The FN FNP was a series of pistols produced between 2006 and 2011 by Belgian Fabrique Nationale and its division in the United States. FNP was developed to replace the commercially unsuccessful FN Forty-Nine. It was chambered for the 9×19mm, .40 S&W, .357 SIG, and .45 ACP cartridges.
Introduction
FN FNP is a semi-automatic, polymer-framed pistol. It was designed to compete in the military and law enforcement market, and as the first competition, FNP won a contract with the Spanish Navy. Spanish Navy Marines adopted it instead of their old Llama M82. Belgium and US police use a small number of the FN FNP pistols US police. This pistol is also available for civilian customers. Civilian versions were marketed as Browning PRO.
However, the FN FNP has not received much attention and orders. One of the reasons was that it had no significant advantages over other contemporary pistols. Production of the FNP series pistols was stopped in 2011 due to low sales. It was replaced in production by an improved FN FNX series.
Design
The FN FNP is available in various cartridges, including 9×19 mm Parabellum, .357 SIG, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. The FN FNP is a reasonably conventional pistol with some previously known design features shared with other pistols. FNP has a polymer frame and a stainless steel slide, which has an unusual feature. It has fully replaceable frame rails that allow the pistol to be rebuilt after extensive firing, extending the service life. This feature is also present in the Steyr M-series pistols released in 1999.
The trigger and hammer in FNP are formed in a single module and can be easily removed for maintenance or replacement. The FN FNP is a short-recoil-operated weapon that fires with a locked breech. It uses a Browning-type locking system. The FNP has an exposed hammer. This weapon proved to be reliable. This pistol was available with a choice of single-action only, double-action, and double-action-only trigger mechanisms. However, the single-action-only trigger mechanism was soon discontinued.
This weapon has internal firing pin safety. There is also a magazine safety that was proposed as an option. All versions of the FN FNP have ambidextrous decocking levers. The FN FNP-9 chambered in a 9×19 mm cartridge is fed from 16-round capacity magazines. The magazine release button is reversible on all models. This pistol was available with standard or night sights.
Both front and rear sights are dovetailed into the slide. This weapon comes with two different replaceable backstraps. One of them has a flat shape, while the other is curved. So the shooter can install the backstrap that suits him most. This handgun has an integrated accessory rail. It can mount laser pointers or tactical flashlights.
Disassembly and reassembly of the handgun are relatively simple. The slide is locked to the rear to disassemble the weapon, and the magazine is released from the weapon. The takedown lever located to the front of the frame is rotated downwards, and the slide is released to allow it to slip off the frame rails. Once removed, the recoil spring is removed from its position in the barrel, and the barrel is removed. To reassemble the weapon, the process is reversed, with the slide being slid onto the frame rails and the takedown lever rotated up while the slide is locked to the rear.
Variants
The FNP Series pistol is produced in five basic models with several different variations on each model.
FN FNP-9
A version chambered in 9×19 mm ammunition. The civilian version of this pistol was marketed as Browning PRO-9.
FNP-9M
It is a compact version of the FNP-9. It is also chambered for a 9×19 mm cartridge. This pistol is slightly shorter than the baseline FNP-9.
FN FNP-357
It is a version chambered in .357 SIG ammunition.
FN FNP-40
It is a version chambered in .40 S&W ammunition. It has a magazine capacity of 10 rounds. The civilian version of this pistol was marketed as Browning PRO-40.
FN FNP-45
FN FNP-45 is a version chambered in .45 ACP ammunition. This weapon has an ambidextrous slide release. FN FNX series. This series of pistols were introduced in 2009. The FNX is based on the FNP series but incorporates many ergonomic improvements. It was developed for the US Joint Combat Pistol program. The FNX pistol is available in 9×19 mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP ammunition. Eventually, the FNX series replaced in production the FNP series.
Technical specifications
| Country of origin: | Belgium |
| Manufacturer: | FN USA |
| Caliber: | 9×19 mm Parabellum |
| Weight (unloaded): | 700 g |
| Weight (loaded): | 890 g |
| Length: | 188 mm |
| Barrel length: | 102 mm |
| Muzzle velocity: | 300 – 460 m/s |
| Magazine capacity: | 16 rounds |
| Sighting range: | ~ 50 m |
| Range of effective fire: | 50 m |
