Plenty of Pros swear by the Paslode CFN325XP Cordless XP framing nailer, especially when it comes to punch-list work. We put it up against some of the best framing nailers in a head-to-head comparison to see exactly how well it performs on a broader spectrum.
Pros
- One of the lightest nailers we tested at 7.36 pounds
- No hose to trip over or compressor to manage
- Fires as powerfully as any pneumatic framing nailer
- Excellent toenailer
- Outstanding recoil control
Cons
- More expensive than premium pneumatics at $350
- Requires a battery and gas cartridge
- Some users dislike the gas exhaust smell
- No bump fire mode
- Only holds one stick of nails
| CFN325XP Previous Model | CFN325XP Updated Model | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 7.2 pounds | 7.2 pounds |
| Length | 12 inches | 12 inches |
| Nail Range | 2 – 3 1/4 inches | 2 – 3 1/4 inches |
| Nail Diameter | 0.113 – 0.131 inches | 0.113 – 0.131 inches |
| Capacity | 1 strip | 1 strip |
| Firing Rate | 2 – 3 per second | 3 per second |
| Fuel Cell Efficiency | 1200 shots | 1200 shots |
| Battery Efficiency | 9000 shots | 9000 shots |
There doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of difference between the new and old versions of this nailer, except Paslode is confident you can get 3 shots per second consistently. For all intents and purposes, this is a rolling change that doesn’t have a huge impact on how the nailer feels and fires in your hands.
Paslode Cordless XP Testing and Use
Power House
The major benefit to this Paslode CFN325XP framing nailer is the lack of need for a hose and compressor. Paslode defined how gas nailers work and they hit the market well before any of the pure battery-powered options. To drive its 30° nails, a compact 1.5Ah lithium-ion battery ignites a gas from a cartridge. Paslode claims you should expect up to 9000 nails per charge. Of course, there’s also the additional cost of a new gas cartridge every 1200 shots or so which is one of the trade-offs you need to consider.
How does that compare to pure battery power from a power perspective? We had no trouble driving flush into LVL consistently.
Reaction Time
There’s no firing delay as you find with some cordless nailers which need time to ramp up before each shot, like the DeWalt DCN692. More recent cordless framers from Milwaukee, Ridgid, and Metabo HPT are much better, though. Compared to the immediate reaction of a pneumatic nailer, there is a slight delay, but it’s hardly noticeable if unless you’re looking for it.
Accuracy/Nose Visibility
The nose is reasonably easy to see around though it prevents being able to nail with perfect precision the way some framers do. For the most part, it wasn’t too much of a struggle and it’s just fine for the framing duties the nailer is designed for.
Paslode suffers here, lacking a bump fire mode completely, a metal magazine, and adjustable exhaust.
Why would you want to use a cordless framing nailer that uses gas cartridges when there are capable battery-only options? Paslode’s design weighs just 7.36 pounds while battery-only designs can push 10 pounds. As a Pro, 2+ pounds of nailer weight makes a huge difference over the course of a long day!
In terms of firing strength, the Paslode Cordless XP framing nailer can keep up with any pneumatic model we tested. It earns a perfect score in a tie for 1st place.
Paslode’s nose design grabs wood at an angle easily, earning it another perfect score in a tie for 1st place overall.
Recoil and Control
The Paslode owns the recoil control category in both this and their pneumatic models. In our experience with pneumatic and cordless framing nailers, some are a little jumpy off the face but the CFN325XP framing nailer felt great.
Magazine Capacity
The downside of the Paslode cordless framing nailers is that it only holds one stick of nails, making it more of a punch list tool than a primary consideration. At the moment, Paslode doesn’t offer any type of extended magazine attachment like some other brands.
There’s no firing delay like you find with some cordless nailers. However, there is a slight delay in the immediate action of a pneumatic gun. It still earns a score of 80 points here, only beaten on the cordless side by Hitachi.
Depth Adjustment
Paslode forgoes a thumbwheel for a pinch-and-slide mechanism to adjust the nail depth. It works well but begins to move your hand to a vulnerable position, so keep your hand away from the trigger and remove the battery when you’re making adjustments.
The nose is reasonably easy to see around but prevents being able to nail with perfect precision. It earns 80 points as the worst among cordless options and ahead of only Paslode’s pneumatic contender overall.
Paslode Cordless Framing Nailer Price
This updated version of the Paslode cordless framing nailer is the same price as its predecessor at $399.99. With that, you’ll receive a hardshell case, a 1.5Ah battery, and a charger.
The Bottom Line
There’s no question you have to weigh trade-offs when you look at cordless framing nailers. The lack of a bump-fire mode and its limited capacity makes this nailer a tough sell as a primary framer. The added cost of gas cartridges is another consideration. That said, if you’re looking to drop the hose and keep the weight in check, the Paslode CFN325XP Cordless XP framing nailer design has a big advantage over battery-only designs.
Paslode Cordless XP Framing Nailer Specifications
- Model: Paslode CFN325XP
- Power Source: Battery and gas cartridge
- Nail Length Range: 2″ – 3-1/4″
- Nail Size: .113 – .131″ in shank diameters
- Magazine Angle: 30°
- Magazine Capacity: 1 Strip
- Dry Fire Lockout: Yes, with 5 nails remaining
- Operating Pressure: NA
- Selectable Trigger: No
- Exhaust: Not Adjustable
- Weight: 7.36 lbs. with battery and gas cartridge
- Length: 12″
- Width: 4″
- Height: 14-1/2″
- Warranty: 5 Years Limited
- Price: $329
Don’t forget to also check out our best framing nailer article.
