Looking at purchase of an FN 57

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vasilia zheitseva

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howdy...

I am looking at purchasing an FN 57. what I read on the technical specs is pleasing and the grip fits my hand suprisingly well, despite its size. I have yet to try firing one. The local weapons shops usually don't have a 'try before you buy' policy in place. My questions to the forum are:

1) Anyone know of any place where I can try one out in the continental USA?

2) Anyone out there try one & can give me their input?

3) I'm somewhat concerned about a holster that would fit me. Any good custom holster craftsmen out there you'd recommend? I am a female, 5 ft 11 inches, medium frame. The few custom holsters I've tried on were made for men, and since my hips are curved differently, they tend to sit a bit differently. I'm also going to try other locations than hip if it feels awkward to draw.

thanks for any input.

vasilia
 
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1) Milwaukee, WI for rental
Check locally for someone that has one.
2)I liked it, even with an $800 price tag. However, ammo is what stops me from picking one up. $16.50ish a box/case price is the best deal I've found on ammo.
3)Can't help you there
 
http://www.fivesevenforum.com/
try starting at this forum dedicated to the 5.7. I have the same username over there. I have had mine for over a year now and I love it. I live on the ILL/WI boarder about 30min from Milwaukee. Again check out this forum dedicated to the 5.7 platform
 
Sad to say the idea that even custom gun leather folks would have a five7 is pretty slim so molding it for you'd likely mean both you and the gun would have to go visit the maker. Your other options are crappy "fitsall" holsters that won't conceal worth a hoot. Not to rain on the 5.7 parade but are you aware that with civilian legal ammo the 5.7 is ballistically akin to the much more popular (cheaper) .22 magnum? If you're set with the 5.7 more power to you but there are cheaper and more effective options availible in other calibers.
 
What state are you in? If you are close to Michigan, you can come up and shoot mine.

Btw, I'm not entirely "sold" on the wounding and stopping potential of the 5.7 round myself. My wife *loves* the gun though, and shoots it very well, so it's going to be her gun soon.
 
Leather holster for FN 5.7

Don Hume (donhume.com) makes a leather concealment holster that you might be interested in. You can do a search on the site for: Herstal USG Model (HB 5.7). The nice thing about this particular holster is that it has a layer of leather on the backside of the holster between the pistol and your body. I understand that a lot of folks also like the blade-tech solution for the 5.7. I prefer leather, myself.
 

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Answer to No. 2:
I shot one when FN came to the local range with all of their new pistol and rifle products. The 5.7 is akin to a 22 Magnum in recoil, and amazingly accurate. I can't describe how easy of a gun this was to fire. However, I have two things that would keep me from buying this pistol: Cost 8-900 around here (Northern VA) and a proprietary cartridge that's expensive: 26.50for a box of 50 rounds.

This is definitely not a plinking gun with ammo costs being what they are. However, there is brass available for reloading. Also, data on the cartridge in combat is lacking. I haven't heard anything good or bad about the ones supposedly being used in Iraq right now.
TJ
 
...Many thanks for all replies. I will check out sites & weigh your input as well.

I reside in Missouri for the moment, so WI is not far to go for a weekend visit.

And, yes I am aware of the similarity to the more inexpensive firearm, but...I just likes it better, precious...:evil: ...& expense is no worry at the moment. I just want a handgun that fits like a glove to me and it seems Mr. FN is the one.

The FN site should be an interesting item to check out, too.

The model I am looking at is priced competitively at $829 right now; I have been hearing that finocchi (spelling?) is/will be making civilian acceptable ammo & prices are coming down on that from the $24.95/box I am seeing for Belgian made ammo. Ammoman.com is pretty competitive, too.

...and I see I'm just talking myself into buying it, LOl...I better get to the store before it closes, LOL!!!
 
I fired the entire FN line at a seminar a few years ago. The guns were nice and functioned perfectly. The P90 I found interesting due to it's ease of control (about 60% of a 9MM) and ability to deliver multiple hits.

IMHO the jury is still out on 5.7 as far as effectiveness. That, the high cost of the pistol and ammo would tell me no.

I liked the FN 9mms too.
 
I don't have a 5-7, but I do have a PS90 - Fun carbine. Love mine. Ammo is high, though. I can sorta justify it for a rifle. But for a pistol, its way too high when I can buy 9mm for $5.69 a box of 50
 
Fiocchi Is making it now and is in full production. The SS197 is being made here in the USA. Price's if you shop online at 5n7 forum supporters havt the ammo for on average $17.00 a box. BassPro shops in some stoes hase it on sale now for 14.88 a box for SS195

http://www.fiocchiusa.com

ammotypes.gif

fn_hg_fiveseven_usg.gif
 
If you are ever in western Kentucky you are welcome to fire mine.

I recently acquired a USG myself. The design is good, extremely reliable, accurate, easy to clean, very lightweight.

The cartridge is controversial. There seems to be little middle ground, most either love it, or hate it. It is coming down in price, and that has been the major valid arguement against it. I reload it, and it seems fairly easy to reload.

I too am searching for a holster. Currently, I own a vest, and though it is not what one thinks of as a pocket pistol, it rides fairly well in a large inside pocket. Soon, I will find some thing better.
 
I like my 5.7 quite a bit. I am using the Blackhawk carbon SERPA holster and it works fine with some baggy clothes for me. I am also doing my own reloads and it gets ALOT cheaper if you spend the time to figure the round out. I just want someone to start making NEW brass for the round and see what kind of variables there are with it verus factory loaded ammo.

The fiveseven forum is a very good site to get alot of questions answered on this gun, use the search function first though as they are normally pretty harsh on questions that get asked all the time. ;-)

Adam
 
rsracer65 said:
The fiveseven forum is a very good site to get alot of questions answered on this gun, use the search function first though as they are normally pretty harsh on questions that get asked all the time. ;-)

Adam
Click to expand...
tempted.gif What ever do you mean? tempted.gif
 
If you're in Michigan, Double Action in Madison Hts. has one in the rental counter. I own one...love it, but I don't shoot it due to ammo cost.:cuss:
 
I went to the Bass Pro Shop in Houston the day after Christmas. They have been sold out of 5.7 ammo for a while, unfortunately - I was told that it always goes quick. Being that it is 90 minutes away, I didn't bother asking for a rain check for the ammo sale...
 
great design,triggers pretty good out of the box.ambi controls are a big plus to a southpaw.easy to carry in a iwb check out bladetec holsters.ss195 ammo basicly same as restricted,destablizes,yaws.just won't defeat as high an armor threat.because its not as "proven "round,it would not be my first choice ccw.
 
As to the round not being around long enough to be proven. It has been around longer then the 40S&W. It just was not known to the Civies. Military units have been killing with it for a long time it just was not out thier in the civilian market.
 
I've had my USG for about six months and absolutely love it. It's incredibly accurate right out of the box and a joy to shoot (with the exception of the current ammo prices). In fact it's my 13y.o. sons favorite pistol to go to the range with.

There is plenty of stopping power info if you know where to look. Again, the FiveSeven forum has got it all.

As far as holsters go, Center Of Mass (www.comkydex.com) makes several custom kydex holsters for the FiveSeven. They made me a paddle holster that is incredibly light weight and fits the pistol perfectly.

I highly recommend both the FiveSeven USG and the Center Of Mass holsters.
...and if you ever get to Pittsburgh, your welcome to shoot mine.
 
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