FN 509
FN Herstal · Pistol · In Production · 2017
Also known as: FN 509 Standard
Overview
The FN 509 is a striker-fired, semi-automatic pistol chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum, developed by FN America in Columbia, South Carolina. Its design evolved from the FNS Compact architecture and was refined through FN's submission to the U.S. Army's XM17 Modular Handgun System competition, where the design underwent more than one million rounds of testing exceeding Department of Defense XM17 protocols. Although the MHS contract was ultimately awarded to the SIG Sauer P320, FN commercialized the extensively tested platform as the FN 509 in 2017. The pistol features a cold hammer-forged stainless steel barrel with a recessed target crown, a ferritic nitrocarburizing (FNC) finished stainless steel slide, and a fiberglass-reinforced polymer frame with interchangeable backstraps. Its fully ambidextrous controls include bilateral slide stop levers and magazine releases. Four passive safety systems -- a striker block, drop safety, trigger disconnect, and trigger safety lever -- ensure safe operation. The standard model ships with two 17-round magazines and a MIL-STD-1913 accessory rail. The FN 509 has since expanded into a comprehensive family of pistols spanning tactical, compact, midsize, competition, and concealed-carry configurations.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 763 g (26.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 188 mm (7.40") |
| Barrel Length | 102 mm (4.02") |
| Height | 140 mm (5.51") |
| Width | 34 mm (1.34") |
| Sight Radius | 146 mm (5.75") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Trigger Pull | 29 N (6.5 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 17 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 360 m/s (1181 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 481 J (355 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1800 m (1968 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 254 mm (10.00") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Polymer |
| Slide Material | Stainless Steel |
| Barrel Material | Stainless Steel |
| Finish | FNC |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9x19mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Striker Block, Drop Safety, Trigger Disconnect, Trigger Safety
- Features: Ambidextrous Slide Stop, Ambidextrous Mag Release, Interchangeable Backstraps, Accessory Rail, Cold Hammer Forged Barrel, Recessed Target Crown, Photo Luminescent Sights
Variants
- FN 509 Tactical — Tactical
- FN 509 Compact — Compact
- FN 509 Midsize — Compact
- FN 509 LS Edge — Competition
- FN 509 CC Edge — Carry
Service history
Operators
- FN America / U.S. Army MHS Program · as XM17 Submission
- U.S. Civilian Market · adopted 2017
- Various U.S. Law Enforcement Agencies · as FN 509 MRD-LE
Production
Production years: 2017-present
Commercial production numbers not publicly disclosed. Manufactured at FN Manufacturing LLC in Columbia, South Carolina.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Notes
Manufactured at FN Manufacturing LLC in Columbia, South Carolina, not in Belgium. The FN 509 evolved from the FNS Compact platform introduced in 2011. The MHS-derived testing protocol included salt-fog corrosion, extreme temperature, dust and mud, and drop testing well beyond standard commercial requirements. The standard model uses photo-luminescent (non-tritium) three-dot sights, while the Tactical and LE variants upgrade to suppressor-height tritium night sights. The 509 Tactical adds a 4.5-inch threaded barrel and FN's Low Profile Optics Mounting System compatible with over ten commercially available miniature red dot optics. The 509 LS Edge is the competition-oriented variant with a 5-inch barrel, flat-face trigger, graphite PVD finish, and fiber-optic front sight. The 509 CC Edge is a concealed-carry variant with an integrated compensator that reduces felt recoil by approximately 25 percent. All FN 509 models accept the 24-round extended magazine.
Background
The FN 509 underwent more than one million rounds of testing during FN's XM17 Modular Handgun System submission, exceeding Department of Defense protocols for salt-fog corrosion, extreme temperature, dust, mud, and drop testing -- making it one of the most extensively tested commercial pistol designs in history.