Should I buy something FN5.7 flavored?

[Panzercat]

I know the caliber had been around a while, but it's only recently come to my attention since a firearm I'm researching features it. So I go to look up information on the round itself and... Wow, what a mess. I've got the basics of what the round is designed to do, but the question of effectiveness remains rather large with anecdotal evidence being thrown all over the place.

I think I've got the gist, however-- A high velocity round designed to tumble upon penetration to create the wound channel. It loses energy relatively quickly, making it ideal for CQC. Beyond that, it gets real muddy so I'm hoping some real world experience will come into play here. Offhand it sounds like a great varmint round and something ideal in lead hoses, as the secret service is often cited in the examples I've read. If there's more to it than that, it's getting lost in the back and forth debates, along with whether the civilian version of the round matches the hype. (oh, and body armor)

What's the real story here?

For my purposes, I would need effectiveness against a two legged predator out to a minimum of 100 yards. The 5.7 would be in direct competition with 9mm and .45acp* for this role. My only request through this is that we all agree that shot placement is king and acknowledge it's a conversational dead end.

The floor is yours




*I'm leaning toward 45acp. In spite of the rainbow trajectory, I'm a big fan of mass and physics.

 

[TennJed]

I am interested in this too.

 

[mr.trooper]

Big FiveSeven fan here.

That said, you have to look at the gun in a practical light.

Yes, the 5.7x28 in its various loading will produce some horrendous wounds; its primary wounding methods are tumbling and fragmentation. That said, from my study and observation of ballistic gelatin tests and my own personal experience with informally shooting stuff with the FsN I don't think it's any more powerful than conventional premium defence ammo in 9/40/45. I believe it uses a different methodology to arive at an equivelant level of wounding / lethality.

Ammunition concerns are comonly expressed. Critics will tell you that ammo is hard to find. The truth is that top tier is hard to get - FN factory SS190 duty rounds are rare and expensive, and the equivelant boutique rounds from Elite ammunition will have you on a waiting list or pouncing at e-mail alerts. BUT, the upside is that the FN factory SS197 sporting rounds are not hard to get at all. Most big outdoor world stores like Cabelas or Bass Pro tend to keep them in stock. You can also find it in stock at many larger gun shops. So there is the rub: terrorist blasting death dealer ammo - expensive and hard to get. General use sporting cartridges - about as common as 10mm or 357 Sig and about the same price. Also., you should know that the sporting ammo (SS197) is loaded a bit lighter than the duty ammo, though most still consider it efective enough at standard engagement distances - but for your pursposes of 100 yard engagement, I personally would want to have the harder to find duty rounds.

You mentioned trajectory and engaging target out beyond 'normal' handgun distances. The FiveSeven is certainly capable of that. Trajectory is flat, so there is less guess work involved in making accurate placement than say with a 45 at that distance. The adjustable sight model comes with factory sights that are capable, and the factory trigger is OK. You would not need as much or as frequent of practice to be effective at 100 yards with the FsN IMO as you would with a 45.

I like my FsN for the phisical attributes of the pistol: Extreem light weight, very low recoil, high corrosion resistance, and high capacity.

I feel these make it an ideal open carry pistol, an ideal camping / hiking pistol, and a good option for traing new shooters - especially kids who are interested in 'tactical' looking things. You can carry it on your hip all day without burden, and smaller statured or novice shooters can easily handle its modest recoil.


OP - Hope you go through with your purchase of the FiveSeven. It's a great pistol. I just think you deserve to know the truth as seen by a FsN fan that been shooting and carrying one for two years now. Just know its not the one gun to rule them all; It has many excellent qualities, but its not really any more deadly or effective IMO than a good 9mm or 45. It would be a shame to drop $1,000 on a pistol thinking it was something other than what it realy is.

 

[Robert]

If my minimum distance for self defensive purposes was 100y none of the three rounds you have listed would even be in consideration. Though one could argue that 100y is 90y beyond self defense range. Or are we talking pistol caliber canines? Even then I'd rather have something like an true carbine, in a rifle caliber, or an SBR. Serious questions, not trying to be a jerk.

 

[303tom]

Why Not !.......................

 

[black_powder_Rob]

I'm with Robert on this one, are we talking pistol or rifle?
100y is a bit far for the sporting round out of a pistol.

 

[barnbwt]

No, there are too many people shooting the chambering for the factories to keep up, already

This is the most love I've seen for 5.7 in a thread in quite a while

100yds is a hell of a shot for any pistol, but I doubt 5.7 from a pistol is any weaker than 22wmr from a rifle (as usual), that is, plenty of power if you more than one round on tap. If you expect distance shots, go for the carbine (30 more rounds per reload, too)

TCB

 

[Panzercat]

If my minimum distance for self defensive purposes was 100y none of the three rounds you have listed would even be in consideration. Though one could argue that 100y is 90y beyond self defense range. Or are we talking pistol caliber canines? Even then I'd rather have something like an true carbine, in a rifle caliber, or an SBR. Serious questions, not trying to be a jerk.

I purposely left the firearm out for the first post to limit just how messy this thread could get (from personal experience ).
Suffice to say the round will be exiting a 6in barrel- maybe 10in -as opposed to the FiveSeveN's 4 in barrel.

That said, you have to look at the gun in a practical light.

I appreciate the comprehensive and balanced response. Quite informative.

 

[Kleanbore]

I agree with Robert.

 

[Panzercat]

I agree with Robert.

...On the need for pistol caliber canines?

 

[Jackal]

If 5.7 ammo cost was where it should be, about $300 per 1,000 rds, I'd say yes. But 50 cents per round for a pointy, higher speed .22wmr? Hellz no. Not when 5.45x39 is available for 26 cents per round (non corrosive) or when 55 cents per round will buy you surplus 30-06. I see the 5.7 as solving a problem that doesnt exist, at an ammunition price thats impossible to justify.:banghead:

 

[el Godfather]

Claim SD after shooting someone dead out to 100 yards- good luck!

I have had 5.7s. Got rid of them. Too big of a gun for a round that is essentially 22 mag sort.

Question is if that wide of a grip is ok to accommodate a x28 round than 7.62x25 critics should just shut up and go home.

When I have 9, 40, 357sig, 45 and 10mm - I do jot need 5.7. It does not do anything for me.

However with AP rounds out of FA p90 it is a good weapon- still not my choice. I have ditched most pistol caliber smgs in favor of Glock 18 and aks74u.

 

[Robert]

Purposly leaving out details or information does not allow for members to give you a well thought out answer. If you want one buy it. Good luck with explaining how someone at 100y or more is an imminent threat to you at trail. Though I imagine the standanrd answer is shtf or blue helmets of death or some other extremely unlikely, self aggrandizing, scenario.

And since we can't give you a well formulated answer because you choose to squew the questions to meet you own ends we are done.