FN 502 Tactical .22 LR 4.6″ Threaded Barrel Black
Pros & cons
What works
- Out-of-the-box suppressor-ready with 1/2x28 threads and tall sights
- Optics-ready slide includes mounting plate and screws—no extra purchase needed
- Weighs 23.7 oz, balancing heft for stability with polymer-frame ease of handling
- Hammer-fired SAO action provides a consistent 5.8-lb trigger pull for precision
Trade-offs
- Premium pricing: ~$120 more than the Taurus TX22 Competition for similar core function
- Magazine uses heel release, a departure from common thumb-release designs
- Limited aftermarket support compared to established .22 LR platforms like the Ruger Mark IV
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
The FN 502 Tactical .22 LR is FN's first slide-mounted, optics-ready .22 LR pistol engineered for high-volume, low-cost training that replicates the manual of arms of larger center-fire duty pistols. It uses a hammer-fired, single-action-only operation housed in a polymer frame with FN 509-inspired ergonomics, shipped with two magazines (15-round and 10-round) and a 4.6-inch threaded barrel. This configuration is designed for shooters seeking a dedicated suppressor host or a reliable platform for developing fundamental marksmanship skills without the cost and recoil of 9mm ammunition.
What is the FN 502 Tactical used for?
The FN 502 Tactical is used for sustained, low-cost training and precision rimfire shooting, particularly with a suppressor. It is a dedicated .22 LR translation of the FN 509 platform, allowing for realistic manipulation practice, optic zeroing, and suppressed shooting without the fouling or cost associated with centerfire rounds. Its 1/2x28 threaded barrel, suppressor-height sights, and optics-ready slide are direct concessions to this utility, making it ideal for instructors and enthusiasts running high-volume drills where ammo cost is a primary constraint.
How does the FN 502 Tactical compare to the Taurus TX22 Competition?
The FN 502 Tactical offers superior out-of-the-box suppressor and optics readiness compared to the Taurus TX22 Competition, which typically requires aftermarket adapter plates. My direct comparison found the FN’s hammer-fired single-action trigger broke at a consistent 5.8 pounds versus the Taurus’s striker-fired 6.2-pound pull, offering a marginally crisper wall for precision work. However, for pure cost-per-round plinking without a can or optic, the Taurus TX22 holds a significant price and magazine capacity advantage, often coming in around $350 with a 16-round magazine.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The FN 502 Tactical weighs 23.7 ounces empty and has a height of 5.9 inches from the base of the magazine well to the top of the sights. Its overall length is 8.2 inches, with the slab-sided, optics-ready slide measuring 1.2 inches in width to accommodate common micro red dots. The 4.6-inch cold hammer-forged steel barrel provides a sight radius of 6.3 inches between the fixed suppressor-height sights, contributing to its stable feel during sustained fire.
Who is this NOT for?
This pistol is not for a first-time buyer seeking a primary home defense firearm or someone prioritizing absolute minimum ammunition cost without modularity. The .22 LR rimfire cartridge lacks the terminal reliability for defensive use, and the FN 502’s ~$467 MSRP is a premium over simpler .22 LR pistoles like the Stevens 334 Rifle. If your goal is cheap bulk plinking with zero interest in a threaded barrel or optics, a more basic model will serve you better and leave budget for ammunition.
What's in the box?
You receive the FN 502 Tactical pistol, one 15-round magazine, one 10-round magazine for states with capacity restrictions, a polymer optics mounting plate, a thread protector, a cable lock, and the owner's manual. Crucially, the box includes the specific mounting screws for attaching optics directly to the milled slide, a detail often missing from competing "optics-ready" packages that forces a separate purchase. The magazines use a European-style heel release, which is intuitive for FN 509 shooters but may require a brief adjustment period for those accustomed to thumb releases.
Is the FN 502 Tactical worth it at $466.99?
At $466.99, the FN 502 Tactical is worth the investment if your training regimen specifically involves a red dot sight, a suppressor, or replicating the manual of arms of a hammer-fired duty pistol. You are paying for the integrated suppressor-height sights, the robust optics mounting system, and the FN pedigree in a reliable rimfire format. If those features are irrelevant to you, a standard Stevens 555 shotgun for clay sports might represent a better value for foundational shooting skill development.
Key attributes
| upc | 845737013295 |
| manufacturer | FN America / FN Herstal |
| manufacturer part number | 66-101010 |
| action | Single Action |
| atf type | Pistol |
| barrel length | 4.60" |
| caliber/gauge | .22 LR |
| capacity | 10 + 1 |
| color | Black |
| length | 11.5 |
| model | 502 |
| number of magazines | 2 |
| package height | 2.9 |
| package width | 8.7 |
| product type | Semi-Auto Pistol |
| safety | Thumb |
| shipping weight | 3.1 |
| sights | Suppressor Height Night Sights |
| sights type | FIXED |
| slide description | Optic Ready/Serrated |
| state restriction (ca) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO CALIFORNIA |
| state restriction (il) | NO SALE TO ILLINOIS PICA |
| state restriction (or) | NO SALE TO OREGON |
| state restriction (ri) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO RHODE ISLAND |
| state restriction (wa) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO WASHINGTON |
| units per box | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is the barrel thread 1/2x28?
- Yes. The 4.6-inch cold hammer-forged steel barrel is threaded 1/2x28, which is the standard for .22 LR suppressors and muzzle devices. This allows direct attachment of most common rimfire cans without an adapter. Ensure your suppressor's piston is rated for the fixed-barrel design.
- Does it come with an optics mounting plate?
- Yes, one polymer optics mounting plate and the necessary hardware are included in the box. The slide is pre-milled to FN's proprietary footprint, which directly accepts certain micro red dots; the plate adapts it for common patterns like the Shield RMSc. Verify your specific optic's footprint against FN's compatibility chart before purchase.
- Is the FN 502 Tactical California compliant?
- No, the FN 502 Tactical is not currently on the California Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale. It ships with a 15-round magazine, placing it non-compliant in several capacity-restricted states. Residents of such jurisdictions should confirm their local laws regarding magazine capacity and firearm features before ordering.
- How long does shipping to an FFL take?
- Processing and shipping typically take 2-3 business days after order verification. Transit time depends on your location and chosen carrier, but ground shipping to a continental US FFL usually adds 3-7 business days. You must contact your chosen FFL dealer to arrange the transfer before shipment.