FN Five-seveN 5.7X28mm

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I don't think you'll have any luck here. I don't think any THR members have an opinion on the Five-seveN or the 5.7x28mm cartridge...

:D

Just kidding. I'd get some popcorn going.
 
I carry one as my primary. I've tested various loads out of it and I have NO problem carrying it as a self-defense pistol.
 
Looks like similar logic to the .17HMR.
err no not really the only similarity is small caliber bottle-necked case bullet, thats where the similarity ends.

That's the similarity in logic I'm referring to. As for performance, it's supposedly a whole new ball game.

-MW
 
With FMJ bullets, it IS a whole different game. Think 10-14" penetration with very little recoil, plus the bullet is 40gr and yet moving fast enough (~1950FPS) to damage flesh as if it were a rifle round, and the gun loaded with 21rds is lighter than an empty 1911.

Heck, even with the "lead free" 27gr bullets, you're getting 8-10" of penetration and a horrific wound cavity.

Personally I wouldn't carry the blue tip varmint rounds, though. :)
 
kicks a lot like a .22 magnum. shoots accurate as all get out, and feels like a Lego gun. grip is like holding a 2x4, but decently comfortable.
 
OMG! I like the look of it, I like the ballistics, accurate to 200m!!! Not sure I really believe that. I do not like the price at all, and the ammo seems a bit out of range for me too, at $129 for a box of 50.
 
at $129 for a box of 50.

You must be looking at defensive ammo. Plinking ammo is 40c a shot, which isn't cheap, but isn't much more than .45 ACP is these days.

Supposedly Federal is supposed to start making plinker ammo for it, which could bring the price down below that of .45 ACP. A lot of folks are still in "goodness 5.7 ammo is sooooo expensive" mode from years ago when 5.7 was 80c a shot and .45 ACP was 20c a shot. Now there's far less difference in price.
 
I do not like the price at all, and the ammo seems a bit out of range for me too, at $129 for a box of 50.

Agreed it's a pricey pistol, which is why I threw this out there. Not sure where you're looking for ammo, but here's a link for some more affordable stuff:

5.7 Ammo @ Able's

It does look like a nice carry piece. :D

-MW
 
From what I can tell, this ammo is only imported for LE/Mil now. I would love to try one out, but probably won't be buying one until and if I can find one used. Seems very popular. Maybe what I was seeing is old info:)
 
kicks a lot like a .22 magnum. shoots accurate as all get out, and feels like a Lego gun. grip is like holding a 2x4, but decently comfortable.

Surprising lack of recoil for such a beast of a round! Good info on the grip. Reminds me of firing my buddy's 10mm Glock. I'm a bit accustomed to revolvers for my large caliber pistols, so this is a consideration. But a round of that size makes sense to have a large grip in an auto.

-MW
 
My pistol cost ~$950, came with three mags, and factory carry ammo is $18/50. Where's the problem?

And yes, the grip is rather long front to back - my SO has trouble holding it with just one hand.
 
With FMJ bullets, it IS a whole different game. Think 10-14" penetration with very little recoil, plus the bullet is 40gr and yet moving fast enough (~1950FPS) to damage flesh as if it were a rifle round, and the gun loaded with 21rds is lighter than an empty 1911.

PTK - Holy crap! Those are some stout numbers! How is it for reliability? Any info on range and ballistics? Have you seen the damage firsthand on any critters?

Another thing that interests me as a black rifle owner is this:

AR-57 upper

Call me crazy, but this transfers into versatility and bulk ammo discounts for rifle and handgun!

-MW
 
Reliability... well... hm, over 3k rounds now and not ONE SINGLE MALFUNCTION.

Read that again. Three thousand rounds, zero malfunctions of any kind.

I've seen what a blue tip varmint round does to a squirrel, no issues there. Haven't seen what the LF or what the 40gr FMJ rounds do to flesh, only ballistics gel and armor.

