I thought I had it all figured out.

[Baklash]

I thought my next pistol was going to be a FNS 9c Compact. And then.......at the range this week I shot my friend's new Sig P320 Compact. Loved it! Fit my hand perfectly with the medium size grip. Shot it very accurately with minimum recoil despite the high bore axis. I'm not really interested in their conversion kits because they are too expensive. Might as well buy a second gun. I have not shot the FNS 9c yet, but the range has one for rent, so next week I will be able to shoot both guns and compare. I've got a feeling it won't be that easy though. I fully expect to struggle with that decision. Anybody got points I should consider?

[Tilos]

Don't struggle with it, buy 'em both.
:amflag:

[340pd]

I totally agree on the Sigs high bore axis, but I have never picked up a mid-size or larger Sig handgun that I do not shoot well. My old W. German P226 has been with me for over twenty years and I have never had a problem of any sort over all those years.

Post your thoughts when you have both of them on the range for a test drive.

[hardluk1]

Last handgun I bought I was looking at 3 brands and the fn9s , p320compact were the two I ended up choosing from . Local indoor range had the full size models of the three on my list to rent . Figure it would help make up my mind . The FNs9 was nice , accurate , and had a good trigger pull and was a oz or 2 lighter then the p320 but I am not a fan of the texture and grip in general . The p320 felt better in MY hand and I shot it more accurately . Trigger was heavier but felt better with a more defined wall and cleaner break . P320 was thinner and shooting it seemed smooth functioning over all even thought the barrel sat higher . Seems to be a common feeling though .

It might be a coin flip up to most people if you don't get the shoot each as to the model they would like best . The price of the FN was a 20 bucks lower and both had to be ordered . By the time I decided what to buy my local dealer had both compact models in stock with night sights and I bought the p320 compact . Not a fair comparion . The p320 compact has 3.9" barrel , the fn9c a 3.6" brrel . That's the same as the sig p320sc would be a fairer comparison in every way . X grip can be used for the compact mags with the SC model . Lots of varibles in sigs 4 p320 pistols .

My trigger started out a 7lbs on the p320 compact , settled to 6.5lb after 500 rounds . Some start lower and settle lower !! . I took my trigger group out a couple nights ago and did some polishing to anything thang wiggles or pivots , NO sear work and now its at 5lb 6oz pull and makes for an even better trigger now .



Bottom line . You need to handle both . I think I would have been pleased with ether model if it was not for the texture on the FH .

[BEARDOG]

I don't have a FNS compact, but I just purchased the FNS 9 fullsize in July and I am very pleased with it.

I have only handled the Sig at a show briefly, so I won't comment on it. Other then to say it is a Sig so I am sure it is a great gun too.

As for the FNS 9... I will say it is a very nice gun with a great trigger and has as nice a set of standard features as I have ever gotten with any gun at any price. But as a bonus I got mine at an unbelievable sale price.
I have put about 400 rds through it so far with no issues at all. I have let my wife and a 12 yr old boy shoot it as well again no issue as far as limp wrist failures or anything.
It is a smooth shooter with its low bore axis, has very low felt recoil, and a quick trigger reset for easy double taps. and the sights are fast and easy to pick up with my aging eyes.

I will go over some points about the gun.
Starting at the top.
-The factory night sights are excellent. The front is large, and has a white ring around the tube. While the rear sight is wide with a deep U notch with a V at the bottom, and the tritium tubes are not outlined which makes the white outline front stand out nicely.
-SS slide has grippy front and rear serrations for easy racking.
- All the controls are completely ambidextrous! And for my hands, and high thumbs forward grip are positioned just about perfectly.
-The trigger, I like it a lot. I Will try to describe it but it easier to experience then explain... The take up is short, lets say starting at 7 o'clock. Then the crisp break point at say 6 o'clock. It also has a built in stop which only lets it move to say 5:30, which gives you a quick reset back at 6 o'clock.
- has a 4 slot picatinny rail
-Small beavertail
-Cold hammer forged SS barrel, with standard rifling. which is a plus for me as I reload and shoot HC lead bullets almost exclusively.
-SS guide rod with captive spring
- Great grippy grip texturing, and both curved and flat back straps included.
(Like Hardluck I thought I may not like the grip textures, but now after handling and shooting it for awhile I really like it and can honestly say it is the only poly gun I have the doesn't need Traction/Talon rubber grips put on it. But they are an option if one would feel the stock grips are to aggressive)
- Has a mag funnel for fast mag changes

That's off the top of my head some of the features I like about my FNS 9.
I also wanted to mention that the gun comes with a nice lockable hard case. Three 17 rd magazines, and mine has factory night sights like I said above. As a bonus I also got in on a promo FN is running, and they sent me a real nice FN nylon range bag as well.

