Sights may not be needed in a deadly close encounter, but I like knowing that these sights are well defined. The three-dot arrangement employ a luminous reflective material that really pops when I see it. The sights are low-profile, drift-adjustable, and simple. They are unlikely to snag on clothing or a holster, and they come quickly into view and add to my confidence when shooting.
 

The remaining two features worthy of mention are the slide hold-open and the magazine release. The slide hold-open lever is large and well placed. The slide is easy to release, which is important in a small pistol. Unlike the slide release, the magazine release is small and flat. The last thing that I want to happen is for my magazine to eject when I am shooting, so FN has wisely designed a subdued release button.
 

SPECIFICATIONS

• Overall Length: 6 inches
• Weight: 1.5 pounds with magazine
• Height: 4.5 inches with compact magazine
• Width: 1.1 inches
• Trigger: 4 pounds, 13 ounces; two-part safety trigger
• Barrel Length: 3 inches   
• Sights: Three-dot, luminescent, drift adjustable
• Magazines: Stainless steel, 6-round standard and 8-round extended
• Materials: Polymer frame, stainless-steel slide, Cerakote finish
   

SHOOTING TIME

I took the FN 503 to my Area 52, Arizona, shooting range, where I set up several 2-liter pop bottles and two steel plates at 10 yards to test accuracy. I loaded the seven included magazines with PMC Bronze 124-grain FMJ rounds.
 

The first shots at the soda bottles reminded me that this is a small, concealable pistol, and it is easy to miss even at 10 yards if I do not squeeze and follow through. The standard six-round short magazine, while concealable, does not provide much to hold onto with the short grip. An extended eight-round magazine makes quite a difference.

Even with full-power 9mm ammunition, the FN 503 is just heavy and large enough to absorb kick. My two-hand hold was adequate to control kick and keep the muzzle under control. The slim profile feels good and hides well in my tactical vest pocket. 
 

The three-dot sights are highly visible even in bright daylight. Shots on the steel plate showed that I was pulling left and low, which I believe was due to the small nature of the pistol and the 5-pound trigger. The trigger is not bad, despite the take-up. It can be learned, but this is not a target pistol.

Reliability is important, and the FN503 did not let me down. I fired over a box of 9mm ammunition in seven different magazines with no jams, which makes me feel good about carrying the 503 anywhere. Magazine dumps were flawless, and slow fire was equally reliable. FN’s quality is strong here.
 

PROS & CONS