22 OF OF OF 22 22 - Jeffersonian

THE SIXGUNNERJohn TaffinFNP-40The FNP-40 acceptsthe Streamlight M6Xcombination tacticalflashlight and redlaser sight.Rapid firetargets shotwith theFNP-40.FNH American-StyleSince the 1990s, the .40 S&W hasbeen the cartridge of choice formany law enforcement agenciesand has been chambered in virtuallyevery 9mm-sized semiauto includingthe Browning Hi-Power. The latest .40S&W is from the American counterpartof the first company to offer theBrowning Hi-Power 9mm, which is alsoknown as the P-35, since it arrived in1935. Fabrique Nationale, or FN, wasthat original manufacturer and has longbeen known for quality products. TheAmerican version of Fabrique Nationaleis FN HERSTAL located in Virginia, andthis new semiauto pistol is the FNP-40.FN HERSTAL is owned by theHERSTAL Group, which also ownsBrowning and Winchester. It was HER-STAL which pulled the plug on the Winchesterplant in New Haven a few yearsback, however they have redeemedthemselves by now producing the WinchesterModel 70 once again. This isnot a Japanese-manufactured rifle butrather comes from the HERSTAL FNHplant in Columbia, South Carolina. Winchestershave been produced under severalnames in my lifetime, however thecompany name is now back to the originalWinchester Repeating Arms Company,as it was nearly 150 years ago.Integral Grip FrameThe FNP-40 joins the long list ofpolymer pistols with an integral gripframe. With the 4" steel barrel and slidethe resulting unloaded weight is justunder 27 ounces with an empty magazine;with a full magazine of 14 roundsthe actual carry weight is right at 35ounces. The molded polymer grip frameControls found on the left side of theFNP-40: takedown lever, slide lock,de-cocker, and magazine release.provides a very secure gripping surface,with checkering molded into the frontand back straps coupled with stipplingon both sides. Not everyone has the samelength fingers nor the same subjectivefeeling of what the shape of the backstrapshould be. To address these differences,Continued on page 97Typical groups firedwith the FNP-40.The FNP-40 was fired with a variety of .40 S&W factory loads.46 WWW.AMERICANHANDGUNNER.COM • MARCH/APRIL 2010