For some gun gurus, the FN Five-seveN is the handgun equivalent of the world’s most fire-proof paper hat. It’s a brilliant technical achievement but who cares? For one thing, you’re more likely to find Keira Knightley at an Old Country Buffet than a box of 5.7x28mm ammo at K-Mart. For another, firing-off a hundred rounds of Five-SeveN ammo costs more than draining a particularly good bottle of Scotch.
As for the weapon itself, you can buy two Springfield XD’s for the price of one of FN’s strangely-chambered pistols. Did I mention that the Five-SeveN’s safety sits on the side of the gun’s barrel? Or that the grip is longer (end-to-end) than War and Peace? All of which makes the Five-SeveN a novelty gun for impressing range rovers who Glock around the clock. Right?
In the run-up to International Elvis Tribute Week, let’s put it this way: 23,000 Five-SeveN buyers can’t all be wrong. That’s the annual total. So I reckon the majority of Five-SeveN USG (United States Government) buyers have seen beyond the obvious drawbacks of owning an expensive gun in an obscure caliber to appreciate a weapon with genuine character and utility. What do they see in the the Five-SeveN pistol? Let’s start with its most obvious advantage: weight.
The Five-SeveN is as light as an episode of iCarly. Unloaded, the full-size handgun tips the scales at 617 grams (1.36 lbs.). Picking up the weapon for the first time, you’d swear the featherweight firearm is an Airsoft replica of itself. But the most plastic feeling of plastic-feeling polymer pistols is not an airport screener’s worst nightmare. The Five-SeveN’s Belgian manufacturers fashion the gun’s polymer-encased slide, barrel, trigger, springs, pins and various other mission critical bits from steel.
When FN USA introduced the gun to the American market a decade ago, customer Support Manager Bob Ailes used to tell buyers to carry it in a paper bag. These days, Sidearmor (above), Blade Tech, Galco and others offers custom holsters for the Five-SeveN’s distinctive shape. Mag holders? It’s Blackhawk or nothing. Still, if you’re looking to travel light whilst concealing a “proper” sized gun (4.75″ barrel), the Five-SeveN’s good to stow. Yes but . . .
The Five-SeveN is only slightly lighter than a Glock 17. The Austrian Mack Daddy weighs-in at 625 grams (1.39 lbs.). Gentlemen, add your bullets! Load the Five-SeveN with 20 of those needle-nosed 5.7x28mm cartridges and you’re aiming 744 grams (1.64 lbs.) of Belgian bad-ass at your target. Insert 17 9mm rounds into a Glock’s polymer pistol and you’re schlepping nearasdammit two pounds of handgun. A fully-loaded Glock 17 with a standard magazine gives up three bullets and about a half a pound of heft to the Five-SeveN.
And now for the twist . . .
As I pointed out in my ArmaLite 24-15C review, a heavy gun can be a good thing, not a bad thing. In particular, slight men and women and elderly people benefit from firing larger caliber bullets from a bigger, heavier gun. It reduces limp-wristing, flinching (which does absolutely nothing for accuracy) and removes a general preference to forgo range time for something more pleasurable like, say, paying bills. Which is why GLOCK’s turning to new technology to reduce recoil.
The Five-SeveN doesn’t need no stinkin’ dual recoil spring. Credit the smaller, lighter round for which the Five-SeveN was created. No question: the 5.7x28mm cartridge is a diddy thing. FN’s SS195 cartridge (the best choice for self-defense) is a 27-grain projectile, as compared to the average 9mm bullet’s 115 – 147-grain tally.
Although the FN’s muzzle flash would suit a small flame thrower, the Five-SeveN kicks like a slightly peeved gerbil; roughly 30 percent less than a 9mm bullet. Muzzle flip is simply not an issue. So much [not] so that this FN deserves an intra-consonant “u”. Punching holes or plinking with the Five-SeveN is Big Fun, with an amateur-friendly kill zone of 50 to 100 feet.
The Five-SeveN’s entirely endearing low-recoil also makes it possible for USG owners to grab their weapon in a crisis knowing that the only intimidation involved will be felt by those poor unfortunate souls who find themselves on the business end of a gun made in René Magritte’s homeland. Five-SeveN-istas will be able to fire quickly and very, very accurately.
