Meet the 10MM FN 510 Tactical

FN’s next phase in increasing its 500-series handgun appeal focuses on caliber enhancement while maximizing capacity. The FN 510 10MM arrives with a 15-round flush-fitting magazine and a 22-round extended magazine.

Well-done front and rear serrations ensure solid purchase when manipulating the slide. The 4.5-inch cold hammer forged barrel is .578 x 28 threaded at the muzzle. The barrel has a polished chamber/feed ramp on one end and a recessed target crown on the other. Ambidextrous slide lock levers and magazine release buttons are standard. The polymer frame also features a MIL-STD 1913 accessory rail.

The 10MM Auto was designed to be a pistol cartridge intended for semi-automatic handguns offering better ballistics—flatter trajectory and higher velocity— than the .45ACP, thus capable of greater terminal performance.

Cooper’s original concept was boosted to even higher velocities by Norma and introduced in 1983 for use in the ill-fated Bren Ten. The 10MM Auto offered magnum revolver power associated with .41 Magnum in a rimless semi-automatic cartridge.

The FN 510 Tactical package has several tweaks, such as co-witnessing suppressor height sights, enhanced trigger, threaded barrel, improved contoured slide lock lever, and extended extractor that also acts as a loaded chamber indicator.

FN Low Profile Optics Mounting System

The FN 510 Tactical features do not stop there. What really gets your attention is the rear of the slide, modified to facilitate the mounting of several of the most popular red dot sights. FN labels this as their FN Low Profile Optics Mounting System (LPOMS). The system features a series of plates for accommodating different red dot optics.

Along with the FN 510 Tactical’s caliber upgrade, the ability to add a red dot answers how best to enhance handgun performance by extending the effective range and increasing accuracy.

The orientation of suppressor-style iron sights around the red dot acts perfectly as backup sights. Likewise, they quickly fix the shooter’s eye on the red dot stationed above the front post. The FN LPOM system was taken advantage of by mounting a Leupold Deltapoint Pro on the 510 Tactical.

Carrying and Shooting the FN 510 Tactical

The FN 510 Tactical 10MM muscle makes it an ideal candidate for rural or wilderness carry. Specifically where four-legged adversaries are more of a concern than the two-legged variety. Make no mistake, the 510 Tactical is a hammer in the handgun ballistics department that can still easily adapt to personal defense or tactical situations.

The FN 510 Tactical seethes with power. Much anticipation awaited the firing of the 510 Tactical 10MMs. Having a stack of 10MM rounds nearly four times the capacity of your old six shooters at your ready when out and about is calming.

Range T&E took place at Echo Valley Training Center (EVTC). The Leupold Deltapoint Pro sight was zeroed, then several magazines worth of ammunition were fired at various steel and paper targets. This quickly shows if any reliability issues exist.

Testing consisted of strings of fire against steel plate racks and steel popper targets at 15, 25, and 45 yards. An accuracy test was conducted from a rudimentary bench position. The FN 510 Tactical delivered with a jagged hole at 10 yards and 2-inch or better groups at 25 yards.

Nostalgic sentiment may push you toward the revolver for wilderness/rural carry. However, it’s hard to argue against 15 or 22 rounds of full-power 10MM as quickly as you can pull the trigger with the 510 Tactical. Not to mention, carrying spare ammunition and reloading is pretty efficient as well. The FN 510 Tactical will be ready when you need it.