The Freedom Ordnance FX-9 OWNERS thread.

[thegazelle]

Just unboxed mine from Bullseye.

Unfortunately, no mag included as I read on their website (I contacted them, apparently its a typo).

My CH is extremely loose in its pocket tho. Anybody else have this problem ?

I literally just got mine from Bullseye about an hour ago (via post office pickup). Absolutely gorgeous gun. And for me, I love the fact that apparently FO is a Christian company - the fish symbol on the back of their manual as well as the John 8:36 Bible verse...love it! I should have bought three of these.

Initial impressions (which is really initial since I was half barbecuing dinner for the kiddos and I as I was unboxing it. Feels solid, though immediate impression is slightly barrel heavy (it's ok because I have the Ruger PC9 with the alum handguard).

I too noticed right away that there was no magazine included. I checked the checklist tag that was affixed to the trigger guard. Apparently magazine inclusion was not checked off. Bummer. I wasn't sure whether the Bullseye North ad said there was one...(if not this is the first PCC/rifle that I have bought that didn't come with one).

Just checked Bullseye North website - it says no magazine or bottom rail included. Not sure if that's what it said originally or they had to change it. For me it's not a deal breaker, but slightly disappointed that the RDSC ones came with magazines. They may have been included by the retailer, though as a bonus. Again for me not a deal breaker. Been looking for this gun for a long time and very happy to have it.

My CH is not loose from what I can see - it will take a while for me to get used to this. I am so used to the traditional side charging handles.

Looked at manual insert before dinner and sure enough it did say initially use 115gr of specific brands. I just dropped by my local gun store and of course they didn't have any of those brands in 115gr (surprisingly). I did buy a box of Blazer 115gr but not sure if I should use it or not. May check some obscure mom and pop shops to see if I can find some of those brands like Wolf and Tulammo there (they may not be rare, I just haven't seen them in my travels). May just check EE and see if there is anyone selling these locally. I normally shoot 147gr and the occasional 124gr.

I am going to take it apart later tonight to see if the reports of it coming dry are true - if so I have a bunch of CLP ready to lube up the thing. Likely will shoot it for the first time this weekend, so pretty excited!! Got some Magpul GL9 mags as well as I heard the Glock OEMs aren't so great at last round bolt hold open.

Not sure how many rounds of 115gr I need to break in the gun - hopefully it's not more than 100, since I'd rather not drop any more money on 115gr. I think they did say they will accept 124gr but forgot the brand - too lazy to go upstairs to look at the manual...

Fast shipping by Bullseye, everything looks good. Gun is great ergonomics wise.

Curious whether the consensus is that these did not come with magazines. For those who ordered from other retailers and got magazines, what did you get? I would suspect they are third party ones, not OEM Glock or anything like that.

Will report in more once I had a chance to shoot it. I have it mated with a Holosun HS515GM. I also added a Magpul angled foregrip on it instead of a traditional foregrip.

 

[DavenK]

I literally just got mine from Bullseye about an hour ago (via post office pickup). Absolutely gorgeous gun. And for me, I love the fact that apparently FO is a Christian company - the fish symbol on the back of their manual as well as the John 8:36 Bible verse...love it! I should have bought three of these.

Initial impressions (which is really initial since I was half barbecuing dinner for the kiddos and I as I was unboxing it. Feels solid, though immediate impression is slightly barrel heavy (it's ok because I have the Ruger PC9 with the alum handguard).

I too noticed right away that there was no magazine included. I checked the checklist tag that was affixed to the trigger guard. Apparently magazine inclusion was not checked off. Bummer. I wasn't sure whether the Bullseye North ad said there was one...(if not this is the first PCC/rifle that I have bought that didn't come with one).

Just checked Bullseye North website - it says no magazine or bottom rail included. Not sure if that's what it said originally or they had to change it. For me it's not a deal breaker, but slightly disappointed that the RDSC ones came with magazines. They may have been included by the retailer, though as a bonus. Again for me not a deal breaker. Been looking for this gun for a long time and very happy to have it.

My CH is not loose from what I can see - it will take a while for me to get used to this. I am so used to the traditional side charging handles.

