AllOutdoor Review: FN Reflex MRD 9mm – New King of Concealed Carry?

When it comes to concealed carry it is a fiery debate that will never be extinguished. For decades we thought snub-nosed revolvers were the answer. Then, we moved onto single-stack .380 Auto pistols like the Ruger LCP, Kel-Tec P3AT, and Smith & Wesson Bodyguard. Next, came single-stack 9mm pistols like the Smith & Wesson Shield, FN 503, and Ruger LC9. The journey of development continued until the firearm industry shattered our perception of what we thought was conceivable for carry with an entirely new category: micro-compacts. Pistols that boasted staggered-round magazines as opposed to traditional double-stack for a uniquely small footprint with high capacity. The SIG Sauer P365 began this micro-compact race and was quickly eclipsed by Springfield Armory and their Hellcat. Now, FN has entered the gauntlet with a handgun that trumpets more features and style than both of its direct competitors. It is early since its introduction, but FN kicked the door in and is prompting the question already: Is the FN Reflex MRD 9mm the best micro-compact on the market? Is it the new king of concealed carry? We are going to tackle those questions in this review and let you decide. Let’s dive in!

FN Coverage on AllOutdoor

Specifications – FN Reflex MRD 9mm

The FN Reflex MRD, and standard offering of the Reflex, are awkwardly close in dimensions, capacity, and appearance to its competitors because they are all racing towards a similar end goal. Also, you can only make a handgun so small that is touting 9mm and still functions properly. That being said, the FN Reflex MRD 9mm still carries its own unique aesthetic and curb appeal. For those who are interested, you can get that Peanut Butter drip (technically Flat Dark Earth, but that’s semantics) like the Reflex MRD we are reviewing here or Black. You can also opt for a sans optic ready version as well if you don’t want a micro optic and a cheaper price point (standard $599 versus MRD $659). All of the specifications for the FN Reflex MRD we are specifically reviewing can be read below as presented by FN:

Cartridge: 9mm
Operation: Internal Hammer Fired SAO (Single-Action Only)
Magazine Capacity: 11+1 and 15+1 Round Magazines (or two 10 Round Magazines in restrictive states)
Weight: 18.4 Oz
Barrel Length: 3.3″
Overall Length: 6.2″
Twist Rate: 1 in 10″ Right-Hand
Height: 4.27″
Width: 1″
Trigger Pull: 4.5 – 5.5 Lb
Sight Radius: 5.05″

Between 2 colors, MRD (micro red dot), standard (non-MRD), high capacity, and magazine sets for restrictive states, there are 8 different choices of the Reflex shooters and concealed carry advocates can select from. The MRD options retail for $659 while the standard Reflex goes for $599.

Primary Features
- Max-capacity micro-compact perfected for concealment
- Optics Ready
- Best-in-Class Trigger
- Advanced ergonomics for control and shootability
- Hammer-forged barrel

Slide
- Slide cut for Shield RMSc and Holosun K-series. Included screws make it easy to mount many MRD’s
- 1-inch width for comfort and concealment
- Easy grip front and rear slide cuts
- Low slide racking force
- Three-dot iron sights; front night sight with tritium insert and high visibility orange circle aids in low light sight acquisition
- Long-wearing PVD finish
Barrel
- Cold hammer-forged, target-crowned for accuracy
- Polished chamber and ramp ensure feed reliability

One of the most curious features about the FN Reflex MRD is that it is not a striker-fired handgun. Most all of its competitors are and that is where FN parts ways. They have a single-action only (SAO), internal hammer-fired trigger mechanism. That is why you will notice in photos the back plate of the slide is smooth, clean, and cannot be removed. This ingenious trigger design also allows the Reflex to have a much better trigger than other micro-compacts on the market. Instead of working through a double-action, striker-fired mechanism the FN Reflex MRD can give us a much better feeling trigger with a lighter pull weight.

