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  4. 10mm Go-To Pistol: Review of the FN 510 Tactical

FN debuted the 10mm variant of the popular 509 series pistols in early 2023 and we have been testing the 510 Tactical variant. What's not to like about a 22+1 shot suppressor optics-ready 10mm made by one of the biggest names in the firearms industry?

A full review is below. 

Table of Contents
 
Overview
The Specs
Features
Trigger
Reliability
Accuracy
Pros & Cons
Conclusion
 

Overview


Following in the footsteps of the circa 2018 FN 509 Tactical – which was both suppressor and optics-ready with suppressor-height iron sights that co-witness with several micro red dots on the market and was augmented with an extended 24-round magazine – the FN 510 uses the same basic layout and concept but beefed up to accommodate the commanding 10mm Auto cartridge. 
 

FN 510 Tactical 10mm pistol in black
The FN 510 Tactical has a 4.71-inch barrel, which gives the pistol an 8.3-inch overall length, making it very M1911-sized. It is shown with its flush-fit 15+1 capacity magazine inserted. It also
ships with an extended 22+1 mag. (All photos, except where noted: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
FN 510 Tactical 10mm pistol in black
Weight, due to its polymer frame, is 32 ounces unloaded. Fully loaded with the extended magazine is 46 ounces, sans optics or a muzzle accessory – but keep in mind that that includes
23 rounds of 200-grain JHP. 
FN 510 Tactical 10mm pistol in black, vs SIG XTen
Its closest competitor on the current market is SIG's P320 XTen, a full-sized 15+1 shot 10mm with a full 5-inch barrel and 8.5-inch overall length, shown compared to the FN 510 above. While
also optics-ready, the slightly larger SIG does not have a threaded barrel. Other 10mm double-stacks in the same rough ballpark include the 16+1 Springfield Armory XDm Elite OSP and S&W's 15+1 round M&P 2.0 10mm, which are also optics- but not suppressor-ready. Advantage: FN.


For full disclosure, FN loaned Guns.com this pistol for review purposes on request and we returned the handgun to the company after concluding our evaluation. All testing was done on this one gun. 
 

The Specs

  • Overall length: 8.3 inches
  • Barrel length: 4.71 inches, threaded .578x28 TPI
  • Overall width: 1.45 inches at the widest point over ambi surface controls.
  • Overall height including standard mag: 6 ­inches
  • Magazine capacity: 15+1 rounder flush fit, 22+1 extended (ships with each)
  • Trigger Pull: 5.8 pounds (10-pull average)
  • Weight, with empty magazine: 32 ounces
  • Weight, loaded: 46 ounces (with 22+1 rounds of 200-grain 10mm Speer Gold Dot JHP), no optics or suppressor
  • MRD Optic Footprints: Leupold Delta Point Pro, Trijicon RMR/SRO, Docter, Vortex Venom/Viper/Razor, Holosun 507/508, C-More STS2, Burris plates included. ACRO is sold separately.

 

Features

 

FN 510 Tactical 10mm pistol in black
The FN 510 Tactical has a 4.71-inch extended barrel with .578x28 right-hand threads that allow the pistol to be equipped with a suppressor or muzzle device. 
FN 510 Tactical 10mm pistol in black
Disassembly is easy with the on-frame 90-degree takedown lever and requires no tools. Note the basic layout that is familiar to anyone who has field stripped an FN 509 or FNS. Of note on internals, the FN 510 features a high-endurance conical striker as well as a polished feed ramp and chamber for reliability. 
FN 510 Tactical 10mm pistol in black
Speaking of ergonomics, the grip frame has good texture patterns in a 360-degree layout, and the pistol incorporates interchangeable backstraps for a degree of modularity. Note the lanyard
port on the rear of the grip. 
FN 510 Tactical 10mm pistol in black
The FN 510 Tactical is a hand-filler (I've got big mitts, folks) and there is lots of real estate to get a good two-handed grip. Of note for those who intend to take this commanding 10mm along while venturing into the backcountry, perhaps while wearing gloves, is the fact that the trigger guard is nice and spacious. Meanwhile, the slide has both front and rear slide serrations, which are very deep and easy to use. 
FN 510 Tactical 10mm pistol in black
Surface controls are fully ambidextrous, including the slide stop lever and a large push-button magazine release. The magazines dropped free at the tap of a button, even when dirty. 
FN 510 Tactical 10mm pistol in black
The FN 510 Tactical has excellent suppressor-height steel Tritium lamp dovetail sights that co-witness with most micro red dots. Like the FN 509 Tactical series, they have distinctive "dog ears" that protect the rear sight assembly, almost akin to the old M1917 Enfield. To be honest, I've reviewed lots of pistols over the years and have always thought the sights used by FN on their Tac pistols to be the nicest in the business. 
FN 510 Tactical 10mm pistol in black
Between a series of red dot plates and screw sets, most included, the 510 can accommodate the Leupold DeltaPoint Pro, Trijicon RMR/SRO, Docter Optic, Vortex Venom/Viper/Razor, Holosun 507/508, C-More STS2, and Burris Fast Fire red dots, plus all those from the likes of Swampfox, etc. that fit the same footprints. We fitted a Steiner MPS mailbox to the big 10mm for 200 rounds and never found it wiggling or shifting aim. 
FN 510 Tactical 10mm pistol in black
The FN 510 ships to most states with a standard flush-fit 15+1 round magazine and an extended 22+1 round mag. Those living in restricted areas must make do with 10+1 round compliant capacity mags (remember, every vote matters). 
FN 510 Tactical 10mm pistol in black
Keep in mind the 22-round mag adds some significant height to the platform. 


