Heck, Iveeven carried a 6-shot wheel gun as a duty gun in uniform. Dubbed the 503, it borrows mechanical influence and design architecture from the companys 509 series. First off there were two malfunctions during the first 100 rounds. A few five-shot groups produced 1.8-inch groups, but that number is still awesome for any subcompact. While this is true for the G43, in some cases the drop was less than I would have expected. Glock has been resting on its laurels for a long time. LOVE hybrid holsters and its the only kind I will wear. Glock 43X 43 X G43X All Black . Its an older review and not as good as my more recent reviews, but it is here if you would like to read it: https://www.gunsholstersandgear.com/gun-reviews/sig-p290-rs-enhanced-review/. The 509 began as an entry for the U.S. Armys Modular Handgun System (MHS) solicitation in 2015. I always get super nervous when you do your reviews next to the water you ever have to swim for anything? Lastly for the 503 is MSRP, which comes in at $549. In my opinion, its a better approach than the short and stubby levers that appear on many other competing models including the 509 series. Quick Cash Offer Get Offer We make you an quick cash offer online We find the dealer that offers you the most money The pistol balances well, even when you factor that it is a stubby little guy, and doesnt float around in your hand. Thanks for the review. The sights, too, are pretty snag-free. The Glock 43, however, is one that really speaks to me. Im a long-time Glock shooter, but my first experience with the gun was not especially grand. For some loads, the G43 registered velocities closer to duty-sized pistols than some its compact contemporaries. Sure you have more options with a Glock but we are talking about concealed carry guns and many people will not enhance them much. One thing people dont talk about is how uncomfortably thin the grip is, FN= late to the party and they brought chips, try the diamondback db9 you might like it. For me, I have to consciously move my trigger finger back a bit to get to the trigger face when I shoot a G43, a Shield, or a P365 or Springfield Hellcat. Taurus Marketing Manager Caleb Giddings highlights the features of the new Taurus Raging Hunter 460 Magnum, a purpose-built revolver with a 10.5-inch barrel and an effective recoil-taming brake, with Guns & Ammo Executive Editor Joe Kurtenbach. The South Carolina-made FN 503 has a clean look to it, although kind of blocky, and handles well. There are a few design features that I would change about the 503, but those come down to personal taste. FN claims it tested the 509 to more than a million rounds during its development. Great video though with alot of valuable info comparing the Glock 43 to the FN 503 and that Cool lake in the background! With sig 365 and Springfield hellcat there is no need for this unless you want the FN name. You may have better luck. That has worked out great for consumers, as just a few months after the new Glock was announced, shooters had a wide range of carry options available. Despite its long and storied history, you have to think back the the FN Model 1910 and 1910/22 for a single-stack carry pistol branded with the initials of the name Fabrique Nationale.. This Glock 43 was one of several handguns I had on hand for a small group of new shooters that were going through a training course. Until that happens, Ill happily get bywith the Glock 43. The results aren't surprising given how the TTAG powers-that-be have spent the last couple years swooning about what great guns the FNS series pistols are and how little we yet know about the G43 (like, whether it will have an initial flurry of reported issues like the G42). A little extra heft makes recoil and muzzle rise more manageable, and the added grip area that the 8-round magazine provides offers help in controlling the gun during rapid fire. After much anticipation, FN America launchedits first entry into the slim 9mm pistol category with the 503 in March 2020. Lol. Fast forward to the 1980s and all of those classic designs were put to bed. Looks like a great gun. He deployed in 2009 to Afghanistan and again in 2011 with the 22nd MEU(SOC) during a record-setting 11 months at sea. The process isnt cumbersome either. .505 Gibbs Rifle Brass 'H H' Headstamp: Maker and Quality Info Sought, Non-Lethal Personal & Home Defense with