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So I noticed on the FNS-9 I bought that the trigger felt "gritty" and the break when the striker was released was a bit nebulous. I know that others have had similar experiences with thier FNS. While the "put more rounds through it" works fairly well I decided to try to improve things myself. That is what is included in this how-to.
Things I'm not:
I'm not a lawyer, but I on decent legal advice I advise you to only try this if you are comfortable with the process and have the experience needed to do this carefully. I am not responsible if you break your pistol based on what I have posted here. You must use your own judgement to decide if this process is within your own abilities.
I am not a gunsmith by any stretch. So if I use the wrong nomenclature please forgive me and let me know what it should really be called.
That being said: On with the show...
First things first. Get together what you will need to clean-up the grime and add some polish to the gun. Here is what I used:
Step One: Clean the pistol as thoroughly as you can. Then we will focus on cleaning two specific areas.
First is towards the front of the lower right above where the trigger is located (See picture below). That is where the slide-lock and top of the trigger assembly touch. Go back to this area and use your nylon brush and solvent to clean it of all oils and particulates from anything in that area that has metal on metal contact and rotates/moves. Use the cloth (or gun patch) to wipe away the grime and excess solvent. You should move the trigger and feel if there is any grim left. It should be clear. If not, have at it again until it is.
The second focus are the rollers that are at the back of the lower. (See picture below) Same story as the trigger. Get in there with your brush and solvent and clear out the grime. This will be a bit easier as tolerances here aren't as tight as the trigger. As before, use your cloth and wipe away the grime until clean.
Step Two: Oiling the components. Now, I am not a huge fan of oiling firearms in general but sometimes you need to oil them. When that is the case use as little as possible. In my case I put the Breakfree on a cotton swab and leave a small film behind. Breakfree does a good job seeping into tight places as well so a little goes a long way.
Oil the same components you just focused on cleaning and drying. Make sure that all the solvent is gone before applying the oil. For the trigger and slide-release oil the points where metal on metal contact are made. For the rollers in the rear make sure you oil the contact points that are connected to them like the release for the striker and whatever else is attached.
Let the oil sit and seep.
Step Three: Polishing the contact point of the striker and striker release. (See pic below). This is where the metal polish and the facial tissue come into play. Put a tiny drop of the polish on your finger and work the side that the release touches. You will see the surface turn a bit grey/black. It's supposed to. Once that happens use the facial tissue to both wipe away and then buff the surface. Repeat this process at least twice. It should be very smooth to the touch and shiny. Note: If you are using Flitz or some other product please follow thier directions for proper application.
Now, we are going to follow the same process with the striker release where it makes contact with the striker (See where the cotton swab is touching in the picture below) Again, go through the polish process at least two times. Note: this process is much easier if you push the trigger forward thus lifting the striker release.
That's it! You're done. Re-assemble and try the trigger. It should be nice and smooth and the break for the striker should feel much more crisp and consistent.
Please post-up if you try this or if you have any questions. :mrgreen:
Things I'm not:
I'm not a lawyer, but I on decent legal advice I advise you to only try this if you are comfortable with the process and have the experience needed to do this carefully. I am not responsible if you break your pistol based on what I have posted here. You must use your own judgement to decide if this process is within your own abilities.
I am not a gunsmith by any stretch. So if I use the wrong nomenclature please forgive me and let me know what it should really be called.
That being said: On with the show...
First things first. Get together what you will need to clean-up the grime and add some polish to the gun. Here is what I used:
- Hoppe's #9 to clean the cosmoline and other grime off the pistol. (Feel free to use whatever brand solvent you like).
- Break-Free CLP (or another decent gun oil like it)
- A decent nylon brush (a good medium hardness toothbrush works as well)
- Soft cloth or small towel (I used a piece of un-cut bore-patch)
- Facial tissue (it will add that last bit of polish)
- Cotton Swabs (You know Q-tips)
- Turtle Wax brand All Metal Polish (I suspect Flitz would do the same job here but I prefer the Turtle Wax because I can also use it on the shiny bits of my car :mrgreen: )
- The pistol!

Step One: Clean the pistol as thoroughly as you can. Then we will focus on cleaning two specific areas.
First is towards the front of the lower right above where the trigger is located (See picture below). That is where the slide-lock and top of the trigger assembly touch. Go back to this area and use your nylon brush and solvent to clean it of all oils and particulates from anything in that area that has metal on metal contact and rotates/moves. Use the cloth (or gun patch) to wipe away the grime and excess solvent. You should move the trigger and feel if there is any grim left. It should be clear. If not, have at it again until it is.

The second focus are the rollers that are at the back of the lower. (See picture below) Same story as the trigger. Get in there with your brush and solvent and clear out the grime. This will be a bit easier as tolerances here aren't as tight as the trigger. As before, use your cloth and wipe away the grime until clean.

Step Two: Oiling the components. Now, I am not a huge fan of oiling firearms in general but sometimes you need to oil them. When that is the case use as little as possible. In my case I put the Breakfree on a cotton swab and leave a small film behind. Breakfree does a good job seeping into tight places as well so a little goes a long way.
Oil the same components you just focused on cleaning and drying. Make sure that all the solvent is gone before applying the oil. For the trigger and slide-release oil the points where metal on metal contact are made. For the rollers in the rear make sure you oil the contact points that are connected to them like the release for the striker and whatever else is attached.
Let the oil sit and seep.
Step Three: Polishing the contact point of the striker and striker release. (See pic below). This is where the metal polish and the facial tissue come into play. Put a tiny drop of the polish on your finger and work the side that the release touches. You will see the surface turn a bit grey/black. It's supposed to. Once that happens use the facial tissue to both wipe away and then buff the surface. Repeat this process at least twice. It should be very smooth to the touch and shiny. Note: If you are using Flitz or some other product please follow thier directions for proper application.

Now, we are going to follow the same process with the striker release where it makes contact with the striker (See where the cotton swab is touching in the picture below) Again, go through the polish process at least two times. Note: this process is much easier if you push the trigger forward thus lifting the striker release.

That's it! You're done. Re-assemble and try the trigger. It should be nice and smooth and the break for the striker should feel much more crisp and consistent.
Please post-up if you try this or if you have any questions. :mrgreen: