About 2 years ago give or take I traded in a gun I had no use for any longer in exchange for an FN 509 midsize (509M). I liked it. Not as much as the VP9 or VP9SK or Shadow Systems MR918, but I liked it. It felt really good. Typically I didn’t do quite as well with it on drills as with the VP9 or MR918, but pretty close. Even though my best results with the VP9 tended to be a little better than my 509M bests, over time it became apparent that I shot more consistently with the 509M. It concealed IWB with a tucked in shirt very well, much better than its size would suggest, and didn't jab me or poke me anywhere whether sitting or standing. Must have something to do with the shape. There was no ammo you could get it to choke on. With Talon Pros on, the grip texture was just right. Objectively speaking the trigger kinda sucks, particularly compared to the VP9, but for some reason it works well for me.
I then picked up the optics ready model and a few months ago put a Holosun 507C on. Around the same time I also had the VP9 milled and a 507C installed. What I now shoot most often are the 509M with optic and VP9 with the same optic. Damned if I don’t leave every range session thinking WTF, how can this be, this 509M just shoots so flat and effortlessly and consistently, and I feel more confident with it than even the VP9.
I’ve occasionally been tempted to get the Apex trigger that a lot of people rave about, but then each time I shoot it I feel like even if the Apex is “better,” maybe I’m better suited to a mediocre trigger for some reason, or at least this mediocre trigger. Although I do think it has gotten better over time.
Along the way I saw some YouTube videos about how the 509M locks up if immersed in water, and that was concerning. Then again, I don’t own a boat, if I did own a boat it would be in New Jersey or Maryland where I wouldn’t be able to have a gun with me anyway, when I hike it is rarely near water that I am likely to find myself in, and to the extent I ever had any Navy Seal aspirations, the Seals are probably not quite so desperate as to need stout 58-year-olds.
There was also an issue with the strikers having a tendency to break, which was much more concerning. Apex then came along with a heavy duty machined striker, so I got two of those and installed them.
Except for those occasions when carrying something smaller and more invisible is imperative, the 509M has evolved into the gun I have on me every waking hour.
There I said it. Come at me, bitches.
Originally Posted by Kanye Wyoming
About 2 years ago give or take I traded in a gun I had no use for any longer in exchange for an FN 509 midsize (509M). I liked it. Not as much as the VP9 or VP9SK or Shadow Systems MR918, but I liked it. It felt really good. Typically I didn’t do quite as well with it on drills as with the VP9 or MR918, but pretty close. Even though my best results with the VP9 tended to be a little better than my 509M bests, over time it became apparent that I shot more consistently with the 509M. It concealed IWB with a tucked in shirt very well, much better than its size would suggest, and didn't jab me or poke me anywhere whether sitting or standing. Must have something to do with the shape. There was no ammo you could get it to choke on. With Talon Pros on, the grip texture was just right. Objectively speaking the trigger kinda sucks, particularly compared to the VP9, but for some reason it works well for me.
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