[mhgsx]

Took my new matte black FNP45 to the range today with a variety of ammo: WWB, CCI BB, and Winchester SXZ (BassPro exclusive?? SWC bullet). All were 230 gr. Roughly 370 rounds were fired between 4 shooters.

The good:
Very light recoil for a .45. While my experience with 45's is limited, this easily was the lightest shooting pistol in this caliber I've tried. I found it easier to rapid fire the FN with all "kill shots" vs my Glock 19 (which I have over 3K rounds of experience with) Better grouping, faster to shoot.

Accuracy-wise, the FN is amazing. All four of us was pretty shocked at how accurate this thing was right out of the case.

The Bad:
We experienced multiple FTF whenever the mags were loaded to 10 rounds. The vast majority of this was using the WWB ammo. When limiting to only 5 rounds, we only experienced 2-3 FTF, again using WWB. (The WWB were not all purchased at the same time, nor place)

When the mags are loaded, you can actually see the bullets lodged in the mags and not feeding to the top. I saved some ammo and will take and post pics. I'll stip down the mags tonight and look for any burrs inside the mags.

I also experienced 3 slide lock failures when empty. I don't have my thumbs anywhere near the slide release button. I assume it's due to too much spring tension.

We also had multiple brass empties to the face. Again, as mentioned here, was probably due to the high slide spring tension.

All-in-all, I really like this pistol. But until I can figure out the mag/ammo problem, it's not gonna replace the Glock at the night stand.

 

[ShipWreck]

Try locking the slide back after hand working it back and forth a bunch of times. Leave the slide locked back for about 2 weeks.

Also - can U isolate it to 1 brand of ammo or 1 particular mag?

 

[XMM]

I'm so glad you mentioned your troubles with WWB!!!!

I had about 30 rounds of it laying around and thought I would shoot it up in my new FNP-45 the other day. When loading it into the mag, I noticed that the rounds weren't staggering correctly - they actually jam up on one another! Had to tap the magazine on the tabletop to get them to come out. I tried loading them multiple times and got the same results. I didn't even try shooting them as I was sure it'd result in a ton of FTF and FTE problems.

It has to have something to do with the measurements of the rounds that the magazine does NOT like. All other ammo that I tried loads and shoots correctly, so no more WWB in the FNP-45.

Wondering if other owners are having this problem? Please sound off and let us know.

P.S. This was in the 15-round magazines. I haven't tried the 14-rounders yet.

 

[djv38]

Interesting the mags don't like WWB.

Glad you overall liked it and were accurate with it.

 

[mhgsx]

I'm so glad you mentioned your troubles with WWB!!!!

I had about 30 rounds of it laying around and thought I would shoot it up in my new FNP-45 the other day. When loading it into the mag, I noticed that the rounds weren't staggering correctly - they actually jam up on one another! Had to tap the magazine on the tabletop to get them to come out. I tried loading them multiple times and got the same results. I didn't even try shooting them as I was sure it'd result in a ton of FTF and FTE problems.

It has to have something to do with the measurements of the rounds that the magazine does NOT like. All other ammo that I tried loads and shoots correctly, so no more WWB in the FNP-45.

Wondering if other owners are having this problem? Please sound off and let us know.

P.S. This was in the 15-round magazines. I haven't tried the 14-rounders yet.

I have the 14 rounders....and it jammed with all 3 of them.

My jam is EXACTLY the way you described.

 

[ShipWreck]

Sorry to hear the problems. I hope it goes away after breakin

 

[raggededge]

I only have about 200 rounds through mine (normal black on black model, 14 round mags), but have had no problems to speak of with Winchester White Box round nose, Winchester SilverTip JHPs, Blazer Brass, or Remington UMC. No failures to feed, fire, or eject... only one mag failed to lock the slide back in the first 50, and was fine after that. I make sure the magazines are rotated each reload, so they're all getting used.

 

[raggededge]

I just thought... you guys say the problem occurs when you're loading the WWBs? Maybe I didn't/don't have that problem because I use an UPLula magazine loader. Are you guys loading by hand? I picked mine up the day I brought the gun home... right after I loaded that first magazine to capacity. I think my exact words were "f*** this, I'm going to Cabelas".

 

[mhgsx]

I just thought... you guys say the problem occurs when you're loading the WWBs? Maybe I didn't/don't have that problem because I use an UPLula magazine loader. Are you guys loading by hand? I picked mine up the day I brought the gun home... right after I loaded that first magazine to capacity. I think my exact words were "f*** this, I'm going to Cabelas".

The first mag that jammed was fed using the UpLula. All the rest at the range were by hand.

