FN is no stranger to the needs of operators, duty professionals and service personnel with all of its experience on the streets and military contracts. The FN 509 LS Edge is the pinnacle of that experience and is billed as the ultimate tactical pistol. It’s a big boast but Mohammed Ali once said, “It’s not bragging if you can back it up.” The LS Edge is a polymer-framed behemoth that includes a 5-inch, target-crowned and hammer-forged barrel along with a slide that features lightening cuts to reduce reciprocating mass for flatter shooting. The slide also includes FN’s low-profile optics cut and mounting system that’s arguably the best on the market right now.
An upgrade from the traditional 509 lineup is the new flat-faced trigger that offers better trigger geometry for a crisper break. The trigger system also includes a new conical striker that reduced pull weight by approximately 1 pound. There’s no denying the improvement. Though the pull exhibited a little grittiness and a rubbing sensation, the break snapped off at an average of 5.2 pounds. The reset was quite nice as well, with a few millimeters of travel before the audible and tactile click.
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The LS Edge also introduces FN’s new perimeter texturing that’s even better than on other 509 pistols and those were very good to begin with. It absolutely grabs the hand and won’t let go, though it’s very comfortable as well. The grip frame also includes an oversized and reversible magazine release that’s easy to access and engage, and it includes an aluminum magazine well to facilitate faster reloads.
The FN 509 LS Edge rings in at an MSRP of $1,499, which is a little pricey but worth it when you consider its robust build quality and best-in-class features. Up top, the LS Edge offers suppressor-height sights with a fiber-optic front and blacked out and serrated rear sight that will co-witness with a red-dot. There is also a set of metal wings to protect the rear sight, though they come off with the cover plate if a red-dot unit is installed.
