The FNX 45 Tactical
I can’t decide if the FNX 45 Tactical pistol is more suited for military and law enforcement door kickers, home defense or battling Hogzilla.
The included carrying case is a bonafide range bag.
It’s a huge 45 ACP, but I mean that more in terms of capability than size. In fact, holding it up to my Beretta 92FS, which is full-size, but certainly not physically obese, it’s about the same overall size. When I say huge, I mean that it makes those bigger caliber versus higher capacity arguments a moot point. You know what I’m talking about. 1911 Fan Club founders insist that the .45 ACP is so powerful that a single projectile will knock out at least four determined attackers, disable their car and collapse their front porch. The Wonder Nine team opts for modern 9mm ammunition in a gun that will hold 15 or more rounds, as opposed to the 7 or 8 that most .45s house.
Don’t get me wrong, the FNX 45 Tactical is a full-size handgun, but it’s no Desert Eagle in size. You can carry it in a holster, and if you have a few extra pounds like I do, you can carry it concealed. But it still manages to pack 15+1 rounds of .45 ACP ammo. That’s more destructive power than carried by a B-17 Super Fortress, right?
Truly ambidextrous means the controls aren’t movable to the other side – they’re already present.
So back to the use case scenarios. It was developed by FN as a potential submission to the U.S. Joint Combat Pistol Program. So that implies service pistol use. But, as we all know, we civvies tend to put great weight in what our law enforcement and military teams choose. If it’s good enough for their tough-use requirements, it’s good enough for concealed carry or home defense.
Basic Features
The FNX 45 Tactical is a double-action/single-action hammer-fired pistol. As the name implies, it’s a 45, and a high capacity one at that. The sturdy nylon carrying case comes with three (15) round magazines. The case itself is a pretty cool feature. It’s no throwaway like the ones most handguns travel in. It’s got secure storage for the pistol, three magazines, and accessories. It makes a great range bag for this gun.
The FNX 45 Tactical comes with tall night sights for suppressor use and a threaded barrel.
The FNX 45 Tactical is a polymer frame gun with stainless barrel and slide. The barrel is hammer forged and 5.3 inches in length, so you’ll get max velocity out of your .45 ACP ammo of choice.
The FNX 45 Tactical comes with four interchangeable backstraps to adjust size and texture to your preference, and all have an eye for lanyard attachment. The lanyard eye is inset and out of the way if you have no need to use a lanyard. A MIL-STD 1913 mounting rail on the underside accepts tactical lights and lasers.
Overall length is 7.9 inches, and I measure the height at just under 6 ½ inches from the top of the rear sight to the bottom of the inserted magazine. The pistol weighs in at 33.3 ounces unloaded.
[…] couple of years ago, I reviewed the FN FNX 45 Tactical pistol. The details are for another story; for now, just know that it defines “bigly.” This gun packs […]