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FN FNP-45 High-Capacity .45ACP Semi-Auto Combat Pistol: Where does it fit in the tactical .45 pistol race?

By David Crane
defrev (at) gmail (dot) com

July 13, 2009

While FN Herstal is much better known for its assault rifles (M16A4, etc.) and machine guns (M249 SAW, M240 MMG/GPMG, MK46, MK48, etc.), the company has also developed a line of pistols. One of them is the FN FNP-45 high-capacity (14+1 shots) .45ACP (also written .45 ACP) semi-auto pistol, which is a double action/single-action (DA/SA) pistol that features an integral Docter Sight mini red dot combat sight a.k.a. combat optic that fits into a recess cut into the slide and tall iron sights for suppressor use. The FNP-45 pistol sports an extended barrel that’s threaded for said suppressor (silencer/sound suppressor) use, a 1911-style sweep-down manual thumb safety, and a commander-style “combat” hammer. The FNP-45’s trigger features an overtravel stop, the grip’s backstrap is interchangeable, and the 14-shot hi-cap mags (magazines) that come with the pistol incorporate bumpers on the bottom.


The FNP-45 is a large pistol. DefenseReview doesn’t know whether or not FN plans to offer a compact version of it, but that might not be a bad idea. Defense Review also doesn’t know how the FNP-45 compares to competing .45ACP combat pistol designs like the Glock 21SF (also written Glock 21 SF), Springfield Armory XD-45, HK45 (also written HK 45), Smith & Wesson (S&W) M&P45, etc., but we’ll ask around. Frankly, we don’t know how good any of FN’s pistols are except for the FN FiveseveN Tactical 5.7×28mm semi-auto pistol, which is the only one we’ve tested. We haven’t exactly heard much about FN pistols from any of our professional contacts–nothing great and nothing terrible, just nothing much, really. If anyone has put a lot of rounds downrange through one of FN’s tactical pistols, we’d love to hear your feedback on it.

Company Contact Info:

FNH USA Commercial and Law Enforcement Sales (FN Herstal USA)
PO Box 697
McLean, VA 22101
Phone: 703-288-1292
Fax: 703-288-1730
E-Mail: info@fnhusa.com
Website: http://www.fnhusa.com/

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  • CoolHand
    I currently own a FNP-45 and a Glock 21SF. I used to own a H&K USP .45 and have put a few hundred rounds downrange with a HK-45. Based on my experiences and judging the weapon soley on it's attributes disregarding other considerations such as holster availability, magazine price/availability, and other accesories I'd choose the FN over the Glock and the H&K USP-45 but not over the HK-45. If I include the ancillary items to my consideration I'd place The FN dead last. Bladetech makes the only mass produced model specific holster for the FNP-45.

    The FN has a double action/single action trigger whereas the Glock is striker fired. The FN's trigger gives you a second chance to send a misfired round downrange with out having to rack the slide. The trigger pull on the FN is much smoother than the Glock's.

    The factory sights are metal with white plastic inserts in contrast to the G-21SF's notoriously flimsy stock plastic sights. The FN's sights work better for me than the Glocks. Night sights for the FN are non existant unless you send the slide off to have custom inserts installed in the stock sights.

    FN edges out the Glock in magazine capacity. The Glock holds 13 rounds and the FN holds 14 or 15 depending on which magazine you buy. The FN's magazine body are steel with some sort of coating on it. The base pad is a sturdy polymer. The FN's magazines are more susceptable to rust and damage than the Glock's stainless steel skeleton polymer bodied magazines. The FN's magazines are also much more expensive and hard to find. They run anywhere from $36 to $60 online. The Glock 21SF's magazines can be found at most gunstores for around $22-$30.

    The FN's ergonomics are better and more customizeable than the Glock 21SF's take it or leave it setup. They are both very large pistols. Both the FN and the Glock are easier to grip than the much earlier designed H&K USP 45. The FN sports an interchangeable backstrap. It ships with a large and small backstrap. The retention mechanism for the backstraps is a flimsy plastic tab that is molded into the frame of the pistol. To change the backstraps you have to take a tool and depress the locking tab with a small round tool or a toothpick. The small backstrap will not lock into place on my pistol. The FN's controls are completely ambidextrous. The magazine release feature dual oblong buttons that are easily reached with those of us not endowed with long thumbs. The version I have has a decocking lever styled like the thumb safety of the classic 1911. Other models of the FNP 45 safety are identical to the one on the H&K USP 45 variant 1. all the way up is safe. Down to the middle position is fire. Depressing the lever all the way down will decock the pistol then spring back to the fire position. The safety lever and slide release are sized perfectly for a carry pistol. They are easily reached by most people and easily actuated when they need to be. The Glock's controls are smaller and harder to actuate.

    Firing the pistols shows the that the FN appears to be more accurate than the Glock. I'd attribute much of the accuracy difference to the better sights on the FN. Both exhibited very acceptable levels of accuracy for a carry pistol. The HK's are more accurate and the HK-45 is much easier to shoot faster and with more accuracy. All of the pistols listed have been 100% reliable with any ammo I stuffed in them.

    Holsters and other accessories is an area where the FNP-45 get's absolutely no respect. Factory and aftermarket night sights are allegedly in the design pipeline. There are a few custom holster makers that can make you a holster without you having to send yours in for them to use as a mold. Bladetech makes a kydex holster and double magazine pouch specifically for the FNP-45. FN will sell you this combo as a shooter's kit if you get the right operator or know where to look onthe web for the FN part #.
  • fnh45
    got one today what a handgun low recoil,excelent acuracy great all rounder
  • Scotty
    I havehad the fnp-45 for a little less than a year now. The ammo shortages have prevented me from shooting as much as id like but ive put about 1000 rounds threw it. I have NOT had one single malfunction from the gun or any ammo fired from it. I have found that while the 14 rounders it came with work great, the 15 round available have a bit of a latching problem. U have to give em a pretty good smack to get them to latch or after a few shots it falls out. It happened to me and it came apart when it hit the ground. Who knows where the spring went not me. And good luck on trying to find a replacement spring I cant. However on the the holster issue try crossbreed holsters they have made a custom order horsehide conceal holster that works well. It is moderatly priced at just under a $100. I got lucky and found one somebody else had ordered and got a good deal. All in all I would say this is an excellant gun for the money and the fact that it comes with three mags just makes it better. I trust it enough that it is the gun I keep in my nightstand. Personal opinion Glocks jam too much!
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