First range report - FN Self Loading Police (SLP)

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DHart

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I just picked up the new FN Self Loading Police (SLP) today. When I first saw it I was very impressed with it's compact size, look and overall build quality. This is one danged cool personal defense/home defense semi-auto.

Having recently had a great out-of-the-box experience with a new Winchester SX2 Practical Mk I, I had high expectations of this SX2-based shotgun. (FN Herstel of Belgium is the owner and builder of FN, Winchester, and Browning firearms... these shotguns are built by FN in Belgium, using the same components which make up the Winchester SX2 Practical - except the shorter, 18" barrel. I wouldn't be surprised if the FN SLP and Winchester SX2 shotguns are built on the same line.)

Here are the specs:

FN_SLP.jpg


• Winchester Super X2 3" magnum action
• 13.5" LOP polymer stock
• 18" barrel
• Piccatiny rail with ghost-ring sights
• black parkerized phosphate finish
• 7-shot capacity
• compact overall length 38 7/8"
• Invector choke equipped (2 chokes supplied)
• soft recoil gas-operation
• 2 gas pistons supplied to tune the action to the desired load (one for less than 1 1/4" oz loads, one for 1 1/4+ loads)

The gun is capable of firing up to 5 shots of full power 00 buckshot in about 1/2 second... one could potentially empty the gun of it's 7 shots of 00 buckshot into a life-threatening attacker before the first empty hull even hit the deck... pretty amazing. And all you have to do is focus on the target and pull the trigger... then repeat as rapidly as necessary. Very simple, awesome firepower.

I'm really wowed by today's semi-auto shotguns. I believe that if kept clean, well-maintained, and loaded with quality factory ammo of adequate power... such a shotgun is unsurpassed for home defense. While semi-auto shotguns can be a bit less forgiving than pump guns of not being cleaned and maintained and do tend to prefer more powerful charges for utter reliability, I think that's a small price to pay for the amazing simplicity and firepower they offer vs. pumps. Fortunately, FN/Winchester supply their FN SLP and Winchester SX2 shotguns with two gas pistons to enable reliable operation with a wide range of shotgun loads.

Personally, I have no problem keeping my guns clean and well maintained, whether they be pumps or semis, revolvers or pistols. But just for interest sake, I'm refraining from cleaning my 1100CM, Winchester Practical, and this FN SLP until about 200 rounds.

Don't get me wrong about pumps, I have two pump shotguns and I think they're great guns. But tactically, given various scenarios, I think pumps come up short compared to a quality semi-auto. Once a good quality semi-auto has proven it's reliability to you (250+ rounds with zero failures) it's tough not to make it the #1 choice for home defense. More training and range failures are associated with short-stroking issues on pumps than with semi-auto shotguns. Pumps can't be operated one-handed, nor are they easy to operate from a lying position. Some shooters are so stressed during training or shooting that they either forget to operate the pump or short-stroke it. Some tactical shotgun trainers advise that in less highly trained hands, a good semi-auto shotgun is most likely more reliable than a pump. That, of course, presuming the gun is properly maintained and fed proven quality ammo of sufficient power.

In a home defense situation where you may be unlucky enough to have to face two or more armed and intent perps, being able to launch 00 Buck with super high speed and the simplicity of just acquiring the target and pulling the trigger repeatedly and rapidly can make the difference between instantly "stopping" the attack or being shot yourself. I'm finding that semi-auto shotguns are unsurpassed among other defense choices in self-defense.

I began the "break-in" of the FN SLP today by first cleaning it thoroughly. Break down and reassembly of this gun makes it clear that the engineering that went into the gun is superb. It's a breeze to tear down without tools, although a punch helps to remove the pins holding in the trigger group. After removing the preservative with FP-10, I gave a light coating of FP-10 to the parts and then fired 4 boxes (100 rounds) of Estate Heavy Game Loads (3.25 dram 1 1/8 oz. #6) through the gun with the "lighter" load gas piston installed.

