(McLean, VA — October 15, 2024) FN America, LLC is pleased to announce that the Wake County (Raleigh, NC) Sheriff’s Office has selected the FN 509® Fullsize MRD-LE as their new duty pistol. The Sheriff’s Office reached this decision after a year of testing multiple manufacturers’ pistols.
Purchasing over 500 pistols, the Wake County Sheriff’s Office is the first agency to deploy the new FN 509 Fullsize MRD-LE. This model is based on the FN 509 MRD-LE that was adopted by the Los Angeles Police Department in 2021. With nearly 1,000 employees, the Wake County Sheriff’s Office serves the largest county in North Carolina, with over 1.1 million residents across 12 municipalities.
“The Wake County Sheriff’s Office is the largest sheriff’s office in the state, and we are thrilled that they are switching to the FN 509 Fullsize MRD-LE as their duty pistol of choice,” said Doug Grier, Law Enforcement Business Development Director for FN America, LLC. “As Wake County began their selection process over a year ago, they wanted a pistol that was safe, reliable, accurate and optics-ready, plus a brand partner they could trust to stand behind their products. FN met those needs with our commitment to service along with a duty pistol designed for law enforcement, by law enforcement.”
The FN 509 Fullsize MRD-LE, which launched earlier this year, is the law enforcement version of the commercially available FN 509 Fullsize MRD. While the bulk of the agency’s purchase is the FN 509 Fullsize MRD-LE customized with the Wake County Sheriff’s Office badge, they also selected the FN 509 Compact MRD-LE for their detectives and department staff, plus customized FN 509s for their SWAT officers.
“The decision to upgrade the Sheriff’s Office’s weapons was not taken lightly,” said Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe. “We understand the importance of equipping our deputies with the best tools possible to ensure their safety and effectiveness in the field. The aging hammer-fired handguns were nearing the end of their life expectancy, and it was crucial to find a suitable replacement that would meet the Sheriff’s Office’s needs for years to come.”
The decision to upgrade was followed by a year-long quest to find the optimal pistol for the Wake County Sherriff Office’s needs.
“The test and evaluation processes were a vital step in choosing the new duty weapon,” said Sherriff Rowe. “Our team collected feedback from deputies who tested different brand name weapons in various configurations. They also gathered pertinent data on each weapon’s performance, reliability and ease of use. After carefully reviewing all the information, I concluded that the FN 509 was the best choice for the Wake County Sheriff’s Office.”
The agency purchased optics-ready pistols and holsters, and, as part of the partnership, FN conducted classes on the duty use of red dot optics and provided armorer training. Since completing qualification and issuing FN pistols to their officers, Wake has seen dramatic improvement in their officer marksmanship scores.
“The FN 509 was selected for its user-friendly design, striker fire mechanism and overall performance. Deputies found it easy to handle and shoot accurately, which is essential in high-pressure situations. The weapon’s reliability and durability were also key factors in the decision-making process,” added Sheriff Rowe. “I am confident that the FN 509 will provide our deputies with the capability to effectively carry out their duties and protect the community.”
About the FN 509F MRD-LE
The new FN 509 Fullsize MRD-LE delivers more precision and versatility than any other duty-rated handgun. Building on the proven FN 509 lineup, the exclusive upgrades for law enforcement place every advantage in an officer’s hands.
The FN 509 MRD-LE is the only choice for agencies that require complete reliability. With unmatched longevity in the most demanding trials, the FN 509 platform has been tested beyond one million rounds. With a polished feed ramp and chamber, consistent feeding and extraction exceed every standard, plus the platform is compatible with a wide variety of training and duty ammunition.
Pinpoint accuracy is made possible for all officers with a precision, hammer-forged barrel with recessed target crown, high-performance, conical striker and flat-faced, duty-rated trigger. With a positive wall at 90° before a clean break, officers maintain their sights on target through the full trigger pull. The FN Low-Profile Optics-Mounting System™, adapted from the original development for the U.S. Army’s handgun trials, gives officers more precision and sighting versatility than all other handguns — vital when every shot must be accounted for.
To inquire about the family of FN 509 MRD-LE pistols for agency or individual office purchase, please contact the FN Law Enforcement Sales team at LE@fnamerica.com. More information about the family of FN 509 MRD-LE or FN’s other law enforcement products can be found here.