I've been doing some reading about FN Herstal's FNP handguns. They strike me a very well designed, very high quality weapons. But I can't think of any law enforcement agencies that use them. It seems like everyone uses Glocks or Sigs with the occasional S&W thrown in. I'd imagine FN has a bigger European following, but they do have a foot hold in the US. Can anyone shed some light on why these pistols haven't caught on the US, or if anyone is even using them?

I know one smaller Police Department that got hit hard by Katrina or Ike was given brand new FNP by FN not too long ago. I know they are catching on a bit. I have not fired one but have sold a number at my part time gun shop job. The folks have come back and told me how great of a pistol they are. I am very tempted to look for a used 9mm or 45 ACP and they are a gun that has a plastic frame but FN was smart to add a safety to them.

I had a chance to handle one at my local gun shop recently and was very impressed with it. The price point was very reasonable and it felt good in my hands. The store owner stated that the only complaint he has been fielding was that it's hard to find holsters for it. I was very tempted to buy the one I examined, but it was in the sand colored frame, and I just couldn't get happy with the color (looked like baby poop), and I decided to hold out for a black colored frame.

Best of luck,

Dave

I used to own an FNP 9MM.

Great gun. Felt good in the hand. Ran like a sewing machine. Never malfunctioned. Ate several different types of ammo.

Had a pretty good trigger for a DA/SA gun.

The only reason I got rid of it is I don't care for DA/SA guns.

My dad has one of the 45acp models, his came with a holster and mag carrier in the set. He is LH and called FN, they sent him a LH holster for nothing and told him to keep the RH model. He is very happy with it so far. I think he said he has put around 2k rounds through it. Joe

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The pistols are made here in the U.S. at the South Carolina factory. They're solid guns, just sort of a sleeper. People tend to forget about them for some reason, possibly because they don't show up much in movies, on TV, what not. They usually come with three mags, and lately a holster and other goodies. I had one in .40 for a while. I got annoyed at lackluster CS from FNH regarding whether they'd ever have a .357 Sig barrel for sale (since the gun mags were showing FNP's in .357 Sig), and it had a sharp spot or two on the frame. Much better than a Sigma, probably better than a Glock, not quite as good as an H&K as the polymer pistols broke down.

Not as many holsters out there for them. Spare mags are also harder to find and more expensive than Glock mags. Mine also rattled.

I have had the FNP 9 for years. One of my favorite pistols. Comes with 3 stainless mags, and 3 backstraps which others are just now starting to offer. Very accurate, shoots anything and never had a problem. Guess I like it as it is very Sig like in it's controls . They now have a newer version out. Not much different other than the decocking lever. The FN 45 however is a very BIG gun. I believe they developed it when the Military contract went out for bids but they stated with the Beretta.

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Still Running Against the Wind