Most of the rounds were fired at a very rapid rate... about as quickly as I could fire the gun while staying within target area (2' square at a distance of 20' - a typical home defense scenario.) A number of rounds were fired with the shotgun held down at my side - not at my shoulder. And about 10 rounds were fired repeatedly one-handed! (Try that with a pump!) I didn't lie down on the ground to shoot, but I have no doubt that even lying on the ground, one could repeatedly shoot this shotgun with ease. (Another huge challenge for the pump.) The gun isn't particularly sensitive to how firmly it is held. Winchester/FN's SX2 action is amazingly fast and reliable.

As I expected, the gun ran flawlessly through it all. Rock solid and reliable. Now I just need to put another couple hundred flawless running shells through it and it'll enter my home defense gun rotation. Then a couple hundred more 00 buck shells and I will have complete confidence in it.

I think FN has really hit a home run with this shotgun. While I personally don't feel the need for a ghost ring sight on a home defense shotgun, the SLP itself is a remarkably capable, reliable, compact, and potent defense shotgun. If you're interested in a state-of-the-art, gas-operated, semi-auto home defense shotgun... you should definitely consider the SX2-based FN SLP. Not a "cheap" gun... but you get what you pay for! Street price about $850-$870.
 
Nice to hear it ran great for you.

On my X2 I have gone to Mobil 1 15W-50 on the bolt contact surfaces and bolt rails. As long as they are lightly wet it runs great all the way down to -15*F. I run the trigger group almost dry, just the lightest coat of something like FP-10. For something that will sit in a closet or safe for months on end I would switch to Enos Slide Glide Light. It stays put a little better and won't dry out for months and months on end.

My X2 and Golds do not like to be dry, even more so in very cold weather.
 
Thanks for the report. I'm in the still looking phase for my first HD Shot gun, and SLP has always been on top of my short list.

I'll keep an eye out for more of your reports on your new gun.
Thanks.

RTFM
 
DHart,

Greetings. Good review. Do you think a self-loading sg will cycle reliably with LE low recoil slugs and / or 00 buck?

Take care,

Don
 
I have a couple SX2's and they are excellent shotguns. Most reliable semi auto's I have owned/shot.

Am I the odd duck of the bunch or does that shotgun just scream close quarters grouse gun? I hunt for grouse in thick cedars and shots are super quick and close.
 
Don... I've never tried to fire slugs, so I can comment on that. I do believe that once a self-loading shogun is fully broken in there should be no issues with regard to cycling defense ammo, even low recoil defense ammo, which is still a heavier shot and powder load than target fodder which can run reliably as well. This is where I find particular value in guns like the Winchester SX2 and FN SLP which provide high and low power pistons to select from in tuning the gun to your desired load level. Once you've got a good quality shotgun, the key is get the shotgun well broken in with something like Estate Heavy Game Load 3 1/4 dram 1 1/8 oz. #6 (perhaps 250 shells) and then test with the defense ammo you would like to use - perhaps 100-200 shells. When your tests confirm reliable functioning, you're good to go with it! And of course, keep the shotgun clean and well maintained and you shouldn't have any problems whatsoever. Remember, there's nothing new or unproven about semi-auto shotguns... countless hunters and competitive shooters have experienced perfectly reliable semi-auto shotguns for a very long time indeed.
 
I need to read up more on sl sgs. Now I read the specs you had there and the 2 gas pistons supplied.

DHart said:
I do believe that once a self-loading shogun is fully broken in there should be no issues with regard to cycling defense ammo, even low recoil defense ammo, which is still a heavier shot and powder load than target fodder which can run reliably as well. This is where I find particular value in guns like the Winchester SX2 and FN SLP which provide high and low power pistons to select from in tuning the gun to your desired load level.
Click to expand...
From the picture, looks like a similar recoil pad as my 870P, as well as the safety behind the trigger. I've read good things about the SX2 at this site.

