The New FN 309 MRD: High-Performance Features Without the Premium Price Tag

One of the most notable new pistols to be announced at SHOT Show 2026 was a brand-new model from FN America: The FN 309 MRD. 

This compact firearm is exciting for a few reasons. First, it comes fully equipped with all the bells and whistles we’ve come to expect from FN. Second, this model is significantly more user-friendly and easier to operate than most other CCWs on the market. Finally, the 309 is specifically intended to extend the company’s premium line to a broader audience with the lowest price point of any FN pistol. 

Chambered in 9mm, this compact pistol boasts an impressive 16- or 20-round magazine capacity for its size. It’s built with a crisp, 5-pound single-action only trigger, an internal hammer, and multiple internal safeties. The 309 is also easy to customize with a direct-mount optics-ready slide and an accessory rail, along with a 509-compatible dovetail.

Crafted with a 3.8-inch alloy steel barrel and a recessed target crown to protect the rifling, the rest of this pistol is made from a durable, lightweight polymer to keep its weight to 22.5 ounces. 

FN 309 Design and Performance

The FN 309 is specifically designed for ease of use, with an easy-to-rack slide that offers 25% less resistance than the FN 509 Tactical. It’s also easier to load than most, with a 40% lower spring force than most comparable firearms. It’s made with a neutral grip angle for a natural point of aim and a soft recoil, making this model nice and easy to manage. 

“FN is a premium brand known for delivering professional grade products and the FN 309 is a personal defense pistol that brings the performance FN is known for to a larger audience,” Vice President of Commercial Products Dan Hines said in a press release. “With the FN 309, we’ve successfully created an FN-quality pistol that is easy to shoot, easy to use and easy to own.”

FN 309 Specs: 

Whether you’re a die-hard FN fanatic or you’ve always been interested in owning one, the 309 MRD is certainly worth considering. Great for beginners, those needing something a little more user-friendly, or anyone looking for a quality concealed carry gun with all the bells and whistles, this new FN model is sure to make waves in the firearm community. 

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