Fabrique Nationale (FN) of Herstal, Belgium, is
well known for both fine sporting arms and military and law-enforcement
guns. In the United States, the latter are sold by FNH USA, headquartered
in McLean, Va. Among its offerings for police and armed citizens
are semi-automatic shotguns, including the Self Loading Police shotgun
reviewed here.
The SLP disassembles easily for cleaning.
The Self Loading Police (SLP) shotgun is based on the proven Winchester Super-X
design and the improvements found in the later Browning Gold and SuperX2 models.
The SLP is a short-stroke, gas-operated semi-automatic shotgun with gas pistons
for both heavy and light loads. Gas bled from the barrel at the gas block, approximately
6" forward of the chamber, impinges on a ring-shaped gas piston inside the
block, pushing it and the gas sleeve to the rear about 0.8". A short operating
rod on the gas sleeve passes through the receiver and forcefully drives the
bolt slide rearward, which, in turn, causes the rear of the bolt to be cammed
downward out of engagement with its locking recess in the barrel extension.
The bolt and slide then continue rearward, extracting and ejecting the empty
shell, activating the shell stop to release a live shotgun shell onto the elevator,
cocking the hammer and compressing the recoil spring. The compressed recoil
spring then pushes the bolt and slide forward, raising the elevator, chambering
the round and locking the action. When the magazine tube is exhausted, the
bolt locks open on the last shot.
Gas pistons for heavy and light loads (top) are provided, as are modified and improved cylinder choke tubes. Sights include an aperture rear and post front.
Extraction is by means of a spring-loaded claw
on the right side of the bolt face, and ejection is via a stud in
the left side of the barrel extension. The bolt release is on the
right side of the aluminum alloy receiver, just below the ejection
port. At the rear of the trigger guard is a sliding crossbolt safety
that may be reversed for left-handers.
The SLP’s 18" 12-ga. barrel has a 3" chamber and
accepts standard Invector choke tubes. Improved cylinder and modified tubes are
provided. An extended magazine tube holds six rounds of 2 3/4" 12-ga. shells.
The SLP features a front protected post with a white aiming dot. The detachable
rear sight is an adjustable ghost-ring flanked by two white dots. The unit is
mounted on a 5.9"-long aluminum Picatinny
rail atop the receiver. The black, two-piece synthetic stock has molded-in checkering
on the fore-end and wrist and a 1"-thick ventilated rubber recoil
pad. The stock is of traditional profile. Steel sling swivel studs
are mounted on the stock toe and the underside of the fore-end.
Loading is accomplished either by inserting shells
into the magazine tube or by putting a single shell into the ejection/loading
port with the bolt retracted. Unloading the SLP is performed either
by working rounds through the action or by depressing the shell stop
to release shells, one at a time, from the magazine tube.
We tested our sample SLP shotgun with the improved cylinder
standard Invector choke tube installed. We patterned the SLP with two buckshot
loads: a 2 3/4" Winchester
Supreme load with 12 copper-plated 00 pellets, and a Federal Premium 3" Magnum
load with 10 pellets of 000 size. We also tested the SLP with a Remington
Managed-Recoil Slugger load consisting of a 1-oz. rifled slug at
a nominal 1200 f.p.s. muzzle velocity. In addition, other buckshot
and slug loads were fired for reliability.
Patterning was at 25 yds. to better reflect the SLP’s real-world
use.
In our testing, the Winchester Supreme load patterned tightly,
with 92 percent of the pellets staying within a 21" circle at 25 yds. The
Federal load was right behind at 88 percent. Pattern dispersion was fairly even
about the point of aim. Federal’s 3" Magnum Power-Shok load with a 1 1/4-oz.
rifled slug at a chronographed 1466 f.p.s. was frankly brutal. With that ammunition,
five-shot groups averaged just under 5" at 50 yds—about what one would expect
from an 18" barrel with an improved cylinder choke.
While reliability with standard and magnum loads was excellent,
some failures to fully eject and feed were 
encountered with the light
Remington Managed-Recoil slug load. Upon examination, we determined that
the heavy-load gas piston was installed. When this was replaced with the light-load
piston, functioning was flawless with the Remington slug and other light
loads.
We judged the overall performance of the SLP to be very good,
with commendable slug accuracy, consistent pattern density and excellent
functional reliability. Ergonomics were also noteworthy, with moderate recoil,
a light trigger, and effective sights which were quick, easy and natural
to use. When fired rapidly, the gun cycled quickly without excessive muzzle
rise, allowing the sights to stay on target.
The FNH Self Loading Police shotgun is simple, reliable and
rugged, offering solid performance and a proven design. In our judgment,
it would seem to be well suited for use by law enforcement, security agencies,
three-gun competitors or armed citizens who include the tactical
shotgun in their armamentaria.
FNH SELF LOADING POLICE
Importer: FNH USA (Dept. AR), P.O. Box 697, McLean,
VA 22101;
(703) 288-1292, www.fnhusa.com
Gauge: 12, 3”
Action Type: short-stroke, gas-
operated semi-automatic shotgun
Receiver: black-anodized aluminum alloy
Barrel: 18", steel
Magazine: six-round capacity
(2¾" shells)
Choke: Improved cylinder and modified standard Invector choke tubes
Sights: protected front post
with white dot; protected rear adjustable ghost ring with two white dots
Trigger Pull: two-stage, 6 lbs.,
8 ozs.
Stock: black synthetic; length of pull, 13 7/8"; drop at
heel, 2"; drop
at comb, 11 1/16"
Overall Length: 39"
Weight: 7 lbs, 10 ozs.
Accessories: light- and heavy-load gas pistons; choke tube wrench; sling swivels;
plastic case;
owner’s manual
Suggested Retail Price: $1,125
