For more information about these and other FN firearms, visit the FN America website.
FN America is expanding on its 5-series of duty guns with the new pocket-sized FN 503 for backup and concealed carry. Drawing from the FNS and FN 509, the FN 503 is a slim, snag-free handgun chambered for 9mm Luger.
Like its predecessors, the FN 503 is striker-fired and has a polymer frame, but it’s contoured for everyday carry. The pistol has a 6+1-round capacity with flush magazines and holds 8+1 with extended mags.
Compared to some of the higher-end FN pistols the 503 is a minimalist design, with no accessory rail, low-profile 3-dot sights and very simple controls. The trigger has a more conventional passive blade safety, and the reversible magazine button is recessed to minimize the risk of releasing the magazine while holstered.
The slide release is on the left side and the slide has straight serrations at the rear only. Overall it measures in at just under 6 inches long, 4.6 inches tall and 1.1 inches at its widest. The 503 has a 3-inch barrel with a recessed target crown.
The FN 503 weighs in at 21 ounces unloaded which is light enough to carry all day but not too light to make it uncomfortable to handle and shoot quickly.
The front and rear of the frame have molded checkering while the sides have a grip texture patterned off skateboard grip tape. The end result is a purpose-built concealed carry handgun made to be as compact as possible yet still shootable with 9mm defensive loads.
See Also: FN 509 Compact MRD is Optics-Ready for Everyday Carry
While the 503 has an updated, all-metal trigger, the pull is set to be the same as other striker-fired FN pistols with a pull weight between 5 and 7 pounds. Each 503 ships with one 6-round magazine with a pinky extender and one 8-round magazine with grip sleeve. They come with a soft-sided zippered carry case and have a competitively low suggested price of $549.
FN pistols typically sell closer to their listed MSRP especially when they’re new, but the FN 503 is still priced in line with other new single-stack pistols based on full-size service pistol designs.
For anyone looking for a slim and light 9mm handgun for everyday carry the FN 503 is appealing and has a strong pedigree. For existing FN owners, especially FN 509 owners, the FN 503 may be a must buy.
For more information about these and other FN firearms, visit the FN America website.
Why bring this pistol to market with no new innovations? There are a lot of small 9mm pistols out there and some that have a bigger magazine capacity. I know FN has a great reputation, but this pistol is not going to replace my 10+1 Sig Sauer P365. And it’s not likely to replace the new 11+1 Hellcat, both of which are less expensive.
I like the fact it only has trigger and passive safeties. Otherwise my Ruger LC9 pro is a better buy and has never failed. Take the change and buy bunches of ammo that works best for your pistol.
And, for less money, I can have a 10+1 P365 or 11+1 Hellcat.
Late or not, I would rather carry a FN or HK carry weapon before a Khar, S&W, Walther, Sig, Springfield, Colt, or Browning any day. Out of the 15 that I own none have even given me a problem from AR platforms to shooters and CC handguns.
Khar’s been building this gun for years. PM9 Overall length: 5.42″
Height: 4″ Slide width: 0.9″
You talk about late to the party…..