Byrna, Range Tested: EAA Girsan Pistols & Shotguns, New for 2023: Christensen Arms Modern Hunting Rifle (MHR), New for 2023: All-American RIA 5.0 Sporting Pistol, New for 2023: FN Rush 9Ti Pistol Suppressor, New Big Bore Pistols for 2023: FN 510 Tactical and FN 545 Tactical, New for 2023: FN SCAR 15P Rifle Caliber Pistol, First Look: Taurus Raging Hunter 460 Magnum Revolver With 10.5-Inch Barrel, New-for-2023 Taurus Judge Executive Grade 410/.45 Colt Revolver, Smith & Wesson Equalizer and the Brand New M&P 5.7 Pistol. My First Training Experience at Gunsite Academy. Heres what I found on how well they worked. FN 503 Specifications Type: Striker-Fired, Recoil-Operated, Semi-Automatic Cartridge: 9mm Luger Capacity: 6+1 rds., 8+1 rds. Across all of these, the Glock performed with 100% reliability. Pro Ears Silver 22: Electronic Earmuffs Under $100. As my circumstances change, so will my gun selection. Please send all support inquiries to support@lonestarstatefirearms.com, 2022 LoneStarStateFirearms.com | Designed & Hosted by, Radical Firearms FR24 24" 6.5 Grendel Budget AR (1 MOA Rifle), Dance Moms: An Unhappy Mini (Season 6 Flashback) | Lifetime. Thanks for the info on the RTK. What is definitely oversized is the slide release, lots of meat on it for you to get ahold of with ease. Why are front serations important to anyone? Both guns also feature a modular platform and the 503 allows the shooter to change grip assemblies. The Judge has been promoted! When you press the magazine release to drop the magazine a bullet immediately falls out before clearing the bullet thats in the chamber. The frame offers plenty of room for a thumbs-forward shooting position, and while the almost flush-fit six-round magazine will leave most shooters grip with a pinky finger unsupported, the eight-round magazine has enough to maintain confident control. The mags include a flush fit 6-rounder with a pinky grip extension and an extended 8-shot mag with a grip sleeve that adds about an inch to the height. It shoots smooth for a small Carry gun. Bravo to FN! One of the best things about this little shooter is the ergonomics! Yeah thatll work. We'll only use the information provided according to our privacy policy. Looking into buying one and dont want to get ripped off! From the magazine springs to the metals finish, and the grip texturing to the muzzles recessed target-like crown, I find that every aspect of the FN 503 is well designed for serious shooters. Its easy once you understand the procedure, but strong hands and a review of the owners manual make the task faster and simpler. All of that pent up demand has now been unleashed, and everything related to the new gun stands to bring customers through the doors. Ive been dragging my feet on my review, but I did capture velocity with some loads that you didnt cover in your list. The 503 series is FN's first sub-compact, striker-fired semiautomatic pistol. The FN 503 is very new to the market right now so we might see better aftermarket options for larger magazines soon. Im also a fan of the black nitride finish for carry. Travis Pike is a former Marine Machine gunner who served with 2nd Bn 2nd Marines for 5 years. When carrying, the FN 503 is almost indistinguishable from the popular G43, P365 and XD-S. Sights on this is a standard 3-dot set up, while some night sights would have been nice right out of the box the standard white 3-dots are acceptable. I was also at the Glock event in April, and seemed to have a less than amazing initial impression as well, and I think some of this was due to the slide not locking open after the last round. 509 midsize is my 1st option. How does the 503 compare to other similar-size guns in this category? Should you decide to purchase something from one of those companies, I make a small commission. The bulk of what we shot was Federal American Eagle red box 115-grain FMJs. Ive got a pretty solid feel for this pistol, and I hope I can relate that to you. FN has worked some magic though and produced probably the best factory sub-compact trigger on the market. Thanks for the blog. I like it overall. Due to lack of inventory I didnt have much choice . Thanks again. Sights are typical dot and box type sights that are used across the line. After that article was done, Glock granted me an extension to hold onto the gun for an addition 60 days for this review. Thanks! The