Looked at manual insert before dinner and sure enough it did say initially use 115gr of specific brands. I just dropped by my local gun store and of course they didn't have any of those brands in 115gr (surprisingly). I did buy a box of Blazer 115gr but not sure if I should use it or not. May check some obscure mom and pop shops to see if I can find some of those brands like Wolf and Tulammo there (they may not be rare, I just haven't seen them in my travels). May just check EE and see if there is anyone selling these locally. I normally shoot 147gr and the occasional 124gr.

I am going to take it apart later tonight to see if the reports of it coming dry are true - if so I have a bunch of CLP ready to lube up the thing. Likely will shoot it for the first time this weekend, so pretty excited!! Got some Magpul GL9 mags as well as I heard the Glock OEMs aren't so great at last round bolt hold open.

Not sure how many rounds of 115gr I need to break in the gun - hopefully it's not more than 100, since I'd rather not drop any more money on 115gr. I think they did say they will accept 124gr but forgot the brand - too lazy to go upstairs to look at the manual...

Fast shipping by Bullseye, everything looks good. Gun is great ergonomics wise.

Curious whether the consensus is that these did not come with magazines. For those who ordered from other retailers and got magazines, what did you get? I would suspect they are third party ones, not OEM Glock or anything like that.

Will report in more once I had a chance to shoot it. I have it mated with a Holosun HS515GM. I also added a Magpul angled foregrip on it instead of a traditional foregrip.

Would you be willing to measure the length of your CH for me please ? I have the impression mine is out of spec.
Also, do you have the "enhanced" CH as well ?

When arming the rifle, the CH will not latch in the pocket on its way back in battery as it seems too long.

https://imgur.com/a/YSr4tYl

 

[thegazelle]

Would you be willing to measure the length of your CH for me please ? I have the impression mine is out of spec.
Also, do you have the "enhanced" CH as well ?

When arming the rifle, the CH will not latch in the pocket on its way back in battery as it seems too long.

https://imgur.com/a/YSr4tYl

Sure thing...give me a few minutes and I will get some measurements and some photos...

I'm not sure whether it's enhanced or non enhanced, since I never owned one previously but if memory serves me correctly, the old one seemed smaller and this one is larger with the logo. Real photos coming in one moment

 

[v33]

Initial impressions are good. Build quality and finish looks good and reflects the price point. Action and charging handle were a little gritty but a good clean and lube and it's now very smooth. No mag included as I think I saw noted at purchase, and it was brought to my attention when I picked up. Bought a few extra regardless. Added Magpul furniture and it's looking like a proper gun now. It is the "enhanced" charge handle that is supplied with this gun. That said, it was kind of an impulse buy and I'm not sure I will keep it but am happy to have one while I make up my mind.

To the poster above with the charge handle not locking issue, that doesn't look right compared to my example.

 

[thegazelle]

Would you be willing to measure the length of your CH for me please ? I have the impression mine is out of spec.
Also, do you have the "enhanced" CH as well ?

When arming the rifle, the CH will not latch in the pocket on its way back in battery as it seems too long.

https://imgur.com/a/YSr4tYl

OK, a few things before the photos...

I seem to have the same experience as you - mine doesn't latch into the pocket unless I push it - then it latches (but that's only if I slowly ride it). If yours doesn't latch even if you push it in there, I'd say there is a problem.

If I were not to "ride" the charging handle, pull back and let the thing rip, it definitely latches in place. So I'd say mine is working properly. If yours doesn't latch when you let 'er rip, I'd contact Bullseye to see if you can return it for service.

I couldn't hold the charging handle all the way back while measuring with a tape AND taking the photo, so I pulled back the CH and measured. Then held it back again and took the photo. From the back of the CH to where it enters the gun, with it fully retracted is an exact 5 inches.

Here's some photos...

In the first two photos, I have it retracted. The 5 inch measurement is from the end of the retracted charging handle to when it enters the gun in the "block" on the receiver.

In the fourth photo, you can see how the CH sits when I release it and "ride it" - it doesn't latch, but if I give it a push, it does.

If I pull back the charging handle and let it rip, it will latch in place.

I have added a fifth photo - you can see how it looks when the CH latches in place.

