Introduction
I've been shooting my Sig 226 in 9mm in IDPA for years now and has been my fav pistol I've ever shot. I have an almost unlimited supply of lead so it became time to think of going to 45ACP as it cost no more to me. Look into the Glock 21 and was my first choice as I did have a G20. But after having shot the G20 with poor results for months I decided to go to another brand. Looked at the XD-45, M&P45, 1911 and the Sig 220. Owning a Sig, going to the 220 was a logical step but I really wanted a double stack mag to get 10 rounds. I've also owned a 1911 and a M&P 9 (didn't see the M&P45 bring that much difference) and they aren't really my thing. The XD-45 did nothing for me as well. These are all great pistol and am not saying there was a problem with them, only that they didn't work for me. So that really only left my with the FNP.
Buying this pistol at first was not even on the list but after being "forced" (like I needed to be) to hold one it soon became apparent that this was the pistol I was looking for. So a call to Steve at Arms East (a highly recommended dealer) and after a few laughs talking with him, an order for the FNP45 was made. I ordered the USG model as I wanted the ability to "#### and lock" (condition one). The safety does not interfere with the operation of the pistol as all controls are functional weather it is on or not (minus the trigger of course).
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Review
It arrived on weds night and after opening the package this was what was in the case. The pistol, 3 mags (2-10/14's and 1-10/15), 2 back straps, locking cable, booklet, inspection tag and test round case.
I've read and seen lots of reports about saying that the FNP45 is a "big" pistol and I just don't see that true to me. I put it next to my 226 Elite and I really don't see much, if any, difference to there compared size. Being that my Elite has the rosewood grips and there are much bigger than the normal 226 might be why I don't notice it. I was also able to find the FNP45 shooters pack from a dealer in the USA. They are a discontinued item from FN/BladeTech so there are getting really hard to find. In the pack comes the holster/belt loops (also comes with paddle), double mag holder and a plastic training barrel.
226 9mm and FNP45
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Range Report
Factory Ammo
So to start off with a basis of performance I wanted to get a box of factory ammo. All shot were at 18 meters and off a rest to max accuracy. I was wanting to find some better quality stuff but after getting to the store all I was able to find was Blazer and American Eagle both in 230gr rn. The blazer was the aluminum case and as I reload that was out of the question so I went with the AE. Normally the AE is "ok" at best so I wan't really expecting great results from it. The FNP45 shot all the AE ammo perfectly with no FTF's. The first mag of AE thought the FNP was giving me the results I was expecting.
But putting the second and third mag though it gave me and unexpected surprise.
Top (first mag) to bottom (third mag)
My Reloads
So after putting it though the paces it was now time for my loads. All of them are 230gr lead with Titegroup. I loaded up 15 rounds or 3 different charges. First were at 4.0g, next 15 were 4.4g and the last 15 were at 4.7g.
4.0g
Less than stellar results with 4 stovepipes.
4.4g
Getting better with no FTF's
4.7g
Best with no FTF's
Now my load are not up to the Factory American Eagle which really surprised me as my lead 124g 9mm out of my Sig are really accurate. There not as good as the factory stuff but I'm hoping that it will improve as time go's on. Might have to switch to a different powder. Overall there not to bad. I also have 200gr SWC that I would like to try but not sure if it would cycle properly as I have heard that those are not the best in 45ACP.
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Final Thought
Well after one day to the range this pistol has become my new fav or at least on par with my Sig 226. The only way I can describe what it is like is that if H&K and Sig Sauer got together and had a kid, this would be the offspring. A polymer frame and stainless slide. A DA/SA trigger with a decocker. Double stack with a full 10 rounds of 45 (15 if your in the USA you bastards!!!
) Fit and finish are superb. I have not one negative thing to say about it. As a matter of fact, I think my next handgun will be the FNX9 as I like this gun so much.