Provided they’ve got a big enough hand. To accommodate that 20-round magazine (optional 30), the Five-Seven’s grip is as wide as a GLOCK’s, which is way too wide for a lot of small-handed shooters (hence the new GLOCK 23’s interchangeable backstraps.) To compensate for the big honking handle, the Five-SeveN’s grip texture is extremely aggressive. If you grab a gun as hard as I do, the Five-SeveN leaves a lasting impression—on the last three fingers of your strong hand.
Fortunately, there’s only 2.75 inches between the ridged trigger and backstrap. Activating the Five-SeveN’s pivoting internal striker-fire hammer is well worth the trip. After about .13 of an inch of take-up, the gun delivers a clean, crisp 4.5-pound pull, with no over-travel and near instant reset. Provided you remember to switch off the snout-mounted safety.
Yes, there is that. The Five-SeveN’s safety is, uh, unconventional. Training your brain to switch it off in a high-stress situation will require the usual 3000 round re-education process. At full retail, that’s $1800 worth of bullets.
More importantly (for some), if you place your trigger finger as high as possible on the barrel (as I do), you can’t use your left thumb to deactivate the safety. Both digits are touching it at the same time; a recipe for confusion. The best way to flip off the safety: use your trigger finger.
On one hand (so to speak), the Five-SeveN’s safety forces you to NOT fire immediately. There’s your trigger discipline (in the proper place too). On the other hand, the Five-SeveN’s safety forces you to NOT fire immediately. A lot of personal defense pistoleros–guys and gals holstering GLOCKs, Springfields, M&Ps and the like–want to introduce an extra step into the firing process almost as much as they want to adopt Kevin Costner’s eyes-closed shooting technique from The Bodyguard.
Many of these combat-oriented shooters are concerned about the Five-SeveN’s stopping power. And with good reason. In its defense (or yours), penetration is not an issue. The Five-SeveN sends lead-free SS195 hollow-point jacketed bullet downrange at 1950 feet per second, generating some 220 ft-lbs. of muzzle energy. The SS195 round penetrates traditional ballistic gelatin (in the usual testing process) to a depth of 10.5 to 11 inches.
More to the point (so to speak), the SS195 round is designed to tumble and yaw when it hits its target, creating a wound channel as wide as the bullet is tall (21.6-mm or .85 in).
The Secret Service is down with that. But then they get the law enforcement-only SS198LF cartridge. That bullet’s high velocity (2050 FPS) gives the feds body armor-piercing capabilities while maintaining the round’s flat-shooting flight characteristics and loss of lethality at 550 to 750 yards.
And the taxpayer picks up the tab. Even shooters who value the Five-SeveN’s light weight, low recoil, amazing accuracy and 20-round magazine capacity above bullet size have to pause before committing themselves to FN’s thousand-dollar pistol and its single-source, premium-priced ammo ($30 for a box of 50 cartridges). Controversy may have kept the Five-SeveN in the public eye, but price has kept it out of gun buyers’ collective grasp.
FN is trying to convince American bullet-makers to help Five-SeveN owners feed their USG without breaking the bank. But FN can’t do anything about the imported gun’s elevated price point. And so the Five-SeveN will never find mainstream success. But if you march to the beat of a different drummer with platinum plastic in your wallet, the Five-SeveN is a quirky, but justifiable purchase. Hats off to FN.
SPECIFICATIONS: FN Five-seveN
Caliber: 5.7×28mm
Barrel: 4.8 inches
Overall Length: 8.2 inches
Weight (unloaded): 625 grams (1.39 lbs.)
Grips: Polymer
Sights: Fixed 3-dot combat sights with optional self-luminous tritium elements
Action: Single action, delayed blowback
Finish: Black
Capacity: 20 (10 where restricted)
MSRP: $1399 ($1,169 at Brownells)
Ratings (out of five stars):
Style * * *
Our all-black tester was handsome enough, but a bit fussy and generic.
