[ARCHIVED THREAD] - FNP 45 TACTICAL REVIEW ***PICS**** (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 5/20/2010 1:49:22 AM EDT
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I took the dive and bought this gun. I am a true 1911 fan through and through. I currently own a Kimber Tactical Entry HD with a light rail and a TLR 1 on it and it is a great shooter and easy to shoot for me. The only problem is I wanted a gun that could hold more than 8-10 rounds. I have been through other 45 pistols such as the XD 45, M&P 45, 1911's, HK45, HK USP 45 and Sig's. None of them really fit me in terms of mag capacity, grip size and texture, recoil, weight, bulk, etc. I know you are going to look at the gun and say well this is very bulky. Yes, it is but it is not as heavy as it looks.
Here are he features that made it set apart from the rest. It has ambi everything; ambi safety/decocker, ambi mag release (you can depress the button from either side without taking it apart and moving the button), and ambi slide release/catch. You can operate this gun from either hand without any alterations. No other gun I have owned has these features all in one. It has a threaded barrel, taller NIGHT SIGHTS (HK 45 Tactical or Mark23 do not have night sights standard), built in mount for a red dot so you can co witness the sights with the dot, 1913 rail, 3-15 round mags, 4 interchangeable back straps and a very nice carrying case. Shooting the gun was very good with no FTFs or FTEs after 100 rnds. IT shot very accurately but it is still in its break in process. Recoil is very good and feels smoother. My 1911, when compared, feels like a huge chunk of metal sliding back (duh it is) but the FNP feels like its gliding more. Accuracy is very good; when you zero your dot it hits from 5-25 yds without moving due to heat from the barrel. The followup shots are quick because it comes right back down. I put the grip tape after the range session because I figured out where I needed it. I compared it side by side with my 1911 and my 1911 shoots better and more accurately but then again I am getting used to using the red dot. I am so used to using the sights. The Burris FastFire II red dot got really dirty after a box of ammo and just needed a wipe down. It never came loose at all during the session. The first trigger pull is long and heavy but the second is short and light with very little reset. Again compared to a Kimber 1911 it feels about the same. It can be carried cocked and locked, which is how I will do it. If you would notice the grip tape on the gun it is because that is a smooth part of the grip that, for me, needs some texture. There are 4 backstraps: 2 flat and 2 rounded and 2 different textures. One texture looks like the sides of the gip and the other is the front of the grip. Take down is a breeze just lock the slide back and pull down the lever and release forward. No trigger pulling, no secondary takedown levers (M&P), and no matching holes and grooves (1911 and HK). Oh, don't forget to take off the thread protector. Cleaning was a breeze too because all the grooves and crevices were so huge no toothbrushes or picks needed. Overall it is a great gun to have as a concealed carry gun (if you have a duffel bag). Just kidding, it is great for a person that is always carrying a bag that he/she can fit it in, home defense, or shooting competitions. If you can't hit anything with 15 rounds in the mag you need some extra training. I bought this gun because of all the features it has being a tactical pistol. I have handled a Mark23 and the Mark23 feels heavier and the first trigger pull fells much heavier and longer. It only carries 10 or 12 rounds, I think and is double the price. I paid close to $1k for this gun so you can debate whether this is the gun for you. This will not be your first choice in concealed carry but may be a choice in your tacticool armament. Now its just a matter of finding a holster, any suggestions? http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy290/pofboom/fnp45/DSC00730.jpg http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy290/pofboom/fnp45/DSC00731.jpg http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy290/pofboom/fnp45/DSC00732.jpg http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy290/pofboom/fnp45/DSC00734.jpg http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy290/pofboom/fnp45/DSC00735.jpg http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy290/pofboom/fnp45/DSC00736.jpg http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy290/pofboom/fnp45/DSC00737.jpg http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy290/pofboom/fnp45/DSC00738.jpg http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy290/pofboom/fnp45/DSC00739.jpg http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy290/pofboom/fnp45/DSC00740.jpg http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy290/pofboom/fnp45/DSC00742.jpg |
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For OWB holsters I would go with Blade-Tech, that is what I did. I will be using this holster for 3-gun matches. I have also ordered a Blade-Tech IWB holster for CCW. It has not arrived yet so I cannot tell you how well it works. I sometimes carry my all steel 5" Springfield TRP Operator so this FNP45-Tactical feels down right "light" in comparison.
MadDog 
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- | The gun is nice, but that case is really nice too. It also looks very familiar. It looks like the HK Tactical's old bag with FNH on it and a new color. Nothing wrong with that if it is, that's my favorite soft case. Thanks for the review, I've been looking at a FNP lately. |
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I went to FN Mfg Friday and got to see them making the slides of the Tactical. Got to handle one of them after the tour. I would have bought it. Too bad they are backlogged and I have to wait until dealer orders are filled.
If the USG would have had night sights that little sweet thing would have found a new home, too. BK:American! |
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UZI4you: You can definitely use a Docter optic on the 45 Tactical. In fact the Tac comes with a mounting plate for the Docter but as stated above you may find the 4moa dot a little small. I know I did as I had a Docter on my S&W M&P9mm. I swapped it out for an 8moa Trijicon MRD which is much faster when it comes to your eye picking up the dot. On my FNP45-Tac I am using a 7moa dot (Trijicon RMR) which I find to be the perfect comprimise.