I took apart all 3 mags to check for burrs and the insides were smooth. I put some Boe-Sheild on the springs, the inside walls, and the follower to see if adding a bit more 'slip' would help. It seems to have helped a bit, but not entirely.

I think the problem lies with the follower. If I load up the mag and push down on the front end of the top bullet, it seems to stick downwards instead of popping back up at the proper angle. This is with using some spare WWB.

When you look at the follower, I think the skirts are too short. (not even sure if that's the proper term. Car guys would understand what I'm referring to if you imagine the follower is like a piston.) Because it's too short, the bullets can be oriented closer to horizontal, which then leads to the jamming. Longer skirts would prevent the follower from deviating much from the proper angle.

I'll call FN on Monday to see if there's anything they could do or recommend (besides not using WWB).

Interesting that others haven't had any issues with their WWB. I wonder if there's been a design change to the followers. My pistol was tested at the factory on 07/08, but I couldn't find any production/manufactured sticker anywhere.

RaggedEdge, if you get a chance the next time you're cleaning your pistol, would you mind taking a pic or some measurements of one of your followers?

 

[raggededge]

Sure. I'd do it now if I didn't have my cameras locked in my work case. I'll pull one apart tomorrow.

 

[raggededge]

I'm getting a measurement of about ¾" from the top of the follower to the bottom of the "skirt" (by the way, I did know exactly what you were talking about).

 

[mhgsx]

raggededge, thank you for your help.

I just measured mine and they are 5/8" from the bottom edge to the tops, both sides.

I still find it interesting that most of my problems lie with the WWB. While I didn't take calipers to it, they look pretty close to the CCI BB I was using. I'd say the bullet nose of the WWB is a bit more rounded/bulbous and the BB, while round nosed, looked to taper more sharply.

Does anyone know if the guide rod is designed to be taken apart? It looks like a 2-piece deal. I'd like to try different recoil springs.

 

[ShipWreck]

raggededge, thank you for your help.

I just measured mine and they are 5/8" from the bottom edge to the tops, both sides.

I still find it interesting that most of my problems lie with the WWB. While I didn't take calipers to it, they look pretty close to the CCI BB I was using. I'd say the bullet nose of the WWB is a bit more rounded/bulbous and the BB, while round nosed, looked to taper more sharply.

Does anyone know if the guide rod is designed to be taken apart? It looks like a 2-piece deal. I'd like to try different recoil springs.

Good luck finding aftermarket springs to fit the FNP45 - U won't. I wouldn't even try that route. It will likely be years before they sell aftermarket recoil springs for this gun

 

[H&K 4 LIFE]

The improper stacking in the mags. is the ammo's fault. I had the same problem posted here: http://fnforum.net/viewtopic.php?t=10268&highlight=

 

[raggededge]

raggededge, thank you for your help.

I just measured mine and they are 5/8" from the bottom edge to the tops, both sides.

I still find it interesting that most of my problems lie with the WWB. While I didn't take calipers to it, they look pretty close to the CCI BB I was using. I'd say the bullet nose of the WWB is a bit more rounded/bulbous and the BB, while round nosed, looked to taper more sharply.

Does anyone know if the guide rod is designed to be taken apart? It looks like a 2-piece deal. I'd like to try different recoil springs.

You're welcome. Oddly, I had a slight problem loading Blazer Brass on my second range trip. I could only get 13 rounds in the magazine, although all 13 fed and fired just fine. I marked the mag, cleaned it when I got home, and was able to get all 14 in after that. Still not real sure why it was binding, though.

 

[powermad]

The improper stacking in the mags. is the ammo's fault. I had the same problem posted here: http://fnforum.net/viewtopic.php?t=10268&highlight=

As stated, others have noticed this.
But after shooting a few hundred rounds I tried loading the WWB ammo I had again and it loaded fine in all 3 mags. I have not tried shooting it but it seemed to hand cycle ok. Definately weird.

 

[healthcommando]

Raggededge, I don't know what you were using as a background for those pics, but it drives my eyes buggy.

A pic of my disassembled magazine for this thread's edification...

 

[raggededge]

Sorry, that's my aluminum work case for my cameras.

 

[XMM]

H&K 4 Life, thank for linking us to that thread. I just knew that other people must be having the same problem with WWB.

Strange, though, because WWB is usually the "standby" FMJ for all .45acp handguns.

Well, it's good to have closure. I'll just stick with my handloads for practice and Golden Sabers for defense.

 

[Art SC]

I hope the mags smooth out for you. I haven't any trouble on any level thus far with either the weapon or the mags.

I'm going to log off now. Raggededge's pics have left me a bit queezy... :-?