New For 2023: FN 15 Guardian

Built from a battle-proven blueprint, FN’s latest modern sporting rifle offers high value, minimal compromise and tack-driving accuracy with unwavering reliability.

by
posted on April 12, 2023
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Fn 15 Guardian New 1920X1080

Meet the all-new FN 15 Guardian.

The new-for-2023 FN 15 Guardian is an all-new carbine from the R&D team at FN America that’s aimed squarely at a market space previously left open in the company’s catalog of products. With the FN 15, you get that classic Stoner operating system with modernized features; FN America left no stone unturned in the making of its FN 15 Guardian.

“When we created the specification for the FN 15 Guardian, our focus was on perfecting the foundation of the rifle to ensure the high standards for FN quality remained, cutting corners to reduce the purchase price was not an option, our customers expect more from our brand and we have to deliver on that trust,” said Scott Vilardi, senior product manager at FN America.

FN America FN 15 Guardian rifle left-side view dynamic angle gun black ar-15

At launch, the new FN 15 Guardian will come chambered for the 5.56 NATO cartridge, which means .223 Rem. ammunition is perfectly suitable for use. The gun features a 16” button-rifled barrel with a hybrid profile. Barrel material used is an alloy steel chosen for strength and corrosion resistance. You’ll get a standard 1:7” twist of the rifling to smoothly stabilize most bullets in flight. FN America claims the Guardian has the capability of delivering sub-m.o.a. groups with match-grade factory ammunition, which is an impressive claim we at American Rifleman are all excited to put to the test. I had the fortunate opportunity to sample a FN 15 Guardian at an indoor range event before this product launch, and though the range length was limited, I was exposed to the Guardian’s capabilities through tactical maneuvers and quick, close-up shooting. And it excelled.

Fairly lightweight at about 6.6 lbs., empty, engineers at FN were able to trim weight of the FN 15 Guardian in several key areas, one of which is its barrel and handguard system. FN did away with the forward-assist mechanism, too. You’ll also get a low-profile gas block and a mid-length gas system to channel expanding propellant gasses back to the nitride-treated bolt-carrier group. It is important to note, too, that the Guardian is set to come with an A2-style flash hider to reduce its firing signature and help combat muzzle rise just slightly. Ferrous-metal parts will feature a nitride treatment to further combat corrosion, giving the FN 15 Guardian an extra-long service life.

FN America FN 15 Guardian right-side view profile gun receiver magazine ar-15 rifle semi-automatic black aluminum plastic

The Guardian comes with a unique handguard system, too. It is lightweight, measures 15”, made of aluminum and attaches to the upper receiver via an interesting mounting system that securely fastens it to the receiver. The guard freely floats the barrel and gives its operator 24 M-Lok slots, at the 3-, 6- and 9-o’clock positions, providing abundant space for accessories such as sights, optics, bipods and more. You’’ll also expect to receive a custom furniture package as well, which includes a tight-fitting, six-position polymer buttstock with three sling points. The pistol grip is unique, too, in that it offers a 19.5-degree grip angle and has an anti-slip stippled texture.

From the gun’s hybrid barrel profile, to the unique handguard-mounting system, Picatinny rail and built-in creature comforts, the FN 15 Guardian is poised to be a highly capable platform for competitive sport shooting, long-range plinking, hunting and home defense. With nearly 9 million new shooters navigating today’s marketplace, it makes great sense that a company like FN America, with a rich history of protecting the globe through law enforcement and military contracts for its firearms, offer guns like its recently announced Reflex pistol and now Guardian carbine at near-entry-level pricing, especially during a financial storm as we’ve seen take shape over the last several years. Opportunities like these are far too infrequent, and I am excited to see this mid-tier marketspace evolve as other companies vie for their place in line.

Suggested retail pricing of the FN 15 Guardian is set for $999. For more information, please visit fnamerica.com.

Latest

Sw Mp Spec Series Web
Sw Mp Spec Series Web

Review: Smith & Wesson Spec Series V M&P 9 Metal HD

This latest enhancement from Smith & Wesson proves that good things can come from heavier, steel-framed packages.

Old Glory Bank, NRA Partner To Provide Banking Benefits To Members

Old Glory Bank and the National Rifle Association (NRA) recently entered into a joint marketing relationship to provide banking benefits to members of the NRA Business Alliance and NRA-affiliated clubs and associations.

Rifleman Review: Taurus Expedition

Taurus entered the bolt-action rifle market with its Expedition, a Remington 700-pattern design that's built to be versatile and affordable.

New For 2025: Charter Arms Pathfinder II

Charter Arms updated one of the oldest models in its lineup with the new Pathfinder II, which features a lightweight 7075 aluminum frame, making it more well-balanced and easier to carry.

Review: Kimber 2K11

The 2011-style pistol was designed to address the capacity limitations of the single-stack M1911 platform, and Kimber's approach to the concept is its 2K11, a competition-ready offering with several notable features.

Favorite Firearms: A High-Flying Hi-Standard “A-D”

Manufactured in New Haven, Conn., in late 1940, this Hi-Standard pistol was shipped as a Model “A,” but a heavier Model “D” barrel was installed later to replace the original, light barrel, leading one American Rifleman reader to call it a Model “A-D.”

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.