The FN 502 Tactical pistol has been on my radar for review.
In fact, I've had this pistol for well over a year now and have been shooting it off and on during that time.
The FN 502 Tactical is a 22LR version of FN's 509 Tactical.
Taking this to the range? Our Concord range bag keeps your pistol, magazines, and accessories organized in one bag.
22LR is the most popular cartridge globally and for good reason. Low recoil and wide availability make it extremely popular.
You may consider an FN 502 as a trainer pistol or just for fun plinking at the range.
I'll walk you through my experience with the pistol to help you make a better buying decision.
Features and Functionality
Right off the bat, this gun is nearly identical to the 509 Tactical in terms of looks and appearance.
The controls are also nearly identical, making this a great trainer pistol for those carrying the 509 for duty or concealed carry.
Sights & Optics
The Tactical version comes with suppressor height sights.
This is important because the gun comes with a threaded barrel, any gun with a threaded barrel from factory should have these sights.
The sights have no markings on the front sight post or the rear sight post.
Overall, the sights are good, but nothing is exceptional about them.
The tactical models have an optics cut, so you can mount a pistol red dot sight on the gun.
Controls
Good controls are what every gun owner should want on their firearms.
So, I cover them in detail in every review. Everyone will have their opinion on controls, but I will be as detailed and unbiased as possible.
Safety
I've never been a fan of pistol safeties other than the 1911.
The safety on the 502 functions well because the ledge makes it easy to use your thumb to toggle it on and off.
Markings make it easy to see if you are on fire or safe and are very straightforward.
You won't accidentally activate or remove it from safe, which is ideal.
Magazine Release
Another ambidextrous feature of this gun is the magazine release, which is nice even for right-handed shooters.
I like the size and shape of the magazine release.
It sticks out far enough to make it easy to use but not so far that it gets in the way.
Trigger
I can be called a trigger snob, but I can also be called a lot worse, so it's fine.
The trigger is straight doo-doo.
But this is a 22LR pistol. Very few 22LR Pistols have great triggers.
The feel of the trigger is not my favorite.
It's very wide and mushy.
There's no wall, but the good news is its somewhat light pull makes it slightly redeemable.
Slide Stop
I think it's safe to call this pistol 100% ambidextrous.
The slide stop is on both sides, and I wish Glock had done this long before the Gen 5 series.
Slide stops are functional and easy to use.
They are just a small bent piece of metal that sits directly in front of the safety.
They work; there is nothing magic about them or partially special.
They just work.
Design and Build Quality
Build quality on this gun is what surprised me the most.
Being that this is a "trainer pistol," there are usually some concessions that have to be made to make the 22LR round cycle.
The best example is the Glock 44, which has a polymer slide with metal rails.
The 502 is the closest pistol to its "big brother" I've seen thus far.
It even beat out the Sig P322 in build quality and similarity to its large caliber counterpart.
The frame polymer is great, and the grip texture is well done.
The metal slide is the most impressive because I've shot many different 22LR ammo, and it cycles them perfectly.
Ergonomics and aesthetics are both top-notch; well done, FN.
Shooting Performance
This gun comes with a threaded barrel so it's no really surprise that I went straight to suppressed shooting.
https://youtube.com/shorts/918WRKzg3C8
That was a bit of a disappointment for me because it had a lot of gas blowback.
Quick Note: That could depend on the suppressor.
I was getting a lot of debris back to the face. (Please, please, always wear eye protection while shooting.)
Reloading the gun and magazines was easy, and I like the extended magazine because it gives you even more room for your hand on the grip.
The good news is I never had a single malfunction shooting the gun.
It's a lot of fun and inexpensive to shoot tons of rounds.
Maintenance and Durability
The breakdown is fairly simple and has a side takedown lever. A quick skim of the manual will have you cleaning your gun in no time.
You can also do a quick YouTube search and find a step-by-step guide on cleaning it up.
Shooting suppressed can make this gun extremely dirty, so be sure to clean your chamber at least semi-regularly.
Value for Money
This gun is on the high end of the price range for a 22LR pistol, but if you have a 509, it's a no-brainer.
This gun usually costs $430-600, depending on when and where you shop.
If you want budget and quality for a 22LR pistol, go with the Taurus TX22.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
So who is this gun for?
Anyone who runs a 509 Tactical on a regular basis and wants to save some money training.
This is also a good option if you want a plinking 22LR pistol.
The threaded barrel and optics mounting ability mean you can kit this pistol from go or grow into it as funds allow.
Overall, this is a 22LR pistol that covers the full spectrum of gun owners. This gun could be recommended to anyone in the market for a 22 caliber pistol.
If you own a 502, share your experience with your FN 502 in the comments below.
If you have any other questions, I'll do my best to answer them; leave a comment below.
