FN's Forgotten Police Pistol: The Forty-Nine

Published on August 26, 2020
Duration: 12:16

The FN Forty-Nine, FN's first modern striker-fired polymer pistol introduced in 2000, is critically reviewed. Despite its full-size frame, it suffers from poor ergonomics, a heavy DAO trigger, and a proprietary accessory rail. While surprisingly accurate in slow fire due to clear sights and a predictable trigger, it fails practical shooting tests, making it a 'bad gun' representing a misguided era of police firearm design.

Quick Summary

The FN Forty-Nine, FN's first modern striker-fired polymer pistol, featured a heavy DAO trigger for police safety. Despite surprisingly good slow-fire accuracy, its poor ergonomics and challenging trigger made it perform poorly in timed drills, leading to its critical assessment as a 'bad gun'.

Chapters

  1. 00:07Introduction to FN Forty-Nine
  2. 00:38FN Forty-Nine History
  3. 01:05Trigger Mechanism & Philosophy
  4. 01:24Calibers and Design Influence
  5. 01:53Size and Capacity
  6. 02:04Controls and Features
  7. 02:57Ergonomics Critique
  8. 03:33Magazine Pinch Issue
  9. 03:59Sights and Slow Fire Accuracy
  10. 04:09Accuracy Comparison Drill
  11. 05:13Field Stripping
  12. 05:37Internal Design Similarity
  13. 07:01The Test (Performance Drill)
  14. 08:08The Test (Sigma Comparison)
  15. 08:44Overall Conclusion on FN Forty-Nine
  16. 09:09FSP 5 at 5 Drill Explanation
  17. 10:39FSP 5 at 5 Drill Results

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the FN Forty-Nine pistol?

The FN Forty-Nine was FN's inaugural modern striker-fired polymer frame pistol, introduced in 2000. It was available in .40 S&W and 9mm, featuring a double-action only (DAO) trigger designed for police use.

Why was the FN Forty-Nine's trigger so heavy?

The FN Forty-Nine featured a very heavy DAO trigger pull, a design philosophy aimed at preventing accidental discharges and facilitating a smoother transition for officers accustomed to double-action revolvers.

How did the FN Forty-Nine perform in shooting tests?

In slow-fire accuracy tests, the FN Forty-Nine performed surprisingly well due to its clear sights and predictable trigger. However, in timed drills like 'The Test,' it struggled, scoring 86/100 and taking 9.21 seconds, indicating issues with rapid fire and overall shootability.

What were the ergonomic issues with the FN Forty-Nine?

The FN Forty-Nine's ergonomics were criticized for its large, slick grip with minimal texture, making it hard to hold. Additionally, the combination of its truncated grip and large magazine base plate could cause finger pinch during reloads.

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