General

[A.C. Basbas]

Review:
Unfortunately, this marker is currently only availible for law enforcement sale, and FN Browning has no plans to make it availible to the public at this time. I have a feeling that the markers appeal to woodsball and scenario players will be sufficient enough to sway FNH from their decision to use this for military applications only. Thanks to having some family in the Mass. State Police, I was able to test one out.

First of all, it should be noted that the gun uses a 15 shot rotary magazine system that virtually eliminates chopping. While the pepperballs and inert rounds I fired were finned ( think half paintball, half rocket ship), I of course brought some standard .68 Marbilizer to try out, and it fed & fired well. The chronograph hit 350fps on "low power" and near 500fps on "high", so clearly a low-powered version would be needed.

Reloading was difficult, due to the nature of the magazine, but again it must be kept in mind that 15 shots of capsacin filled projectiles are far more debilitating than paintballs, so for it's intended purpose of crown control reloading speed is probably not as important. Regardless, extra magazines are not availible and do not seem that useful given the manner of reloading. Also, while finned projectiles stay tightly in the magazine, round paintballs fit loosely until loaded into the marker itself.

Another difficult aspect was the c02 tank. It had a small 7oz tank, and it was mounted on the passenger side of the gun. While this is OK for righties, it might complicate use for left handed shooters. It also threw off the balance of the gun, which really demands either a sling or a counterweight. Alternate air options would have to be explored to make this marker useable in competition. It seems that a 12g cartridge would compliment the magazine capacity nicely.

Lastly, the "feel" of the marker. It's solidly constructed, and hefty but not heavy. The body is aluminum and composite. No cheap plastic or zinc pot metal to be found. The stock, while comfortable, is a bit silly looking, but it allows for proper siting with a mask and keeps the gun in a comfortable position. The foregrip, while strange looking, is a truly ergonomic grip that fits comfortably in a gloved hand. The triggerframe likewise is very comfortable, and the enlarged triggerguard allows for gloved use.



MSRP: $900-$1200 depending on options




The FN 303 is designed to be the premier system for situations requiring a less lethal response. Completely dedicated to reducing lethality and liability, the basis of the FN 303 concept lies in its unique ammunition. The .68 caliber, 8.5 gram projectile utilizes a fin-stabilized polystyrene body and non-toxic bismuth forward payload to provide both better accuracy and greater effective range than other less lethal systems. The primary effect of the projectile is temporary, superficial trauma to help neutralize the aggressor. In addition, secondary effects from the projectiles can be delivered via a chemical payload depending on specific mission requirements. Magazines contain 15 rounds and have a clear rear cover to allow rapid ammunition payload verification. The compressed air-powered FN 303 launcher is designed to fire less lethal projectiles exclusively and has enough air capacity to launch 110 individual shots with an effective range of 50 meters at a point specific target. It is constructed from durable, lightweight polymer offering comfortable ergonomics and an easy to operate safety. Along with the flip-up iron sights is an integrated M1913 rail that can be used to mount red dot sights and other accessories.



The FN 303 is also capable of undercarriage mounting on most M16/M4 tactical rifles. The accessory aluminum alloy mount replaces the lower handguard, thus allowing the FN 303 launcher to be securely attached to the selected firearm. Firearm is still fully usable with the launcher attached.

[Su8lime Paintball]

I got a chance to shoot this one.

VERY interesting design... It'd be more interesting if SmartParts sued them.

[sparky]

So werid looking, but kinda like a space gun milsim marker. Cool!

Nice review A.C!

[doc Zox]

thats a Tom Kaye design





There is supposed to be a FN 303 dented steel door at the old AGD office

[Party]

Look, well scary.
Which is exactly as it should.

[insixdays777]

did you get to see how it works?? is it based on the automag? did you take it apart?

[Cowboy]

kinda looks like a futuristic tommy gun

thats kind of interesting because mythbusters came on the other day and they used a grappling hook launcher that had a agd intelli frame with dye grips on it

[DarkStar]

This has been around for a while. It's the same weapon that killed that girl during the Boston riots... ('04ish?)

-MR

[A.C. Basbas]

Originally Posted by insixdays777

did you take it apart?

I generally refrain from dismantling the new $1000 toys of the State Police...

Originally Posted by insixdays777

did you get to see how it works?? is it based on the automag?

It's not mag-based, that's for sure. From what I observed when firing it, at the end of the firing cycle the bolt pushes the next ball a little bit out the rotary clip and into the bore of the barrel. It doesn't seem to be a blowforward, based on the trigger system, but I could be wrong. I'll see if I can hunt down a field strip guide.

[A.C. Basbas]

Originally Posted by Cowboy

thats kind of interesting because mythbusters came on the other day and they used a grappling hook launcher that had a agd intelli frame with dye grips on it

We use that badboy in the CG

It's even more fun to shoot than it looks, though CP4 patrol has ditched the DYE stickies in exchange for some rosewood SP 45 grips that I picked up off another MCB'er.