All variations of the pistol include ambidextrous decocking levers and a reversible magazine release, as well as an integrated tactical accessory rail. In addition, the FNP-45 offers an ambidextrous slide release.
According to FNH USA, the FNP line of pistols is the only polymer-framed autoloading pistol on the market (as of its introduction) with fully replaceable frame rails; this allows the pistol to be rebuilt after extensive firing, thereby extending service life.[6] (Steyr M Series pistols also have this feature, and were released in 1999.)
The pistols of the FNP series are hammer-fired firearms utilizing a Browning cam system with an external extractor. The trigger module is housed inside the polymer frame as an individual unit connected to the hammer. The magazine release button is held in place by a retention pin which can be removed to allow the magazine release button to be reversed. The trigger pull for the FNP-9 variant is generally 8 pounds-force (36 N) while in double action, and 3 to 4 pounds-force (13 to 18 N) while in single action. While the lower frame is made of high-strength polymer, the slide is made of stainless steel.
Disassembly and reassembly of the handgun is relatively simple. To disassemble the weapon, the slide is locked to the rear and the magazine is released from the weapon. The takedown lever located to the front of the frame is rotated downwards and the slide is released to allow it to slip off the frame rails. Once removed, the recoil spring is removed from its position in the barrel and the barrel is removed. To reassemble the weapon the process is reversed with the slide being slid onto the frame rails and the takedown lever rotated up while the slide is locked to the rear.
The FNP Series pistol is produced in five basic models with several different variations on each model. Each of the five models, the FNP-45, the FNP-40, the FNP-357, the FNP-9 and the compact FNP-9M (cancelled), are offered with the following features:
Double/single action, Double-action only, or Single-action only (cancelled)
Stainless steel slide (matte black finish) or Stainless steel slide (matte natural finish)
Black or Dark Earth Frame
Standard sights or Night sights
The FNP-9 and FNP-40 have also been marketed as the Browning Pro-9 and Pro-40.[8]
The FNP series has been replaced by the FNX pistol series.
^FNP pistols are made in Columbia, SC, although marked with "Fredericksburg, VA" on the slide, indicating not the place of manufacture but the registered location of FNH's Federal Firearms License. "FNH USA - About Us Q&A". Archived from the original on 2009-03-18. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
Belgium: The Genk police force purchased 190 FNP-9 and FNP-9M pistols in April 2005.[9]
Philippines: Bureau of Jail Management and Penology[10]
Spain: Spanish Navy Marines have begun to replace old Llama M82s with FNP-9s.[citation needed]
United States: A quantity of 27 FNP pistols was donated to New Roads, Louisiana Police Department in October 2009 to replace damaged guns, due to budgetary constraints.[11]
United Kingdom: 19 FNP-9s evaluated as a replacement for the Browning L9A1 pistol, lost to the Glock 17[12][13]
