Apex's Scott Folk walks you through the proper procedure for installing the Apex Heavy Duty Striker in an FN 509. This process is the same for the FNS and FNS Compact models.
Outstanding video. Clear camera. Excellent instructions. I was able to replace my original firing pin from my FN509 in about 15 minutes. When I took out the original, I could not believe the amount of sticky material - felt like heavy grease. In my case, I had to clean the "tunnel" where the strike pin is inserted with 99% isopropyl alcohol and a cotton swab - did that multiple time until everything was squeaky clean. I believe that part of my issue is that I mixed cleaning oils in the gun (throughout the years) - which formed a very heavy and sticky substance - almost like glue. Cleaned the rest with Hope #9. I recommend also having a nice set of tweezers on hand as the pin is extremely small. Thanks again for clear instructions and the outstanding camera.
The Apex trigger and the new striker have made a world of difference on the trigger pull of this gun. After replacing the trigger there was still a weird dragging sensation when pulling the trigger, did some research and found out about the faulty striker and here we are. It's a bit ridiculous FN would put out a product that needs this but here we are. Still love my 509 aside from that and love y'all's products, thanks for doing what you do.
Nicely machined part. In addition to the potential of the factory striker to fail--particularly with lots of dry-firing (use some snap caps, people!) the factory strikers often have small machining defects that can produce a "gritty" trigger pull.On my 509T, there was a slight burr on the striker bevel where the striker spring sits. This would occaisionally catch some of the spring coils when it was placed under tension. Evidently, this is a fairly common problem.
Will this striker help overcome the water locking issues with the 509 pistols? I.e. does the extra mass over come the water inclusion in the striker channel after submersion?
What is the purpose of the spring stop? Why not machine the need for that right out of that design? Who wants a pin floating around in a striker channel???
I just replaced the striker in my FN 509 LS Edge (purchased Feb 2021) with the Apex and the factory striker is a heavier duty version similar to the Apex HD striker. Apparently, FN upgraded the striker in the LS Edge. I probably didn't need to replace it. However, the Apex striker is polished vs. the factory striker. This could make for smoother operation.
The Apex HD Striker obviously appears to weigh more than the original FN Striker. Are the original FN springs on the original FN Striker sufficiently reliable to handle the little bit heavier HD Striker?
Just a heads up, apex trigger+ striker + mcarbo spring kit will give you light primer strikes on certain ammo. From what I’ve seen it’s an mcarbo light spring with the heavy striker that causes the issue. So replacing one or the other with factory part should fix the problem just to save anyone the headache I just went through lol
We do not recommend mixing and matching our upgrade parts with those from other companies. We do a lot of testing to make sure our components deliver performance AND safety, but we do not test them with parts from other companies.
I have a FN FNS manufactured in 2014. Bought one of these, and when I disassembled the pistol, my striker was not the MIM/cast skeletonized one shown. It was milled just like the Apex. Guess I wasted $50.
They have a spring kit out. I ordered one with the striker. Just installed in my 509 Tactical. Hopefully it will help with the light strikes on primers. Already added the trigger.
My stock striker broke at 300 rounds (+ 1200 laser dry fire). Thankful for Apex Tactical striker and fast service. Its a shame the beautiful Apex striker is buried deep inside the pistol. Anyone else suffer a broken stock striker?
I've got just shy of 5,000 rounds on my 2014 FNS 9 Long Slide with no issues... Could it be I'm lucky? I did just put the Flat Face Apex trigger in it and what a HUGE difference it makes. The angle of the original FNS trigger is absolutely ridiculous. The Apex trigger is a must have.
Love the weight increase relative to the old striker. Curious as to recommendations to get your logo off of the flat on the striker though. After installing I noticed a crunchiness in the take up before the wall. This is from the firing pin safety riding over the apex letters on the firing pin as it is disengaged. I suggest removing the logo step from firing pins you make in the future, keep up the good work👍
Hi Zachary, The Apex name is laser engraved into the surface of the striker after machining is complete and is not on contact with the striker block at any point. Any additional grit you're feeling after install is likely due to surface contact between the striker bearing surface and your slide, or the striker and sear interface.