Ergonomics (carry) * * * * *
It’s a big (accurate) and light (easy to carry) weapon. What’s not to like? Unless you want something smaller.
Ergonomics (firing) * * * *
Ridiculously low recoil. Excellent trigger. Good magazine release. Final star removed for the snout-mounted safety. I understand its benefits and could train to get used to it, but I don’t want to.
Reliability – Not Rated
No failures to feed, but FN didn’t send enough rounds to make a proper determination.
Customize This * * * * *
The Five-SeveN’s under-nose rail has plenty of room for lights and lasers. If you consider a 30-bullet magazine as customization, then way-hey!
Overall Rating * * * *
Unique, fascinating and fun. But ammo cost and the funky safety limit the FN Five-seveN’s appeal.
Sccy has a good pistol.
I personally am not interested in carrying any one of those pistols, but this is one of the best reviews I’ve read on TTAG. Both for its theoretical and practical aspects. Well done.
Good to know that even in San Fransisco, pointing a gun towards a prospective spouse is a social faux pas.
After Newtown, the Second Amendment was nearly toast.
Feinstein and Schumer rolled out the mother of all gun bans. The President gave a speech behind a row of little kids demanding action. And groups like MDA rose up like cold sores to shame us into silence. Remember how ugly things looked one year ago.
We needed a safe place to hang out with like-minded people. We needed to read about victories in D.C., and later Colorado. We needed to monitor losses in New England and California. We really needed to be able to poke fun at the villains causing all this fear. Enter TTAG.
TTAG got huge by being the most fun place on the net for gun owners. I love reading about people shooting guns I can never afford, spectacular trick shots, and brilliant ballistics intel. But I most enjoy the comments.
TTAG is populated by the smartest, dumbest, goofiest and most serious group on the web. The comments make the site. It was like the most fun playground around.
Now it feels like we are in detention.
The boss tried to make the place clean, but it also got cold and sterile.
I miss TTAG, already.
Kudos to the mom. She did everything right. The lesson learned is A) a defensive gun can be a good idea and B) it’s how you handle the situation that makes the difference.
I would like to know if she called 911 before she discharged the weapon. If she did, then it was a textbook DGU. Period. Plus the video was a clincher. Curiously, she has surveillance video going? – can’t be that poor a household. This should sell a lot of surveillance cameras.
These are the things she did right:
1) She recognized the danger and took action immediately – executed the battle drill.
2) She had positive control of her weapon.
3) Put the bad guys in a kill box (the door frame) – however a door frame that leads to the neighborhood is not the best because of stray bullets flying around – but let’s not be picky.
4) Declared to the bad guys that she had a gun – and had it recorded – best done with a 911 call. BTW, you call 911 to make sure that they record you telling the bad guy you have a gun before you shoot them, not to talk to a 911 operator. You dial 911 and then put the phone down and take aim.
5) As they declared hostile intent, she USED the weapon in an unambiguously legal manner. Aggressive – yes – but she is literally fighting for her life and her childrens lives. It’s a fight she cannot lose. Period.
6) Stayed in the house and let the cops do their job.
She became her own militia in the split second it took her to rise up and defend herself, her children and her property. This IS the 2nd Amendment. If she wasn’t trained to do this, then she’s just plain smart. This video is a lesson in HOW. The gun was only a small, but critical part of the overall LEGAL defense battle drill.
Great warm friendly photo, we need more of those.
Cool gun and I wouldn't mind shooting one. By your review and by the numbers on paper, I certainly won't be bucking down 12 Benjies for it! The boxes of ammo I did find were at Sportsman Warehouse and they were $30 for a box of 20! That's more than rifle ammo!
Ammo prices have come down since all the gun control bills hitting congress. Bulkammo.com has TMJ for $.48/round, and $27 per 50 round box of V-MAX.
It’s here: http://www.bulkammo.com/rifle/bulk-5.7×28-mm-ammo
I found it on Palmetto State Armory for $17.99 per 50 🙂
The ammo is even cheaper now. I am writing this August 2016 and right now I can buy the ammo anytime I want some at Academy Sports for 23 bucks a box of 50.
