Suppressing the FNX 9mm.... Why Nobody Talks about this Pistol

Yes I know the FNX 45 is all the rage... but its younger brother is one of the coolest pistols with a little work!

6/19/20244 min read

The FNX 9mm is a reliable and well-crafted firearm from the reputable FN Herstal, yet it often flies under the radar in discussions about suppressor hosts. This article will explore the reasons behind its relative obscurity, compare it to the more popular FNX 45, and provide a guide to suppressing this underrated gem.

The Basics

Price: The FNX 9mm is competitively priced, typically around $550.00. You can check the latest price and availability at Budsgunshop here.

Specifications:

Caliber: 9mm
Barrel Length: 4 inches (standard)
Capacity: 17+1 rounds
Weight: 21.9 oz
Action: DA/SA
Sights: Fixed 3-Dot

The FNX 45: A Popular Counterpart

When most people think of the FNX, they default to the FNX 45. The FNX 45 is a household name among firearm enthusiasts, partly due to its frequent appearances in popular video games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. Its robust design, larger caliber, and the fact that you can purchase it with a factory-threaded barrel (if you can find it) make it a favorite for suppressor use. However, the FNX 9mm remains the less talked about, ugly stepchild for no good reason. Why is that?

Why the FNX 9mm Is Overlooked

1. Lack of Factory-Threaded Barrel: Unlike its .45 counterpart, the FNX 9mm does not come with a factory-threaded barrel, making it less convenient for users who wish to attach a suppressor. This requires additional steps and modifications, which can be a deterrent.

2. Thin Barrel Diameter: This is the real reason for its neglect. The FNX 9mm's barrel is too thin to create a proper shoulder for suppressors, which is crucial for ensuring a secure and stable fit. This limitation further contributes to its lack of popularity as a suppressor host, and I believe this is one of the few factors that has led to a lack of general interest in a gun boarding being discontinued. (Let's hope not!)

A Solution: Threading the Barrel

Despite these challenges, suppressing the FNX 9mm is entirely possible and rather easy with the right modifications. Here's how you can do it:

Purchase a 5" FNS-9L Barrel for the FNS 9mm: The FNS-9L 5" barrel used to be abundantly in stock at Midwest Gun Works. If you can find one, they are interchangeable with the FNX 9mm and will work in your gun out of the box. If you can't, companies like EFK Dragon previously made FNX threaded barrels. However, the cheapest route is the FNS barrel, and if you find one, you are halfway to the solution. Once you have your stock barrel, you can take it to any gunsmith and have it threaded. I had mine threaded to 1/2 X 28. But wait, what about the shoulder of the barrel being too thin?
Use a Griffin Armament CAM-LOK: The Griffin Armament CAM-LOK system allows you to mount the suppressor without relying on a traditional shoulder. The exact CAM-LOK for this job is the "1/2 X 28 9mm Special" to be precise. The "Special" version of their CAM-LOK is designed to accommodate any pistol barrel that is too thin for a normal shoulder. This works because their proprietary muzzle attachment shoulders (indexes) on the end of the barrel. This means you have to run their proprietary pistons in your suppressors, but it is a fantastic alternative. It also looks really, really cool.

Why the FNX 9mm Is a Great Suppressor Host

Once equipped with the right barrel and suppressor mount, the FNX 9mm reveals its true potential as a suppressor host. Here are some of its key advantages:

Reliability: The FNX 9mm is surprisingly reliable. It is one of the most reliable pistols I have ever owned. It performs consistently well under various conditions, with any kind of ammunition, making it a trustworthy choice for suppressed shooting.

Ergonomics: The pistol features ambidextrous controls, a comfortable grip, and a well-balanced design, ensuring ease of use and handling.

Accuracy: The FNX 9mm boasts decent accuracy. Its trigger is admittedly not the best out of the box. However, with a pair of AmeriGlo night sights, I find that I can still make a ragged hole at 15 yards.

Conclusion

While the FNX 9mm may not come ready for suppressor use out of the box, with the right modifications, it becomes an exceptional host. The process of threading the barrel and using a Griffin Armament CAM-LOK system transforms this overlooked firearm into a reliable and effective suppressed pistol. Don't let its lack of a factory-threaded barrel deter you; the FNX 9mm has a lot to offer for those willing to put in a little extra effort.

The Ghost Gunners

- Austin L

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