Do you expect a lot from your rifle? I sure do. Reliability, good handling – and above all – accuracy, are what I demand from any rifle I carry. The FN15 TAC3 Duty is my idea of a perfect duty carry AR-15 platform rifle. It has the features I like, is customizable, accurate, and makes me look good when I shoot it.
This rifle is all about quality. Any average AR-15 package will shoot pop cans at 25 yards, but if you want to reach out farther, the TAC3 Duty is for you. Stand close behind me as I review and shoot FN’s masterpiece.
The TAC3 Duty comes in at 6.5 pounds – not bad for a 33-inch (at its shortest) rifle
At first glance, the TAC3 looks impressively heavy and solidly built. Lifting it, I feel it is quite light despite its length. This is not going to be another boring AR! The long forearm feels airy due to its many M-LOK slots, which act as lightening holes. Look at that long Picatinny rail. I can visualize all types of scopes, red dots, flashlights, laser sights, or even a bipod being affixed.
Controls are standard AR-style. (Photo: Ben Philippi/Guns.com)
This rifle came Certified Used from the Guns.com warehouse, and it has a few upgrades courtesy of a previous owner. The telescoping six-position Magpul SL carbine stock gives me the exact length of pull I need. The MOE pistol grip is a bit larger than standard and fills my hand well. This is where control begins and is important for pulling the rifle into my shoulder for offhand shooting. Other controls such as the safety, magazine release, bolt release, and hold-open catch are standard AR-15 style.
FEATURES
The black-anodized forged aluminum receiver is built to take a beating. (Photo: Ben Philippi/Guns.com)
Materials on this rifle are top-notch. The 16-inch chrome-lined hammer-forged barrel has a 1:7 twist to easily stabilize my 55-grain bullets. It is also fully free floated for best accuracy. The receiver is made from forged aluminum, black anodized, and uses a mid-length gas system. The charging handle is left-hand friendly, and the safety is reversible – nice touches not always seen on AR-15s.
FN ships the TAC3 with an A2 muzzle device, but this one wears an upgraded three-prong flash hider. (Photo: Ben Philippi/Guns.com)
The Trijicon MRO is a good match for the TAC3, which doesn’t come with any sights. (Photo: Ben Philippi/Guns.com)
As delivered to me, the rifle has a Samson Manufacturing vertical grip and a Trijicon MRO sight. Both are good choices for fast shooting and rapid sight acquisition. The TAC3 is not supplied with sights, but the MRO (Miniature Rifle Optic) holds its zero very well. It has an easily adjustable brightness control built in and is ambidextrous. I transported this rifle without a gun case purposely to test the toughness of the MRO – it passed. Its battery has been in use for a year and is still going strong.
Samson Manufacturing’s medium “grenade” vertical grip is a great choice, although it’s removable if you prefer the rifle without. (Photo: Ben Philippi/Guns.com)
The Samson Manufacturing medium “grenade” vertical grip is made from durable polymer and metal and is easily removable. It serves to steady the forward portion of the gun while shooting offhand. Samson uses state-of-the-art CNC machining to make its grips and AR-15 uppers. They are quality-made in the USA. This rifle accessory combo will be fun to test at Area 51 in Arizona.
SPECIFICATIONS
FN’s quality manufacturing is complemented nicely by the Magpul furniture. (Photo: Ben Philippi/Guns.com)
- Caliber: 5.56x45mm as tested
- Weight: 6.5 pounds
- Overall length: 33 to 36.2 inches
- Barrel: 16 inches; 1:7 twist; chrome-lined hammer-forged, free-floated
- Receiver: Black anodized forged aluminum
- Handguard: 15-inch Picatinny rail with M-LOK slots
- Length of Pull: 11 to 14 inches
- Trigger: 8.6 pounds, single stage
- MSRP: $1,699
RANGE TIME
The rifle feels solid and shoot accurately, although the base on the Trijicon optic is a bit high. I learned to aim accordingly. (Photo: Ben Philippi/Guns.com)
Area 51 is challenging today! Those alien root beer bottles are set at longer distances beyond 50 yards along with two steel targets. This will be a good test of the FN TAC3. Ammo will be PMC Bronze 55 grain FMJ in .223 caliber. This has been quite reliable for me in other guns.
Starting on my milk-bottle shaped steel target at close range, I notice the TAC3 shoots a tight group but a bit low. This is due to the high-rise base on the Trijicon MRO. The rifle feels solid in my hands, making me confident as I hold my offhand stance. As I move to 50 yards, the Trijicon sight makes hitting 2-liter jugs easy. Just hold the dot on the bottle and squeeze.
Any shooter can find the perfect fit with the adjustable six-position Magpul stock. (Photo: Ben Philippi/Guns.com)
The trigger is a bit heavy for me at over 8 pounds but is single stage and smooth. Next is the steel silhouette at 50 yards. The 6-inch flapper is a bit of a challenge to hit at 50 yards, but it moves from right to left with authority. Just follow through on the trigger as I squeeze. This is fun!
The trigger, while smooth, is on the heavy side at 8 pounds. (Photo: Ben Philippi/Guns.com)
Three 2-liter bottles are located at 50 yards. The left one evaporates with a solid hit and the right one lines up directly in front of the one at 60 yards. Can I hit both with one bullet? You bet I can. The 55-grain FMJ blows right through the first and into the second 2-liter bottle in one explosive shot. Only an accurate rifle can pull off a stunt like that!
Quickly reloading, I fire a few more shots at a couple soda cans and they explode violently at close range. Then a rapid-fire string ends the test with no jams or malfunctions.
PROS & CONS
Pros:
- High quality
- Accurate and reliable
- Customizable
- Ambidextrous
- Lightweight
- Adjustable stock
Cons:
- No sights included
- Trigger is a bit heavy
- Pricey, but you get what you pay for!
THE FINISH LINE
No matter what task you have in mind, this FN15 has the quality engineering to tackle the job. (Photo: Ben Philippi/Guns.com)
Not just another pretty face, the FN15 TAC3 Duty delivers in accuracy and reliability. It is a lightweight rifle capable of precise hits at longer ranges. I have no doubt that it would deliver in my next 3-Gun competition at ranges out to 300 yards.
This rifle should appeal to an assortment of shooters. It could be a home defense gun, vehicle gun, hunting rifle (where allowed), and certainly a competition gun. Accuracy and reliability are what I look for in a rifle. The TAC3 has both and I hate to send this beauty back to Guns.com!