grip is slightly narrower than the slide at .89 inch, and the depth of the grip is roughly 2.2 inches. Make sure to take a look at the full video review and subscribe to Pew Pew Tactical! Owned hk and glock over the years and this is my first FN, pretty disappointed overall. At this point, there are so many subcompact and compact poly striker pistols to choose from. And if it doesis it the right one for you? So we put the FN 503 against some of the other giants in the category for you to get a better idea of just how small this sub-compact is. The Hellcat is a class-leading concealed carry pistol. Excellent sights, great accuracy & reliability for $450ish? Joe Kurtenbach and Caleb Giddings also look at the first-ever optics-ready carry revolvers with the new Taurus 605 and 856 T.O.R.O. They made a frame with a built in light for the 503. Everything else in this class feels like a $200 gun for sale for $450 YMMV, Love my 503 and love that sights work with the 509, Thank you for the review. Just buy extra mags. All work on firearms should be carried out by a licensed individual and all state and federal rules apply to such. The 503 didnt falter. I guess the round count just seems like a curious choice on a stellar firearm. Thanks. Do carry guns need great triggers? . I would have preferred a full size as carrying is not an option here in NJ but again a 3 month wait was too long after 4 months of waiting for my firearms ID card. Chris Johnson, FN Senior Product Manager, walks us through two new FN striker-fired pistols at SHOT Show 2023: the FN 510 Tactical, chambered in 10mm Auto, and the FN 545 Tactical, chambered in .45 ACP. The FN 503, inspired by FNs legendary heritage, is the companys first entry into the slim 9mm pistol market. That's nearly 0.4 inches shorter overall than a Glock 43 and 0.2 inches shorter than Smith & Wesson's M&P Shield. I still like my Walther PPS. However, the travel is a bit long and the reset travel a bit longer as well compared to other subcompact triggers. Get Guns.com offers and news!! Slimness goes a long way in hot humid S.Fl. They are as follows: The FN 503 has knurling on the front and back of the grips, with texturing on the side panels of the grip housing. You wont win any marksmanship awards with a 3 barrel, but for a CCW youll be on target. I now own the FN 503 with flash/strobe light. Weve got a dedicated section for the AR-15 here. To end my notes on concealing the 503, nothing jabbed, stabbed or dug at my body. However, an extra 30-40 fps might help a 9mm hollow point bullet expand in flesh after encountering clothing. Overall, it's a very decent pistol, though it's about 5 years late to the game. L to R, Sig Sauer P365, FN 503, Glock G43 Slightly larger than the Sig Sauer P365 and slightly smaller than a Glock G43 the FN 503 strikes a nice balance between the two. Since 1889, FN has been recognized as one of the worlds most-respected firearms manufacturers. I just picked one up about 2 weeks ago. The FN 503 Slim Line 9 mm came out on March 17, 2020. As far as design, this one does look very grade schooleresque. Im buying one for my personal use, and I expect it will be my daily carry for any time I am not testing another pistol. About half of this test took place in the midst of a steady rain. None of the other companies in this article are advertisers either. Much prefer a reversible option. You may also enjoy these popular articles: MTC Holsters, LLC and CrossBreed Holsters Blog, 2020. For me, the gun did not work wellfor pocket carry. Interesting velocity measurements. Could care less about capacity issue. Before I get too far down the road of my experiences, let me describe the gun to you. Kydex against the skin is painful; leather against the skin is comfortable. The accuracy test seemed to prove this in that the Glock results of a "fist" sized group, or approximately a 4 inch to a 4.5-inch group, versus the 7.5-inch group I achieved with the FN 509.. I had been invited in April to the launch party Glock threw right before the NRA show. (Ed. Whats the best concraled carry holster for the glock and hellcat? Im glad I bought one. Windage and drift adjustments are handled by recessed screws. Take down is the same as any other Glock. From everyone Ive spoken to that owns one, the guns are just as dependable as the larger guns in the companys catalog. Thanks! 