The slide has low-profile iron sights to prevent snags and utilizes the same dovetail as the FN 509 series of pistols. In fact, it is just slightly shorter.. Psa 5.7 Rock Pistol Optics Ready W/ Threaded Psa Dagger Compact 9Mm Pistol With Extreme Carry Rock Island 1911 Tactical 9Mm 5" 8Rd Pistol. I just got this got anybody know if its normal that the magazine when putting it in the gun it stops halfway then have to give it that extra push in the magazine ? The companystatedthat the TGL will also fit the newer G43, and I confirmed it during this testing. So, yesterday I noticed a post on Instagram, that has now been taken down, that showed a 30 second video of FNs new single stack - the 503. The Hellcat packs a front night sight, a high contrast rear sight, an optics ready option, an aggressive grip texture, and front and rear slide serrations. Between trying to make the gun extra safe and keeping the price reasonable, its hard to stick a great trigger in such a small package. In my opinion, its a better approach than the short and stubby levers that appear on many other competing models including the 509 series. Guns owners will argue about all the nuances of every gun design. Slightly larger than the Sig Sauer P365 and slightly smaller than a Glock G43 the FN 503 strikes a nice balance between the two. Drag/drop and reorder the handguns to compare on top of eachother, New handguns and the best gun and ammo deals straight to your inbox, Striker-Fired Subcompact Pistol Chambered in 9mm Luger. I willingly spend my own money with them. FN 503 Specifications Type: Striker-Fired, Recoil-Operated, Semi-Automatic Cartridge: 9mm Luger Capacity: 6+1 rds., 8+1 rds. The woman in the classsaid she had to exert a greater degree of force on the gun to properly control it than on the Smith & Wesson Shield and Walther PPS pistols she also shot. gear. Its centered and wide as opposed to thin and offset on the Kahr. This is the best one Ive seen. Looking to pick one up soon? Personalize your experience. Glock 43 owners have a wider selection of sights, magazines, triggers, and more. For example, I wish the triggerguards undercut was more pronounced, and the grip was a bit wider. The 503 has a loaded chamber indicator and rear cocking serrations for easy slide manipulation. Come a long way from the old waffen works days. If you like shooting the FN 509, youre going to love carrying the FN 503. In terms of accuracy, the FN 503 is a standout, and it has everything to do with the trigger. Sights are . Since before World War I, FN has been one of the top names in firearms, but past performance cant guarantee future results so does the FN 503 really stack up against the competition? Since then, the Pro is my preferred gun. I found a big problem. Perhaps you'll change them, perhaps you won't. With the finger extension on the magazine, I had plenty of hand on the gun to keep muzzle flip to a minimum. My impression is that the 503 looks, feels, and is finished like a $450 gun that sells for around $450. The average encounter is over before youd have a chance to even access a second mag - even with well rehearsed reloading. Like the 509, the 503s metalwork receives a salt-bath, ferritic nitrocarburizing treatment that protects against metallic corrosion and scuffing. Imitation or the use of anything demonstrated in my videos is done AT YOUR OWN RISK. While I do sacrifice magazine capacity, I gain a lot in concealability and comfort by transitioning to the G43. Overall, I thought the unit did very well when mounted to the Glock. Sights are typical dot and box type sights that are used across the line. Caleb Giddings, Marketing Manager at Taurus, introduces the all-new TaurusTX 22 Compact. For me, the trigger on the P290RS make the G43 more appealing to me. models. Ankle carry is perfectly fine with this pistol. My First Training Experience at Gunsite Academy. Interesting velocity measurements. So, two failures and it gets 5 out of 5? The key word is consistent. The FNs trigger provided a level of repeatability that created confidence with the gun. purchase helps support my work in bringing you more awesome gun and gear articles. Do you think FN has provided a worthy challenger to the Hellcat, Shield, the Sig Sauer P365, or even the Glock 43? With the 503, it isn't as pronounced, so I have an easier time getting to the go-pedal. Everything else in this class feels like a $200 gun for sale for $450 YMMV, Love my 503 and love that sights work with the 509, Thank you for the review. The South Carolina-made FN 503 has a clean look to it, although kind of blocky, and handles well. Some of the links