MY IMPRESSIONS
This is a big handgun not meant to be concealed. I doubt that Wyatt Earp concealed his Peacemaker when working as a frontier lawman. Likewise, the FNX-45 is an obvious sign of power. Holding it, I notice the sharp checked polymer grip. I can imagine wet, muddy hands gripping this piece firmly. The Combat Pistol Program’s requirements were steep, and FN has provided everything requested, I think.
I notice full ambidextrous controls. The safety, slide release, and magazine release function from both sides without adjustment. A large trigger guard accommodates gloved fingers, and an exposed serrated hammer is easily cocked by either hand. I can carry it loaded with a round in the chamber, hammer down safely. Simply aim and shoot. I like that.
Sights are high-profile to allow suppressor clearance and are highlighted by three night-glow dots. The stainless-steel slide is equipped with a removable rear sight base that will accept various red dot sights. The slide is serrated in front and rear to aid in loading the first round from the magazine.
MORE FEATURES
The 15-round steel magazine has a solid polymer bumper pad that guarantees a solid lockup into the receiver. I like the magazine's design, as it is double stacked and feeds single rounds into the gun. This is the most reliable method. Notice the magazine well is beveled for fast reloads.
The polymer receiver reduces some weight and comes with three rear grip inserts to fit any hand. The lower forend is slotted to accept tactical flashlights or lasers. The broad curved trigger is easy to squeeze for double-action first shots or more precise follow-up single-action shots. My medium size hands easily fit the grip, and pointing is natural with sights meeting my eyes quickly.
FN is famous for its cold-hammer-forged barrels made of stainless steel. This gun is meant to take a beating with stiff .45 ACP military loads. The chamber and feed ramp are carefully polished to avoid feed problems. When quiet time is needed, the muzzle’s .578x28 TPI thread will accept appropriate suppressors.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Weight: 2 pounds
- Overall Length: 8.5 inches
- Action: Double/single action
- Trigger: 10 pounds double, 5 pounds single action
- Barrel: 5 inches, cold hammer-forged stainless steel, threaded .578x28 TPI
- Sights: High profile, three-dot night glow
- Slide: FDE-coated stainless steel
- Frame: Polymer with four interchangeable backstraps
- Magazine: 15-round capacity steel with polymer base pad
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MSRP: $1,379
SHOOTING TIME
Look! It’s another sunny day in Arizona and Area 51 is prepped for some handgun target work. This certified used gun from Guns.com was not prepared nor oiled prior to today’s test. This is the way it may be used in the field by our troops. I notice that the simple open sights have well-defined white dots that glow nicely for daylight shooting. The trigger has some creep in either mode, but this is not a target pistol. The magazines load positively and drop out well.
Today I am shooting Winchester .45 Auto 230-grain Jacketed Hollow Points. This is not a typical military load, but could be used by individuals and will test the reliability of the pistol to the max. Although stiff, all 15 cartridges load into the magazine as advertised. My first few shots group nicely on the steel plate at 12 yards. I must get accustomed to the trigger. Next the heavy steel flapper moves from right to left when those big slugs hit it. A head shot is not a problem.
Hit at center, the first 2-liter root beer jug explodes so violently that it knocks the one to its right over, too! That is .45-caliber horsepower. Other root beer bottles blow apart and send shards of plastic back up to Jupiter. This is a blast! The pop cans are bit more challenging for the FNX but when hit, they vaporize. Aluminum pieces shred in all directions.
One shot to my flipper steel target sends it spinning. The final two root beers are blown off the boulder, and the steel flapper dances left and right once again. I reloaded magazines once during this shooting sequence as the slide held open after the last shot as it should. No jams, stovepipes, nor failures to feed with hollow points were encountered. That is reliability!
PROS & CONS
Pros:
- High quality, well-made
- Accurate
- Reliable
- Two high-capacity steel magazines included
- Customizable
- Ambidextrous
- Corrosion-resistant
- Suppressor-ready
Cons:
- Large and not easy to conceal
- Heavy
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Pricey (FN delivers much for the cost)
FINAL THOUGHTS
Although not chosen as the winner, this pistol was designed to meet a military contract. It’s not for everyone, but if you see a need for it, the FNX-45 will not let you down. I can see strong uses for home defense, open personal carry, and as an all-around fun shooting gun.
While it’s probably not my first choice for competition, I would not hesitate to shoot it in my next 3-Gun match. A friend once told me that although he hated some aspects of his military service, the U.S. military makes excellent selections in firearms. It seems they missed out on a good choice with the FNX-45.
