Low prices on the FN-Hertsal: FNS Compact FDE 9mm start at Champion Firearms.

Made in the USA. For more than a century, the Belgian manufacturer Fabrique Nationale de Armes de Guerre ("FN" for short), has been a pioneering institution in the world of high quality arms production. The FNS series of pistols represents a departure from the company's more traditional handgun designs of the past, such as the FN "Browning" Hi Power. In fact, during the early years, many of FN's guns came from the genius of John Browning, who made frequent Atlantic crossings to conduct business in Europe. Herstal, the parent company to FN in Belgium-- which also owns Browning and Winchester-- manufactures all of its advanced polymer frame pistols at their state-of-the-art facility in South Carolina.

Unlike its traditional double action counterpart the FNX, the FNS Compact is a purely striker driven design-- meaning that instead of an external hammer hitting the firing pin, a highly efficient internal firing pin directly "strikes" the primer, thereby causing cartridge ignition. Many shooters have come to believe that this system is superior due to its short, smooth trigger pull that consistently takes place throughout every shot. Striker driven handguns are technically double action only, which partially pre-cocks the striker when the slide cycles. The 0.38" wide trigger is butter smooth, the reset is positive and the pull weight measures between 5.5 to 7.7 pounds.

These days, there are so many polymer striker fired pistols on the market that its hard to tell them apart. But if you're looking for a handgun that truly has it all, then the FNS Compact may be the gun for you. For starters, it's completely ambidextrous. More specifically, the magazine release and slide stop appear on both sides of the frame. The only non-ambidextrous control is a barely noticeable, unobtrusively engineered takedown lever-- which only measures 0.9 inch in length and fits flush with the frame. Field stripping is easy. To disassemble, triple check to verify the gun is unloaded, lock the slide to the rear, rotate the takedown lever 90- degrees and simply pull the trigger. Once the slide releases and is free of the frame assembly, take out the captured recoil spring and then lift out the barrel.

Although an option in the FNS Compact series, this particular pistol is not factory equipped with a thumb safety. For those who prefer the speed and simplicity of the Glock-- once the FNS Compact clears the holster-- it is instantly ready to fire. In other words, there is no requirement to fumble around disengaging a typically sized thumb safety while under deadly assault. The hinged style trigger safety is typical of every other similarly designed firearm on the market. Even if dropped or banged, the gun will not discharge until the trigger has been pulled all the way rearward, but is instantly ready to fire when called upon.

A loaded chamber indicator allows the shooter to quickly verify if a round has been chambered. The extractor doubles as the indicator and will protrude outward 0.06 of an inch, revealing a red edge signifying a round is indeed chambered. Front and rear cocking serrations have been correctly matched to the slide and allow the user to easily load the pistol, or safely perform a press-check-- all without being abrasive to skin or concealment clothing.

At the heart of the FNS Compact design is a large inserted cradle, which is a rugged, high grade steel chassis that is installed into the polymer frame, and essentially serves as an internal skeleton offering strength and stability. It can be replaced without sacrificing the pistol frame or requiring a serial number change, while still allowing the gun to be 30% lighter and stronger than comparable steel frame designs. The ergonomic polymer frame has a low bore axis for reduced recoil, improved accuracy and control. Checkered and ribbed for positive traction, even in adverse weather conditions, the grip panels provide comfortable, snag-free carry.

Interchangeable textured backstraps allow the shooter to tailor the FNS Compact to their individual hand size. Each pistol is shipped out with two backstraps-- one flat and one arched. Having the ability to interface with a diverse range of shooters, the handgun has a grip angle that is nearly identical to that of a 1911. There is also a wide, beavertail style frame that accounts for the gun's low bore axis. A MIL-STD 1913 forward rail allows the addition of tactical accessories such as a laser or light. The trigger guard also has ample room for a gloved finger, where the magazine well has been slightly enlarged and beveled to facilitate quicker reloads.

The FNS Compact weighs in at 23.4 ounces unloaded and includes two magazines, all of which serve different roles. The first is a 12-round magazine includes a finger groove extension for improved handling while in larger hands. The second is a 17-round magazine with an extension that fits it to the frame.

The slide is constructed of stainless steel that is then coated with a Flat Dark Earth finish to provide a clean look and corrosion resistance. There are no sharp edges on the pistol to abrade the hand, and perceived recoil is mild, even with high performance ammunition. A 3.6" cold hammer forged, stainless steel barrel provides excellent accuracy and features a polished feed ramp for unparalleled loading reliability. The FNS Compact wears a set of 3- dot low profile fixed sights that are big, easy to see and quickly acquires its intended target.

This is an extremely durable and reliable weapons platform. During its development, the predecessor to the FNS was subjected to and passed a rigorous 25,000 round torture test. Mirroring sister companies Browning and Winchester, FN is almost impossible to pin down when it comes to warranty. Suffice it to say that for service or repairs, the pistol is not backed by anything detectable in writing. Nevertheless, in the wake of the Moss-Magnuson Act, many reputable firearms manufacturer's similarly do not offer written repair warranties, yet provide better service and repair than most gun makers providing so-called "written lifetime" warranties.

To date, we are not aware of any problems or malfunctions with the FNS, which is a remarkable testament to the engineering and quality of FN-Hertal pistols. Furthermore, the company literature does state that, "with careful use, regular cleaning and proper maintenance, your FN firearm should provide you with years of trouble free service". Overall, the FNS Compact has enjoyed an impeccable track record, proving itself to be a highly capable, precise and effective self- defense handgun.

Established in 1993, Champion Firearms is a retail gun store and indoor range located in College Station, Texas.

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