PSA - Possible unintended discharge danger with FNS-9
Sat Apr 27, 2019 6:01 am
I just saw this come up on a feed. FNS9 are pretty popular pistol, but a dangerous flaw has been found that will let them discharge without trigger manipulation.
https://www.azmirror.com/2019/04/22/aft ... V0ocQEJqw0
https://www.azmirror.com/2019/04/22/aft ... V0ocQEJqw0
Dr. Michael Scott, a professor of criminology at Arizona State University who has worked with a number of law enforcement agencies across the country, said the problems DPS has discovered with the FNS pistols are concerning.
“This creates a higher risk for either accidental discharge or unintended failure to discharge, both of which could cost people their lives,” he said.
During testing of the weapons in 2018, DPS found that three Fabrique Nationale pistols – the FNS 9 Longslide, which was carried by troopers, and the FNS C and FNS 9 – all had two conditions that could cause them to either fire without pulling the trigger or not fire when the trigger was pulled.
Re: PSA - Possible unintended discharge danger with FNS-9
Sat Apr 27, 2019 4:33 pm
Good to repost but this is a known issue now for about 2 years. Baltimore PD discovered this with an AD/ND some time ago and has been replacing their FNS9s with Glocks.
AZ PD discovered it separately.
In my research I am led to believe the circumstances to recreate an AD/ND are quite unlikely. But possible. According to FNH:
"To our knowledge, this delayed-fire condition has only occurred in controlled testing environments; FN has not received any reports of delayed fire in the field under these unusual circumstances.
The condition may result after the FNS pistol slide is forced out of battery at a very small and specific distance, such as what might occur if the muzzle end of the slide is pressed against an object, and the trigger is pulled. The pistol functions as designed and does not fire. However, if the condition occurs, one of two scenarios may result: (1) if the trigger is held to the rear, the pistol could delay firing until the time when the slide moves back into battery, or (2) if force is removed from the trigger and the slide moves back into battery, the pistol could fire if jarred. In the unlikely event that scenario (2) occurs, keep the pistol pointed in a safe direction and rack the slide to the rear to reset the pistol. Avoid a “tap, rack, bang” clearing sequence."
FN issued a voluntary repair service bulletin. https://fnamerica.com/customer-support/ ... -bulletin/
https://www.azmirror.com/2019/04/22/aft ... V0ocQEJqw0
"The malfunction happens when the slide of the gun is slightly pushed back and the trigger and action does not fully reset. This is called being “out of battery.”
When a pistol is out of battery, safety mechanisms initiate to ensure the gun does not fire. However, DPS found that, in some instances when the slide was put back into position, the FN pistols would fire.
DPS also discovered that sometimes the gun wouldn’t fire when the slide returned to its normal position – but if the weapon was bumped or hit, it would fire unexpectedly."
If you have an FNS register it to see if it's effected (guns made before 2017) and sent it in to FNH and they will pay shipping and fix the gun in about 2 weeks. I sent mine in and FN paid all costs and fixed it and total time was 2 weeks. I understand that they replace the firing pin with a new design.
AZ PD discovered it separately.
In my research I am led to believe the circumstances to recreate an AD/ND are quite unlikely. But possible. According to FNH:
"To our knowledge, this delayed-fire condition has only occurred in controlled testing environments; FN has not received any reports of delayed fire in the field under these unusual circumstances.
The condition may result after the FNS pistol slide is forced out of battery at a very small and specific distance, such as what might occur if the muzzle end of the slide is pressed against an object, and the trigger is pulled. The pistol functions as designed and does not fire. However, if the condition occurs, one of two scenarios may result: (1) if the trigger is held to the rear, the pistol could delay firing until the time when the slide moves back into battery, or (2) if force is removed from the trigger and the slide moves back into battery, the pistol could fire if jarred. In the unlikely event that scenario (2) occurs, keep the pistol pointed in a safe direction and rack the slide to the rear to reset the pistol. Avoid a “tap, rack, bang” clearing sequence."
FN issued a voluntary repair service bulletin. https://fnamerica.com/customer-support/ ... -bulletin/
https://www.azmirror.com/2019/04/22/aft ... V0ocQEJqw0
"The malfunction happens when the slide of the gun is slightly pushed back and the trigger and action does not fully reset. This is called being “out of battery.”
When a pistol is out of battery, safety mechanisms initiate to ensure the gun does not fire. However, DPS found that, in some instances when the slide was put back into position, the FN pistols would fire.
DPS also discovered that sometimes the gun wouldn’t fire when the slide returned to its normal position – but if the weapon was bumped or hit, it would fire unexpectedly."
If you have an FNS register it to see if it's effected (guns made before 2017) and sent it in to FNH and they will pay shipping and fix the gun in about 2 weeks. I sent mine in and FN paid all costs and fixed it and total time was 2 weeks. I understand that they replace the firing pin with a new design.