One handed shooting! Man, that is cqb. ;)
 
HSMITH... have you found the need to clean the trigger group in your SX2's? I would imagine the trigger group could go quite a few rounds before needing a cleaning...

What would you think about a few sprays of gun scrubber followed by a few sprays of aerosol FP-10 for cleaning and lubing the trigger group? I'm a big fan of FP-10... been using it for years to clean, lube and protect my 1911's, B High Powers, lever rifles, S&W revos, and now my shotties... great stuff.
 
I may have to get one and "retire" my Mossburg 590. The controls would be exactly the same as my new hunting gun (a Gold Fusion). Bonus!

DHart, you make it awfully tempting. But I just got back taking my wife to NYC for our anniversary. Gotta wait a while before I try that!
 
DHart,

Good review. Do the sights line up well? Are they lined up with a proper cheek-weld? Does the front sight seem sturdy?

Great to see something written about this gun. I hope to get one in the future.
 
Zak... since the Winchester SX2 Practical is the same gun as the FN SLP, you could no doubt put the mag tube from a Practical on an SLP... but then you'd have a mag tube longer than the barrel... kind of weird. If you want nine rounds on tap, do what I did and buy a Practical.

Win_PractMkI.jpg


With the Practical, you gain two rounds (for 9), but the longer barrel/tube length reduces the nimbleness of the gun in close quarters.

With the FN SLP, you give up two rounds of capacity (for 7 rounds) but gain a much shorter and more wieldy shotgun for close quarters.

But either the SLP or the Practical are as good as semi-auto defense guns get in my view.

The inertia operated Benellis are good also, but I prefer the gas operated SX2 action... they're more comfortable to shoot with much less recoil. And another benefit of gas operation is that the gun can be fired with a less-stable "platform" (like one handed, or gun held at side with two hands). The inertia-operated Benelli needs a very solid backstop to function properly.... so there are two drawbacks to the inertia-operated guns in my view. Lastly, I've been told by a combat shotgun trainer that during training with the US Marines on the new Benelli M4 (which is gas operated, by the way, in contrast to the M1/M2/M3), there were so many malfunctions that users hated the gun. Thus my decision to go SX2-based FN SLP and Win Practical.

FN_SLP.jpg


==========

nitesite.... best time to ask the lady is following some you-know-what, when you've put her in that "warm afterglow" and she's in the man-worshipping portion of our program! ;-)

==========

Kestrel... I find the sights line up nicely and are very solid. But personally, I'd be happier with the minimalist rifle sights as found on the Practical Mk I. The Ghost ring sight on the FN SLP is great for long range stuff and shooting slugs, I'm sure, but my intended use for this particular gun is purely up close using buckshot, so I don't need those sights. In police work, I'm sure the Ghost ring set-up is tits. The Ghost ring sight comes off the rail with the turn of a knob. I'm not sure how the front sight is affixed, but it may take a gunsmith to replace the front sight.
 
Good points. Having a mag tube longer than the barrel isn't a problem. I've seen guys with 21" barrels but 24 or 26" tubes in 3Gun "Open" class. I'd MUCH prefer the sight/rail arrangement on the FN vs. the Practical.

Interesting, thanks.
 
While it can no doubt be done, I don't see any point in having a mag tube which is longer than the barrel... if you have to deal with the length of a long tube, you might as well gain the benefit of a longer barrel as well.

Zak... would your preferences on the Ghost ring sighting arrangement be due to shooting slugs and/or longer range stuff?

Sounds to me like what you want is the Practical Mk II, which is essentially an FN SLP with a 22" barrel and 9-shot capacity. You can have nine rounds AND the Ghost ring set-up with a Practical Mk II. Most people, from what I've seen, seem to prefer the Mk I, however. Here's a link to the Mk II:

http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/catalog/detail.asp?cat_id=511&type_id=015&cat=009C
 
DHart, I clean the trigger group on my X2 when it gets wet, a year has passed, or I hit 5000 rounds, whichever comes first. If you are shooting commercial ammo then you might not get 5K out of it before it is gunked up, but it should go well over 1000 easily. Gunscrubber costs more and I am cheap SO_ so I use non-chlor brake cleaner. Hose it out good and a light spray of whatever is handy like WD or CLP, JUST enough lube on the trigger group to prevent the rusties from moving in. Then a drop of FP-10 on the pivot pins and a dab of grease on the hammer/sear interface.

