Initial Impressions – FN 509MRD-LE

In May of 2022 you’ll see a full review of the FN 509MRD-LE 9mm handgun being published online. So that we could adequately test the weapon in preparation for such review, we received a sample and made arrangements to get several holsters as well as a micro red dot optic. The two holsters received were the BLACKHAWK T-Series L2C Overt and the Bianchi Model 126GLS. Let’s take a look at some of the basic published information about this weapon and the two holsters (and as soon as the micro red dot is received, we’ll add that as well).

The FN 509® MRD-LE is available to law enforcement agencies only (per the FN website). The 9mm handgun is shown as double-action although there is no hammer so it could also be called safe-action or striker-fired. The magazine capacity is 17 rounds and the weight (unloaded) is 27 ounces. The barrel length is 4” (remember that’s measured from the back of the chamber) and the pistol has an overall length of 7.4”. Height is published as 5.56” and width as 1.35”.

For an 18-round (17+1) capacity duty weapon it’s not a big gun. It was delivered with two interchangeable backstraps and one installed. If you have small, medium (like our testing representative) or large hands, the gun will most likely feel comfortable for you if the right backstrap is installed. The trigger pull is published as “4.5 lb. – 6.0 lb.” The trigger pull wasn’t as noticeable as the flat and wide trigger itself. Our representative wasn’t ever a big fan of flat triggers but when he encountered this one he was impressed.

The sight radius between the optic-friendly sights is 5.79” and for a weapon that has a 4” barrel, that’s a significant sight radius. The sights are 3-dot tritium night sights and are tall enough to co-witness through the MRD should you have one mounted. Interestingly, our testing representative commented on how it was easier to see the sights given their height. “Equal height, equal light” is an axiom of aiming most shooters know. Taller sights mean even more height to line up.

The weapon is ergonomically different from the other duty weapons our testing rep has experienced. He commented on the grip angle which felt different to him as compared to previous duty weapons he’d carried. He commented on the grip circumference, the ambidextrous slide release and the flat trigger. He commented on the magazine release as it stands out from the frame at the rear of the trigger guard and is easy to engage but not accidentally. Last but not least, he commented on ease of disassembly / field stripping: make sure it’s empty and safe, lock the slide back, pull the disassembly lever down to just past perpendicular (as compared to the slide) and push the slide forward off the gun, pulling the trigger to release it.

The BLACKHAWK T-Series L2C holster is cut for the MRD and is a Level II holster. There is an internal mechanism that locks the gun in by way of a hook on the front of the weapon’s trigger guard. When grasping the weapon in what BLACKHAWK calls the “master grip,” the shooter’s thumb disengages the lock so the shooter can cleanly draw the weapon straight up out of the holster. The holster body is molded to provide an indexed curve for the shooter’s trigger finger which places the finger well above and away from the trigger during the draw. No pressure is put onto the holster body by the trigger finger to release the weapon. The holster body is screwed to a belt-slot mount with minor adjustments for cant available. Additionally security for keeping the holster in place is provided by a single leg strap attached on a swivel to the bottom of the mount. It has minor adjustment capability for height (belt to leg length) and the strap is adjustable for thigh size. On the holster body there is a screw for tension. All screws on the holster and mount are #2 Philips which is the most common available.

The Bianchi holster is designed for off-duty or plain clothes use and is constructed of molded black leather over a hard polymer shell. The 126GLS also has an internal lock that catches on the front of the trigger guard of the weapon. As you achieve that master grip to draw the weapon, the middle finger of your weapon hand pushes the lever to release the lock. There is no conscious added effort or unnecessary movement. It’s 100% natural and our testing rep didn’t even notice it after the first few draws. The holster also has a tension screw and comes with the Allen wrench (also called a hex key) necessary to adjust it.

We have a supply of Black Hills 9mm ammo as well as some Federal and Speer ammo to perform our shoot testing with. As soon as the range time is completed, we’ll provide a complete report on the performance of the weapon (and our test representative). Stay tuned.