New pistol - FNX-9 - updated with a range report

[andyb]

I sold a G26 and a Tisas 1911 in order to look for a new gun and hopefully pocket a little extra. Never really considered one before, but stumbled on a FNS-9 and fell in love with the feel. That got me looking at the other FN handguns. Now just less than a week later after selling mine, a new FNX-9 found it's way into hands last night. Along with a Sticky Holster until I can locate/order some better options.

FN does it right, no short changing you on the extras. It comes with 3 17rnd mags, 4 backstraps (a combo of 2 different sizes and 2 different stippling aggressiveness), and actually a nice case.

Range workout to come this weekend.

 

[gwmac]

New pistol - FNX-9

Looking forward to a range report. Good luck!

 

[Midnight Raver]

New pistol - FNX-9

Very nice indeed!

 

[andyb]

New pistol - FNX-9

Cleaned, changed the backstrap, loaded down the mags, and left the slide locked open to help start loosening things up a little. Made a trip to Cabela's to get a mag loader and 250 more rounds.

Things look to be shaping up for a fun weekend!

 

[andyb]

New pistol - FNX-9

I took my new FNX-9 to the range today to get broken in. The results in summary: just okay.

Total rounds fired: 325
250 rounds of American Eagle 147 grain
50 rounds of Blazer Brass 124 grain
25 rounds Hornady Critical Defense 115 grain

1 failure to feed during the very first magazine through the gun, firing American Eagle.

Approximately 4-5 times (lost count) the slide did not lock open on the last round. Not all on the same magazine. It happened on the very first mag, and then didn't start happening again until after 200+ rounds when the gun was getting pretty hot and dirty.

As far as accuracy, I don't have a good gauge. I just left up one target all day to just plow through the breakin ammo. It seemed to be shooting a little high 7 yards when I first started. The one grouping I can get a measurement on, not too stellar: 6 inches at about 10 yards.

This is my first DA/SA gun. Had striker fired and 1911s before. With the DA pull, it's a crap shoot. I'm all over the place.

I had the large backstarp with the horizontal lines on it. It was a little slippery once my hands got sweaty. I'll be putting the large stippled one back on to try. I also don't really like how the safety sits. The rounded back part of the safety sits right against the knuckle of my thumb if I try to ride it. If I go underneath it than I don't like the way my thumb sits on my support hand. I'm thinking about trying a limbsaver on it and see if that gives me just a little more front to back width on the grip. I think that should help with the trigger pull too. It seems like a really short trigger reach.

More range time to come tomorrow.

 

[matinaron]

Congrats with your new pistol looking great

 

[andyb]

Time to update after going back to the range yesterday. My confidence in this gun is now very high.

Total round count: 625 rounds

Yesterday: 300 rounds
200 rounds PMC 115 grain
100 rounds Remington UMC 147 grain

Zero FTF, FTE, etc.

Started out with major problems with the slide not locking back, but...
It was 100% operator error. My session started out with the 1st mag through the gun not locking the slide back and it happened EVERY MAG for the next 10 or so mags, just loading up 3-5 per mag. I'm thinking WTF, I'm sending this dang thing back to them :evil: I then fired a couple times one handed and it locked back. Switched and fired one handed with the left and it locked back. Well dang, must be my grip. Upon closer inspection my thumb tip, when firing while riding the safety, was hovering just on the top of the slide lock. Grip adjusted with the thumb just a little further to the left and problem solved.

I've decided I like to immediately start my range time by drawing from concealment. I figure in the event you need to in a real situation you're not going to be warming up a little getting ready and getting the feel for it, then say okay now I'm ready for you to attack me. I just switch out the JHP mag for a FMJ mag, throw on some ear protection, and get started from IWB.

This was the result of 18 rounds at 7 yards.
2x - 3 shots center of mass from IWB, first shot in DA
4x - Mozambique Drill from IWB, cocked and locked

Two 3 round groups to center of mass, first shot in DA

After the Mozambique drill, cocked and locked

I noticed yesterday that the rear sight is nowhere near the center of the slide. So to try to ensure that it was shooting straight, I fired 16 rounds from the bench at 7 yards. The ones marked with the sharpie are from the previous drill.
I count 9 rounds not dead center, so that leaves me to believe 7 rounds created the big hole.

So far this gun has eaten American Eagle, Blazer Brass, PMC, Remington UMC, and Hornady Critical Defense. All 3 common weights 115, 124, and 147 grain. I think yesterday was a good test for feeding problems, the PMC 115 gr. being light, and the UMC has a truncated cone. The only non-user induced malfunction was one FTF in the first 10 rounds of use.

I added a Hogue slip on grip and man it just feels so much better. I think that enhancement in comfort and grip allowed me the confidence to lighten up a little with my white knuckle death grip I had on Saturday, thus improving my accuracy and overall shooting comfort. I also threw the damn Sticky holster in the bottom of a box of brass and bought another cheap holster. This one is a $15 Allen belt slide and IWB combo, and believe it or not, it has been awesome after one thorough day of use.

Side note: Sunday evening about 5:30 or later is the time to go to the range. I had the entire place to myself.