 

[DavenK]

OK, a few things before the photos...

I seem to have the same experience as you - mine doesn't latch into the pocket unless I push it - then it latches (but that's only if I slowly ride it). If yours doesn't latch even if you push it in there, I'd say there is a problem.

If I were not to "ride" the charging handle, pull back and let the thing rip, it definitely latches in place.

I couldn't hold the charging handle all the way back while measuring with a tape AND taking the photo, so I pulled back the CH and took the photo. From the back of the CH to where it enters the gun, with it fully retracted is an exact 5 inches.

Here's some photos...

In the first two photos, I have it retracted. The 5 inch measurement is from the end of the retracted charging handle to when it enters the gun in the "block" on the receiver.

In the last photo, you can see how the CH sits when I release it and "ride it" - it doesn't latch, but if I give it a push, it does.

If I pull back the charging handle and let it rip, it will latch in place.

View attachment 532231

View attachment 532232

View attachment 532233

View attachment 532234

View attachment 532234

The later is definitely my problem… when releasing the CH in battery, it will not latch.

Welp, warranty here I come.

 

[Snicklefritz]

You def can't baby the ch or it won't latch. I had experience with mine being super gritty as well.

@thegazelle you should look into thinking of trying 115 barnaul, it's super cheap, I didn't have a single issue blowing through 300 rounds even mag dumping it. It was pretty dirty though, and definitely back gassed at me a few times but I'd use it again.

Some of the guys on here use a charging handle made by another member, not sure if he's still making them or not but they've all said it's twice as good as the enhanced stock one.

 

[thegazelle]

You def can't baby the ch or it won't latch. I had experience with mine being super gritty as well.

@thegazelle you should look into thinking of trying 115 barnaul, it's super cheap, I didn't have a single issue blowing through 300 rounds even mag dumping it. It was pretty dirty though, and definitely back gassed at me a few times but I'd use it again.

Some of the guys on here use a charging handle made by another member, not sure if he's still making them or not but they've all said it's twice as good as the enhanced stock one.

Yeah, I learned my lesson on my X95 not to baby the charging handle. Now when I pull it back, I just think of my ex mother in law and let the thing rip. It is very satisfying!

Barnaul - thanks for the recommendation. They had it there at the shop tonight but as it wasn't on the FO preferred initial ammo list, I didn't buy. I will go back and buy tomorrow. I like cheap and want to just get the break in period over with.

What do you shoot now in this thing? I would assume it's still not 115gr.

I just realized that I did not have to buy that Blazer ammo tonight. Old man memory not good - I just purchased 2000 rounds of this earlier this week. It's still sealed in the box and I totally forgot about it. For some reason I kept thinking it was 124gr but it was 115gr. Oh well. Short term memory strikes again.

I will get Barnaul tomorrow though. Can't ever have too much ammo.

As for the CH, even though my hands are not exactly sasquatch sized, I still think they could have made the CH a bit wider. If this is the enhanced one, I am glad I didn't get the original.

 

[thegazelle]

The later is definitely my problem… when releasing the CH in battery, it will not latch.

Welp, warranty here I come.

I added an additional photo after the initial post. This is what mine looks like when I let 'er rip.

 

[Eduardo]

Question for you guys: as this is a new shipment, did they fiz the issues that were causing FTE and FTF? Like the need to mod the extractor/bolt?

 

[trailskinpat]

Yes they fixed the extractor issue after the 1st or 2nd production run over a year ago.

New owners do yourselves a favour ; lube generously and dry fire as many times as you can to smooth out the charging handle , improve the trigger and get used to the reset and pull. Like 300-400 times. Run it stock for a few hundred rounds to verify all functions as issued , then go to a heavier buffer and shorten the spring travel with a spacer ( some people use 8 quarters cuz it works ) .

Contact Nick for a MUCH better charging handle. It’s all in the the threads here .

 

[Snicklefritz]

Yeah, I learned my lesson on my X95 not to baby the charging handle. Now when I pull it back, I just think of my ex mother in law and let the thing rip. It is very satisfying!