on this page and site are affiliate links to companies like Amazon and Palmetto State Armory. Weve built dozens of ARs and well cover all the best AR-15 upgrades such as handguards, triggers, BCGs, gas blocks, and more. This style extractor did not appear on the FNX or FNS series prior to the 509. Sure you have more options with a Glock but we are talking about concealed carry guns and many people will not enhance them much. Just buy extra mags. The Glock 43's Big Advantage The Glock 43 has taken a beating this article. The longer magazine also reduces shooter fatigue when firing string after string. With the slide locked back, you can inspect the chamber where youll see the feed ramp is polished. Finish: Black Nitride The pistols dimensions are just right for concealed carry. We do some shooting with the new FN 503 single stack 9mm pistol, discuss its features, how it compares to a Glock 43, and what I think of it overall.Crossbreed 503 holsters: https://bit.ly/2TvL1RdFN 503 sights: https://amzn.to/2Zfkmf81776 United shirts [including Signers]: (use code Mrgunsngear for 20% off): http://bit.ly/2rCn5PWNine Line Apparel shirts: (discount code MRGUNS20): https://glnk.io/nxl/mrgunsngearMy Amazon store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/mrgunsngearwww.Facebook.com/Mrgunsngearwww.Instagram.com/Mrgunsngearwww.twitter.com/mrgunsngearhttps://www.tiktok.com/@mrgunsngearMusic by Machinima \u0026 Epidemic SoundDisclaimer: These videos are strictly for educational and entertainment purposes only. Fast forward to the 1980s and all of those classic designs were put to bed. For this article, I ran 12 different factory loads through the G43. What cant be accomplished as quickly is whether or not this gun will run the distance, but Ill attest that it will. He deployed in 2009 to Afghanistan and again in 2011 with the 22nd MEU(SOC) during a record-setting 11 months at sea. Hi Everyone The 509 didnt win, but it proved itself as a formidable sidearm that was extremely accurate and reliable. Its solid and reliable. During shooting, it held zero and caused me no concern. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 CrossBreed Blog | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. It does not havethe modular backstrap system than the larger guns have. Smith & Wessons M&P Shield and SIG Sauers P365 both have the same 3.1-inch barrel length as the 503, but the P365 is .1-inch shorter than the FN, while the S&W is .2-inch longer. I felt that recoil was a little snappy, but not uncontrollable. Weve got a dedicated section for the AR-15 here. If you still havent checked out the full review video. Ive not used one, so Im happy to get feedback on them to pass along to others. For some loads, the G43 registered velocities closer to duty-sized pistols than some its compact contemporaries. Too little too late in that class of handguns. We havent cleaned it yet and dont plan on it until the testing is complete. Your email address will not be published. What do you think? 1174 vs. 1178 That was unexpected. 25: Detailed Gun Collection Review. After 500 rounds, the FN 503 seems to be holding up well, with about the most wear shown in grime build-up at the muzzle. Get Our Top Shooting Drills and Zeroing Targets ($47 value - but FREE for a limited time). Glock often rests on their laurels, and the Glock 43 is a prime example of Glock not willing to push design forward. Glad I waited. He serves as an NRA certified pistol instructor and pursues a variety of firearms based hobbies. Ultimately, it's a single-stack subcompact striker-fired pistol, so by now everyone knows what that's like. The internet is on the fad of double stacks which grossly over rated. Rather than being the first to publish a review of the new guns, I decided to aim for a much more in-depth examination of the pistols. You do not pay vs. FN . Some chafe at strong texture (see what we did there) but it is something that can be modded by the end-user with some sandpaper. When FN says the 503 is a slim-line pistol, they arent kidding! After that article was done, Glock granted me an extension to hold onto the gun for an addition 60 days for this review. I do not endorse any specific product and this video is not an attempt to sell you a good or service. However, instead of mounting to an accessory rail, this unit attaches to the trigger guard. There are a few design features that I would change about the 503, but those come down to personal taste. Capacity matters in any concealed carry pistol. The extended slide stop and the fenced-off reversible magazine-release have a raised texture. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. This gives the Hellcat nearly 50% more ammo in a flush-fitting magazine. Loading. It is unlikely that a few feet per second will make any difference in a self-defense shooting. From sights to grip texture, to the angle and position of slide serrations. To fill this hole in their catalog in recent years, full-size polymer-framed double-stacks like the FNS and FN 509 have been chopped down to more compact designs, but they were still pretty chunky compared to Mr. Brownings early guns. Its a perpetual trade-off between shootability and concealability. 429.99 . SCCY DVG-1 Sub-Compact Striker-Fired Pistol: Full Review, SIG Sauer Custom Works P320 Spectre Comp Pistol: First Look, Springfield Armory Hellion 5.56 NATO Bullpup Rifle: Tested, Wilson Combat SFX9 5-Inch Solid Frame 9mm Pistol: First Look, The 6mm ARC Cartridge: Why the Military Needed It, .224 Valkyrie Small Precision Rifle Cartridge: Everything You Need to Know, SIG Sauer P322 Rimfire Pistol: First Look, How to Choose the Best Scope Reticle for Your Application. Heck, Iveeven carried a 6-shot wheel gun as a duty gun in uniform. Glock 43 was on my list. Superb cc firearm. Glock 43 vs 43X: Which Is The Better Concealed Carry Handgun? The links do not change your purchase price. View Deal . The mags include a flush fit 6-rounder with a pinky grip extension and an extended 8-shot mag with a grip sleeve that adds about an inch to the height. The grip is a bit longer than most sub-compacts and allows even shooters with large hands to get a full and proper grip with the extended magazine. I do not endorse any specific product and this video is not an attempt to sell you a good or service. Ben Voss FN Product Manager talks about the new FN SCAR 15P ultra-compact rifle-caliber pistol at SHOT Show 2023. While you may not notice a few extra ounces while carrying, you will notice the weight when firing hot defensive rounds. I guess it is just a matter of finding what fits your hand best. As you may already know, the Glock 43 is a compact 9mm pistol, similar in size to the Smith & Wesson Shield, Walther PPS and Kahr CM9. So ugly, looks like that old little 380 sigma, Mine has a built-in light. The low and to the left spread is more an issue with the shooter rather than the gun. The guns included the FN 509, Glock 17 Gen5, Heckler & Koch P30, Sig Sauer P320 Full-Size, Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 and the 5-inch-barreled Walther PPQ M2. This size and design of the gun will appeal tomany people looking for a concealed carry pistol. We'll send you the latest guides and training tips geared Width: 1 in. At this point, there are so many subcompact and compact poly striker pistols to choose from. My wife, for example, has relatively small hands. Surprisingly, the gun had to grow on me a little before I truly accepted it. The 365 and 365 XL along with the Hellcat have set the bar. Looks like a great gun. At the time of this review, Glock is not an advertiser or sponsor, nor am I in any talks with them to be one. Flipping the guns horizontally, you can definitely tell that the length of the grip of the FN 503 doesnt affect the width of the gun itself. It also carries well. The Shield weighs about the same as the 503, while the P365 is lighter than both by about .3 ounces. Could care less about capacity issue. Its tough to be a Glock 43 in a day and age where the P365 and Hellcat exist. From everyone Ive spoken to that owns one, the guns are just as dependable as the larger guns in the companys catalog. It helped push me toward the Hellcat. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this sites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Control of the pistol is improved when shooting with the extended eight-round magazine inserted. Glock G42 vs FN 503 Glock G42 Striker-Fired Subcompact Pistol Chambered in 380 ACP Check Price vs FN 503 Striker-Fired Subcompact Pistol Chambered in 9mm Luger Check Price Dimensions Details Capacity Dimensions Customary Metric Want to sell a firearm? Great video though with alot of valuable info comparing the Glock 43 to the FN 503 and that Cool lake in the background! Weight: 21 oz. Glock has decided to capitalize on the growing custom trigger trend and offer a factory version: the Glock Performance Trigger (GPT). The Glock 43 comes with two six-round magazines, and the Hellcat comes with an 11 and 13 round magazine. Looking for a super slim sub-compact.? This lever doubles as the pistols takedown pin. The most pronounced difference between the FN 503 and the 509 is, of course, size. Just 3.1-inches with an equivalent sight radius, it is not geared to long-range accuracy but you have to keep in mind this is a slim single-stack 9mm envisioned for concealed carry. We all get what it's for (CCW) and we all get that it's not a target pistol. Using the design, performance and reliability standards of the FN 509 family as inspiration, the FN 503 has been purpose-built to conceal quickly and discreetly without compromising on the features and performance FN customers require - like it's 3.1-inch barrel with recessed target crown to ensure dependable accuracy; enlarged controls and soft recoil that make the FN 503 . 