I was lucky and got one for only $1000, and it is now my primary carry weapon. My ParaOrdnance P-14-45 was just getting too bloody heavy. As for ammo, Sportsman's Guide ( http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/browse/browsea… ) carries it for $21.37 for 50, $99.97 for 250 and $194.97 for 500 (with 10% off if you pay to join their 'buyers club' which also gets you frequent $10 off coupons). Admittedly I live about 20 miles from their warehouse so my shipping is less than most, but I have been consistently happy with their prices, products and service. Also if you reload or know someone who does, you can also pick up once fired brass on GunBroker for 5 to 10 cents apiece.
And I am *really* happy with my FiveseveN, which I bought on the theory that A) any gun that makes the Bradys soil their panties *that* badly must be a good one, 2] with the election of B.O. we would be seeing a new 'improved' AWB (I know, a politician who lied, what are the odds) and iii} that 30+1 rounds with 2 20-round backups is probably *way* more ammo than I need, but I would prefer to stop shooting after I run out of BGs and not after I run out of ammo.
Hi bruce , i live in milwaukee and so far the cheapest fn 5.7×28 that i could find $1400 plus . i read some testimonials like yours that u paid $1000 for ur 5.7 and i was hoping you could hook me up with the company were you bought yours. will appreciate the feedback thank you j.r.m.
Juan, I’ve purchased two Five-seveNs. One for $950 from Vance Outdoors in Ohio, the other from a local cop shop here in Lansing, Michigan for $1,040 I think (more recent purchase). You’re unlikely to find one below $1,000 today because FN raised their prices across the board by 10% or 12% or something a year or two back. I haven’t looked on gunbroker recently. Sometimes they have good deals, but not always. I think Five-seveNs are still in high demand. I know that almost every Five-seveN that was on order where I bought my last one was spoken for before they arrived.
5.7 ammo is getting cheap again, though. It’s been on sale online all year. You can frequently buy FN SS197SR for $15.99 box/50.
Able Ammo is charging $21 for a box of 50 Hornady 40gr blue tip (SS197SR). Cheaper than Dirt has it for $19.45 a box. You were apparently pricing the lead free ammo which is expensive in every caliber!
I am a 6 foot, 225 lb. police officer and this is my duty weapon. With a Streamlight TLR1 on rhe rail and SS190 (LE only) ammo, riding in a Safariland model 6285 SLS holster, it’s still WAY lighter than the reliable Glock Model 22.
I have fired well over 2500 rounds out of the pistol, of all of the available ammo types with zero malfunctions and trenendous enjoyment.
I will say that I only opted to carry this pistol over the larger (and proven) .40 S&W caliber after a lot of research and hands on time with it.
A great majority of my decision was based on a few things.
A). Although I’m a fairly strong fella, and I took a lot of grief from my fellow cops about my “little gun” the LOW recoil enabled me to make 20 consecutive, accurate head shots in about 3 seconds from 7 yards. This thing is like shooting a laser. The capacity of the pistol (20+1) is a strong positive too.
B). The LE only SS190 ammo available to me will penetrate body armor and most “household” light barriers, while yawing in soft tissue creating an impressive wound channel and stopping after 11 inches or so, which is comparible to the larger bore penetration numbers.
C) Practice ammo cost is about $20 for 50 rounds of the SS197 stuff. Seems comparible to practice 40 ammo for that price.
D). As a cop, I’m guessing I stand a pretty good chance of having “my shootout” during a traffic stop. I have seen what 40 cal bullets will (not) do when shot into a car trying to neutralize an occupant. I tested the SS190 LE ammo against a car and it will defeat door skins, the window mechanisms inside, windshield glass, car rims (steel and alloy), and all the things that are between me and the threat. That’s stuff that the 40, 9, and 45 just won’t do, as I have seen 1st hand in real shootings and during training/testing.
E) The muzzle velocity of the 5.7 is high enough that when soft tissue is hit, it tears the elastic tissue, much like a rifle round. A standard handgun round will typically allow the elastic tissue to remain in tact and the bullet hole “closes”, restricting blood flow and leaving muscle in tact. This would likely prolong your threats ability to fight. I’m for neutralizing the threat as FAST as possible.
