The Freedom Ordnance FX-9 OWNERS thread.
- Thread starter trailskinpat
- Start date
lanman2000
New member
- Location
- Burlington ON
Why are the restricteds so hard to find right now? I want one... Any length 4(/8/10). New or used doesn't seem to be available anywhere??!
OK,I got my FX -9 back from Wolverine Supplies. The issues were:
1. Case bulging in both the 18.5" and 10" upper. Both uppers required barrel replacements due to excessive head spacing. After my range session this afternoon I am pleased to report both barrels spat out fired cases with no evidence of excessive case bulging.
2. Bolt not being held back after last round. At the range the bolt was held back after the last round was fired. The fix was for the bolt catch lever had to be bent in order for it to work. OK maybe Freedom Ordnance might want to make this part so it works without requiring the warranty centre to bend the part. When I got home I noticed the part was loose with the retaining screw about to fall out. I tightened the screw down. From the outside of the receiver you can see how the angle of the bolt release has changed from vertical to slightly canted. Hopefully it will continue to work. Gazelle reports his continues to work so I am hopeful.
I have to say none of this should happen for a rifle that costs north of a grand. Sorry but CNC equipment and computer designing should have fixed these issues. There is no comparison between the Raven 9 and the FX 9 when it comes to build quality. You pay a little more for the Raven but get a lot more rifle IMHO.
The upside to the FX 9 you can but a 10" upper for the gun for competition in IPSC which should attract IPSC shooters. You can shoot the shorter barrel in Canada but due to the US Federal Gun laws being what they are, as a Canadian you won't be able to compete with it in the US - Small Barrel Rifle rules prohibit foreigners from obtaining a SBR stamp. The downside to my Raven it does not like 147 gr RNFP bullets yet. That may change as time goes on. I use gas checked lead bullets in my 10" upper. My Raven has a comp/muzzle break on the end of it so lead usage is out. The 18.5" FX9 has a flash suppressor on it from the factory and lead builds up in it if I use lead bullets so I will use 147gr plated in it.
Based upon the PCC's I have owned and/or shot:
Build Quality and performance for money spent.
Rated A
Beretta CX4 Storm 16" crappy trigger that you can replace with metal sparts. Build quality and design gets this carbine the A rating.
CZ Scorpion 18.5" Carbine and shorter version'
Raven 9 if it continues to run as it has early on. The most versatile of any of the guns here. Conversion to several other calibers will soon be offered. the 223 version is out and it sings, Buy Me
Ruger PCC the basic version I had was accurate, well made and 100% reliable and it ate every bullet design I offered it. At around $900 this is a great gun. The factory tactical forearm adds weight to a very heavy gun.
Rated B
Freedom Ordnance FX 9 (Bending parts to make them work out not have to be done by the warranty centre.) This gun can be made into a great little competition gun but you will spend coin to get there as you will with most of these guns in the B category. If you are just competing to be out there with the guys the gun will allow you to do that. You might get one that is built right , right of the box. It isn't winning the lottery but you can put it in the RATED A group. I didn't so it sits in the B Section.
Rate C
Kel tec Sub2K - barely useable polymer sights, not designed for an Optic of any kind. If you replace the trigger, bolt pull back thingy, buy a mounting rig that can be swung out of the way so the gun can be folded or slightly drill out the rear peep sight the gun can be made into a useable plinker. If you want a trail gun to pick up the odd rabbit, squirrel or grouse for a meal a 22LR or 410 shotgun would make more sense. For a truck gun you will never use, this gun might be your cup of tea. There is no upside to this gun as I never felt it would survive a summer of heavy competition.
Take Care
Bob
1. Case bulging in both the 18.5" and 10" upper. Both uppers required barrel replacements due to excessive head spacing. After my range session this afternoon I am pleased to report both barrels spat out fired cases with no evidence of excessive case bulging.
2. Bolt not being held back after last round. At the range the bolt was held back after the last round was fired. The fix was for the bolt catch lever had to be bent in order for it to work. OK maybe Freedom Ordnance might want to make this part so it works without requiring the warranty centre to bend the part. When I got home I noticed the part was loose with the retaining screw about to fall out. I tightened the screw down. From the outside of the receiver you can see how the angle of the bolt release has changed from vertical to slightly canted. Hopefully it will continue to work. Gazelle reports his continues to work so I am hopeful.
