FN America just announced the new 502 pistol, a practical-tactical plinker, along with an update for the renowned SCAR platform. The 502 Tactical is a new trainer chambered for .22 Long Rifle, and the SCAR is getting ambidextrous non-reciprocating charging handles.
The updated SCAR charging handles will be available on all SCAR 16, 17 and 20 rifles. This will help compatibility with a wider range of optics and mounts as well as eliminate “SCAR thumb,” when shooters accidentally put their forward hand in the path of the charging handle.
While the FN 502 Tactical may seem like a departure from FN’s lineup, it does take plinking pretty seriously. This optics- and suppressor-ready, hammer-fired polymer pistol fields a set of features that FN shooters have come to expect and more.
Unlike a lot of tacticool .22s, the FN 502 is a full-size pistol, weighing in at just under 24 ounces unloaded, with a 4.6-inch extended, threaded barrel. It’s not a shrunk-down handgun, rather, it falls into the same basic size and shape of the very popular FN 509 series. It’s even compatible with most 509 Tactical holsters.
The change to a hammer-fired action is a bit different from the 509, but it could be to aid reliability with rimfire cartridges. It’s also a single-action only pistol with a manual thumb safety. In addition to the thumb safety the 502 has a loaded chamber indicator.
All of the controls on the 502 are ambidextrous, in line with other FN handguns. And the capacity is also up there. While the 502 holds 10+1 rounds of .22 Long Rifle with flush magazines, the slightly staggered-stack extended mags offers a 15+1 capacity.
The magazines have a steel core with a polymer shell, and feature an externally tabbed follower for ease of loading. The 502 ships with one flush 10-round and one extended 15-round magazine where available, or two 10-round mags.
The 502 Tactical is being offered in two different models, a black version and a flat dark earth model. Apart from the colors, they are the same with the same feature sets.
See Also: FN America’s Going Even Smaller with the FN 503 Concealed-Carry Micro 9
Features including aluminum and steel slides machined for mini red dot sights, with front and rear cocking serrations, factory-installed suppressor-height sights, a 509-style grip with interchangeable backstraps and a full-length accessory rail for lights or laser sights.
The trigger is set fairly light from the factory, with a pull rated right around 5 pounds. The barrel also has a target crown, both contributing to out-of-the-box accuracy.
The suggested retail price for the 502 Tactical is $499. For more information about this and the newly-updated SCAR rifles, visit FN America today.
Wow! An updated charging handle! That’s like…years after everyone else brought out theirs and now FN treats it like it’s a major upgrade. Sometimes I think marketing people need to be kept in a closet.
At least keep them away from sharp objects (like pens) so they don’t hurt themselves.
I love my TX 22 in OD Green with 16 + 1 and now upgraded to 25+1 thanks to Galloway Precision. It’s the easiest .22 LR trainer on the market. I prefer it over my .22 LR target pistols for accuracy.
Would have made more sense to make a conversion kit for the 509 that shoots the .22lr….cheaper too.
That awkward moment when you are trying to catch up to Taurus.
I guess the biggest question is, Can you modify the current scar to the non reciprocating version?
There are after-market kits available.