As far as the safety spoke about above, I simply don’t use it. Much like I never did on my first semi auto duty pistol in the mid 90’s (Smith 4006). After all, the only true safety is the operator. I do agree the positioning could be better, but its a non-factor to me, but may be of great importance to someone who actually uses it.
I have owned this pistol for three years and have carried it daily as my duty pistol for a year. I can honestly say it was worth my money and I have not been unimpressed as of yet.
The only complaint I have is the failure of FNH to make the sights a bit more modular so I could replace the factory sights with low light/night sights of my choice.
In my opinion, a great defensive weapon that is light enough to be carried concealed, big enough to serve as a duty pistol, hyper accurate, low enough recoil for even the smallest female (like my 13 year old daughter) to shoot accurately and quickly and high enough capacity that one mag oughta do ya.
What’s not to love! (Besides the price)
Thanks for all of the great info on the 5-7. We are unfortunately in a day where we have to carry in our churches because of bad guys. In a church that seats 4000 plus, an issue we always have to consider is post penetration should we (God forbid, and I hope he does) ever have to fire our weapons. I am intrigues by this pistol for personal as well as professional purposes. Definitely thinking about purchasing one for myself. Wonder if we should consider them for carry inside our church. Hmmmmm? just a thought. Thanks again for all the very helpful info on the weapon. Joe
Statistically, most people have less than a 50% hit rate. So what happens to those bullets that don't hit? That's a penetration issue—not over-penetration. In a crowded church, I'd think about a Taser first. And training. Lots and lots of training.
I would have to disagree somewhat. Training I agree with. Taser, yes if you have one. But, firing a weapon in this circumstance should only be an absolute last resort. If you have reached that point then you have a lot of problems happening at once, and 50% hit rate is an important but lessor factor. The five seven is a very accurate pistol and while I’m not saying there is some sort of guarantee that those shooting it will be more accurate, the nature of the round and pistol do lend to that. If you are in a situation where you are needing to shoot then its likely that its a crazed lunatic already shooting people and everyone will hopefully be running away from that person or hiding the dirt/floor which diminishes the likelihood that you would hit someone. No guarantees for sure but we need to place it all in perspective.
Joe prayers for u and your. Church that something may never happen no matter the race religion color or credence but the first thing I would do is have a meeting with the lead minister deacons etc.s and everyone and very quietly ask for all the police officers in the congregation to identify themselves to the leadership only! This is extremely important then have the church contact Motorola for special walkie talkies and ear pieces w/mics! Ask those offices that want to to be on a rotating security detail (armed w/off duty weapons) and patrol the grounds inside and out! (If a threat comes in contact the local enforcement! Don’t play cowboy….get it documented! But once establish a schedule and a rotation schedule and the leadership alone knows these individuals trust is born and so is security(armed) and you can even assign a small 2,person team to the minister! Everything I have just said was implemented and designed by myself and the congregation not only feels safe but the officers have just met 4000 members of its community/patrol beat and its lowered crime in the area by 17% why(u might ask),,something strange called FACIAL RECOGNITION and everyone knows everyone now!! Kinda funny and not! So its been a huge success! And all the ministers that lead worship do so at their best with a 0% of stress knowing the people down in front their for people to talk to and receive baptism from are also off duty quietly carrying police from all around the local area!!!
Let me know if this is of any help and if u have any questions feel free to email me!
Thanks for the credible discussion. I have been ogling this gun for a good while (I own the FN45) and I think I will take the plunge soon for a high capacity yet lighter carry weapon.
well you are talking me into dropping my carry which is a Glock 26 9mm to my 57. the 57 is a bit bigger for my ccw, but i could wear shoulder. Thanks for your imput. Now I have to find a LH holster for it with extra mag. It will make me born again, thx. Lhshtr.