I have to say none of this should happen for a rifle that costs north of a grand. Sorry but CNC equipment and computer designing should have fixed these issues. There is no comparison between the Raven 9 and the FX 9 when it comes to build quality. You pay a little more for the Raven but get a lot more rifle IMHO.
The upside to the FX 9 you can but a 10" upper for the gun for competition in IPSC which should attract IPSC shooters. You can shoot the shorter barrel in Canada but due to the US Federal Gun laws being what they are, as a Canadian you won't be able to compete with it in the US - Small Barrel Rifle rules prohibit foreigners from obtaining a SBR stamp. The downside to my Raven it does not like 147 gr RNFP bullets yet. That may change as time goes on. I use gas checked lead bullets in my 10" upper. My Raven has a comp/muzzle break on the end of it so lead usage is out. The 18.5" FX9 has a flash suppressor on it from the factory and lead builds up in it if I use lead bullets so I will use 147gr plated in it.
Based upon the PCC's I have owned and/or shot:
Build Quality and performance for money spent.
Rated A
Beretta CX4 Storm 16" crappy trigger that you can replace with metal sparts. Build quality and design gets this carbine the A rating.
CZ Scorpion 18.5" Carbine and shorter version'
Raven 9 if it continues to run as it has early on. The most versatile of any of the guns here. Conversion to several other calibers will soon be offered. the 223 version is out and it sings, Buy Me
Ruger PCC the basic version I had was accurate, well made and 100% reliable and it ate every bullet design I offered it. At around $900 this is a great gun. The factory tactical forearm adds weight to a very heavy gun.
Rated B
Freedom Ordnance FX 9 (Bending parts to make them work out not have to be done by the warranty centre.) This gun can be made into a great little competition gun but you will spend coin to get there as you will with most of these guns in the B category. If you are just competing to be out there with the guys the gun will allow you to do that. You might get one that is built right , right of the box. It isn't winning the lottery but you can put it in the RATED A group. I didn't so it sits in the B Section.
Rate C
Kel tec Sub2K - barely useable polymer sights, not designed for an Optic of any kind. If you replace the trigger, bolt pull back thingy, buy a mounting rig that can be swung out of the way so the gun can be folded or slightly drill out the rear peep sight the gun can be made into a useable plinker. If you want a trail gun to pick up the odd rabbit, squirrel or grouse for a meal a 22LR or 410 shotgun would make more sense. For a truck gun you will never use, this gun might be your cup of tea. There is no upside to this gun as I never felt it would survive a summer of heavy competition.
Take Care
Bob
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Going to do a bit of experimenting. I am going to load some bunny fart loads using 147 gr bullets running the factory 3oz buffer and factory spring to see if the gun will run reliably using the 10" barrel. The lead likely would not make IPSC or IDPA Power Factor but might be flat shooting with little recoil for steel shoots. I put a Raven Comp/Brake on my 10" barrel upper.
Take Care
Bob
Take Care
Bob
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I’ve owned my FX9 little over a year now, I’ve put about.. 1500+ rounds through the firearm. I’ve had personally no jams but my friends has somehow made jams happen. I’ve had one casing bulge when my friend was using it and double feeds due to my friends error.
I’ve added the following modifications.
TNA slip over muzzle brake mock suppressor
Magpul MBUS Gen 2 Front and rear sights
BCM fore grip
BCM grip
Hiperfire Comp Trigger
Armaspec 45 selector switch
Magpul STR stock
AR10 buffer spring
TNA 8.75oz buffer
Vortex Crossfire II 1-4
Aero precision 30mm mount
Nickk custom charging handle! Epic mod.
I haven’t seen or my friends haven’t had anything since the buffer and spring got changed. Really happy.
I’ve used 115g from Blaze, 124g Norma, 124g FH, and 124g REM. Haven’t tired 147g but it feeds quite well. I won’t use rem anymore because they had a lot of duds but it’s all good!