MadDog |
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The double action on mine weighs out at 7.5 lbs. and the single action pull at 3.25 lbs. Both were a little heavier but I have been dry firing mine every evening while watching tv (not to mention weekly trips to the range) and it has lightened up a bit. Best out of the box trigger I have found for a DA/SA combat pistol.
MadDog |
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Quoted:
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I'm undecided between on of these and an XD Tactical 45 w/ ambi-external safety. Whatever you can shoot better. I'm a big fan of FN and the FNP series, but I'm realistic. It's about what you can shoot accurately. My problem is, every time I go to buy another pistol, I usually come home with another 1911. Last time I really tried to buy an XD but came home with another Kimber instead. 
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Quoted:
How are the triggers on these guns? The trigger is my one complaint on this gun. Mushy as hell. 
Holster and mag carrier by NTAC. |
Yes, John can wrap kydex around any handgun he can physically get ahold of. He does them while you wait at a local gunshow. Send him email, tell him what you want and that Scott referred you. He'll probably want to borrow my gun which is no big deal, I'll have him buy me a beer or six. 
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You'd think for a grand, the Lords of "The Pistol looks Uber Tacticool on the OUTSIDE." at FNH could have spent another $4.95 and put that engineering train wreck of a fire control group, in a metal housing that doesn't flex allowing the Sear Tilt Failure. Which pretty much turns the FNP's and the FNX's into a single shot Uber Tactical Flintlock.
Usually one has to look inside a Ruger P-90's trigger group to find the same level of soft, investment cast crap parts as one finds in the trigger group of the $1000.00 FN Tupperware. Good think they painted the slide Coyote Brown so...Somebody would buy that over priced abortion. |
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What on earth are you talking about?
Work for Glock do you? Golly. It'd be just ducky if one or two of you FN fan boys pulled apart an FNP trigger group as fast as you skin open your wallets for the next piece of Tactical Status Symbol trash. You might actually find that there's more to designing a fighting pistol than spraying it down with Coyote Brown Duracoat. |
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Quoted:
What on earth are you talking about?
Work for Glock do you? Golly. It'd be just ducky if one or two of you FN fan boys pulled apart an FNP trigger group as fast as you skin open your wallets for the next piece of Tactical Status Symbol trash. You might actually find that there's more to designing a fighting pistol than spraying it down with Coyote Brown Duracoat. I guess skinning open the wallet for some anger management didn't work out. Welcome to the forum––I think you will fit right into the General Discussion boards
On a related note, I have no issues with the trigger on the FNP and although it is not on the same level as a customized 1911, I am satisfied with it as a sa/da combat weapon to say the least. I haven't heard of the design leading to failure and as a manufacturing/industrial engineer, I would say the materials and process are right on par. Just my $.02 ETA: oh ya and I am a sucker for coyote brown |
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LOL that was a funny post!!
This .45 tactical is not a glock, it doesn't want to be a glock, nor does it do anything to imitate it. What this gun does, however, is function - very well at that. I've put my .45 tactical through a crazy COF, multiple reloads, FTF drills, the list goes on, it performed VERY well. Once I was able to put the trigger to muscle memory I was able to fire it with as much speed, and maybe better accuracy than my g21sf. I, for one, am VERY happy with this gun, it meet and exceeds all my expectations and I have yet to put any addons on it (red dot, etc) |
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Just bought a fnp 45 tac. This no big news flash except that I am an old dog who bought my first of over 20 1911's in 1966.and I carried one as a Marine in Viet nam. Tthe FN 45 tac was the first center fire pistol that ive owned that was not a 1911. My son and I went out and shot the FN, (hes much more open minded than I as he has been 1911's only for just 21years getting his first when he was 16) He shot the FN first and said that " It shoots sweet" then I shot it and said the same thing. Next we both shot a nice 1911 and both said that the 1911 shot sweeter.
My conclusion is that I realy do like the FN, it hits well, no malfuntions, has a 15 rd mag that loads easy with the slide fwd and my eyes need a red dot. It will never have the longivity of a 1911, remember that the last 1911 service pistols were produced in 1945, they went on to korea, vietnam and some are still in the system, not only that some of the 1911's that served in wwI and were converted to 1911A1's were still in service in Vietnam. A plastic gun will never last that long. All that being said I am very glad that I got a FN 45 tac and it will be my new vehicle gun. |
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As an "old fart" who has had a case of 1911 fever for about 15 years, with four customs and about 1/2 doz. factory pieces including one made in 1942, I have been eyeballing the FNs on their website off and on for several months now. I have also owned/shot/carried a hell of a lot of different irons/plastics (semi-autos and revolvers) since 1976, and can't remember having one I didn't like. These FNs intrique the hell out of me.
Last week I bought an M&P 9c for a car gun and am wondering if perhaps I should have saved awhile longer for an FN. As a retiree my gun budget is somewhat limited thus I will have too much time to save for one, but in the meantime I can drool over pictures and perhaps window shop. Thanks for the "drool material" pics. 
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