1 more deal from kygunco.com 488.99 View Deal Fn 503 Pistol 9Mm 3.1 Barrel 8-Round/6-Round Includes. However, I wanted to get the G43 back on the range and find out if I really liked it or not. Maybe Im willing to endure a longer grip than many, but I just dont see the practicality in having to carry two magazines to have enough bullets. The Glock holds 45% less (5/11=0.45) than the Hellcat, and the Hellcat holds 83% more (5/6=0.83) than the Glock. After a break-in period, this gun ran without any issues. The grip housing of the FN 503 is wider from front-to-back than the Shield, the Glock 43 and other guns of that type, with a slightly longer trigger reach as a result. The mags positively drop free. By viewing or flagging this video you are acknowledging the above. Installation is quick and simple: two halves clamp over the trigger guard and three screws hold them in place. Stocky's Owner Don Bitz walks David Faubion through the company's new rifle stocks for 2023. Lastly for the 503 is MSRP, which comes in at $549. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. You wont win any marksmanship awards with a 3 barrel, but for a CCW youll be on target. Ive carried a lot of guns, but none so frequently as my second gen Glock 19. I bought one a week ago and I love it its back up to my Beretta. They are firmly pressed in and are easy to see in all but dark conditions. The new subcompact comes with a semicircular witness hole at the rear of the barrel hood to serve as a loaded chamber indicator. I dont know if this is suggestive of a quality control problem, but I had no problems with my unit. That is a feature that you can determine whether you like or dislike for yourself. Earlier this year FN launched the FN 503, a slim, 6+1 shot single-stack 9mm that is the companys smallest handgun in generations, and we have been putting it through its paces. Overall, it's a very decent pistol, though it's about 5 years late to the game. I prefer the 503 over the 43 an 365, I noticed this video was a year ago however, I do know that in 2021 every Glock I have bought , the 43 and 26 has made in USA on it and the Georgia proof seal on it so it seems they are making them here now and not in Austria. 2.7K Dislike Vickers Tactical 985K subscribers Larry takes a look at the FN 503, FN's entry into the world of Subcompact 9mms. FN 503 Subcompact Concealed Carry Handgun Review: Better Than A G43? Ive put together a list of different carry rigs that are currently on the market for the pistol. The frame offers plenty of room for a thumbs-forward shooting position, and while the almost flush-fit six-round magazine will leave most shooters grip with a pinky finger unsupported, the eight-round magazine has enough to maintain confident control. Would you do a little more indepth take down, like removing the striker and block for cleaning then reassemble and test function. Before I get too far down the road of my experiences, let me describe the gun to you. Even though I collected a lot of information, shooting the Glock was definitely in the fun not work category. One of the slimmest 9s on the market, FN has a winner with the new 503. The gun is not perfect; Im still hoping that Glock will introduce a single-stack version of the Glock 19. With an outstanding trigger, great ergonomics, and coming in at a very reasonable price point this is a gun that simply delivers. Give a Gift Type your new password and hit button below to confirm it. Ive got afull review of the TLR-6 here. How do these two handguns stack up against eachother? Courtesy FN. Get Guns.com offers and news!! What do you like about it? Shallow channels along the top of the grip offer a landing place for the shooting finger and thumb. Im very glad I gave the G43 another test drive. Well, now its FNs turn with their FN 503! First off there were two malfunctions during the first 100 rounds. Is it a worthy competitor? These videos are free to watch and if anyone attempts to charge for this video notify us immediately. I think ammo performance is still