Unfortunately I don’t take pics of my firearms. Sorry guys
I’ve added the following modifications.
TNA slip over muzzle brake mock suppressor
Magpul MBUS Gen 2 Front and rear sights
BCM fore grip
BCM grip
Hiperfire Comp Trigger
Armaspec 45 selector switch
Magpul STR stock
AR10 buffer spring
TNA 8.75oz buffer
Vortex Crossfire II 1-4
Aero precision 30mm mount
Nickk custom charging handle! Epic mod.
I haven’t seen or my friends haven’t had anything since the buffer and spring got changed. Really happy.
I’ve used 115g from Blaze, 124g Norma, 124g FH, and 124g REM. Haven’t tired 147g but it feeds quite well. I won’t use rem anymore because they had a lot of duds but it’s all good!
Unfortunately I don’t take pics of my firearms. Sorry guys
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Well I can jump in on the photos with one of my own! Here's the current state of my FX-9:
FX-9 Gen 2
Magpul CTR Stock
Magpul MOE Grip
2 Packs Magpul MLOK Covers
Magpul Hand Stop
MBUS3 Front Sight
SIG Romeo5
Vortex Micro 3x
nickk Charging Handle
Haven't been to the range in a while, but I'm hoping to change that tomorrow. Stock and front post haven't been tested at the range yet, so we'll see how it goes! No rear MBUS because there is no space on the upper and I didn't want to have both off the upper, but thanks to the barrel length it should be possible to co-witness the front sight through the red dot glasses at >100 yards if the dot ever fails.
Very happy with how the FDE / Black mix is panning out, only missing a sling and a light and then she's done for now!
FX-9 Gen 2
Magpul CTR Stock
Magpul MOE Grip
2 Packs Magpul MLOK Covers
Magpul Hand Stop
MBUS3 Front Sight
SIG Romeo5
Vortex Micro 3x
nickk Charging Handle
Haven't been to the range in a while, but I'm hoping to change that tomorrow. Stock and front post haven't been tested at the range yet, so we'll see how it goes! No rear MBUS because there is no space on the upper and I didn't want to have both off the upper, but thanks to the barrel length it should be possible to co-witness the front sight through the red dot glasses at >100 yards if the dot ever fails.
Very happy with how the FDE / Black mix is panning out, only missing a sling and a light and then she's done for now!
The more I shoot my FX9 the more I learn or think I do. Last week I took my 9 out and began seeing the gun not lock back after the last round. It dawned.on me this malfunction started after I changed the buffer from the 3+ oz to 11oz. I initially went with an 8 oz Buffer. No improvement was noted so I went back to the factory 3oz buffer. Note the buffers get longer as the buffer weight increases and I have a carbine length buffer tube. The 6 & 8 oz buffers are about a half inch longer and the 11oz almost that much again. It turns out the added length of the buffer was affecting the guns ability to lock back. That at least seems to be the case with my gun. The gun enjoys round nose bullets but still seems to be mag specific when it comes to flat nose bullets. This is a sample of one and your gun maybe different. Fortunately the SHK 10/32 mags work well in my Raven9 as well as the FX9 so I'll stick to that make and forget having others for this gun. The 10 inch barrel upper is great for competition so life is good.
Take Care
Bob
Take Care
Bob
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Hi Bob,
I noticed the same thing with an 11oz buffer on mine it was significantly longer than a standard carbine buffer and the Odin Works adjustable buffer I had. With the buffer spring fully compressed and the bolt back, the bolt would extend past the bolt hold. I solved this by taking just the buffer bumper from my adjustable Odin Works and putting it on my 11oz buffer. The Odin Works buffer bumper was shorter by just enough so the bolt would clear the bold hold open with the 11oz buffer.
terBC I guess the answer to all of this is if you want to run heavy bullets you have to consider buying a rifle buffer buttstock with a longer buffer tube. I also learned if you use an adjustable buffer don't go lower than 8 oz. To light a buffer that is to long for the carbine you can destroy the plastic base of the buffer.....don't ask.lol
Take Care
Bob
Take Care
Bob
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Anyone try this setup? JR carbine buffer tube, rifle length flatwire spring like the tubbs, and Kynshot hydraulic buffer with a spacer weight or two. Softens recoil but not good for competition shooting apparently due to dot bounce.