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One Last Note
About Arms East, what can I say but thank you!!! Steve was a pleasure to speak with and his responses to my email were almost reply in about an hour after sending it!!! Even Walter reply to one at 11 pm Pacific Time as that means he was working at 03:30 his local time My hats off to you folks at Arms East
I've been shooting my Sig 226 in 9mm in IDPA for years now and has been my fav pistol I've ever shot. I have an almost unlimited supply of lead so it became time to think of going to 45ACP as it cost no more to me. Look into the Glock 21 and was my first choice as I did have a G20. But after having shot the G20 with poor results for months I decided to go to another brand. Looked at the XD-45, M&P45, 1911 and the Sig 220. Owning a Sig, going to the 220 was a logical step but I really wanted a double stack mag to get 10 rounds. I've also owned a 1911 and a M&P 9 (didn't see the M&P45 bring that much difference) and they aren't really my thing. The XD-45 did nothing for me as well. These are all great pistol and am not saying there was a problem with them, only that they didn't work for me. So that really only left my with the FNP.
Buying this pistol at first was not even on the list but after being "forced" (like I needed to be) to hold one it soon became apparent that this was the pistol I was looking for. So a call to Steve at Arms East (a highly recommended dealer) and after a few laughs talking with him, an order for the FNP45 was made. I ordered the USG model as I wanted the ability to "#### and lock" (condition one). The safety does not interfere with the operation of the pistol as all controls are functional weather it is on or not (minus the trigger of course).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Review
It arrived on weds night and after opening the package this was what was in the case. The pistol, 3 mags (2-10/14's and 1-10/15), 2 back straps, locking cable, booklet, inspection tag and test round case.
I've read and seen lots of reports about saying that the FNP45 is a "big" pistol and I just don't see that true to me. I put it next to my 226 Elite and I really don't see much, if any, difference to there compared size. Being that my Elite has the rosewood grips and there are much bigger than the normal 226 might be why I don't notice it. I was also able to find the FNP45 shooters pack from a dealer in the USA. They are a discontinued item from FN/BladeTech so there are getting really hard to find. In the pack comes the holster/belt loops (also comes with paddle), double mag holder and a plastic training barrel.
226 9mm and FNP45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range Report
Factory Ammo
So to start off with a basis of performance I wanted to get a box of factory ammo. All shot were at 18 meters and off a rest to max accuracy. I was wanting to find some better quality stuff but after getting to the store all I was able to find was Blazer and American Eagle both in 230gr rn. The blazer was the aluminum case and as I reload that was out of the question so I went with the AE. Normally the AE is "ok" at best so I wan't really expecting great results from it. The FNP45 shot all the AE ammo perfectly with no FTF's. The first mag of AE thought the FNP was giving me the results I was expecting.
But putting the second and third mag though it gave me and unexpected surprise.
Top (first mag) to bottom (third mag)
My Reloads
So after putting it though the paces it was now time for my loads. All of them are 230gr lead with Titegroup. I loaded up 15 rounds or 3 different charges. First were at 4.0g, next 15 were 4.4g and the last 15 were at 4.7g.
4.0g
Less than stellar results with 4 stovepipes.
4.4g
Getting better with no FTF's
4.7g
Best with no FTF's
Now my load are not up to the Factory American Eagle which really surprised me as my lead 124g 9mm out of my Sig are really accurate. There not as good as the factory stuff but I'm hoping that it will improve as time go's on. Might have to switch to a different powder. Overall there not to bad. I also have 200gr SWC that I would like to try but not sure if it would cycle properly as I have heard that those are not the best in 45ACP.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Thought
Well after one day to the range this pistol has become my new fav or at least on par with my Sig 226. The only way I can describe what it is like is that if H&K and Sig Sauer got together and had a kid, this would be the offspring. A polymer frame and stainless slide. A DA/SA trigger with a decocker. Double stack with a full 10 rounds of 45 (15 if your in the USA you bastards!!!
) Fit and finish are superb. I have not one negative thing to say about it. As a matter of fact, I think my next handgun will be the FNX9 as I like this gun so much.--------------------------------------------------------------------------
One Last Note
About Arms East, what can I say but thank you!!! Steve was a pleasure to speak with and his responses to my email were almost reply in about an hour after sending it!!! Even Walter reply to one at 11 pm Pacific Time as that means he was working at 03:30 his local time
My hats off to you folks at Arms East