about half-voodoo, half-science. A DAK-type trigger makes the P290 much more interesting to me. However, an extra 30-40 fps might help a 9mm hollow point bullet expand in flesh after encountering clothing. Flawless | There's a flush-fit magazine and an extended magazine that ships with the gun; pretty standard stuff for a pistol of this size. Check Price . The FN 503 Slim Line 9 mm came out on March 17, 2020. We (including YouTube) will not be held liable for any injury to yourself or damage to your firearms resulting from attempting anything shown in any our videos. The 509C miniaturizes the proven 509 platform while retaining all its features in a 12-round-capacity carry pistol chambered in 9 mm Luger. First is the grip housing. Over the years, mywantsand needs have changed. The Hellcat challenged the concealed carry market by being the second entry in a new category of micro-compact pistols with double-stack capacities. In terms of cost, the G43, P365, Springfield Armorys Hellcat, and the 503 are within $50 of each other. Select what level shooter you are! The Hellcat is slimmer by a mere .06 inches, but it bears mentioning. Springfield left us on the edge of our seats in September 2019 before finally delivering the Hellcat to us from the heavens above. Glock has been resting on its laurels for a long time. (, We noticed that you have previously logged in with your, Check what do you get by creating an account, Bookmark and compare your favorite firearms, FN 503 Review: Top Tier CCW? I just picked one up about 2 weeks ago. I would take a Taurus G2C over the FN any time! I love the back scene but Id be worried Id drop the gun or parts into the water. Ive owned the P365 and the Hellcat and sold them both within a week. Loaded the 8 round mag, racked the slide then took out the magazine out. Other than some breaking in over the first 100 rounds, zero issues. sportsmans.com 495.99 View Deal Tabletop Comparison Learn all the important stuff about handgunswith none of the attitude. I like it overall. The FN 503, roughly the size of your hand,conceals quicklyand discreetly without compromising on features or performance. Correction: Using 6 rounds for the Glock & 11 for the Hellcat, math does not support the statement that the Hellcat holds, nearly 50% more than the Glock. With that being said, we also made sure to drop some Wolf, PMC, and Winchester loads through the gun as well as some with 124- and 147-grain bullets and both FMJ and JHPs. The quality of this gun is on par with any I own. Brian Keene. L to R, Sig Sauer P365, FN 503, Glock G43 Slightly larger than the Sig Sauer P365 and slightly smaller than a Glock G43 the FN 503 strikes a nice balance between the two. Not even a failure to lock open, even after the last round was fired. Despite its long and storied history, you have to think back the the FN Model 1910 and 1910/22 for a single-stack carry pistol branded with the initials of the name Fabrique Nationale.. I, as most Gun enthusiasts, consider myself a connoisseur of handguns and rifles alike and have owned or shot just about every brand out there and as far as a comparison between the 6 round Glock 43 and the 11/13 round Hellcat (a Glock is a great weapon dont get me wrong) but the hellcat in my opinion is far superior for a sub compact 9mm everyday handgun it is exactly that..a Beast straight out of hell!. Much to my personal disappointment, I did not like the G43 at first. However, she said that it was only a problem from the standpoint of fatigue setting in sooner, not from an inability to control the recoil. I had read your Sig review a while backit was one of the reasons I got the 290rs. The barrel has a polished feed ramp and is target crowned and recessed something you dont expect on a palm-sized handgun. The 503 series is FN's first sub-compact, striker-fired semiautomatic pistol. Out on the range, Johnny has put the FN 503 through its paces and has come away very impressed with the gun. 0:00 / 19:10 FN 503 vs Sig P365 MarksmanTV 118K subscribers Subscribe 904 48K views 2 years ago This is a table top review and comparison of the FN 503 and the Sig P365. Not only does the added capacity reduce the frequency of reloads, but it also offers more real estate to grip. The advanced texture provides a tight, aggressive grip of the pistol despite its thin profile. There are three passive safeties including a striker block, a trigger-safety lever, and a trigger disconnect. It ran flawlessly and seemed as accurate as any other pistol I own (subject to my own ability to run it of course.). There was no need to determine whether a stovepipe malfunction