FN America is happy to announce their latest contract for FN 509 pistols, and it’s sizeable. FN will supply the Los Angeles Police Department with the recently introduced FN 509 MRD in the LE configuration.
The FN 509 MRD-LE is a full-size version of the very successful 509 with an MRD optics mounting system, suppressor-height 3-dot tritium night sights and a flat-faced trigger that looks like it was taken straight from the 509 LS Edge competition pistol.
“Los Angeles Police Department is one of the largest and most elite law enforcement agencies in the country, with roughly 10,000 uniformed officers, and we are proud that they have chosen the FN 509 MRD-LE as their next duty pistol,” said FN President and CEO Mark Cherpes. “The FN 509 MRD-LE is the only choice for agencies seeking an extremely capable and versatile duty pistol platform with proven reliability, accuracy and optic interoperability.”
“Serving the men and women of an outstanding law enforcement agency like the LAPD brings great pride to everyone at FN, we look forward to supporting their police force with a remarkable handgun platform their officers will rely on every day,” he said.
A part of the LAPD’s handgun trial, the FN 509 went through a 20,000-round burndown, without experiencing any malfunctions. According to FN Vice President Chris Cole, the 509 exceeded all of the requirements set by the LAPD for the trial.
The match-style trigger combined with a red dot mounted using the FN Low-Profile Optics-Mounting System makes the 509 fast and easy to aim, with accuracy backed up by the pistol’s cold hammer-forged barrel.
Right now, the 509 MRD-LE fills a gap in their commercial product line. FN currently offers MRD variants of the 509 in Compact and Midsize models, but not in the standard full-size configuration. It’s possible that current production is being used to fill this contract and maybe others, and that we’ll see a 509 MRD hit the commercial market following this contract, although that role is partially filled by the 509 Tactical models.
See Also: FN America’s Going Even Smaller with the FN 503 Concealed-Carry Micro 9
And seeing the competition-style trigger on a non-Edge 509 is also interesting. Many of 509 owners would likely be interested in trying that out on other models, assuming FN makes it available as an upgrade.
In addition to having a trigger break at 90 degrees perpendicular to the bore, the flat-faced trigger has a more conventional blade-style trigger safety. Both of these features would do well as options for a lot of 509 owners.
This announcement helps prop up the already strong reputation of the FN 509 as a platform. A lot of gun owners will only really trust firearms with solid military and law enforcement adoptions like these.
For more information about the FN 509 family and other FN products, check them out online.