The handgun market, both civilian and otherwise, has fully embraced micro red dots, and FN America is ready to give the people what they want with the new 509 Tactical.
The company’s 9mm semi-auto handgun features a patent-pending system designed to accept more than 10 commercially available micro red dots without milling the slide.
A new spot released last week shows the 509 Tactical outfitted with a Trijicon RMR Type II, Leupold Deltapoint Pro, Burris Fastfire III, and a Vortex Venom.
The slide features FN’s Low-Profile Optics Mounting System, which uses a series of plates and spacers to accommodate a wide variety of MRDs. Unlike other systems, FN’s design uses only one set of self-locking screws, both of which are easily accessible without removing the red dot. The system also uses a rubber O-ring underneath the recoil boss plate to provide additional tension and stability. The slide features a set of raised night sights, which can be used with a suppressor and co-witnessed to the red dot.
SEE ALSO: FN SCAR Review – The Most Refined Assault Rifle in the World
Only time will tell if FN’s new system can provide comparable performance to a milled slide, but the company’s stellar track record in the commercial, law enforcement, and military markets should inspire confidence. (Also be looking for a full review on GunsAmerica!)
The 509 Tactical sports a 4.5-inch, cold-hammer forged, stainless-steel barrel threaded with a 1/2 x 28 thread pitch and topped with a target crown. The thread protector uses an integrated rubber O-ring as well to keep the cap from coming loose during fire.
The handgun comes with either one 17-round and two 24-round magazines or three 10-round magazines. All magazines have high-visibility, low-friction followers and polymer bases.
The grip can be modified using the two interchangeable backstraps, and FN says they’ve enhanced the grip texture.
Here’s the full spec sheet from FN America’s website:
CALIBER: 9mm
OPERATION: Double-action
MAG CAPACITY: 10 or 17/24 Rd.
WEIGHT: 27.9 oz.
BARREL LENGTH: 4.5″
OVERALL LENGTH: 7.9″
TWIST RATE: 1:10″ RH
HEIGHT: 5.75″
WIDTH: 1.35″
TRIGGER PULL: 5.5 – 7.5 lb.
SIGHT RADIUS: 5.79″
A previous spot from FN also provides a few more details.
FN first developed the 509 Tactical to compete in the U.S. Army’s Modular Handgun Trials, but the company says this latest model features “significant improvements” over their initial submission.
The only downside I can see is the color. If I were fighting in a desert this might be ok, but since I’m not the baby poop brown color is a major turn off.
I’m a big fan of the 509, if they decide to sell these in a normal color I would have more interest.
Don’t let the color be the reason! Have all tactical models They Run Flawlessly
I have found several in regular black on gunsamerica just by clicking the link listed. So if color is the issue you can find them in black no problem