Opinions on FN 509

[Podmonkey]

I've noticed that this gun gets a lot of positive opinions. Who has one how do you like it? Is it worth getting a 509 over a Glock or P320?
Or should I get that CZ P-01 I've had my eye one?
Intended use is as defensive gun with a smooth, flat recoil impulse.
I should mention that over the last 5 or so years I've started to figure out what works for me in a pistol. I seem to prefer squarish grips with a broad, relatively flat backstrap. The Glock and P320 X frame have this. The 509 seems to have this also. The PPQ for example has a more narrow and curved back strap which I find uncomfortable under recoil.
I also like options for extended capacity mags which the FN has in a 24 rd style with a spacer.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

This is strictly My .02 cents and it's without ever shooting a 509. There are many fine guns in this same category but for better or worse it's dominated by Glock and sign p320. There are many other very good pistols all developed around the time of the MHS competition and even though each one is potentially better than Glock per say, the hard part is Glock is the established brand, has huge market share, has huge after market support etc...

The 509, czp10, Beretta APX, hk VP9, SW m&p, PDP, etc are all really good pistols you can bet your life on an perform great but it's near impossible at this point for any of them to over take share from p320 of Glock. They are basically relegated to being a niche gun for those who are content to not follow the crowd.

If the 509, APX, p10c would have released in 2005 they would have been game changers and would be far more popular The biggest problem is so many of these guns essentially are so similar most just gravitate to Glock or p320 because there is more support etc.


For the record I have a full size APX and it's incredibly soft and flat shooting. They are very robust and reliable. But suffer the same fate as other great guns like the p10c and 509, PPQ.

I almost bought a 509c when they were still very new, I liked it at the time, It felt good in my hand but I was a cheapo and liked the APX the same amount and the APX was cheaper.

 

[That_FNG]

I've noticed that this gun gets a lot of positive opinions. Who has one how do you like it? Is it worth getting a 509 over a Glock or P320?
Or should I get that CZ P-01 I've had my eye one?
Intended use is as defensive gun with a smooth, flat recoil impulse.
I should mention that over the last 5 or so years I've started to figure out what works for me in a pistol. I seem to prefer squarish grips with a broad, relatively flat backstrap. The Glock and P320 X frame have this. The 509 seems to have this also. The PPQ for example has a more narrow and curved back strap which I find uncomfortable under recoil.
I also like options for extended capacity mags which the FN has in a 24 rd style with a spacer.

I had a 509C MRD for a bit and am quite familiar with it. I got rid of it because I wanted to standardize my carry guns on one platform (Glock) and the grip of the C model was a little too short for my liking. Would I buy a 509 again? Absolutely. I have my eye on getting the 509 midsize model.

what I liked about it:

-flat faced trigger was nice (albeit had slightly more grittiness than a stock Gen 5 Glock trigger but I’m being nit picky)
- the rail system allowed me to mount any WML that I wanted.
-grip texture was great and the gun stayed snug in my hand when shooting
-mild recoil on par with sig or glock
-fully ambi controls without needing to swap anything around
-MRD models come with all the plates you need to mount the 10 most popular red dots so no need to buy any plates and it has the most robust factory mounting option for red dots
-fit and finish was excellent and it felt like a quality firearm
-I shot very accurately with it and was very pleased with how accurate the platform is
-very easy to break down and clean
-finish is very durable (had the FDE version and it never showed any wear)

What I didn’t like about it :

-gun was pricey compared to Glock or Sig. I feel that FN overcharges for what it is.
-magazines are pricey and low capacity 10 rounders are hard to find
-not as many holster options, especially for a lefty
-striker seems to be more fragile than Glock. Definitely do not dry fire it as it can be prone to breakage when dry firing

Overall I feel it is a quality handgun on par with comparable Glock and sig offerings. I feel that because FN has the price of them higher than a comparable Glock or sig is why the 509 is not more popular. I also feel that FN doesn’t market it as well as they should which also holds it back from being more popular. In short I liked it a lot and would definitely buy one again but specifically the mid size or full size model.

 

[That_FNG]

forgot to add but here is the C model that I had

 

[Podmonkey]

Man, I dry fire the bejeezus out of my guns. I often sit down in front of the TV and absent mindedly dry fire for an hour straight.
I have a Glock 19 and a P320 full size already. Sometimes a gun just catches my interest is all, you know how it is.

 

[Defilade]

Great Gun I'm sure but you should stick with guns that have great aftermarket support.

 

[garyv350]

I'd part with it. It's brand new. No light or red dot though. 509 Tatical. PM me if you want to discuss.

 

[meketrefe]

FN makes a nice pistol and some of the finest rifles.

The problem is when you need service or warranties, then embrace yourself.

I think the record on this forum was a beretta 1 year w/o the gun with a couple of fns not too far behind.

if you are a government contract they suck dick and fix it right away but if you are a civilian customer then ot is a rather arbitrary and nerve wrecking experience.

 

[71velle]

My vote would be for the 320. I have shot the 509 and it was good but I did not love it. I have shot a few FNs and the only one I really liked was the FNSc. I had a G34 that was all set up and replaced it with a 320 and couldnt be happier. I though I would do a trigger in the 320 but cant justify it, it shoots great stock!

 

[Podmonkey]

Well, I already have a Glock 19 and a P320. Just have new gun syndrome I guess. Been looking at that ZEV OZ9. Icarus Precision is releasing an aluminum grip frame for it and it looks really freaking cool.

 

[kemo357]

FN509 midsize is on my list to get.

 

[SomeSoldier]

I have an fnx-9 currently and really enjoy shooting it. It fits in my hand and carries owb well. When I move to FL I plan to buy a full size 509 tactical.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

I really thought long and hard about the "buy the same pistol that everyone has". I think people talk about it being a bigger deal than it is. If you like the pistol you have just roll with it.

In some sort of an shtf scenario what are you envisioning where you need to find replacement parts off salvaged guns? Seriously? How much are you planning on having to shoot your pistol for that type of situation to occur?

In a typical current day self defense scenario all you need is a pistol that is reliable, accurate and you trust.


I think it's far more important to standardize a type of common rifle than it is to get a g19 or p320 merely because that's most common. If you're shooting thousands of rounds from your pistol and things are breaking and you're in that many shoot outs with a pistol no less, then I don't know how you're still even alive.

If a 509 is something you like, that's reliable, you shoot well and your confident with then go with it.


Your "self defense" or "go to war" pistol doesn't have to be the same model that everyone else has.

I think keeping a standard ammo type is more important but I digress.

 

[Podmonkey]

In retrospect I suppose the next gun I buy should be a 1911 or .357.