Sturmgewehre
May 16, 2010, 10:29 PM
I picked up a FNP-45 this week.
Here it is:
http://www.intempusphotography.com/photos/866901613_mSp5B-L.jpg
Larger: http://www.intempusphotography.com/p...3_mSp5B-X3.jpg
So far I've fired 600 rounds through it without any failures. I'm impressed with the pistol, but let me break down the pros and cons as I see them.
What I like:
- Ergonomics: This puppy holds 15 rounds (that's right, 15) in a standard magazine with a slightly enlarged base plate. Even though it holds 15 rounds the grip is exceptionally comfortable. The grip angle is pretty darn similar to a 1911, which works very well for me.
- Controls: It has ambidextrous EVERYTHING. The magazine release, slide stop and safety lever/decocker are all mirrored on either side of the pistol. I'm really impressed with the slide stop. It's not some afterthought, it actually looks like it belongs there (see pic above) and is identical in appearance to the left side lever we're all used to.
- Quality: This thing screams quality. The slide is beautifully machined, nicely finished and all parts fit as they should. It's a very nicely built gun.
Some things I don't like:
- Size: I mean it's freaking huge. It pushes the envelope for a carry gun. If you're a small guy, forget about hiding it effectively. If you don't care if you print, this is the gun for you.
- Accessories: I bought mine with the shooters kit which includes a BladeTech holster and spare mag pouch. I scoured the 'net and holster options are VERY limited. No one makes leather for these pistols... well, almost no one. I did find out Kirkpatrick Leather makes custom leather for it, and I'm now on the 7 week waiting list for mine. Magazines are available on CDNN for around $30 each for either the 14 round or 15 round variants.
- Double Action: I'm not a fan of double action autos. I hate having two different trigger pulls, I'm a 1911/striker kind of guy. But to its credit, the FNP-45 can be carried cocked and locked. The double action pull quite frankly sucks. It's heavy and long. The single action release is pretty good, not great, but good.
Overall I think the FNP-45 is an outstanding service grade pistol. It's robust, well built, reliable, ergonomic, and generally everything you would want in a big, duty sized weapon.
If you're in the market for a full sized .45 ACP pistol, don't pass up an opportunity to check a FNP-45 out before making your mind up.
I'll leave you with this short video of me shooting the FNP-45 for the first time this weekend:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGoKe7isbW8
I was decocking the pistol each time after firing and firing the first shot double action. I was practicing this as I'm so used to 1911's and striker pistols like the G21 and XD-45 that I need some practice to chip away the rust from not having carried a double action pistol for over a decade.
Here it is:
http://www.intempusphotography.com/photos/866901613_mSp5B-L.jpg
Larger: http://www.intempusphotography.com/p...3_mSp5B-X3.jpg
So far I've fired 600 rounds through it without any failures. I'm impressed with the pistol, but let me break down the pros and cons as I see them.
What I like:
- Ergonomics: This puppy holds 15 rounds (that's right, 15) in a standard magazine with a slightly enlarged base plate. Even though it holds 15 rounds the grip is exceptionally comfortable. The grip angle is pretty darn similar to a 1911, which works very well for me.
- Controls: It has ambidextrous EVERYTHING. The magazine release, slide stop and safety lever/decocker are all mirrored on either side of the pistol. I'm really impressed with the slide stop. It's not some afterthought, it actually looks like it belongs there (see pic above) and is identical in appearance to the left side lever we're all used to.
- Quality: This thing screams quality. The slide is beautifully machined, nicely finished and all parts fit as they should. It's a very nicely built gun.
Some things I don't like:
- Size: I mean it's freaking huge. It pushes the envelope for a carry gun. If you're a small guy, forget about hiding it effectively. If you don't care if you print, this is the gun for you.
- Accessories: I bought mine with the shooters kit which includes a BladeTech holster and spare mag pouch. I scoured the 'net and holster options are VERY limited. No one makes leather for these pistols... well, almost no one. I did find out Kirkpatrick Leather makes custom leather for it, and I'm now on the 7 week waiting list for mine. Magazines are available on CDNN for around $30 each for either the 14 round or 15 round variants.
- Double Action: I'm not a fan of double action autos. I hate having two different trigger pulls, I'm a 1911/striker kind of guy. But to its credit, the FNP-45 can be carried cocked and locked. The double action pull quite frankly sucks. It's heavy and long. The single action release is pretty good, not great, but good.
Overall I think the FNP-45 is an outstanding service grade pistol. It's robust, well built, reliable, ergonomic, and generally everything you would want in a big, duty sized weapon.
If you're in the market for a full sized .45 ACP pistol, don't pass up an opportunity to check a FNP-45 out before making your mind up.
I'll leave you with this short video of me shooting the FNP-45 for the first time this weekend:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGoKe7isbW8
I was decocking the pistol each time after firing and firing the first shot double action. I was practicing this as I'm so used to 1911's and striker pistols like the G21 and XD-45 that I need some practice to chip away the rust from not having carried a double action pistol for over a decade.