Frame
- Internal hammer-fired SAO trigger
- Smooth 5-lb trigger pull
- In-mold stippled grip
- Reversible magazine release
- Slim line rail mount for sub compact lights
Magazines
- Easy-to-load magazines
- 11-rd magazine with pinky and flush-fit base pads
- 15-rd magazine extends frame for a full-hand grip

The FN Reflex MRD is a precisely accurate pistol for everyday carry and perfected for deep concealment. With an internal hammer and multiple redundant safeties, the trigger is the smoothest, most refined fire control in an FN carry pistol. Stacking tight groups on target with match-grade accuracy is instinctive, with shootabilty besting all guns in its class.
15- and 11-round magazines secure 26+1 rounds at the ready, with a thin profile that won’t print under cover garments. A multi-faceted grip texture delivers more control at speed while a slim, 1-inch slide adds all-day carry comfort.

Field Use – FN Reflex MRD 9mm

On paper the FN Reflex looks like a winner, but how does it shoot?… I brought it out to the range along with my friend, Alex – military veteran, pastor, father, arms aficionado. To get the party started, we mounted my equally new Vortex Optics Defender CCW micro red dot. That optic has a Shield footprint so I could direct mount it right on top of the FN Reflex MRD slide; no adapter plates required.

The Reflex MRD slide is cut for Shield RMSc and Holosun K-series micro optics which is quickly becoming an industry standard footprint and I am glad that FN is on board. Within 1 or 2 magazines we were able to sight in the handgun so we could get to running drills and testing the salt of this new carry pistol.

With two of us enjoying ventilating multiple targets down range, we quickly got a decent round count through this pistol within an hour. My ammo can of 9mm rounds is like the wardrobe closet that leads into Narnia – its a complete and utter mystery what’s in there. Nevertheless, the FN Reflex MRD gobbled up all of the random ammunition we had in store for it like a champ. No failures occurred whatsoever.

With the extended 15 round magazine we had great command and control of the pistol being able to call our shots and provide ballistic attention to whatever needed addressing. The flush-fit 11 round magazine is admittedly short, but all flush-fit mags for carry pistols are typically one finger short of a perfect grip. Normally, all of my range fun and practice is with the extended mags and the short mags are for better concealed carry. I would treat the FN Reflex MRD the exact same way.

The texturing on the Reflex is aggressive on the sides and more spaced-out/subtle on the front and rear. Both Alex and I agreed that the aggressive stippling felt great and afforded us better dexterity while the more subtle texturing on the front and rear straps felt a bit slick. Overall, the combination of the two worked because with a high round count for both of us we had an ample grip.

While we never added a light to the FN Reflex MRD for this review, I appreciate that FN has a standard Picatinny rail cut on this pistol and not an arbitrary one that does not fit lights and accessories. If this pistol makes it into my gun safe a light will most definitely be added. Another trait I appreciated are the slide serrations FN machined into their slide. To be blunt, some slide serrations suck and you can’t do press checks or adequately grip your slide for weapon manipulations. The Reflex on the other hand has FN-ing good slide serrations (see what we did there).

After a robust diet of unknown 9mm rounds from my Narnia ammo can, a couple hours of shooting, and lots of time dry-firing from my office desk while my dogs blankly stared and watched, this pistol not only survived, but thrived in the face of all of my tests.

Final Thoughts – FN Reflex MRD 9mm

So, what are my final thoughts on the FN Reflex MRD 9mm?… Is this the new king of concealed carry? To cut to the chase, if its not the king, it creates a valid argument. What it does better than its competitors are several things:

Standard Picatinny Rail (this is extremely common; not arbitrary)
Shield Footprint for Micro Optics (this is extremely common; not arbitrary)
Hammer-Fired SAO Trigger (most all competitors use a heavier double-action, striker-fired trigger)
Intelligently-Designed Slide Serrations (you can grip ’em actually)
Multiple Magazine Sizes, Peanut Butter Drip, Accurate, Front Night Sight

I already own a lot of carry guns, but the FN Reflex – even being so closely similar to its competitors – sets itself apart and forces me to deliberate whether I should sell one of those other pistols and bag this. At an MSRP of $599 – $659 depending on the version you pick, the FN Reflex is a winner; especially the Reflex MRD.

In closing, I want to say thank you to FN for allowing AllOutdoor and myself the opportunity to try out their FN Reflex MRD 9mm. That is greatly appreciated. Also, we would like to know what all of you guys and gals think? Do you believe that the FN Reflex MRD 9mm is something worth spending your money on? Would you deploy one for concealed carry? Take it hunting? Shoot a league with it? As always, let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.

Adam Scepaniak