Best FN Concealed Carry Pistols: Buyer’s Guide

As one of the world’s premier firearms manufacturers, Fabrique Nationale has delivered proven machine guns, rifles, and handguns to military and law enforcement personnel for generations. Yet, many Americans are less familiar with the company’s rather expansive line of robust but concealable pistols.

We’re huge fans of FN’s handgun lineup for personal protection needs. Here are five of our favorite guns that are great for a variety of concealed carry and self-defense needs.

Your FN Concealed Carry Cheat Sheet:

Micro 9mm Pick: FN Reflex
Compact Pick: FN 509 Compact
Tactical Pick: FN Five-seveN MK3 MRD
Extra Concealable Pick: FN 503 Micro Compact
Throwback Pick: FN High Power

Micro 9mm Pick: FN Reflex

We jumped on FN’s carry-friendly Reflex as soon as it came to the market in 2023. After two years of testing, we found this hammer-fired, polymer-framed pistol was more than up to the task of daily carry.

Better yet, after 2,000 rounds of testing, it ran with near-flawless performance. The gun came from the factory with nice high-viz steel sights and a surprisingly good trigger. Combined with its small size and generous 11+1 or 15+1 capacity, the Reflex is an outstanding concealed carry option that also comes with an affordable price tag.

The Reflex’s hammer-fired operating system sets it apart from the other newly designed compact and micro guns on this list. For those looking for something with a bit more grip space, the FN Reflex XL provides a full four-finger grip with a juiced-up 18+1 capacity.

FN Reflex specs:

Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 11+1 or 15+1
Trigger Pull: 3.4 pounds (10-pull average after 2,000 rounds)
Weight: 1.15 pounds
Barrel Length: 3.3 inches
Overall Length: 6.2 inches
Sight Radius: 5.05 inches
Height: 4.27 inches
Width: 1 inch

Compact Pick: FN 509 Compact

One of FN’s flagship carry guns, the FN 509 Compact offers a middle-of-the-road size that leaves it just slightly smaller than a Glock 19. After 1,000 test rounds with our personal FN 509 Compact, we had exactly zero malfunctions, so we’re confident the 509C is ready for a lot more than just occasional range visits.

The FN 509C offers a 12+1 or 15+1 capacity, depending on whether you want to run a shorter magazine for a trimmer carry option. The modular grip frame is adjustable for your hand size, and the 1913 rail up front has three slots available for lights and lasers.

Even though the shorter 12-round magazine leaves your pinkie finger hanging, the gun still “sticks” into the palm of your hand while shooting one-handed. If you are looking for something that has a bit more bulk than a micro 9mm, the 509 Compact is a solid, reliable choice.

FN 509 Compact specs:

Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 12+1 or 15+1
Weight: 1.9 pounds
Trigger Pull: 6 pounds
Barrel Length: 3.7 inches
Overall Length: 6.8 inches
Width: 1.35 inches
Height: 5 inches

Tactical Pick: FN Five-seveN MK3 MRD

Even though its size pushes the limits for many folks’ concealed-carry preferences, the FN Five-seveN MK3 MRD is a solid tactical design that many still choose to EDC. There are some solid reasons for that, with the gun’s 20+1 capacity for the zippy 5.7x28mm NATO cartridge topping the list.

Yet again, we’ve found FN’s workmanship to be top-notch. After firing 500 rounds of a mix of ammo, our test Five-seveN MK3 MRD also had zero malfunctions. Additionally, the updated ergonomics and optics-ready slide make this 1990s design fit for 21st-century work.

Again, the Five-seveN platform is anything but small, but there are a fair number of holster options out there. It’s also accurate and flat-shooting, which allowed us to ring steel even at 100 yards.

FN Five-seveN MK3 MRD specs:

Caliber: 5.7mm NATO
Magazine Capacity: 20+1
Trigger Pull: 6 pounds
Weight: 1.57 pounds
Overall Length: 8.2 inches
Barrel Length: 4.8 inches
Sight Radius: 7 inches
Height: 5.6 inches
Width: 1.35 inches

Extra Concealable Pick: FN 503 Micro Compact

For extra-small concealability, we recommend the single-stack FN 503 micro-compact pistol. This slim, boxy pistol disappears inside your waistline with very little work, but that does come with a reduced capacity of 6+1. You can bump that to 8+1 with an extended mag if you don’t mind adding a bit of length to the grip.

As far as 9mm carry pistols go, the small but well-thought-out 503 is also a budget-friendly option. The grip texture is great and helps with controllability. The six-round magazine leaves only enough room for about 2.5 fingers to wrap around it. Even so, we found it to be an accurate shooter within self-defense distances.

Single-stack pistols have been making a comeback lately, and guns like the 503 can be had new or used for competitive prices right now. In what should be an obvious theme at this point for FN’s pistol, reliability was robust with no gun-related malfunctions over 500 rounds.

FN 503 Micro Compact specs:

Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 6+1
Trigger Pull: 5 pounds
Weight: 1.47 pounds
Barrel Length: 3.1 inches
Overall Length: 5.9 inches
Width: 1.1 inches
Height: 4.6 inches

Throwback Pick: FN High Power

How can you make a list of FN carry guns without the classic and now-revived Browning High Power? As the penultimate creation of the late, great John Moses Browning, the original “Hi-Power” (1935) broke the mold with its 13-round double-stack magazine and simplified short-recoil operating system.

FN revitalized this gem in 2022 – insert applause here – and the market responded with enthusiasm. FN beefed up the new High Power with a generous 17+1 capacity, improved controls, and enhanced grip texture.

Whether you want a vintage classic or a modern-production gun, there are a lot of reliable and carryable options for you to choose from today. Even though it is the heaviest pistol on this list, the new High Power and its older doppelganger are both proven carry companions.

New FN High Power specs:

Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 17+1
Trigger Pull: 4.7 pounds
Weight: 2.5 pounds
Overall length: 8 inches
Barrel length: 4.7 inches
Sight radius: 6.37 inches
Height: 5.62 inches
Width: 1.35 inches

Micro 9mm Pick: FN Reflex

Compact Pick: FN 509 Compact

Tactical Pick: FN Five-seveN MK3 MRD

Extra Concealable Pick: FN 503 Micro Compact

Throwback Pick: FN High Power

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