Fabrique Nationale FNS

Semi-Automatic Service / Security Pistol

United States | 2011

"The FN America FNS is a no-frills semi-automatic pistol series with very strong qualities and a very good pedigree to boot."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 09/05/2018 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Image from official FN America marketing materials.

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.

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Physical
The physical qualities of the Fabrique Nationale FNS. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

184 mm
7.24 in
O/A Length

101 mm
3.98 in
Barrel Length

1.58 lb
0.72 kg
Weight

Striker-Fired; Double-Action-Only (DAO); Semi-Automatic.
Action

9x19mm Parabellum; .40 S&W (model dependent).
Caliber(s)

10-, 12-, 14- or 17-round detachable box magazine (model dependent).
Feed

Iron Front and Rear; 3-Dot Type.
Sights

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Fabrique Nationale FNS. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

165 ft
50.3 m | 55.0 yds
Max.Eff.Range

24
Rounds-Per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire

1,100 ft/sec
335 m/sec
Muzzle Velocity

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Fabrique Nationale FNS Semi-Automatic Service / Security Pistol family line.

FNS - Base Series Name.

FNS-9 - Base 9mm form with 4" barrel assembly.

FNS-9 Compact - Chambered in 9mm; compact model.

FNS-9 Compact FDE - Chambered in 9mm; specialized compact model.

FNS-9 Longslide - Chambered in 9mm; 5" barrel with lengthened slide component.

FNS-40 - .40 S&W chambering; 4" barrel assembly.

FNS-40 Compact - .40 S&W chambering; compact model.

FNS-40 Longslide - .40 S&W chambering; 5" barrel with lengthened slide component.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Fabrique Nationale FNS. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): FN America (Fabrique Nationale) - USA

[ Belgium; United States ]

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Image from official FN America marketing materials.

Design Qualities
Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to requirements.

PISTOL/SIDEARM

Recognition
Some designs stand the test of time while others are doomed to never advance beyond the drawing board; let history be their judge.

Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft

Going Further...
The Fabrique Nationale FNS Semi-Automatic Service / Security Pistol appears in the following collections:

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