Hope this helps.

Some pics of gun and accessories.

http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae70/BeardogV1/FNS9R.jpg (http://s958.photobucket.com/user/BeardogV1/media/FNS9R.jpg.html)

http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae70/BeardogV1/FNS9.jpg (http://s958.photobucket.com/user/BeardogV1/media/FNS9.jpg.html)

http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae70/BeardogV1/FNH%20FNS9%20package.jpg (http://s958.photobucket.com/user/BeardogV1/media/FNH%20FNS9%20package.jpg.html)

[Baklash]

Thanks for all the comments. I knew owners of either gun would love it, as evidenced above. They are both that good. Hardluck is right about the P320 subcompact being closer to the FNS9c than the P320 compact is. Sig even has a "Carry" version which has a slightly longer grip and holds 2 more rounds than the compact. Everything else is the same as the Compact. However, it seems the names should be switched around since the Carry should print more.
I just thought my wife might not like the recoil of the subcompact. Plus, I haven't seen the sub in any LGS.

I read a couple reviews that said the P320 plastic feels cheaper and is easier to mar/scratch. Of course, it can be replaced for around $50, but it DID feel really good in my hand. One consideration I have to consider is whether or not my wife can rack the slide. She can't handle that with my Kahr CW9 and CM9.

One disappointment is that FNH has decided not to offer the FNS9c with the silver matte slide. I would have to go to the full size to get one like Beardog's photos above, which I love. If my wife could rack the larger one I would give it much consideration. And if I had Tilos' money I would take his suggestion and buy both. Then my wife could take her pick. At least I will get to shoot the two compacts next week. That should help a lot. Crap..........I knew this wouldn't be easy!:confused:

[b4uqzme]

^^^ yeah, but it sounds like fun. ;)

[hardluk1]

I would not be to concerned about the polymer used in the p320 frame as its got a history of use in the p250 series . Nothing new just the same ole frame on a new handgun and does not mark up as easy as you think . No more than FN , Glock or others will scatch . Personally I not a fan of some shinny / slick frame materials some use . Always figure that's why some use a heavy course texture on them !! The sig p250 frame has 3 more years field use than the FNS.

I am glad you can get FNS compact with out a safety. The small safety looks like it could be a concern for some that has no interest in them . Other wise go get cha a coin and flip it for the one your going to buy ??

I have both SS slides and black and guess I don't care about finish look but both pistols could have the sight pulled and the slide bead blasted down to SS and then polished out or beaded . I did that with an old anodized ruger10-22 receiver and wet sanded it to a high shine.

I can understand your wife having a hard time with the kahr cm9 and the cw9 is tough for some . But the larger ct9 is a breeze . My oldest girl carry's my old CW9 now but she's 5-9 and a country girl .
Never thought about racking a FNS 9 when shooting it but went up and had my wife rack 40sw p320 compact and I think it would be to much under stress but she carry's a m&p9c , she learned she can get her idex finger against the squared edge rear sight to give her the extra push to get a fast clean rack and does the same to the p320 . She also has a m&p 4.25 core that easy to rack and the extremely easy to rack sig p250sc in 380 . Easiest to rack model made . It can be racked with one finger against the rear sight . If you grab it like any normal pistol and rack it you will swear it was broke . Loaded with underwoods hot 90gr speer gold dots at at almost 1200fps from the 3.6" barrel its more than enough pistol for a strength challenged person . 12 rounds stock and 15 round mags are an option .
maybe a CC for your wife ??
http://www.personaldefenseworld.com/2014/11/sig-sauer-p250-sub-compact-380/#sig_p250_001

Dad shot this video my 10 year old grandson shooting my wifes p250sc 380 . You can see him staging the trigger . Gone a be a good shooter . I know no glass on on. Bad . I was not there .
http://s331.photobucket.com/user/hardluk1/media/MVI_0038_zpsfenw5y8x.mp4.html?sort=3&o=9

[RevRay]

http://www.kahrtalk.com/images/icons/icon1.png I thought I had it all figured out.

At first I thought you were talking life ... and I was all ready to jump into the discussion.

[DeaconKC]

You are deciding between a Mercedes and a BMW. Both excellent makers, what fits you best will be the fun factor.

[Baklash]

I appreciate all the replies. Yep, it will be fun. Can't wait to get 'em side by side at the range. Unfortunately, tomorrow won't be the day after all. Wife has doctor appointment I forgot about. Nuthin' like sweet anticipation to keep me smilin'.:D