[GunRover]

So I took a good look at my new FNS-9 from Bud's... and found out although it was "new" it was made in June of 2013. That is two years ago...

Does that mean it has the dreaded dead trigger problem? Supposedly this was fixed sometime in 2013. I'll know more after I take it to the range tomorrow night. Does anyone know the SN of the part change?

I sent an email to FNH-USA Customer Service on 20 May, but haven't heard from them yet.

Hmmmm.

 

[akitainu]

I have one of the earlier ones with the trigger issue. It's really not that big of deal (to me at least). I can only get it to "lock" by intentionally pushing the trigger forward. Even then I can power through and get back in business. If you can push the trigger forward and have trouble cycling the slide then you have the issue. I'm not sure of a serial number range.

 

[LESTER]

I sent an email to FNH-USA Customer Service on 20 May, but haven't heard from them yet.

You will Get better results by calling customer service 1-800-635-1321

 

[JcMack]

I have one that appears to have the problem. I suppose this involves sending the gun in for repair?

 

[MIKEYFNS]

I have one that appears to have the problem. I suppose this involves sending the gun in for repair?

Yes send it in they will fix it

 

[GunRover]

Thanks for comments. I really like a lot of things about this pistol... I will go through the pain of sending it to FN if I have to. I read the lengthy thread that started back in 2012 about the trigger issue, and want to get a feel for it on the range before I make my decision. Opinions are divided on the "trigger problem" and I don't mean to restart that debate -- and it looks like it has been resolved in the way they've made them since 2013. I don't even know for sure if I have the problem, because I don't know when they instituted the change in design. I can deaden my trigger by pushing it forward, but I can also reset the trigger with a sharp tug to the rear on the slide -- so maybe I don't have the real, original trigger issue! More to follow after a trip to the range.

 

[X Bow T]

Would this apply to the FNS 40, made circa summer 2013 and just off the PSA site. hmmmm.?:rangeglasses:
tHANKS

 

[JcMack]

Yes send it in they will fix it

O.K. Thanks for the reply/info. I bought it used last month. It came with NS (which are unmarked as to mfg.) all the mags, papers, and stuff and appears unfired. I'll have to see if there's a bag with fired case with mfg. date on it in the box.
My apologies to GunRover for my thread interruption.

Jim

Update: case envelope reads 1/23/2013

 

[GunRover]

Same situation!

FNH-USA just came back to me with an email:

Thank you for supporting FN products.

Please provide us with your shipping address and we will prepare a return label, via email, to send your FNS-9 into the Service Center.

Kind regards,
FNH USA Customer Service

So, I'll shoot it today, and if I think I have a real issue, will clean it up and send it off to them.

 

[JcMack]

FNH Pays shipping both ways?

 

[jhs27275]

FNH Pays shipping both ways?

Some of the time.

 

[GunRover]

It looks like a pre-paid shipping label. And a service tech sent me a separate note to include his/her name, so he/she could track on the repair. More to follow... for those who read forum postings worrying about what it implies in a broader sense, so far there is no generic finding here except FN responded quickly to a potential problem raised by customer... wish me luck.

 

[GunRover]

First trip to the range: excellent overall

The FNS-9 failed to feed two rounds in the first two magazines and the slide failed to lock open when empty at the end of each magazine. Thereafter, everything functioned perfectly, for a total of 300 rounds. The first 100 were Freedom Munitions 115 grain FMJ, and the rest were hand-loaded Bayou Bullets coated 115 gr roundnose bullets over 4.0 gr Titegroup. I attribute the two early problems to a stiff new recoil spring and the friction on the rails from the slide (which will diminish as the coating wears off and the contacts become metal-on-metal). I had cleaned the pistol and greased it with Mobil 28 aircraft grease--normally very good-- but I think this gun prefers Breakfree LP, and that is what I applied after cleaning post-range.

Superb accuracy... sights easy to see and use. Trigger superb and smoothing out nicely -- not too light, but smooth and predictable. No problem with recoil, although it is a light pistol -- as long as I do my part and support the pistol firmly with my left hand (I shoot right handed). I used both inserts and surprised myself by liking the larger, rounded backstrap. The flat one forces the front of the pistol up a bit (as the palm of the hand rotates downward to meet the smaller flat backstrap) and it just points better for me with the larger backstrap.

As to the potential trigger problem -- it is not a problem that I can figure out yet. The gun has to be empty, and the slide forward, to create the dead trigger -- and all you have to do is rack the slide, and/or pull the trigger to the rear. I have to think about it some more before I return it to FNH.

Over all, excellent. I would rate it -- for me -- superior to the M&P (which I like lot) and equal to the P320, both of which I have owned and shot a lot.

