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I have been interested in the Beast ( no - not that beast ) for a few years now, otherwise known as the FNX-45. It holds 15 rounds of 45 in the magazine, for those of us who can't think of carrying just 8 rounds in our SD pistols. That's right I ain't compensating for my other failings, yep, that's the story I am sticking to. FN as you know has been making excellent firearms since 1889, they also supply military's around the world. So most folks agree that a FN firearm is usually top notch. This poly slider is no exception.
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The FNX is in the middle, comparing the size to a Glock19 and a Colt 1911, not much to say except it is a beast. But...The ergo's are very good, recoil is well managed - less recoil than a 1911.
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The unloaded weight with an empty magazine is 32.4 oz's, with 15 rounds of 230grn ball ammo it weighs in at 43.7 oz's. So you might think this pistol is just too big and too heavy to carry. But somehow FN sprinkled some magic Browning pixie dust on this platform and it just doesn't seem to big or heavy, even IWB,,I know it sounds crazy but it works. Although I think I would carry it in a shoulder rig or a form fitting OWB kydex holster, with a coat or sweater.
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So lets discuss just how big it is. The overall length is 7 5/8", it is 6 1/4" tall, and 1 1/2" wide at the ambi safeties. This is a DA/SA hammer fired pistol with a decocker. Now for the cool part. The DA trigger pull is 1/2" long, very smooth until you hit the wall, than a crisp and audible 9lb break. The SA trigger pull is amazing; with 3/16" travel and breaking at 4lbs. The SA pull is so light I found myself doing a few unintentional double taps. I don't see that as a problem but some would. The trigger feels similar to my Walther PK380 that I had Walther do a trigger job on. Same feeling at the wall, and similar feel at the break.
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The internals are all FN , beefed up ,and all parts are steel. No machining marks anywhere, just a squared away design and implementation. So now lets talk about the main concern I have seen from other reviewers. The mag well flexes, making some worry about the longevity of the frame. Here is my perspective, I like the flex at the magwell, it absorbs recoil and allows you to form the grip to your hand. Also less likely to break or chip if dropped. The ambi safety/decocker is very easy to engage and disengage. The ambi extended magazine release is easy to push from either side without breaking your grip. The ambi slide lock/release is also easy to use from either side.
![P1030178bb.jpg]()
The 3 dot sight system is very well implemented, the front dot is large and very bright white. Sights are steel and low drag. There is no hammer bite from the skeletonized hammer. The trigger is wide and smooth, the trigger guard is ample and ready for gloves if you need them. The grip texturing is aggressive allowing for a good hold, however once I figure out which of the backstraps work best for me, I will install traction grips. So how does the Beast shoot you ask. Like a dream, very accurate. I would guess it matches my Competition Colt 1911 at the three distances I show on this target. I had a friend over this afternoon to help me replace the railroad ties on the short distance target wall. He also shot this pistol very well, matching my accuracy. Today we ran 150 rounds of mixed 230grn brass ball, Hornady 185grn XTP HP, and Remington 230grn Golden Sabers, there were no malfunctions. My plan is to begin using this as part of my cool weather carry inventory. With a full pistol 15+1, and two full 15 round spare magazines there are 46 rounds of 45acp hanging off your good quality gun belt. Don't try it with a cheap belt or things will flop around. This is an impressive pistol that was lightly used when I paid $550 OTD at one of my favorite LGS's. Thanks for taking the time to read another one of my reviews, and get out there and send that lead down range.
The FNX is in the middle, comparing the size to a Glock19 and a Colt 1911, not much to say except it is a beast. But...The ergo's are very good, recoil is well managed - less recoil than a 1911.
The unloaded weight with an empty magazine is 32.4 oz's, with 15 rounds of 230grn ball ammo it weighs in at 43.7 oz's. So you might think this pistol is just too big and too heavy to carry. But somehow FN sprinkled some magic Browning pixie dust on this platform and it just doesn't seem to big or heavy, even IWB,,I know it sounds crazy but it works. Although I think I would carry it in a shoulder rig or a form fitting OWB kydex holster, with a coat or sweater.
So lets discuss just how big it is. The overall length is 7 5/8", it is 6 1/4" tall, and 1 1/2" wide at the ambi safeties. This is a DA/SA hammer fired pistol with a decocker. Now for the cool part. The DA trigger pull is 1/2" long, very smooth until you hit the wall, than a crisp and audible 9lb break. The SA trigger pull is amazing; with 3/16" travel and breaking at 4lbs. The SA pull is so light I found myself doing a few unintentional double taps. I don't see that as a problem but some would. The trigger feels similar to my Walther PK380 that I had Walther do a trigger job on. Same feeling at the wall, and similar feel at the break.
The internals are all FN , beefed up ,and all parts are steel. No machining marks anywhere, just a squared away design and implementation. So now lets talk about the main concern I have seen from other reviewers. The mag well flexes, making some worry about the longevity of the frame. Here is my perspective, I like the flex at the magwell, it absorbs recoil and allows you to form the grip to your hand. Also less likely to break or chip if dropped. The ambi safety/decocker is very easy to engage and disengage. The ambi extended magazine release is easy to push from either side without breaking your grip. The ambi slide lock/release is also easy to use from either side.
The 3 dot sight system is very well implemented, the front dot is large and very bright white. Sights are steel and low drag. There is no hammer bite from the skeletonized hammer. The trigger is wide and smooth, the trigger guard is ample and ready for gloves if you need them. The grip texturing is aggressive allowing for a good hold, however once I figure out which of the backstraps work best for me, I will install traction grips. So how does the Beast shoot you ask. Like a dream, very accurate. I would guess it matches my Competition Colt 1911 at the three distances I show on this target. I had a friend over this afternoon to help me replace the railroad ties on the short distance target wall. He also shot this pistol very well, matching my accuracy. Today we ran 150 rounds of mixed 230grn brass ball, Hornady 185grn XTP HP, and Remington 230grn Golden Sabers, there were no malfunctions. My plan is to begin using this as part of my cool weather carry inventory. With a full pistol 15+1, and two full 15 round spare magazines there are 46 rounds of 45acp hanging off your good quality gun belt. Don't try it with a cheap belt or things will flop around. This is an impressive pistol that was lightly used when I paid $550 OTD at one of my favorite LGS's. Thanks for taking the time to read another one of my reviews, and get out there and send that lead down range.
I am encouraged though, because my spare mag for my Springfield XD Mod2 holds 13 rounds, and it's a subcompact. I think I can live with that......that is a great range report, as usual, very nice gun !