Splint where the 5.7 excells is in motels,apartments, and mobile homes with thin walls. The reason is this…let’s say behind the criminal you are aiming at is a wall,and on the other side of it is a childs bed with the child sleeping in it. When you pull the trigger the 5.7 is most likely too not exit the bad guy and enter the child in the next room. Case 2 you are five feet away from the criminal who in in your family members bed on top of your child or spouse doing you know what to them. If you use a. 45 230grain ball ammo it has 22/24″ penetration to exit the criminal and enter your family member under the criminal. Are they worth shooting to stop the criminal? Here is an in home test you can do on yourself. Satnd with your back against a wall and a tape measure next to your ribs against the wall. From your stomachs front measure nine inches towards the wall. The five seven stops around ten to thirteen inches more like 9/13″. Now from the wall measure 22/24″to represent the.45. Now after it exits it will travel farther than 22/24″because of nothing but air and sheet rock after it leaves the bad guy. Oh did you see how nine to ten inches on the five seven is half way into the vital organs and not past your back? At that point the avoidance of PTP (PostTargetPenetration) value the five seven brings to the table of debate is extreme…like in a crowded parking lot of people at a store or mall. Now you see why the Secret Service like it in our overly sue happy society…lower chance for collateral damage against people near the target.
just a thought for you to consider. 😉
I'm . . . dubious. I reckon that PTP or "over-penetration" is something of a non-issue. How many people are killed by bullets that went through a bad guy? Compare that number (should anyone be able to find it) to the number of people killed by bullets that MISSED their target. If you look at the number of bullets the average policeman shoots for each hit, well, PTP is not the issue. As far as home defense is concerned, my first priority is to get my kids behind me.
Anyway, I understand the Secret Service's need to avoid PTP in a huge crowd or on an airplane. But even that goal isn't as important as, gulp, stopping power. The FBI figures penetration is the critical factor for effectiveness. So . . . the 5.7's lack of penetration actually works against it. In theory.
But don’t forget the fact that the shape of the 5-7’s round allows it to penetrate body armor which for the military is very valuable to have that capability in a handgun
RF, overpenetration used to be a problem, many years ago, when some departments equipped their officers with .357s to give them an edge over the bad guys, and then prohibited HP ammo because it might hurt somebody. Those FMJ .357s ALWAYS overpenetrated, and quite a few bystanders were injured before the departments saw the error of their ways. Today, there is no excuse for LE departments, and precious little for CCs for not having a grip on how to equip yourself to avoid secondary hits, my guess is that misses are FAR more numerous, and failure to clear the area behind your target probably kills a bunch of bystanders every year.
OTOH, the FiveseveN should reduce misses, and penetration is on the shallow side, I’d think it would be a good choice for church defense, given proper training.
Try to say “lack of penetration” with a 27grn bullet against 1-1/4″ bullet proof glass in the same sentence…..
And it comes out the other side pretty quick too.
Excellent review!
Even after months of research, I was hesitant to purchase the FiveseveN for one reason: the "theory" of high velocity and how that reacts post target. There's a lot of misinformation out there about the 5.7 round and I'm delighted to see you guys seem to have it right. I ended up purchasing a new FS last week and have 150 rounds down the pipe so far. I am in love with this gun. It's unconventional design certainly gets double takes at the range but more importantly, the performance seems to be flawless. I actually think the relocated safety switch is genius. For me, it feels more natural to reach for the safety on the barrel than at a traditional 1911 position.
Pick up an FNH catalog next time you're in your local gun shop. This company is impressive to say the least. From their historic relationship with John Browning, to production of his famous Hi-Power, to their uniquely designed modern warfare offerings, as well as the less-than-lethal product line, FN is a formidable firearms manufacturer that is on the leading edge of firearms design.
I
I would ask those who haven't yet seriously looked at or shot a FiveseveN, do so soon. Plunking down $1k seems nothing for the 1911 crowd – perhaps $1k for a "plastic" gun is taboo for some. For this shooter, it was the best investment I could have made.
Finally, to address the ammo issue – the reviewer quotes some hefty price points for the 5.7 ammo. I have yet to pay more than $21 per box of 50. I pay that, or more, for 9mm. I predict as this gun becomes more popular, the ammo will become more available by more manufacturers, thus declining prices are in its future. FN has built an entire line of products around the 5.7. Lest we not forget it was FN who first produced the 5.56 and the 7.62 ammo that is commonplace today. I don't think a company with FN's reputation would invest in technology that will be obsolete anytime soon.
