The FN FNX pistol is a series of semi-automatic, polymer-framed pistols
manufactured in Columbia, SC, by FN America, a division of Fabrique
Nationale d'Herstal. The pistol is chambered for the 9×19mm Parabellum ,
.40 S&W, and .45 ACP cartridges. Standard features
All variations of the pistols include ambidextrous safety/decocking levers,
magazine releases, and slide stop release levers. All variations also
include a Picatinny rail, trinium night sights sights, and a loaded chamber
indicator on the right side. New models are sold in a plastic hard case with
three magazines, and two interchangeable backstraps. 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. 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.
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. 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 and a mount to install a reflex sight on the slide.
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, such as the Springfield XDm,
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. Aftermarket
Unlike other handguns from companies such as Glock, SIG Sauer, HK, and
others, the FNX does not have a large aftermarket for parts and upgrades. The
few companies that make custom parts for these guns do so infrequently. Some of
the modifications include barrel changes, trigger jobs, holsters, and
Metal Safety/decocker levers. Several holster makers have begun
offering holsters for the pistol, and include White Hat Holsters, KT Mech,
Garrity Gunleather, CrossBreed, Safariland, SHTF, Alien Gear and Fobus.
References External links
Media related to FN FNX at Wikimedia Commons
Official website —FNH USA Owner's manual
FNH Firearms Blog