@@apextactical hello. I just installed my apex striker fpr the 509 tactical and upon instalation I saw in the video yours had a cutout window next to tje logo and mine doesn't. Its just one solid piece. ??did I get sent tje wrong part..or was there a change made?
Really good video. I just ordered the 509 midsize mrd. I’m not sure if I should just run it and hope the striker doesn’t break, or put the apex striker in right away…
Mine went back together fine except that the striker spring guide had a little mold bugger left on the base of it so it was nearly impossible to slide it into it’s hole. Had to sand the little bugger off and it fit just fine.
At 4:46 the verbiage is correct, "put the striker block in with the spring away from the striker". However, the video shows doing the opposite. Great product however.
Actually, it does not. The plunger is installed with the spring facing the outside, away from the striker. It is in the same orientation as earlier in the video before the slide was disassembled. But, we're glad you like the Heavy Duty Striker.
I think i have a fail. Strikers not striking my Laser Academy laser round. Somethings not right. Function test seemed perfect. Will reinstall original striker. 😠
@@apextactical the gunsmith was probably the issue.Which is me.I took it to my local gun store. They installed it. I thought I had everything properly. But i didn't.Im also going to have them install my Apex Trigger as o heard the FN 509 is a challenge.They told me they have a special tool to remove that pin that gives everyone a problem.They've also told me they've done hundreds of 509 Apex triggers. Thanks for the reply
Did you polish it or anything before installing the striker? It seems to move fine when I push it in to put it together, but it will not strike the primer hard enough in either of my Fn509s.
@apextactical hi, thank you for responding. I found a review about the product that had the same issue I did. The reviewer said that it would activate his laser cartridge but it does work with live rounds. So, if that reviewer somehow sees this then do what I did and put a few layers of blue tape on the button of the laser cartridge. I also bought a new cartridge that works fine without tape so maybe it's because the older striker made such a deep indentation on the old button that it was to far in for the new striker.
Worried when the curved milling in the side of strikers were slightly different from each other. But function check was exactly as in the video. Only lost the guide rod twice :)
The purpose is that we plan to run it in our own manufactured 5" slide for the FN 509. Plus, we had a number of customers request an Apex manufactured replacement striker.
@@RRLT66 I don't own a 509 but I was seriously looking to buy one. Then I came across the striker issue. I emailed FN a few times regarding it and they have their QC team looking into it and they will address it according to what they find. Not a huge admission that there's a definite problem but at least they are aware and reviewing. If they come out with a factory fix, I'm in. I just don't want to have to spend money on an aftermarket part and then worry about warranty issues..... Which no matter where you look FN really isn't too clear about warranty details. According to their emails to me, warranty coverage is based on a case my case basis.
@@LS67NOVA This problem has been happening for years. They certainly know about it. Perhaps they bought a bunch of the original firing pins and they're too cheap to throw them out. It's really hurting the reputation of their company.
I own the FNX 45 Tactical and have two questions: Is the FN 509 the “only” FN suffering these striker failures? Do you (APEX) make a replacement striker/firing pin for the FNX 45 Tactical?
The apex striker I received for my fn509 midsize does not have a hollowed hole like the one in the video install? The one I received is solid. Is this correct?
I installed my heavy duty striker and when finished the striker does push forward when doing functioning check. What am I doing wrong? I’ve done it probably 5 times and still same thing.
It's probably because unlike my other striker fired guns you have to actually pull the striker back like chambering a round and then the block locks and prevents the striker from protruding. Seemed weird to me at first too
Don’t waste your time with them. They have horrible customer support. Mine has bad light strike problems out of the box. Added the Apex trigger. It went from not firing at all. To 60%. FN said if I paid shipping, and then paid them $75 they would take a look at it. Then quote a repair price.
@@willws2conceptsshephard no the problem was worse before the trigger. I called the second day I had the gun. It was not working at all out of the box.
@@willws2conceptsshephard I did not put the trigger on until after I contacted them. They are known for horrible service on brand new stuff. The light strike issue cost them being the new military service pistol. Also strikers have a tendency to break.
