Hammer-Fired Micro 9: First Looks at the New FN Reflex
Setting itself apart from the rest of the itty bitty 9mm double-stack pack, FN's new Reflex 9mm is a hammer-fired micro-compact with a great trigger.
Debuted just before the NRA's Annual Meetings in April, we have been taking a closer look at the Reflex series as part of an extended test and evaluation that will push this little palm-sized parabellum past the 2,000-round mark.
The Reflex ships in a cardboard box with a plastic tray and comes with two magazines. For most states, this means a 15+1 round extended mag and a flush-fit 11+1 round mag with a pinky extension for better grip support. (All photos: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The FN Reflex, at release, is available in eight variants when you take into account two different colorways (flat dark earth and black), micro red dot optics-ready or not, and for free states (15- and 11-round magazines) and restricted (10-round mags) states. FN also says there are some models, not listed, that have a manually activated frame-mounted safety lever. The series comes at an MSRP that currently swings between $599 and $659.
The unloaded weight is 18.4 ounces with an empty mag. We found the Reflex in its most svelte form, with 12 rounds of Federal's Punch JHP 124-grain self-defense loads and no optic, to hit the scales at 23.4 ounces. Shown with a DeSantis Inside Heat which, although made for the single stack FN 503, fits it like a glove.
For easy carry, throw a minimalist mag carrier such as Crossbreed's N8 Tactical Magna-Clip on the extended mag for an extra 10.9 ounces and you have 26+1 rounds at the ready.
When speaking to dimensions, the Reflex has a 3.3-inch barrel length, which translates to a 6.2-inch overall length while retaining a 5.05-inch sight radius. The width is 1 inch, flat. Meanwhile, height is a trim 4.27 inches with the shorter 11+1/10+1 round mag inserted. This puts the micro compact 9mm into palm or even pocket size, depending on one's palm and pockets.
When stacked against FN's next two smallest 9mm offerings in recent years, the recently discontinued FN 503 (top right) and FN 509 Compact (bottom right), the Reflex is both thinner in width and shorter in height, while the 6+1-shot FN 503 is the slight winner in terms of length, coming in at 5.9 inches, albeit with a shorter barrel. Of interest, the Reflex feels much more natural in the hand than the downright chunky FN 503, while coming in a full half-pound lighter in its 15+1 format than the FN 509C with the same capacity.
The Reflex, in terms of dimensions, also compares nicely with carry handguns such as a Kimber Mako, S&W snub-nose, SIG P365 XMacro, and Taurus GX4.
FN's new Reflex uses a multi-faceted texture with an in-mold stippled grip that we like better than either the FN 509 Compact or FN 503, which we have reviewed in the past.
Surface controls include a swappable magazine release that drops the mag free when pressed and left-side take-down and slide catch levers.
The frame includes an abbreviated accessory rail that allows for compact pistol-mounted white lights or lasers. Note the forward slide serrations.
Perhaps the neatest thing about the Reflex is that it has an internal single-action-only hammer rather than a striker such as the action used on just about every other micro 9 on the market. FN has a lot of experience with internal SAO hammers, going 120 years back to John Browning's FN Mle 1903 and, more recently, to the Five-seveN pistol.
Being hammer-fired, the Reflex has a lower slide-racking force needed than some contemporaries, giving it a smoother trigger pull. We found the hammer to break at 4.7 pounds on an average of 10 pulls and have both a tactile and audible reset. An interesting facet is the use of a hinged trigger safety that prevents the trigger from moving rearward under inertia should the pistol be dropped. One caveat is that FN warns that regularly dry firing your Reflex for practice or training may result in damage to the firing pin and recommends the use of snap caps to prevent this.
Disassembly of a safely unloaded Reflex is via a frame-mounted takedown lever that rotates 90 degrees. There is no need to dry fire for disassembly.
Takedown is straightforward. Note the simple recoil spring assembly and the distinctive lugs on the barrel, which is cold hammer-forged, target-crowned, and has a polished chamber and feed ramp.
All models have three-dot iron (not plastic) sights that include a front night sight with a tritium insert and high visibility orange circle.
On MRD models, the slide is cut for Shield RMSc and Holosun 507k/407k micro red/green dot optics. This would also include Riton 3 TACTIX MPRD 2, Swampfox Sentinel, and SIG Sauer Romeo ZERO series dots that use the same footprint. FN's Reflex mounting system includes two different screw sizes that utilize self-locking nylon patches on the screw threads, eliminating the need for a thread locker to remain tight.
Thus far we have put 100 rounds apiece through each of the two FN Reflex models we have on hand without any hitches or problems to report. Stay tuned, and once we push that over 500, we'll be back to report on accuracy and reliability.
