FN rolled out a couple new pistols this year, among them was the 509 M or Midsize, which was probably my favorite pistol in the booth because it embodies what a good carry pistol should be. In fact, FN took a lot of their lessons learned from the military’s modular handgun solicitation and rolled them into the 509 M platform. The 509 M has fully ambidextrous controls for the slide release and magazine release, replaceable back straps, and a comfortably contoured frame that fit my hand very nicely.
The grip texturing isn’t overly aggressive but still effective enough that I feel like it’s not going to move around in my hand while firing. On the underside of the frame is a MIL-STD-1913 accessory rail for mounting lights and lasers. The steel magazines have indexing holes so you know exactly how many rounds are available and a blaze orange follower for easy, visual reference to know when it’s empty.
The frame has front and rear cocking serrations and say what you want about the cool guy factor for doing press checks, front cocking serrations are a welcome sight in my opinion. The barrel is 4.0 inches in length, cold hammer-forged from stainless steel, with a polished chamber and feed ramp for feeding reliability. The standard sights on the 509 Midsize are your typical 3-dot arrangement but what makes them stand out is that they are photoluminescent, meaning they are charged by light.
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Considering that most manufacturers are sending out duty pistols with plastic sights or painted three-dot sights with no low-light capability whatsoever, these photoluminescent sights are a clever addition. The rear sight has also been designed with a flat front so that you can hook on a belt, boot, or pocket and charge the pistol if you are injured.
Available now in black only, the 509 M has an MSRP of $649.
The 509 M’s big brother is the 509 Tactical, which sports some very cool features that could be appealing to some in the competition and law enforcement market.
Right off the bat you’ll notice that it’s suppressor capable, with a 4.5-inch cold-hammer forged stainless-steel barrel threaded in the standard 1/2-28. You may also notice that the pistol grip on the frame is a little longer and this is to help accommodate the 24 round magazines that come standard with the pistol. Purchasers receive two 24 rounders and one 17 rounder.
Probably the coolest feature that you may not see right away is that the 509 Tactical is optics ready for 10 different red dot optics. It can accept mini red dots from Burris, C-MORE, Leupold, Trijicon, Vortex, as well as others, with the ability to adapt to future releases.
The standard fixed sights are suppressor compatible 3-dot night sights that are protected by a winged slide cap when a red dot sight is not in use.
The 509 Tactical is available now in black and FDE for an MSRP of $1,049.
For more information on FN 509 pistols please visit www.fnamerica.com.
I didn’t see anywhere in the article where it talked about what calibers it is available in. Are they available in .45
Why is it that in showing any pistol that is labeled as a tactical pistol, the first thing that is done is to slap some huge flashlight on the front of it. We already know that the accessory rail will accommodate flashlights, lasers, etc, but why must we automatically have to see that on any new model?
I would much rather see the model without all the additions. If it’s meant to make the pistol look tactical, it doesn’t. If it’s meant to make the pistol look cool, it doesn’t.
Please refrain from adding on all the garbage on a pistol and just show the pistol by itself. Then perspective buyers can see what it looks like without it being a poster board for some flashlight company.
I feel the same way with everything that has a bottle opener on it. Are people nowadays that friggin lame?
Other than “modular” what is the advantage over the FNS-9? And the model I have came with 3- 17 rd mags, luminescent sights and backstraps. I’m a fan of CZ pistols and compared the FNS-9 to the P07 (not striker) ,P10 and the FN 509, but the FNS 9 just felt better and is easily concealable. Only drawback I have found is not as much support for holsters and custom tuning.
I really don’t know the reason for this model? FN has the FN9C with Tritium sights at the same price range. I know I have one lol!