was the fault of the gun or the ammo, and no reason to record failure-to-feeds because there were none. Even like it more than the P365. Your email address will not be published. First is the grip housing. The Aftermarket Embraces FN's 509 The white light is bright enough to positively identify threats, but is not overwhelming like some of the current full-size weapon lights on the market today. The TaurusTX 22 Compact delivers class-leading reliability, capacity, and shootability in a 22 LR platform, and it's cut for a slide-mounted mini red dot. I had a magazine assignment come up thatwould put guns in the hands of new shooters, and Glock was happy to provide some pistols for the event. With an MSRP of $549, has FN brought a true contender to the table with the 503? We had an experienced 12-year old junior shooter put about 200 rounds through the FN 503, using the shorter mag (with tons of reloading!) Its an older review and not as good as my more recent reviews, but it is here if you would like to read it: https://www.gunsholstersandgear.com/gun-reviews/sig-p290-rs-enhanced-review/. Did you or your shooters have any complaints or failures to lock on empty with the thumbs-forward grip? Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. This is a 100-round spread at 25 yards/75 feet with the shorter mag/grip. The 503 is a true subcompact. I got this today and mine has a built in lasermax flashing/ solid (blinding)flashlight. I guess that just seems like a curious choice in such a quality firearm - and at a great price. The Shield is the least expensive of these with a suggested retail price of $374. Thanks. I DO NOT sell parts, magazines, or firearms. Here is the real killer between these two guns. What do you think of the FN 503? Lmao. All Guns and Ammo subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. A beefy external extractor sits below to the right side of the slide to ensure reliable extraction in all conditions. If I did, the G19 would merely be one of the guns I carried. We will be discussing the features of each one, along with the associated benefits. About the worst rock you can throw at the FN 503 is that, with its single-stack capacity, it is kinda behind the curve when compared to guns like the Sig P365 and Springfield Hellcat. With all of the expectations associated with this gun, there is a lot of pressure on Glock to deliver. Although I like the Shield, Im currently carrying the G43. FN 503 Glock G43 vs FN 503 FN 503 vs Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Shield Plus Taurus G2c vs FN 503 Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Shield vs FN 503 FN 509 vs FN 509 Midsize FN 509 vs Sig Sauer P320 X-Carry FN 509 vs FN 502 FN 509 vs Heckler & Koch VP9 FN 509 vs Sig Sauer P365 XL Sig Sauer P365 vs FN 503 Glock G43 vs FN 503 FN 503 vs Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Shield Plus When carrying, the FN 503 is almost indistinguishable from the popular G43, P365 and XD-S. There have not yet been any malfunctions with this pistol.). Once upon a time, FN was known for making the smallest, most compact handguns on the market. Not by much; it's like an extra " compared to other guns of this class. Across all of these, the Glock performed with 100% reliability. The Glock 43 packs six rounds, and thats it. All work on firearms should be carried out by a licensed individual and all state and federal rules apply to such. Both the Hellcat and the Sig P365 blow the corresponding Glock out of the water. The ones that nobody wanted. If the gun runs well, it is a fun day shooting. Not much, but enough for me to notice. At the time of this writing, there are already multiple light and laser attachments on the scene. Should you decide to purchase something from one of those companies, I make a small commission. What about the other post-P365 options like the Springfield Hellcat or Mossberg MC2? [3] In general, it appears to be a tool ideally suited for concealed carry and as a backup gun for uniformed law enforcement officers. Maybe not enough to deal with a methed up zombie or a Mall shooter with an AK-47 but I dont go out much after dark.or do much shopping. Absolutely love it, but its my 2nd option ankle gun. A solution could be to carry the 6-rounder inserted and the 7-round mag as a backup on the one is none, two is one mantra of EDC. The slab-sided grip presents micro-texturing on the sides and pronounced square checkering molded to the front and backstraps for better recoil control. Its easy once you understand the procedure, but strong hands and a review of the owners manual make the task faster and simpler.