Editor’s Note: On March 17, 2022, FN issued a recall for the 502 Tactical Pistol with a serial number lower than LR010300. For more information, FN asks that owners review the FN 502 Tactical safety recall details at fnamerica.com/customer-support/fn-502-safety-recall/. For assistance in returning a firearm, please contact FN Support at 502Recall@fnamerica.com or call 1-800-635-1321, ext. 144, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday.
Whether you’re a proponent for a manual safety or prefer no safety, if there is one, it should work. Although you are your first safety, engaging the safety device on a firearm adds another level of security. For this reason, FN America is issuing a safety bulletin regarding the 502 Tactical pistol. This is an important safety issue and asks that you take it seriously.
A Safety Issue Causes FN to Release a Safety Bulletin or 502 Tactical Pistol
At issue is a limited number of FN 502 Tactical pistols that may have an improperly installed manual safety. As a result, the external safety lever will not function properly and may result in unintended firing when engaged.
The bulletin applies to FN 502 .22LR Tactical pistols with a serial number lower than LR007999. This does not affect serial numbers above this range, and they should operate properly. However, if your serial number falls within this range, FN asks that you suspend use of the pistol and perform a function check.
Details of how to perform the check are listed below from FN. However, if you are uncomfortable performing the check yourself, you can take it to a local firearms dealer or gunsmith. Likewise, if you prefer, you can send it to FN for inspection by contacting FN Customer Service at 1-800-635-1321.
Inspecting Your FN 502 Tactical
As with any maintenance you perform on your firearms, ensure that you unload the pistol and magazine, and check that there is no live ammo in your work area.
From FNAmerica.com:
- Depress the magazine release to eject the magazine. Remove all ammunition from the magazine and the work area.
- With the magazine removed, pull the slide back and lock the slide to the rear by pressing the slide stop up, allowing the slide to rest against the slide stop.
- Carefully inspect the chamber both visually and physically to ensure no cartridge is present before continuing to step 4. Do not proceed unless you are certain your pistol is unloaded.
- Release the slide by pushing downward on the slide stop or by pulling rearward on the slide to disengage the slide stop and then let the slide move forward under control.
- Engage the manual safety and set it to the “SAFE” position (up) as shown in the photo below. Ensure that it is moved all the way into position and remains in place.
- With the unloaded pistol pointed in a safe direction, pull the trigger.
If your pistol does not release the hammer with the safety engaged, it is functioning properly, and no more action is required. Safely return your pistol to storage until your next range session.
If your pistol does release the hammer with the safety engaged, the pistol requires service and can cause an unintended firing event that can cause serious injury or death. Please do not re-load or use your pistol. Contact FN immediately for factory service.
Next Steps
If your 502 fails the inspection above, please contact FN America for assistance in returning your firearm. You can reach FN Support at customerservice@fnamerica.com or call 1-800-635-1321, ext. 145, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday.
According to FN, if you have to return your pistol for service, there will be no cost to the end-user. They additionally state that it will take approximately 14 days to get your pistol back.
For more information, please visit FNAmerica.com.
