Description
The micro-compact 9mm market is packed, but the FN Reflex earns its place by doing something almost nobody else does in this category: it runs an internal single-action-only hammer instead of a striker. That design choice pays off in a trigger that breaks cleanly with a crisp, short reset — something most sub-compact carry guns simply can't match. The 3.3-inch barrel is cold hammer-forged with a polished chamber and feed ramp, which is a level of barrel quality you'd expect on a much larger pistol. At 6.2 inches overall and a flat one inch wide, it tucks in tight under a cover garment without printing.
What Makes the FN Reflex Fire Control Different
The hammer-fired SAO action is the real conversation piece here. Nearly every other micro-compact double-stack 9mm on the market is striker-fired, which means they all share similar trigger characteristics. The Reflex breaks away from that with a hinged trigger safety, an internal hammer block, and a drop safety working together alongside the external ambidextrous manual safety on this model. The lighter recoil spring that the hammer-fired design allows also means the slide racks with noticeably less force — a real benefit for anyone who has struggled with stiff slides on small guns.
FN Reflex Sights and Ergonomics Built for Carry
All models come with steel dovetail sights from the factory — no plastic. The front sight is a tritium insert with a high-visibility orange painted ring for fast target acquisition in low light, paired with a double-dot rear. The frame runs an aggressive in-mold stippled texture across both sides and the front strap, giving you a grip that actually sticks to your hand without tearing up your cover garment. The reversible mag release, deep beavertail, and undercut trigger guard round out a package that handles well for most hand sizes. The slimline accessory rail up front is compatible with sub-compact lights like the SureFire XSC and Streamlight TLR-7 Sub. This specific model ships with two 10-round magazines and includes the ambidextrous frame-mounted manual safety.
Key Specifications
- Manufacturer: FN America
- Model: Reflex
- MPN: 66-101420
- UPC: 845737018542
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Action: Single Action Only (SAO), Internal Hammer-Fired
- Barrel Length: 3.3 in
- Barrel Type: Cold Hammer-Forged, Target-Crowned
- Overall Length: 6.2 in
- Height: 4.27 in
- Width: 1 in
- Weight (Unloaded): 18.4 oz
- Capacity: 10+1
- Trigger Pull: 4.5 – 5.5 lb
- Sight Radius: 5.05 in
- Twist Rate: 1:10 RH
- Sights: Steel Dovetail Tritium Front (High-Vis Orange Ring) / Double-Dot Rear
- Safety: Ambidextrous Manual Safety, Plus Multiple Internal Redundant Safeties
- Finish: Black PVD
- Frame: Polymer with In-Mold Stippled Grip Texture
- Magazine Release: Reversible (Ambidextrous Compatible)
- Accessory Rail: Non-Proprietary Slimline Rail (SureFire XSC / Streamlight TLR-7 Sub Compatible)
- Number of Magazines Included: 2
What’s Included
- FN Reflex 9mm pistol (manual safety, black)
- Two 10-round magazines
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the FN Reflex hammer-fired instead of striker-fired like most micro-compact 9mms?
FN made a deliberate engineering choice to use an internal single-action-only hammer rather than a striker, which is what nearly every other gun in this class uses. The payoff is a lighter, crisper trigger pull and a lower slide-racking force since the design allows for a lighter recoil spring. FN has deep roots in internal hammer-fired designs going back over a century, so this isn't an experiment — it's a feature they're very good at.
What is the difference between the FN Reflex MS and the standard Reflex?
The MS designation stands for Manual Safety. This model adds an ambidextrous thumb safety lever on the frame, which sits on top of the multiple internal redundant safeties that all Reflex models share. The dimensions, trigger, barrel, and overall design are otherwise identical to the non-MS version. It's the right pick if you prefer the added peace of mind of a manual safety when carrying a single-action pistol.
Does the FN Reflex come with night sights?
Yes — every FN Reflex ships with tritium night sights as standard equipment, no upgrade needed. The front sight is a steel dovetail tritium insert with a high-visibility orange painted ring around it for fast acquisition in low light, and it's paired with a double-dot rear sight. These are steel sights, not plastic, which is worth noting in this price segment.
Can I use a weapon-mounted light on the FN Reflex?
Yes, the Reflex has a slimline non-proprietary accessory rail on the front of the frame. FN specifically lists compatibility with the SureFire XSC and Streamlight TLR-7 Sub — both purpose-built micro lights for compact carry guns. The rail is abbreviated in length, so it's designed for micro lights only and won't accept full-size light/laser units.
How does holster selection work for the FN Reflex?
The Reflex has its own footprint, and dedicated Reflex holsters are available from a growing number of kydex makers including Vedder, ANR Design, and others. When buying a holster, make sure it's spec'd for the standard Reflex (non-MRD) if you have this iron-sights model, since the MRD version with an optics cut may require a different holster cut. If you plan to run a weapon light, confirm the holster is cut to accommodate it.
Is the FN Reflex a good choice for someone with smaller or weaker hands?
It works well for a wide range of hand sizes. The hammer-fired design allows for a lighter recoil spring, which meaningfully reduces the force required to rack the slide compared to many striker-fired micro-compacts. The deep beavertail, undercut trigger guard, and in-mold stippled frame texture help with control even with a flush-fitting 10-round magazine. Multiple reviewers with varying hand sizes have noted that the ergonomics hold up well across the board.







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