I'd love to own a Five-Seven some day. I play Splinter Cell Conviction and the Five-Seven is my favorite weapon of choice. I'd love to fire one in real life.
I've looked at the Five Seven for over a year. Wasn't sure about it. It seemed pricey for a small caliber pistol. After shooting one at our local gun shop, I fell in love with it. Mild recoil, lots of power and a joy to fire. The fun factor on this pistol is a TEN. I am now a new owner a Five Seven.
I own this gun ($1030), extremely accurate and very powerful high velocity round, the accuracy will amaze you (the PS90 is insanely accurate). I've always bought H&K in 45 ACP, so their was no price difference for me. Light weight, high capacity, very low recoil, low noise make it popular with the ladies too. The 5.7 x 28mm is the round of the future, it already makes the 22 magnum obsolete, in time it will replace other cartridges. I like the 5-7 safety, it was a major selling point for me, partially because I never, never keep my guns on "safe." My biggest complaint with most new semi auto pistols is the spring loaded pressure safety like Glocks, S&W, Kimber ect . The safety devices on those guns add more springs and more [plastic] moving parts, all things that break over time, and in my opinion generally make the gun less safe in a defense/combat situation. For anyone considering purchasing the USG or PS90 should consider that the 5.7 cartridge is a gamble, it may replace other cartridges or it may become obsolete itself. This gun represents the most recent advance in ballistic firepower available to commercial/civilians at this time.
Zack, the 5,7mm cartridge has just been adopted as one of NATO’s Standardised ammunition choices! Need any more guarantees? Also, most of the big users in the world are “Special Forces” type organisations – like the US Secret Service!
NATCHEZ HAS ROUNDS FOR 19.99 a box of 50. get your facts correct. This is the best handgun I own and I own alot of pistols.It is perfect for beginners and professionals alike. Women will have no problem with the recoil of this weapon. It is built to last and built to work. Chamber is nowhere near as sloppy as some Glocks I have shot. This pistol has the fastest rate of fire and is easy to fire fast and keep the muzzle on the taget. Isnt that what its all about? People who dont own this pistol are simply jealous of it as you cant compare too many pistols to it. Excellent wound channel,blazing fast fps,what more do you want?
I own several semi-automatic pistols including the FiveSeven USG. All pistols have pro’s and cons. I don’t worry about cost as I make a good living so that eliminates cost as a con or a pro. The FiveSeven is the most accurate pistol I have ever fired at 21′ or 50′. Realistically most self defense situation for most people are likely to be within a 21′ radius. I can place cvs or cns shots with any caliber weapon at that distance but rapid fire tight grouping is best with the FiveSeven as is a double tap. The low recoil and flat trajectory are simply outstanding including for longer range shot out to 50 yards ( not a likely SD scenario and hard to convince a judge or jury on that). I own Glocks (19 and 23), XDs (.45 ACP tactical and 9mm subcompact with extended mag). I also own 12 and 20 gauge Mossberg’s and a Beretta Cx4 in .45ACP. I know and use all these weapons well and can imagine optimal use situation for any. Yet if I had to and could pick only one for SD purposes I would pick the FiveSeven. It is light, highly accurate, easy to rapid fire and at the end of the day has more ammunition with 20 rounds in the standard magazine, than is likely to be necessary for 99.99% SD scenarios within a 21′ radius where you are likely to have only one maybe two aggressors. I smile at posts which make it sound like people are imagining themselves in urban or suburban warfare type SD situations. Let be realistic those are rare enough events that most gun owners will never need to fire a weapon in SD. The FiveSeven with adequate shot placement and bullets to spare is a good defensive weapon. Two in center mass and if need be one in the head and it’s over. The bullets will tumble and yaw more often than not and expand too if you use any of the loads available to civilians. I trained my wife on the XD 9mm subcompact with a crimson trace. But I am taking her to the range to introduce her to the FiveSeven because even with her small hands I know her followup shot placement and timing will improve with a FiveSeven.
This handgun is the best for self defense that I have ever used.