Get a can of Chlorinated brake cleaner too, it will peel the plastic out of the barrel like magic.....
 
Ah... I gottcha... yes, for 3-gun 9 rounds is the ticket. That's what the 1100CM and the Practical were designed for. Do you see many 1100CM's or Practicals where you shoot 3-gun?

Personally, I like the rail, but "different strokes", as they say. ;) Sounds like an FN SLP with a mag tube from a Practical would do the trick for ya. Or what about an 1100CM? They're danged nice too.

1100CM.jpg
 
Zak... I'm really looking forward to trying some 3-gun myself...figured I'd use my 1100CM or Practical for the shotgun portion, Beretta Storm CX4 carbine for the rifle part, and Browning Hi-Power or Beretta PX4 Storm for the pistol part. I'm not out to win top medals, just have fun shootin guns! Sounds like it would be a lot of fun.
 
Funny thing, I bought the 1100CM, Practical, and FN SLP within a couple weeks of each other. THe 1100CM was first and I loved it! Ran well as long as the ammo was 3 1/4 dram 1 1/8 oz. Lighter than that didn't cycle it. After 100 rounds through it, lighter stuff ran better. Then right about that time I got the Practical and all my attention turned to that gun... for a few days, until the FN SLP arrived. Now the FN SLP is getting all of my "break-in" time. I've had it less than a week and I'm up to around 150 shells through it... reliable running! Having the two different pistons probably makes the difference in it running reliably right off the bat vs. the 1100CM, which is has a stiffer action and needs more break-in time with the lighter fodder. I've gotten reliable running using Estate Heavy Game Loads (3 1/4 dram 1 1/8 oz #6 shot) and heavier (buckshot) loads in all of them.

So I think one of the main things with the 1100CM, since you can't change to "lighter" load settings/pistons, is the 1100 needs more break-in time to be reliable with the lighter 3 dram 1 oz. loads than the SX2 design needs.

I don't plan to do any 3-gun shooting until spring, so between now and then I'll be sure to run 500-1000 or so rounds through both the 1100 and the Practical to make sure they're ready for competition. I think the 1100 needs the break-in, whereas the SX2 Practical doesn't appear to *need* it, though I'm going to do so anyway, just to make sure.
 
Zak... looking at the competition results, it looks like you're among the better shooters in Colorado. What are you using for your pistol, rifle and shotgun at present?
 
FN SLP and Ammo Problems

DHart,

Thanks for a great thread. I was kicking around the idea of getting a semi auto 12 gauge and couldn't make up my mind. The Benelli was cool, so were the Remingtons. However, after reading your review, I decided to go with the FN SLP.

I took it to the range and it seemed to work fine with Winchester AA 12 gauge shells (2 3/4 inches, 1 1/8 oz, 7 1/2 shot). However, I couldn't even insert two other types of shells into the magazine cyclinder (Remington Xpress Long Range 12 gauge - 2 3/4 inches, 1 1/4 oz, 7 1/2 shot; Winchester Super X 12 gauge - 2 3/4 inches, 1 1/8 oz, 7 1/2 shot).

Do you have to be careful of which shells you put in the gun? Do you think there is something wrong with my shotgun?

Thanks,

Jim
 
I ultimately sold my FN SLP and Winchester Super X2 because I found over time that even with buck shot and clean mechanisms, the guns often failed to cycle in colder circumstances and when pointing downward. These guns were intended for defense for me and such performance is unacceptable. I'm back to my Mossberg 500A Persuader which never fails to function for me under ANY circumstances.
 
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