https://blowback9.wordpress.com/2022/12/06/ultimate-gentle-recoil-9mm-ar/
https://blowback9.wordpress.com/2022/12/06/ultimate-gentle-recoil-9mm-ar/
Bob,
Thanks for the input, I usually run 115 and 127, I don't reload. Wouldn't a rifle or a5 buffer tube with a 9mm heavy buffer have the same issue that a carbine buffer and carbine tube have specifically with the distance between the bolt and the bolt catch and potentially breaking the bolt catch as the bolt has more space to pick up speed before engaging the bolt catch? I've read that people usually put in quarters into the back off the carbine buffer tube and a regular bolt to deal with that extra space?
seamus,
I looked into the Gentle Recoil setup before, I couldn't source the JRC buffer tube and the kynshot buffer was more than I was willing to spend. I've spent quite a bit of time on the blowback 9 site which is how i ended up with an 110z buffer to make up the 22oz suggested weight with the fx9 bolt.
Thanks for the input, I usually run 115 and 127, I don't reload. Wouldn't a rifle or a5 buffer tube with a 9mm heavy buffer have the same issue that a carbine buffer and carbine tube have specifically with the distance between the bolt and the bolt catch and potentially breaking the bolt catch as the bolt has more space to pick up speed before engaging the bolt catch? I've read that people usually put in quarters into the back off the carbine buffer tube and a regular bolt to deal with that extra space?
seamus,
I looked into the Gentle Recoil setup before, I couldn't source the JRC buffer tube and the kynshot buffer was more than I was willing to spend. I've spent quite a bit of time on the blowback 9 site which is how i ended up with an 110z buffer to make up the 22oz suggested weight with the fx9 bolt.
terBC you likely are right. I may go with an AR tube and then make up some of the extra space with quarters. I want to just extend the length of travel to just accommodate the extra length of the 11oz buffer and no more. He'll it just costs money to find out and you can't take it with you.
Maple Leaf Up
Bob
Maple Leaf Up
Bob
Bob,
In case this helps you, I took some measurements of my 11oz bolt From the factory it's 101.70mm and it's too long to activate the bolt catch on the FX9. When i swapped the buffer bumpy with the Odin Works adjustable 9mm buffer the length of the 11oz buffer then became 98.60mm. By decreasing the length of the 110oz bolt by 3.1mm it was enough that it will activate the bolt catch on the FX9. If all you want to do is extend the length just enough, you probably don't need much length only a couple mm, or you can try to decrease the length of the bolt by a couple mm. I got the idea of trying the odin works bumper from another forum I was reading and how the poster took an angle grinder to their 9mm bolt to shorten it. I didn't want to go the permanent route, so I tried the Odin Works bumper to see if it would decrease the length enough.
In case this helps you, I took some measurements of my 11oz bolt From the factory it's 101.70mm and it's too long to activate the bolt catch on the FX9. When i swapped the buffer bumpy with the Odin Works adjustable 9mm buffer the length of the 11oz buffer then became 98.60mm. By decreasing the length of the 110oz bolt by 3.1mm it was enough that it will activate the bolt catch on the FX9. If all you want to do is extend the length just enough, you probably don't need much length only a couple mm, or you can try to decrease the length of the bolt by a couple mm. I got the idea of trying the odin works bumper from another forum I was reading and how the poster took an angle grinder to their 9mm bolt to shorten it. I didn't want to go the permanent route, so I tried the Odin Works bumper to see if it would decrease the length enough.
Mine seems to be working now with the mags I use. I wouldn't be grinding the bolt. I am going to run with it as it is now. I'll have a supply of RN bullets shortly and if all goes well I'll leave well enough alone. I may invest in a better trigger at some point but that will be it. I had a friend of mine pick up 10 x 10/32 SHK mags for less than $10us so I should be set.
