FN 509?

[AZ_CZ]

Yeah it’s not a CZ but what’s the story on these: good - bad, yeah or nay? Looking at getting an optics ready pistol and a deal popped up on one.

[M1A4ME]

I'm still not sure about my FNS pistols.

On the FN forum there's a 20 some page thread on striker issues with the 509's and FNS pistols.  Some people report broken striker issues and others have thousands of rounds with no issues.

Not a lot of aftermarket "custom" parts for them.  Apex makes a forged striker (for people who worry about the MIM factory strikers breaking).  I've bought 2 of those and installed them in 2 of the 4 slides I have.  Apex also makes a trigger kit for them. 

Unlike, say, an M&P trigger kit from Apex it won't really drop the trigger pull much.  I have a buddy with a couple and he tells me the Apex triggers make the trigger pull incredibly smooth, even at 5 to 5.5 lbs.  Again, he and I have FNS pistols but Apex makes the same parts for 509 pistols.

The accuracy of the FNS pistols is nothing to brag about if you compare them to my better CZ's (P09, P09, CZ75B).  I don't figure the 509 is any better.

If you buy it and don't like it I'll bet it won't be hard to sell. 

The reason I bought FNS pistols instead of 509's?  I bought .40 S&W FNSs and they were on sale for $300 each and I found a great deal on used magazines and then new magazines.

[Hrfunk]

Yeah it’s not a CZ but what’s the story on these: good - bad, yeah or nay? Looking at getting an optics ready pistol and a deal popped up on one.

If you're interested, I recorded a review of the 509 last year. It pretty well sums up my opinion.

Howard

https://youtu.be/XI3garQ_sT8

[Hemiscorpius lepturus]

See my notes here:

https://czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=88093.75

At some point in the future I will install an Apex trigger, spent all my money on ar parts lately

[AZ_CZ]

Thanks everyone. Just started looking at getting an optics ready compact and saw a deal on the FN 509 Tactical package. It’s a big ol full size, but I love a deal  . Think I’ll stick with the plan and keep researching.

[M1A4ME]

That trigger is "different".  One of the issues I have with my FNS pistols is the difference in the feel between the P07/CZ75 and the double action trigger pull of the FNS.  Same issue with the M&P 2.0 9MM.  The Apex trigger made such a difference in it that it's similar to going from the P07/C75 models to the Tactical Sport or the CZ75 Compact I converted to SAO.  Unless I work through some dry fire trigger pulls prior to putting holes in the paper I'm going to end up with that first shot somewhere away from the rest of the shots in the group.

Just not a good idea to jump back and forth.  If all I carried with the FNS (Long Slide or 4" around the property and Compact or 4" concealed carry) I think the difference in trigger pull/feel would not be an issue for me.

People on the FN forum say that once you get 1,000 rounds or so through them that grittiness/draggy feeling will be gone (folks here say similar things about the CZ75/P07 triggers).

My biggest issue is the group size, thought the 5" Long Slide is nearly there.

[Hrfunk]

There's another quality about the 509 trigger that it took me a long time to figure out. Initially, I knew it "felt" different, but I couldn't tell why. Finally, I ascertained that the trigger "broke" farther forward in its stroke than any of my other semi-autos. The result being that it threw off my timing when I fired a shot. This may sound like a little thing, but after so many years of shooting pistols with triggers that broke farther to the rear, it was noticeably distracting. I'm sure after 1000 rounds or so, the necessary muscle memory would develop to compensate for the difference, but I didn't feel compelled to work that hard. I traded the 509 and continued carrying/shooting my other pistols.

Howard

[M1A4ME]

There's another quality about the 509 trigger that it took me a long time to figure out. Initially, I knew it "felt" different, but I couldn't tell why. Finally, I ascertained that the trigger "broke" farther forward in its stroke than any of my other semi-autos. The result being that it threw off my timing when I fired a shot. This may sound like a little thing, but after so many years of shooting pistols with triggers that broke farther to the rear, it was noticeably distracting. I'm sure after 1000 rounds or so, the necessary muscle memory would develop to compensate for the difference, but I didn't feel compelled to work that hard. I traded the 509 and continued carrying/shooting my other pistols.

Howard

That's right.  You get used to that one and then your usual pistol doesn't feel right for you.

That's one reason I only buy the DA/SA CZ's and use the safeties on them and carry cocked and locked.  Just like the 1911.  Hey, even my M&Ps have ambidextrous thumb safeties.  Same method, same action, same feel.  Under stress you don't want to be trying to remember "this gun is different."

[AZ_CZ]

Checked out the Glock 19 MOS, FN 509 M, 509 Tactical, and Sig 320. Didn’t  hold or pull a trigger on anything that made me want to give up my CZ P10C. Might rent a Sig and take it for a spin at the range. Stopped at CZ Custom to look at what my options were on conversion and/or adding dovetail plates. Decided I want to do my Kadet, my Phantom or P09 and possibly my 97. Might need to talk with optometrist about lasik eye surgery — could be cheaper. 

[Claymore504]

When I first got into pistols I went all Glock (Gen 3 era). I then figured out the Glock just did not work for me. I tried the M&P and did not like the lack of grip texture and pretty bad trigger. Then I found the FNS and loved it. It worked for me right out of the box. I ran an FNS40 for home and carried an FNS9 compact for years. Never had an issue with them. Even got into the FNX line. Then the P320 came along and I jumped into that platform and left FN.

With the 509 came out I gave it a try. Liked everything about it, but not enough to switch platforms again. Then the M&P M2.0 came out I it was perfect (for me). However, I had switched back to DA/SA by that time and found CZ. So, I am sticking with the P07. P09, P01 and SP-01 Tac I run now.

Now for optic ready options out of the box, FN has come out with the 509 Compact MRD and it looks very interesting. I keep hearing that the 509 optic mounting system is the best factory system on the market. However, if I wanted to get back into striker guns with factory optic cuts the P10 and New M&P M2.0 CORE guns coming out would be the most likely choice for me.

https://www.personaldefenseworld.com/2019/12/fn-509-compact-mrd/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFw_RnYYRz0

M&P M2.0 CORE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwBqknC0I3E

[WVSurveyor]

Might want to take a look at the Springfield XDM OSP model. I believe it comes in 9mm and 10mm.
ttps://www.springfield-armory.com/xdm-osp-threaded-features/

[CZ_FANATIC]

Hickok45 really likes the 509