Barnaul - thanks for the recommendation. They had it there at the shop tonight but as it wasn't on the FO preferred initial ammo list, I didn't buy. I will go back and buy tomorrow. I like cheap and want to just get the break in period over with.

What do you shoot now in this thing? I would assume it's still not 115gr.

I just realized that I did not have to buy that Blazer ammo tonight. Old man memory not good - I just purchased 2000 rounds of this earlier this week. It's still sealed in the box and I totally forgot about it. For some reason I kept thinking it was 124gr but it was 115gr. Oh well. Short term memory strikes again.

I will get Barnaul tomorrow though. Can't ever have too much ammo.

As for the CH, even though my hands are not exactly sasquatch sized, I still think they could have made the CH a bit wider. If this is the enhanced one, I am glad I didn't get the original.

I still use barnaul, I know people hate on it because it's steel and dirty, but with the price it's at I just can't compromise, I use it in practically every calibre. Unless I find blazer on sale on tenda in bulk. I'll probably stick to 115gr

 

[thegazelle]

OK so I had an opportunity to take this thing apart...which I recommend to everyone who just picked one of these up because...

1. I can confirm this thing comes as dry as the skin on my ex-mother-in-law's face. This PCC/rifle is not lubed at all. Whatsoever. The sheen and glisten I see on the internals other guns when opened at first are not present here. All surfaces look matte. So definitely apply the lubrication generously.

2. Even for a unskilled and non-technical monkey like me, take apart is a complete breeze. It is two pins and you don't even need to take out the front one. Push out the rear one and it will separate, and then rotate up on a hinge from the front pin. From this point, the bolt comes out and then the charging handle. It is literally that easy (in putting back I did it in reverse with the charging handle going in first (latching it) and then the bolt - if you do it in reverse the charging handle won't go in properly.

For cleaning, I just used standard CLP, ran the bore snake and patches through with a very wet patch a few times. For the BCG, I just took out one pin which held the firing pin in place and then took out the pin and spring. Oiled it up. Oiled up bolt but didn't take it apart past that point. Didn't take out the trigger group - just dabbed some lube on the springs and anywhere that could move. Put everything back, pushed pin back in place, function tested it and all is well. I am very impressed by how easy they made this, especially for people with no motor skills like me.

Thing is now ready to go for the weekend!

 

[Eduardo]

Yes they fixed the extractor issue after the 1st or 2nd production run over a year ago.

New owners do yourselves a favour ; lube generously and dry fire as many times as you can to smooth out the charging handle , improve the trigger and get used to the reset and pull. Like 300-400 times. Run it stock for a few hundred rounds to verify all functions as issued , then go to a heavier buffer and shorten the spring travel with a spacer ( some people use 8 quarters cuz it works ) .

Contact Nick for a MUCH better charging handle. It’s all in the the threads here .

Thanks Trailskinpat,

I was impressed how dry it comes, i will take it to the range and give it at least 400 rounds before anything.

 

[J.Hancock]

Does the pistol grip have that nasty little retaining pin in it, or can I use airsoft grip?

 

[thegazelle]

I did contact Bullseye North this morning about the omission of the magazines and they indicated that that's the way it came from the factory, as evidenced by the checklist tag on the trigger guard that indicated no magazine. They said they have since changed their website.

It also sounded as if in the past or with others, that in cases like this, it was the distributor who included the magazines. This doesn't make much sense since the RDSC FX9s which presumably are from the same distributor, had magazines.

 

[CV32]

I did buy a box of Blazer 115gr but not sure if I should use it or not.

Blazer brass will be fine.

 

[terBC]

Does the pistol grip have that nasty little retaining pin in it, or can I use airsoft grip?

The FX9 uses a standard AR15 selector so you'll need a non bevertail grip that can house the spring for the selector detent.

 

[Slug870]

Have owners experienced any bolt hold open on empty mag issues with the Magpul 10/27 mags?

 

[thegazelle]

Just want to provide another update on this. Bullseye North advised that there was a separate shipment of magazines from the distributor. So all those who recently bought FX9s from them will automatically receive a magazine separately in the mail shortly. No action required on your part - they will just send the distributor provided magazine in the mail to all those who purchased FX9s recently from them.