How’s Your Reflex’s: FN Reflex XL MRD

The Reflex is FN’s take on the best-in-class “slimline” carry pistol. (Yes, that’s the official classification. Don’t confuse slimline with compact. That nomenclature is reserved for G19-sized guns, which are mainly used as duty guns and not always compact enough for concealed carry. As you see, this makes complete sense if you don’t think about it). For the most part, it’s a nice offering. I know several people who carry the gun, and they all speak highly of it. The only problem is that FN released it too late. If the gun had been released soon after Sig Sauer and Springfield released the P365 and Hellcat, respectively, the Reflex might have been more popular. But this problem isn’t unique to FN. For many companies, timing is everything.

Moreover, sales are sufficient to warrant further development of the pistol, which, like its competitors mentioned above, means a gun with a higher capacity.

Reflex XL MRD

The FN Reflex XL MRD is a micro-compact semiautomatic pistol chambered in 9mm, featuring a 3.8-inch stainless-steel barrel. The pistol is hammer-fired (via an internal hammer), which is unique for this pistol category. The benefits: easier slide manipulation, perfect for new shooters or ones with dexterity issues. The trigger then feels different from others. While promising, the pull-weight comes in a bit heavy at 5lbs. The standard magazine holds 15 rounds, but the Reflex XL ships with an 18-round extended magazine. The pistol includes tritium-filled night sights, an optics-ready slide for micro red dot compatibility, and is available in a non-manual safety configuration with multiple internal passive safeties. The firearm’s accessory rail is compatible with the 43X MOS versions of the SureFire XSC and Streamlight TLR-7 Sub flashlights. Finally, the Reflex XL has a reversible magazine release and comes with two interchangeable backstraps. All in all, it’s not a bad package.

Final Thoughts

This is a needed extension to the line. It competes very well with the P365 X-Macro and Hellcat Pro. FN is a reputable company with a long-standing tradition and a small but reliable fanbase. Street pricing will be at $599, which is right in line with comparable items in 2025.