The FNS is a conventional semi-automatic pistol by FN America intended for military, law enforcement and commercial use. The series was introduced in 2011 and continues production today (2018). It counts several American law enforcement services and Belgian Liege police as some of its global operators. The FNS is based in the earlier FNX Double-Action / Single-Action model of 2009.
The FNS has a typical external design with ribbed, full-length slide, under-barrel accessories rail (MIL-STD-1913), and patterned grip. Internally, it relies on a Double-Action Only (DAO), striker-fired system through a short-recoil, locked breech / tilting barrel operation. Feeding is by way of a 10-, 12-, 14- or 17-round spring-loaded magazine inserted into the base of the weapon - though ammunition counts are model / chambering dependent (10- and 17-shot magazines being the typical fit for 9mm forms). Base models have an overall length of 7.25" with barrel's measuring 4" long. A manual safety is optional while the slide stop lever and magazine release are both ambidextrous to suit right- or left-handed shooters equally. The slide and barrel (the latter being cold hammer-forged) assemblies are completed in stainless steel while lightweight-yet-robust polymer is used elsewhere in this pistol's construction. Backstraps are interchangeable to suit the shooter's needs. A loaded chamber indicator is included for quick notification of the chamber's status and front and rear iron sights are provided - either as fixed 3-dot sights as standard or the optional fixed 3-dot night sights.
The FNS is currently (2018) marketed in the following forms: FNS-9, FNS-9 Compact, FNS-9 Compact FDE, FNS-9 Longslide, FNS-40, FNS-40 Compact, and FNS-40 Longslide - the designations denoting the various qualities of the individual model (.40 caliber chambering, compact dimensions, lengthened slide, etc...). The series is available in 9x19mm Parabellum and .40 S&W flavors. Compact forms ease concealed-carry for those shooters requiring such a quality and longslide forms offer the longer 5" barrels with lengthened slides for competition shooting.
Belgium; United States
