NRA Gun Of The Week: FN 502 Tactical

by
posted on June 10, 2022
** 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 America has extended its line of FN 509 centerfire handguns to provide owners of these centerfire guns with an easy-shooting rimfire that’s sized and styled similarly for training use. The 502 includes a few features that aren’t typically found on rimfire training pistols. Watch the NRA Gun Of The Week video above to see the FN 502 Tactical in use on the range.

Man wearing protective gear shooting FN 502 semi-automatic hammer-fired rimfire pistol white shooting range



Upping the ante of the 502 over other rimfire trainers on the market is the heightened magazine capacity, with standard magazines holding 10 rounds and extended units holding 15. Each gun ships with one 10-round magazine and one 15-round magazine. The milled slide is equipped with a 4.6" barrel and the gun measures 7.6" long and 5.8" high, putting it in the same size category as FN’s 509 Midsize model. Unloaded, the rimfire repeater weighs slightly less than its centerfire counterpart at 23.7 ozs.

FN 502 suppressor-height raised black rear tactical sight milled slide optic cut flat dark earth color

At the top of the FN 502 is a milled slide, which is a common feature on many of today’s centerfire pistols, but this particular milled slide is a first of its kind. The 502 is tuned for the added mass of a mounted red-dot sight. Should users choose to forgo optics, the 502 is equipped with suppressor-height sights. FN includes optic mounting plates designed for many of the popular red-dots available. In addition to optics and raised sights, the 502 Tactical supplies a threaded barrel to accommodate rimfire suppressors or muzzle devices. A knurled thread protector is included.

FN 502 left side slide muzzle barrel knurled thread protector serrations polymer frame dustcover

From our experience on the range, the 502 Tactical is a great stand-in for the company's centerfire variants, and it also makes a great trainer for handgun fundamentals in its own right. The slide shares the same profile and serrations as the 509 series, with the exception of an external hammer at the rear of the 502. Similarities between the two platforms are shared on the frame, too, where users will find the unique grip frame with three different texture patterns. While the centerfire guns have interchangeable backstraps, the 502 comes with a one-size-fits-all grip frame.

Specifications:
Manufacturer: FN America
Action Type: hammer-fired, semi-automatic, rimfire pistol
Chambering: .22 LR
Barrel: 4.6"
Frame: FDE polymer
Magazine: 10- and 15-round detachable box
Sights: milled for optics; raised, drift-adjustable square notch rear, post front
Overall Length: 7.6"
Overall Height: 5.8"
Weight: 23.7 ozs.
MSRP: $499

Latest

Women outside with rifle on rest
Women outside with rifle on rest

Three Hidden Joys of the Rifle

There is a particular jolt of joy when a shooter nestles behind a perfectly stable rifle and puts the ideal bullet exactly where intended.

New For 2026: Smith & Wesson M&P15 AXE

The new Smith & Wesson M&P15 AXE is not only the latest in the company's series of AR-style rifles, it marks the first S&W rifle to be chambered for the .300 Blackout cartridge.

The Armed Citizen® July 27, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Making Sense of Conflicting Court Rulings on the AR-15

Various and often conflicting judicial rulings on AR-15s tees up this critical constitutional issue for the U.S. Supreme Court, which has agreed to hear cases challenging bans of these popular semi-automatic in the coming term.

Skills Check: The Meltdown Drill

Our drill this month trains you to acquire a multi-round-durable grip from the start and continually pressure-test it under time and transition stress, holding you to an all-clean-hits standard.

EAA Corp. Acquires Manufacturing Facility in Tennessee

European American Armory’s recent acquisition of a large manufacturing facility in Mountain City, Tenn., is further evidence that the firearm importer plans to establish a domestic manufacturing presence.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.