Before You Buy – The FN Reflex
When it comes to concealed carry pistols, the market is flooded with options, each vying for your attention. One standout contender in this crowded arena is the fairly recently released FN Reflex in 9mm caliber & Micro Compact size. Designed by FN America, the Reflex aims to deliver a compact and reliable carry option for self-defense enthusiasts. Continuing on in our “Before You Buy” series, we’ll give you a good overview of the facts about the FN Rexflex in case you’re considering it as a possibility for your next EDC pistol.
Specifications of FN Reflex
- Caliber: 9mm
- Capacity: Available in 10+1, 11+1, and 15+1 rounds, offering ample ammunition for personal defense.
- Weight: With an unloaded magazine, the Reflex tips the scales at 18.4 ounces, ensuring comfortable everyday carry.
- Barrel Length: The 3.3-inch cold hammer-forged barrel strikes a balance between maneuverability and accuracy.
- Overall Length: Measuring 6.2 inches, the Reflex is compact, making it ideal for concealed carry.
- Sight Radius: The Reflex boasts a generous sight radius of 5.05 inches, contributing to enhanced accuracy.
Features of FN Reflex
Optics-Ready: The FN Reflex offers MRD (Micro Red Dot) variants with a factory-milled slide, allowing for quick and easy installation of popular micro red dot optics such as the Shield RMSc and Holosun K-series.
Hammer-Fired Action: Setting itself apart from many competitors, the Reflex utilizes an internal hammer-fired action. This design choice enables a smoother and lighter trigger pull.
Ergonomic Design: The Reflex features front and rear slide serrations, a beavertail for a high grip, and an undercut trigger guard. These elements enhance control and manipulation, while the slim grip accommodates various hand sizes comfortably.
Accessory Rail: Equipped with an accessory rail, the Reflex welcomes the addition of microlights or lasers, expanding its versatility for low-light situations.
High-Visibility Sights: The three-dot sight system includes a tritium front sight with an orange circle for easy acquisition in low-light conditions.
Textured Grip: With in-mold stippling on both sides, the Reflex provides a secure and comfortable grip, even during rapid-fire scenarios.
Multiple Magazine Options: The Reflex supports various magazine capacities, including flush-fit 10-round and 11-round options, as well as a 15-round extended magazine for those seeking additional firepower. You can get a variant that is legal in nearly every state in the US.
Range Performance of FN Reflex
I’ve had a few range sessions with the FN Reflex and it’s turned out to be quite reliable and accurate for a micro-compact. A lot of the accuracy, however, I think stems from the much lighter single-action trigger pull that the reflex has as opposed to the striker-fired systems that virtually every other micro-compact 9mm in this class has. While this has significant advantages in the accuracy department, a somewhat small drawback to this is that when cocking the firearm, you must take special care to fully retract the slide in order to cock the internal hammer.
Since the FN Reflex is a relatively new option on the market, there aren’t a lot of dedicated FN Reflex holster options out there for it yet unless you have a weapon-mounted light that will allow you to use some of the more universal micro compact holsters out there. However, this may also be an additional drawback as the FN Reflex suffers the same fate as other micro-compact 9mm pistols in that it can only accept specific varieties of micro weapon lights like the Streamlight TLR7 Sub.
Pros:
- Reliable performance with no reported stoppages during extensive testing.
- Compact and lightweight design for comfortable everyday carry.
- Hammer-fired action enables a smoother and lighter trigger pull.
- Optics-ready variants offer quick and easy installation of popular micro red dot optics.
- Ergonomic design features enhance control and manipulation.
- Versatile magazine options, including extended capacity for those desiring greater firepower.
- High-visibility sights aid in low-light shooting scenarios.
- The accessory rail accommodates micro weapon lights or lasers for added versatility.
Cons:
- Limited availability of holsters specifically designed for the Reflex.
- Short accessory rail may limit compatibility with certain microlights.
Closing Thoughts
The FN Reflex 9mm Micro Compact enters the competitive concealed carry market with distinctive features, reliable performance, and accuracy as well as a novel approach to the genre with its internal hammer-fired mechanism. With its compact dimensions, versatile magazine options, and ergonomic design, it caters to the needs of concealed carriers seeking a dependable self-defense tool regardless if they plan to use a red dot or not. If you do not think this handgun will be your cup of tea, I recommend checking out FN FNX 45 or FN 509 too.
The Reflex's overall strengths make it a strong contender for anyone in search of a reliable and accurate micro-compact pistol.
Luke Cuenco
13.7.2023
