FN America has officially unveiled its newest personal defense pistol, the FN 309 MRD, ahead of its debut at SHOT Show 2026. The new pistol aims to deliver professional-grade performance at an accessible price point for new gun owners and everyday carriers alike.
The FN 309 MRD is a 9mm, optics-ready handgun with a 3.8-inch alloy steel barrel, available in both 16+1 and 20+1 configurations. Built with usability in mind, the pistol includes a direct-mount optics slide compatible with Shield RMS and Leupold DeltaPoint Pro footprints, a crisp single-action-only (SAO) trigger at approximately 5 pounds, and a redesigned neutral grip angle to enhance natural point of aim.
In a video walkthrough accompanying the launch, FN representatives highlighted several customer-driven design decisions that shaped the pistol. According to FN, the pistol’s development was informed by user feedback on what they liked about the FN 509, and what features they were willing to sacrifice to lower cost without sacrificing reliability .
“A lot of customers don’t want to pay the price tag you might see on the 509s and don’t see the value in all the bells and whistles,” the FN rep stated in the video. “So with the 309, we decided to simplify. Direct-mount optics only. Polymer sights. But it’s still durable, still FN-quality.”
The FN 309 ships with two magazines — one 16-round and one 20-round — both constructed from lightweight polymer. These magazines were developed independently of the FN 509 and FN Reflex lines and were subjected to rigorous testing, including new test protocols beyond FN’s standard procedures. The magazines feature directional loading indicators and a 40% reduction in spring resistance to make loading easier .
Other features include:
- A recessed target crown to protect rifling.
- An internal hammer-fired system offering a consistent SAO trigger pull.
- Slide racking effort reduced by 25% compared to the FN 509 Tactical.
- A 1913 rail for mounting accessories such as the Streamlight TLR-7.
- No-trigger-pull takedown for safe disassembly.
Durability testing confirmed that even the polymer sights met FN’s performance benchmarks, though users wanting metal upgrades can swap them using the common FN 509 dovetail.
The pistol is assembled at FN’s Columbia, South Carolina facility and will be available in both manual safety and non-manual safety configurations. At launch, it will ship in black with a locking device and MSRP expected to be in the $500 range.
For new gun owners or first-time FN buyers, the FN 309 MRD offers a combination of ease of use, modern features, and trusted reliability. It’s also a notable expansion of FN’s efforts to serve a wider customer base in the personal defense market.
From a Second Amendment perspective, this release signals a positive shift: a major firearms manufacturer responding to consumer demand for affordable yet capable self-defense pistols. The FN 309 reinforces the idea that effective personal protection shouldn’t be out of financial reach — and that quality and safety can go hand in hand with accessibility.
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