Range, figure 100 yards out of the handgun, 200 yards on the blue tip out of the carbine, 300 yards+ with the FMJ stuff.

Best part? Those are actually realistic numbers for effective range. :D
 
How dare you post that... I thought the 5.7x28mm was a weak round akin to a .22wmr?

;)
 
I think FNH is going to make a bolt action 18-22" barreled rifle chambered for this, actually?
 
I like it. I paid $700 for the pistol and $15 a box for a bunch of ammo. When that's gone I'll have to pay the $20 abox it is now, but until then...

I do wish the trigger were better but that's really my only beef. It's accurate, stays remarkably clean, loads easier than any gun I own, and is very reliable.

For the record; I do not think they explode unless the owner does something really negligent and/or stupid.
 
I found the pistol interesting, but did not want to spend 900 bucks just to try it out. I did, however, buy an AR57. I get just over 2100 FPS from 197 SR ammo. It is great fun. With 50 round mags, I think I could hold someone at bay at the very least. If I bump into a used Five Seven pistol at the right price, I may grab it.

I have been reloading for it. I reloaded for it before I ever received my factory ammo. Everyone was 3 weeks behind shipping at the time, probably still is.
I think FNH is going to make a bolt action 18-22" barreled rifle chambered for this, actually?
That would be cool. I know there are folks making Contender barrels as well.
 
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I have had a 57 for over a year and have run about 2.5k rounds through it. I have never had a mis-fire or mis-feed. I have paid from $18 to $22 for 50 round box of ammo. The gun was accurate at 25 yards out of the box. I can't say anything bad about the gun other than it's a bit to large for cc. My son came across a 10 round extension for the standard clips so I converted a couple of mine but the spring could be a little larger. I paid $820 for mine at Bass Pro in Georgia. Better get them now the Lib's call them a cop killer!

I love the gun.....
 
Right now the only round I have seen hit 12 plus inches (12.5 inches of penetration) is a solid copper round in a non fnh ammo. Most of the rounds are in the 10 inch or less range when it comes to penetration. The solid round becomes even more of an issue since the tests I have seen show that it tends to not tumble, which is likely the primary reason it is able to penetrate as far as it does. Thats a problem since your dealing with a small caliber bullet and without tumbling it is effectively a pointy .22 mag bullet out of a handgun.

At the same bullet weight a .22mag will likely penetrate further given same barrel lengths. I am not sold on the idea of the 5.7 as a round that is in the league of the 9mm, 40, or .45. Primary reasons being:

1 The rounds that end up tumbling penetrate 8 to 9 inches in ballistics gel. I am not sold that tumbling is more effective then what a 9mm-.45 will do.

2 The rounds that don't tumble tend to be a straight hole, little to no cavitation, and still barely go above 12 inches of penetration. I don't even consider the FBIs standard of 12 inches the absolute minimum, however considering 9mm and .45 rounds designed for self defense can achieve 14.5 inches of penetration and .6 inch plus expanded diameter, the 5.7 leaves much to be desired.

3 People tout its armor defeating properties, however after going through a vest you would be lucky to see 6 to 8 inches of penetration. Its certainly no 5.56 round.

4 190 ammo is available, only if you want to pay huge prices. Most of the ammo around is expanding varmint type bullets, which do produce a nasty looking cavity in ballistics gel, however so does birdshot out of a shotgun.


So take your pick. You want a nasty wound and temporary cavity, pick the expanding bullets. Of course its at the expense of penetration (around 8 to 9 inches). Want more penetration? Then your going to limit the tumbling action and you essentially have a wound similar to a .22mag. None of the rounds penetrate in ballistics gel to what I have seen 147 grain 9mm or 230 grain 45 self defense ammo do.

I don't doubt that the 5.7 can kill, however I have yet to see any proof that it really offers anything better then 9mm, .40, or .45 acp does. Other then less recoil.
 
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