FN is adding new versions of their FN Five-Seven and FN 503 pistols in all flat dark earth, which will be welcome for FDE fans. There’s bigger news, too. The company is also announcing a new, ultralight machine gun, the Evolys, offered in two calibers, and of course FDE as well.
While the Evolys isn’t a consumer product, it will have a lot of appeal to militaries around the world. Chambered for 5.56 or 7.62 NATO, the Evolys weighs as little as 12.1 or 13.6 pounds unloaded. While that’s in configurations with fairly short barrels, that’s still a huge drop, as much one third less than the weight of similar FN MINIMI light machine guns.
For what the Evolys weighs, it really starts to blur the lines between light machine gun and battle rifle. Both versions are gas-operated using a short-stroke piston system and fire from an open bolt. They’re capable of semi- and full-auto and feed from belts or pouches.
The reduced weight comes from the expanded use of polymers and new developments in 3D printing, which can manufacture components in shapes that can’t be easily machined or cast, or sometimes produced at all. Both have a nominal firing rate of 750 rounds per minute and are designed to be used with or without suppressors.
While the U.S. military is looking into next-generation 6.8mm weapon systems, it’s entirely possible that advancements in 5.56 and 7.62 NATO could allow the Armed Forces to continue using current weapon systems and phase in even lighter guns like the Evolys without having to move to new cartridges, and that same appeal goes for other NATO countries as well.
The Evolys could be in a strong position for militaries looking to stick with the ammo standards they are already using and still get ultralight, next-generation guns to field in services around the world.
But of course FN isn’t just committed to government contracts. They have a commercial portfolio to maintain, with some of the most popular service and duty grade small arms used for self-defense, competition and shooting sports everywhere.
And Americans love flat dark earth. It only makes sense for FN to release their new FN 503 and time-tested Five-Seven in FDE configurations. While FN did offer a two-tone Five-Seven with an FDE frame and black slide assembly, the new Five-Seven FDE is all flat dark earth with only a few black highlights including some of the controls and the barrel. The FN 503 FDE is similar, with a black barrel and black controls, but a flat dark earth slide and frame.
See Also: FN 5.7x28mm Getting NATO Specification – What’s Next for the Cartridge?
The Five-Seven is FN’s 5.7x28mm full-size sidearm to go with their P90 personal defense weapon and PS90 carbine, chambered for the same cartridge. They’re pretty well known, not just for their service with special military and security forces but also for their wide use in movies and video games.
The FN 503 is the company’s most recent pocket-sized conceal-carry pistol. Chambered for 9mm Luger, the 503 is a single-stack striker-fired pistol that holds 6+1 with flush magazines and 8+1 with extended mags. The FN Five-Seven FDE has an MSRP of $1,199, while the FN 503 FDE runs less than half of that at $549.
The Five-Seven ships with two 20- or 10-round magazines, while the 503 ships with one 6- and one 8-round mag. For more information, visit FN America and FN Herstal.
Not inexpensive, but well worth the money if you don’t want the hassle of building a coop from scratch. Very easy to assemble, with the most clearly written instructions I’ve ever seen. It goes together in no time and the plastic should last much longer than the nearly paper thin wood used in most coop kits.