included being chambered for caliber .45 ACP, having an integrated Picatinny rail, including day/night sights, and being capable of accepting a suppressor. The FNP™-45 Tactical was offered with a 15-round magazine for the required .45 ACP caliber.

Variants

As of the beginning of October 2012, the only variants of the FNX 9 and FNX 40 pistol were purely cosmetic: both the FNX-9 and FNX-40 are available with the slide finished in matte black or stainless steel. The FNX 45 was released at the beginning of October 2012. It is currently available in Black, Stainless, and FDE (flat dark earth). The FNX 45 has magazines that come with 12 witness holes, numbering from 4 to 15, enabling the shooter to more accurately gauge the number of rounds left. This is in contrast to the original FNX having a hole marked 5, 10, and 14, for the FNX 40, or 5, 10, 15, 17 for the FNX 9.

The FNX Tactical was released in .45 ACP shortly after the initial production runs of the FNX 45. It features a threaded barrel, Suppressor height tritium night sights "rear yellow front green" and a milled slide to install a micro red dot sight.[6]

Function

The FNX is a short recoil operated pistol, much like many other centerfire pistols on the market. Its difference lies in the distance the barrel and the slide travel prior to the barrel dropping and unlocking. The FNX barrel and slide travel up to twice the distance of some other semiautomatic pistols before separating. This helps to reduce the felt recoil of the pistol by allowing the spring to absorb more momentum from both the barrel and the slide.

The pistol is hammer fired, as opposed to striker fired; this allows the pistol to be fired in either Single Action or Double Action mode. Its safety mechanism is based on the safety found on a M1911. It is possible to cock the hammer to the rear and engage the safety simultaneously to carry the weapon "cocked and locked". The safety lever acts as a decocker when pushed downward.[6]

References
  1. "FNX-9, DA/SA, Matte Black Handgun". FNH USA. Archived from the original on March 17, 2011. Retrieved March 29, 2011.
  2. "FNX-40, DA/SA, Matte Black Stainless Handgun". FNH USA. Archived from the original on December 22, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2011.
  3. "FNX Owner's Manual" (PDF). FNH USA. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 24, 2012. Retrieved December 1, 2012.
  4. FNX pistols are made in Columbia, SC, although marked with "Fredericksburg, VA" on the slide, indicating not the place of manufacture but the registered location of FNH's Federal Firearms License. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-03-18. Retrieved 2009-09-20.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. FNH USA FNX Autoloading Pistol Owner's Manual (PDF), FNH, 2010, archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-08-16
  6. Shideler, Dan (20 August 2010). Guns Illustrated 2011: The Latest Guns, Specs & Prices. Iola, Wisconsin: F+W Media, Inc. pp. 38–39. ISBN 1-4402-1624-X.


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