For those not needing the same feature set as the FN 510 Tactical – which has an ask of $1,139 – the company's more pedestrian FN 510 MRD models have an MSRP of $919, which is easier on the wallet for a gun that has all the same characteristics sans threaded barrel, extended mags, and "dog-eared" combat sights. 
 

FN 510 MRD 10mm pistol in FDE
The FN 510 MRD models, in both black and FDE, are still equipped with the company's Low-Profile Optics-Mounting System that accepts all major optics footprints and enables consumers to mount nearly any micro red dot in minutes with the included hardware. A set of fully adjustable blacked-out iron sights co-witness with most optics and it ships with 15-round flush-fit magazines. (Photo: FN)

 

Trigger


FN America bills the standard striker-fired trigger pack on the FN 510 as "precision-tuned, target-grade," and we found it breaks cleanly at just under 6 pounds on average with a short reset.

The trigger is shown below with full-house Speer (Federal) 200-grain Gold Dot Hollow Points.

 

 

Reliability


Throughout several range trips, we ran just over 500 rounds of SAAMI-spec factory-loaded ammunition through the FN 510 Tactical. The gun ran like a beast and chewed through everything with no issues to report. 

Target loads were primarily CCI Blazer Brass 180 grain FMJ, listed at 1,200 FPS. Smaller amounts of Winchester Target & Practice 180-grain FMJs were also used. 

When it came to testing with self-defense rounds, we fed the FN 510 a diet of Federal's Personal Defense Punch and Speer Gold Dot 200-grain JHPs, both with an advertised velocity of 1,100 FPS, as well as some Nosler 180-grain ASP JHPs clocking in at 1,150 FPS. No problems were noted. 

Plus, it likes to run fast, even with JHPs, shown below with a full box (and a couple of loose rounds) of Federal Punch. 

 

 

Accuracy


Between the target-grade trigger, 1911-length 6.1-inch sight radius, flat-shooting nature of 10mm, and truly excellent factory sights, the FN 510 Tactical did not disappoint in terms of practical accuracy. We were able to do step-back drills with it on torso plates back to 25 yards with no problems, and when resting on the barricade from that distance, could keep almost touching groups in slow fire. 
 

FN 510 Tactical 10mm pistol in black
For practical ranges – 15 and 10 yards, respectively – the FN 510 Tactical easily wins hearts and minds. 

 

Pros & Cons


Pros

  • Compatible with about every major optics footprint
  • Suppressor-height three-dot night sights co-witness with most MRDs and over cans
  • Threaded barrel accepts most large bore pistol comps and suppressors
  • Ships with both 15+1 and 22+1 capacity nickel-coated steel body magazines
  • Ambi controls
  • Good ergonomics
  • Accurate
  • Dependable

Cons

  • Wide, at 1.45 inches
  • Lack of extensive aftermarket support
  • Expensive replacement magazines ($65-$75)

 

Conclusion


The FN 510 Tactical is a big win for a lot of people. Those who love FN's 509 Tactical but wanted something in a 10mm are winners. Folks interested in a serious home defense tool – one on which they can easily add about any MRD optic, high-lumen light, and big bore suppressor – are set up to win. Those who want a suppressor/optic-ready 10mm with lots of extra capacity right out of the box have won. Compared to guns like the far less expensive Glock G20 Gen 5 MOS, it has way better ergos, features, and capacity. Plus, it is accurate and dependable in testing. 

While a little big for most to use as an everyday carry piece (the FN 510 MRD may be a better choice for this), it isn't impossible provided you have the right holster. However, IWB holster fits are few, although FN does offer a few different models in its eStore.

The worst thing we can say is that about the FN 510 Tactical is that, as with the holster selection, there is little support outside of FN and even that can be a little pricey. For example, OEM replacement magazines run $65-75.

Still, it is one heck of a pistol.

 

FN 510 Tactical 10mm pistol in black
The FN 510 Tactical 10mm pistol is available in black and FDE, with both having an MSRP of $1,139, a price typically lower at retail. 

 

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