1.0 9mm and a 2.0 Performance Center 9mm. This is a Good crime solving site in sris lawyer, The most typical interactions with police enforcement personnel are traffic stops, thus it is crucial to understand how to respond in this circumstance. I willingly spend my own money with them. Well, now its FNs turn with their FN 503! 1 more deal from kygunco.com 488.99 View Deal Fn 503 Pistol 9Mm 3.1 Barrel 8-Round/6-Round Includes. But the magazine capacity does hold it back, we hope to see that change soon but for right now at least if more rounds on your person is important to you the FN 503 does fall short. Sound off in the comments, we want to hear from you! Thats interesting about the HTP. The Concealed Carry Channel 32K views 2 years ago FN 509C vs HK VP9SK: Your Non-Glock Alternatives Gunscom 12K views 4 months ago FN 509 VS Glock G19 in a Defensive Battle Gunscom 77K. Would you do a little more indepth take down, like removing the striker and block for cleaning then reassemble and test function. My impression is that the 503 looks, feels, and is finished like a $450 gun that sells for around $450. Stoeger Cougar 8000 9mm: Newer Isn't Always Better. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jenn Jacques and the CrossBreed Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. The slide measures .9-inch wide. However, she said that it was only a problem from the standpoint of fatigue setting in sooner, not from an inability to control the recoil. If youre looking for maximum concealment, the FN 503 is a good choice. I dont know if this is suggestive of a quality control problem, but I had no problems with my unit. Not only does this make installing a red-dot and changing batteries easier, it's also nearly as robust as the best direct-mill solutions. The latest and greatest thing in compact firearms is basically the Sig Sauer P365, with how incredibly popular it has become everyone is now trying to come out with their version of the lean and mean sub-compact CCW. The ones that nobody wanted. Thanks for the feedback and compliments. The trigger pull felt slightly heavier than that on other Glock pistols I have shot. The 503 will be as easy to conceal as other comparable guns, which is to say that you can wear it under light clothing without printing, as a backup or a deep-cover hideout. The gun felt great in the hand, especially with the longer mag inserted, and is well built, with good fit and finish, perhaps better than in many plastic fantastics which are often built with economy in mind. The three-dot iron sights are low-profile, while trigger pull averages 5 pounds-force (22 N). I love both the 503 and 509! Sorry FN, too late to the party with nothing new to bring. The white three-dot sights are easy to acquire and feel right. Some have described the G43 as a single stack version of the Glock 26. Everything you would need in a review video keep it up!! Press the magazine release button, which is reversible, and even an empty one drops free of the gun. How much ? Hand-Picked Daily GUN DEALS, and Exclusive Coupons Codes >>>, Springfield Hellcat with its 11 round standard mag, Good ergonomics even with large hands with the extended mag, Needs some breaking-in of about 100 rounds for the gun to shoot reliably, Lower capacity mags 6 rounds for standard, 8 rounds for extended, Comes with 6 round and 8 round extended mag. SCCY DVG-1 Sub-Compact Striker-Fired Pistol: Full Review, SIG Sauer Custom Works P320 Spectre Comp Pistol: First Look, Springfield Armory Hellion 5.56 NATO Bullpup Rifle: Tested, Wilson Combat SFX9 5-Inch Solid Frame 9mm Pistol: First Look, The 6mm ARC Cartridge: Why the Military Needed It, .224 Valkyrie Small Precision Rifle Cartridge: Everything You Need to Know, SIG Sauer P322 Rimfire Pistol: First Look, How to Choose the Best Scope Reticle for Your Application. The gun has been around for a few years now, so its been tested and pushed to the breaking point, and we all collectively know that the Glock 43 kicks butt in the reliability department for long term usage. The slab-sided grip presents micro-texturing on the sides and pronounced square checkering molded to the front and backstraps for better recoil control. So will my gun selection an extra 30-40 fps might help a 9mm point. But that number is still awesome for any subcompact million rounds during development! 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