RECOIL OFFGRID Preparation FN Firearms: 2026 New Product Release
In This Article
When FN America extends an invitation, you don’t decline. We were brought to the Sawmill Training Complex in South Carolina for a full day of field testing the company’s newest offerings. These products are set to be revealed at SHOT Show 2026, and FN let us get hands-on time ahead of the public release. What we found was a trio of platforms that speak directly to customer demand, whether you’re a new buyer or a seasoned professional.
With the release of their product line at SHOT Show 2026, we are now able to release details to the public! Enjoy!
The first firearm on the line was the FN 309 MRD, built from the ground up with the first-time owner in mind. It’s approachable, affordable, and surprisingly refined.
The 309 MRD features a ~5-pound trigger, a 15-degree grip angle, and polymer magazines available in 16, 20, or 10 rounds. It’s optics-ready, has a light rail for accessories, and includes a holster designed in-house by FN, removing the guesswork for buyers.
Where it really shines is in the mechanics. Racking force is reduced by 25 percent compared to most tactical pistols, and the loading process is forgiving even if a round is inserted in the wrong direction. The result is a pistol that is easy to run, maintain, and trust.
On the range, the 309 MRD felt like it came pre-broken-in. Cycling was smooth, disassembly was simple, and magazine servicing was straightforward. The slide release was a bit stiff, but it’s nothing training won’t address. Best of all, the pistol is expected to retail for under $500, an impressive value for its feature set.
FN’s SCAR rifle family has long been the crown jewel of its lineup. The new SCAR models add meaningful improvements without losing what made the platform iconic.
The bolt carrier is now a two-piece unit with a built-in hydraulic buffer. In the 7.62 variant, that translated to softer recoil and more consistent shot placement. We were pushing hits at 1,385 meters with confidence. The 5.56 version was arguably the star of the day, the hydraulic system virtually eliminated muzzle climb, so maintaining sight picture between shots was effortless.
Other updates include an extended forearm that covers the gas block, a longer integrated M-LOK rail, ambidextrous controls, QD sling mounts, and compatibility with mil-spec AR-15 stocks. The safety selector can be configured 24 different ways, letting shooters fine-tune the controls to their preference. Even better, these upgrades are backwards-compatible with earlier SCARs. FN estimates they represent about $900 in added value, without increasing the rifle’s price.
FN also introduced two suppressors, the QD 556 and QD 762, both 3D-printed from Inconel and built to exceed SURG-cycle durability standards. They feature forward-venting (flowthrough) designs, are magnum-rated, and ship with HUB-compatible QD mounts and muzzle brakes.
The mounting system includes a tactile ratchet that confirms proper lockup. FN added wrench flats and spanner cutouts so you can attach or remove them with whatever tools are on hand, a thoughtful touch that shows the design team has spent time in the field. During testing on the SCAR rifles, performance was excellent, with no blowback issues and reliable consistency.
After a day at the Sawmill, one takeaway was clear: FN is paying attention to its audience. The 309 MRD lowers the barrier for first-time pistol buyers. The next-generation SCAR brings refinements that serious users will notice immediately. And the QD suppressors offer practical design choices that shooters will appreciate in real conditions.
FN is definitely listening to their customers, whether it’s your everyday Joe buying his first pistol or a Tier 1 operator taking care of business abroad.
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