FN America
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Heritage & History
FN America is the U.S. subsidiary of Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal (FN Herstal), the Belgian firearms manufacturer founded in 1889. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia with manufacturing in Columbia, South Carolina, FN America operates under the tagline "The World's Most Battle-Proven Firearms."
:::callout
FN's claim to "most battle-proven" is not marketing hype. FN manufactures the M4/M16 for the U.S. military (won the contract from Colt), the M240 and M249 machine guns, the M2 .50 caliber machine gun, and the M17/M18 (Sig P320 military pistol slides). More U.S. military small arms come from FN than any other manufacturer.
:::Key milestones:
- 1889 — FN Herstal founded in Belgium (originally to make Mauser rifles)
- 1897 — Partnership with John Moses Browning begins (produced Auto-5, Hi-Power, BAR, and others)
- 1977 — FN's FNC rifle design influences future military weapons
- 1988 — FN wins M16 production contract from Colt
- 1997 — P90 PDW and Five-seveN pistol enter civilian market
- 2004 — SCAR program wins USSOCOM contract
- Present — SAAMI member; largest military small arms supplier to the U.S. government
FN also owns Browning Arms and Winchester Repeating Arms through FN Herstal, making the group one of the most influential firearms conglomerates in the world.
Product Lines
Military/LE crossover to civilian — FN's distinctive approach:
Model Caliber Type Military Heritage Civilian Price FN SCAR 16S 5.56 NATO Semi-auto, gas piston USSOCOM Mk 16 ~$3,500 FN SCAR 17S 7.62 NATO Semi-auto, gas piston USSOCOM Mk 17 ~$3,800 FN SCAR 20S 7.62 NATO Semi-auto, precision DMR variant ~$4,300 FN 15 5.56 NATO Semi-auto, DI Military M4/M16 maker ~$1,200 - $1,800 FN PS90 5.7x28mm Semi-auto, bullpup P90 PDW variant ~$1,800 FN Five-seveN 5.7x28mm Semi-auto pistol Military/LE sidearm ~$1,200 FN 509 9mm Striker-fired pistol Duty/carry platform ~$600 - $900 FN 502 .22 LR Training pistol 509 training analog ~$350 FN High Power 9mm SA pistol Browning Hi-Power revival ~$1,300 :::callout
The FN SCAR (Special Operations Combat Assault Rifle) was developed specifically for USSOCOM. The civilian SCAR 16S and 17S are semi-auto versions of the same rifles used by U.S. special operations forces. At $3,500+, they're premium — but they're the real thing, not a clone.
:::FN's 5.7x28mm system:
- PS90 — Bullpup carbine, 50-round magazine, compact design
- Five-seveN — Full-size pistol, 20-round magazine
- 5.7x28mm cartridge — High velocity (2,350 fps), low recoil, armor-defeating in military loads
- Civilian ammo is available but expensive (~$0.50-0.80/round)
FN 509 series — FN's modern pistol platform:
Variant Size Features Best For 509 Full-size Standard duty pistol LE duty, range 509 Tactical Full-size + threaded Suppressor-ready, optics-ready Suppressed shooting 509 Compact Compact Concealed carry sized EDC with FN quality 509 Compact Tactical Compact + threaded Best of both worlds Compact carry + suppressor 509 Midsize Between full and compact Balanced size Versatile duty/carry 509 LS Edge Competition Long slide, competition trigger USPSA, range performance Innovation & Technology
FN's innovations span military and civilian applications:
Innovation Application Impact SCAR gas piston system SCAR 16/17 Short-stroke piston; cleaner, cooler than DI; adjustable gas 5.7x28mm cartridge PS90, Five-seveN Created an entirely new cartridge category (PDW) P90 bullpup design PS90 50-round top-mounted magazine, ambidextrous, compact Cold hammer-forged barrels All FN rifles CHF barrels across the product line; military durability M16/M4 manufacturing FN 15, military FN produces more M4/M16 rifles than any other company SCAR operating system detail:
- Short-stroke gas piston (not direct impingement)
- Adjustable gas regulator (suppressed/unsuppressed settings)
- Monolithic upper receiver for optic mounting rigidity
- Folding/collapsible stock
- Side-charging, non-reciprocating handle
FN 509 platform:
- Based on FN's submission for the U.S. Army MHS program (lost to Sig P320)
- Striker-fired with external extractor
- Stainless steel barrel, PVD coated
- MIL-STD-1913 accessory rail
- Optics-ready (Tactical and Edge variants)
Community & Reputation
Segment Reputation Notes Military/special ops Unmatched Literally "the" military firearms manufacturer LE agencies Very strong FN 509 and SCAR in agency service Precision shooters Respected SCAR 17S and 20S are capable platforms 5.7x28mm enthusiasts Dedicated niche PS90 and Five-seveN have cult followings AR-15 buyers Moderate FN 15 is good but expensive for a DI AR Collectors Strong Military heritage adds value Common praise:
- Military pedigree is genuine and unmatched
- SCAR platform is one of the best piston-driven rifles available
- FN 509 is a sleeper — excellent duty pistol often overlooked
- Cold hammer-forged barrels across the lineup
- Build quality and finish are consistently premium
Common criticism:
- SCAR pricing is steep ($3,500+) and the reciprocating charging handle is controversial
- 5.7x28mm ammo is expensive and availability is inconsistent
- FN 15 (DI AR-15) is overpriced compared to Daniel Defense, BCM at similar prices
- Aftermarket support for SCAR is limited compared to AR platform
- FN High Power reintroduction is divisive (purists vs. modernizers)
:::callout
The SCAR charging handle debate: The SCAR's reciprocating charging handle (it moves when the bolt cycles) is either a non-issue or a dealbreaker depending on who you ask. C-clamp grip shooters occasionally get hit by it. FN has not changed this design element despite years of community feedback.
:::Buyer's Guide
Which FN is right for you?
If You Want... Get This Why SOCOM-level rifle (5.56) SCAR 16S The actual special operations rifle platform SOCOM-level rifle (7.62) SCAR 17S Does everything the 16S does in .308 Modern duty pistol FN 509 Tactical Optics + suppressor ready, excellent trigger Budget FN pistol FN 509 Solid duty gun at ~$600 Unique platform PS90 50-round bullpup; nothing else like it .22 training pistol FN 502 Matches 509 controls for training Classic 9mm FN High Power Updated Browning Hi-Power from the original manufacturer FN pricing reality:
FN Model Price Comparable Alternatives SCAR 16S ($3,500) Premium Daniel Defense DDM4 ($1,800), BCM RECCE ($1,300) FN 15 ($1,500) Mid-premium DD DDM4 V7 ($1,800), BCM ($1,300) — better value FN 509 ($600) Competitive Glock 17 ($550), Sig P320 ($580) — fair pricing PS90 ($1,800) Unique Nothing directly comparable Five-seveN ($1,200) Premium Unique caliber; no direct competitors :::callout
Bottom line: FN makes genuinely military-grade firearms. The SCAR and 509 are worth their prices. The PS90/Five-seveN are unique platforms you can't get elsewhere. The FN 15 (DI AR-15) is the one place where the premium feels unjustified — comparable AR-15s cost less from other premium makers.
:::References
- FN America official site: fnamerica.com
- FN Herstal corporate history and military contracts
- USSOCOM SCAR program documentation
- American Rifleman: FN 509 and SCAR series reviews
Read the original article in The Handbook | By Boise Gun Club Editorial Team
Join the Discussion
For those who've run FN gear, how do the SCARs or 509s stack up against the hype, or have they disappointed you compared to other platforms you've tried?
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