 

[GunRover]

Second trip to the range. 200 rounds, a variety of handloads (150) and some Blazer Brass (50). Functioned perfectly, enjoying the accuracy. The trigger is pretty good; it is hard to describe to 1911 shooters but perhaps easier for revolver shooters that once you start pressing the trigger to go through the release of the striker, it isn't going to be "breaking a glass tube" as the hammer falls off a finely polished sear, it is a release gate that is moving across a metal ledge that is under tension -- you have to press smoothly through it, it doesn't just happen, it finally arrives. That's the way I think of it and I try to avoid tentatively pressing the trigger a little at a time trying to be delicate but rather concentrate on letting it move that small distance smoothly and steadily until it gets there. Zat make sense? This is why I don't worry about the trigger being 5-6 lbs. That's just about right. So is the FNS-9.

 

[Plewis500]

Congrats on your new gun. Glad to see you like it so much. I recently purchased the FNS 9 (10 round magazine per CT laws) with night sights from Bud's. I was surprised to see my test case envelope was dated from September 2013 (21 months ago). I was able recreate the trigger problem by moving the trigger forward that locks the slide. I don't think it's a big deal but I'm keeping my eye it. Like you, I seem to prefer the bigger back strap.

I do have a basic question. One of the lubrication points is 1/4" from the end of the barrel. Just what does this mean? Is it just a drop on the top a 1/4 back or all around or what? Also, do you think steel case ammo like Brown bear is ok to use? The cost per round is pretty low. Thanks

 

[Digitalis]

Congrats on your new gun. Glad to see you like it so much. I recently purchased the FNS 9 (10 round magazine per CT laws) with night sights from Bud's. I was surprised to see my test case envelope was dated from September 2013 (21 months ago). I was able recreate the trigger problem by moving the trigger forward that locks the slide. I don't think it's a big deal but I'm keeping my eye it. Like you, I seem to prefer the bigger back strap.

I do have a basic question. One of the lubrication points is 1/4" from the end of the barrel. Just what does this mean? Is it just a drop on the top a 1/4 back or all around or what? Also, do you think steel case ammo like Brown bear is ok to use? The cost per round is pretty low. Thanks

The lube point is just to help the barrel along since it contacts the slide during operation as the barrel pivots upwards. And as far as steel case goes, my FNS 9 has eaten more Tula than anything else. For the most part, these things just don't care what you feed them.

 

[GunRover]

As noted by Digitalis, that lube point (on the top of the barrel) is where the barrel comes in contact with the slide when the gun cycles. As you shoot it, you will see light rings (called "smileys") develop on the barrel. It should get a drop of oil there before a range session. That is a great place for a small glob of grease, as an alternative. The grease sticks better and stays with the barrel longer; the oil tends to migrate with gravity and leave that spot. If the gun is in storage for a while, this spot will get dry - thus a drop before going to the range.

I've used Brown Bear and TulAmmo steel case ammo in other guns. I'm not a believer, because I think it will cause wear over the long run. That said, the Russkies have sort of perfected using mild steel for ammo casings and used it in their rifle ammo too, so opinions vary on this. Better perhaps to order ammo on the web from someplace like Ammo-to-Go or Freedom Arms and get prices that are almost as good.

 

[ZBZO6]

I ordered a FNS 9 full size in SS with a MS this past Saturday from Buds. After reading of the old stock being sent out I am concerned about mine. It seems odd that Buds would have stock that old. Does anyone have any more thoughts on this. I do not want to get one that has the trigger issue. If it does should I refuse acceptance from my FFL.

 

[JcMack]

I ordered a FNS 9 full size in SS with a MS this past Saturday from Buds. After reading of the old stock being sent out I am concerned about mine. It seems odd that Buds would have stock that old. Does anyone have any more thoughts on this. I do not want to get one that has the trigger issue. If it does should I refuse acceptance from my FFL.

Call Bud's, see if they'll inspect "your" gun for date. You may get the O.K. to cancel your order if you explain your valid concerns.

 

[GunRover]

I complained to Bud's about the age of the FNS-9 I bought -- almost two years old. They replied that they get guns from distributors and ship them out without opening them and checking the date of manufacture. I have purchased other guns from Bud's that were 6-12 months old, in particular M&Ps, where it gets important because of the rolling changes to parts (e.g., the new "H" marked trigger bar, the improved sear, etc.), but that worked out okay.

I dunno the answer. Maybe call Bud's in advance of a purchase and ask. With the FNS-9, I don't think age matters except regarding the improved sear that deals with resetting the dead trigger, which I know was upgraded sometime in early 2013. But FN C/S wouldn't tell me when, just sent me a free shipping slip to return it if I had a problem. I'm coming around to thinking the problem isn't a problem, but you might have to go through this to reach your own conclusions. For me, the FNS-9, even with a two-year old build date, is a keeper.