Fabrique Nationale (FN) introduced its first modern handgun with the polymer-frame, striker-fired FN Forty-Nine in 2000. What followed was a series of pistols manufactured in the U.S. and tailored to our domestic civilian, law enforcement, and military markets, including the FNP, the FNS, FN’s current striker-fired handgun, the FN 509, and the tailored-for-concealed-carry FN Reflex. FN is known for making products that are premium and professional grade and this is reflected in the company's features and price. For 2026, FN is seeking to bring its handguns to a wider market with the FN 309 MRD, a no-frills affordable pistol that the company says is “easy to shoot, easy to use and easy to own.”
The FN 309 is a “compact” sized handgun chambered in 9 mm Luger that has an overall length of 7.4 inches with a 3.8-inch barrel, a height of 5.4 inches with a 16-round magazine, is 1.26 inches wide, and weighs 22.5 ounces. Its design is most similar to FN’s Reflex, with a single-action firing mechanism that uses an internal hammer and has a 5-pound trigger pull.
The 309 is available with or without an external manual safety lever and has a built-in trigger safety and hammer-block safety. Its polymer frame is a totally new design with a neutral grip angle designed for a natural point of aim that is “one size fits all” and does not use interchangeable backstraps. The frame’s dustcover features a three-slot M1913 Picatinny rail for mounting lights and lasers. Barrels are made of FN’s machine-gun grade alloy steel and have a recessed target crown.
FN is attempting to make the 309 appeal to a broader customer base with not only a competitive price, but also usability. The internal hammer-fired mechanism makes for an easier-to-rack slide. FN claims it requires 25 percent less effort than a traditional striker-fired handgun. The 309’s magazines are proprietary, made of polymer and require 40 percent less spring force for easier loading (magazines have an MSRP of $20 for 10/16-round magazines and $30 for extended 20-round magazines). Loading is also made easier with indicators that make sure you insert the cartridges in the correct orientation. The magazine release is reversible for right and left-handed use, and the slide release is present on the left side. Takedown is accomplished with an external lever and does not require for the trigger to be pulled.
All 309s are optics-ready with FN’s MRD slide design. For the FN 309, this includes a direct mount Leupold Delta Point Pro and Shield RMSc footprint, with the ability to mount optics that use the Docter footprint through the use of an adapter plate. Iron sights consist of a rounded rear U-notch with a front post with a green fiber-optic insert. They are drift adjustable and use the same dovetail specs as the 509 for aftermarket compatibility.
“With the FN 309 MRD we now have a trustworthy, easy-to-use pistol perfect both for new gun buyers and those looking to purchase their first FN,” said Chris Johnson, senior product manager for Pistols for FN America. “For us, it’s not just a new product, it’s FN’s commitment to offering the everyday user peace of mind and FN performance.”
The FN 309 ships with a 16-round magazine and a 20-round extended magazine, or with two 10-round magazines. It has an MSRP of $549 that is $170 less than the Reflex XL MRD or $280 less than the 509 Midsize MRD. The FN 309 is scheduled to be released in the first quarter of this year. For more information, see the company’s website.