Take Care
Bob
Take Care
Bob
Bob,
Sounds like your experience was different than mine then if you found mags that activate the bolt catch. I couldn't even manually engage my bolt catch due to the extra length of the 11oz buffer. I mistyped above, the forum I was reading the poster had cut a section off his buffer not his bolt and then re attached the buffer bumper on it to decrease the length of the buffer not the bolt. This is how I came up with the idea to swap the bumpers
theoutdoorstrader.com/threads/heavier-buffer-question-ar9.1591444/page-5
For reference here are pictures of the buffer bumpers. The one on the left is the factory 11oz one, the one on the right is the Odin Works one.
Glad you found mags that work consistently for with yours and you don't have to do any more modifications.
Sounds like your experience was different than mine then if you found mags that activate the bolt catch. I couldn't even manually engage my bolt catch due to the extra length of the 11oz buffer. I mistyped above, the forum I was reading the poster had cut a section off his buffer not his bolt and then re attached the buffer bumper on it to decrease the length of the buffer not the bolt. This is how I came up with the idea to swap the bumpers
theoutdoorstrader.com/threads/heavier-buffer-question-ar9.1591444/page-5
For reference here are pictures of the buffer bumpers. The one on the left is the factory 11oz one, the one on the right is the Odin Works one.
Glad you found mags that work consistently for with yours and you don't have to do any more modifications.
Attachments
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terBC I deleted my previous comments after my range visit today. After reading your post I checked the length of the buffers I have. Aside from the 3 oz FX9 factory buffer (3.25")all the others were the same length ie 4". I have a 6oz, and 110z no name buffer a factory 8oz Lockhart and a Lockhart adjustable 10.5ozbuffer. The Lockhart 8oz buffer works fine so I was satisfied the length of my buffers were no causing my last range visit problems.
At the range tody I used the 11oz buffer in my FX9 10" with a heavy spring and the 10.5oz adjustable in my Raven9.. Both guns operated fine with the last round locking back the bolt. I had checked earlier today to see if the 11oz no name was clearing the breach and it was. The ammunition I used was Federal Factory, 147 gr and 125 TC Lead bullets with GC. Both would easily exceed 135 PF . The previous range trip used a variety of loads some of whom were just under 125 PF and may have just been to light for the bolt to clear the bolt catch.
Left to Right:
FX9 Factory Buffer
6oz Buffer
Lockhart 8 oz Buffer
11oz Buffer
The last three are all the same length. They are not exactly aligned correctly. The Lockhart Adjustible buffer was already in the Rave9 anr was 4", the same as the three long buffers in the picture.
My two principle carbines are now running ok. I have a S&W Pro 9MM in a Kidon Kit that works hast as well as these carbines without the drama of the FX9 . I have 2 OIC carbines that are as reliable as the sunrise but presently in Gun Safe Jail. I am hopeful once we elect Pierre P. both of them will receive a PM Pardon and again become part of my sporting activities ie IDPA PCC and 2Gun shoots for PCC and Handgun.
Take Care
Bob
At the range tody I used the 11oz buffer in my FX9 10" with a heavy spring and the 10.5oz adjustable in my Raven9.. Both guns operated fine with the last round locking back the bolt. I had checked earlier today to see if the 11oz no name was clearing the breach and it was. The ammunition I used was Federal Factory, 147 gr and 125 TC Lead bullets with GC. Both would easily exceed 135 PF . The previous range trip used a variety of loads some of whom were just under 125 PF and may have just been to light for the bolt to clear the bolt catch.
Left to Right:
FX9 Factory Buffer
6oz Buffer
Lockhart 8 oz Buffer
11oz Buffer
The last three are all the same length. They are not exactly aligned correctly. The Lockhart Adjustible buffer was already in the Rave9 anr was 4", the same as the three long buffers in the picture.
My two principle carbines are now running ok. I have a S&W Pro 9MM in a Kidon Kit that works hast as well as these carbines without the drama of the FX9 . I have 2 OIC carbines that are as reliable as the sunrise but presently in Gun Safe Jail. I am hopeful once we elect Pierre P. both of them will receive a PM Pardon and again become part of my sporting activities ie IDPA PCC and 2Gun shoots for PCC and Handgun.
Take Care
Bob
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