FN Model 10/71 .380 ACP Compact Pistol – 1972 Belgian Production with Target Sights & Removable Muzzle Weight
Produced for just a few years, the FN Model 10/71 stands out for its scarce production run, U.S.-compliant target features, and triple-safety design. This 1972 example (serial prefix 72N) combines a polished blued finish with a 4.5-inch barrel and removable muzzle weight, giving collectors and shooters a distinctive Belgian-made Browning import that is both functional and collectible.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: There are minor superficial scratches and blemishes on the exterior. Light pitting is visible on the slide serrations and scattered areas of the finish. The bore remains clean and shiny.
What’s Included
- FN Model 10/71 .380 ACP pistol
- One factory FN/Browning 6-round steel magazine with finger-rest baseplate
Built from forged carbon steel and finished in polished blue, the Model 10/71 was engineered to meet the 1968 U.S. Gun Control Act import points test. The extended 4.5-inch barrel, adjustable target sights, and thumb-rest grips earned the necessary points while adding genuine shooting advantages.
This single-action, striker-fired blowback pistol employs three independent safeties—grip safety, manual thumb safety, and magazine disconnect—an uncommon level of redundancy for its era. A European-style heel catch secures the six-round magazine.
The removable muzzle weight threads onto the barrel, shifting balance forward for steadier off-hand fire. Combined with a high ramp dovetailed front sight, micro-adjustable rear sight, and roughly six-inch sight radius, the pistol offers precise sight alignment in a compact package.
Belgian * over E LG proof marks and Browning Arms Company import lettering confirm its Liège origin and U.S. import history. With production limited to 1971–1974, examples like this 1972 pistol remain relatively scarce on today’s market.