[1] easy to clean
[2] easy to shoot
[3] Accurate
[4] My wife loves shooting it. She much prefers it to other handguns.
[5] I love the thing and the expense in defense of home and hearth was well justified
I saw this weapon in a shop 3 years ago for under $500.00 There is no other reason than greed for the type of increase the Five-Seven has.
I worked 12 years (Part Time) at a gun shop. One of our customers who purchased one suggested we do a test. We took the Five-Seven into the country along with a .460 Rowland and a .50 Desert Eagle. Our target was a balast out of an F-4 Phantom. A balast is a hard lead block about 6″ High, 10″ long and 3/4 thick.
We put the target at 12′. The .460 Rowland penetrated farther thant the Desert Eagle round. The Rowland Penetrated about 75-80% through the balast. We then shot the Five Seven using hollow point ammo. The round penetrated the same distance as the Rowland.
It might not be a lab experiment but it has some good horse power behind it. I think it would be a serious health concern to anyone on the receiving end.
Been researching ever since I read it in tom clancys books. I love it but can’t purchase one for another three years. (not 21 yet) anyone wanna guess what will happen with it by then?
My brother recommended I might like this website. He was totally right. This post truly made my day. You cann’t imagine simply how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
Fired many, best weapon I’ve owned or fired!
was searching websites for good quality information on purchasing my first gun. it seems the only people that has bad things to say about the five seven are those that never owned one. This is the first website i came across with experinced post and i have to say i am sold should be purchasing mine in the morning
I own two of these and would never part with either of them. I buy ammo for $22.95 box of 50, all three types, hollow point, red tip, and blue tip. I read about the weapon in a magazine on my second tour in Iraq. As soon as I came home I bought the first one I saw for sale. The second came later on a deal. I carry either a Spring Field compact or one of my small frame Glocks when out and about but one of the FN’s is in my vehicle. Nothing like having 60+ rounds at the ready in half the space of a Glock. If you get the chance to buy one DO IT!
Wow, great information about what appears to be a great gun. I shot one the other day for the first time and that prompted me to do some research into them. The more I read the more I am convinced. I have a Glock 19 and have owned or shot several other handguns and this is the most accruate, nicest shooting pistol I have tried.
Love my 5.7. Finally got wifey to try it at the range tonight (date night). She loved it. It was only her 3rd time to the range, and she put every round on the silhouette target in a place that would make it a bad day for a bad guy.
The 5.7 is simply a breeze to put many rounds on target in a very short time. Muzzle flip is nearly non-existent.
I pay $19.95 for a box of 50 rounds. That seems to be the going rate on most of the online ammo dealers. Slightly more than what I pay for a box of .40-cal FMJ range ammo ($16 – $19).
PS… Great review!
where did u find this ammo?
Pistol shooting is my favorite hobby, and this pistol is in the top 3 pistols that I want to shoot, for sure! The other two pistols are the Desert Eagle and the .500 S&W.
Interesting you like your 500. I got the 460 Magnum and I love it because it can cycle cheaper ammo, but they are both fun guns.
Just purchased my 5.7 two weeks ago and fell in love immediately. Light weight, accurate and a blast to shoot. My son always wants to borrow it at the range! Ammo no more expensive than 40 cal. We have 2 HK P30 9 mm, one with the LEM trigger. Also an HK USG 40. None come close to the trigger feel and accuracy of the 5.7. My wife’s favorite gun to shoot. We come home from the range refreshed, not exhausted. Fun factor is a 10 and I would feel comfortable depending on this gun for home defense-God forbid. Hopefully these guns will continue to be available in the future. Just find one to try at the range and you will become a believer.
Been carrying a 5.7 now for years.. No doubt its an amazing weapon. I’m a point shooter, & I can hit a paper plate @ 100 yards no joke. Hard to do that with many other guns. .I have first hand seen the Penetration of this gun,.. it is a factor. Please dont Lynch me but I got mine for 700$ brand new in Brownsville Tx. @ a place called Chuck’s Guns, But guns are MUCH cheaper down there. Many People dont know this but you need to check with your state, many states.. in the fine print wont allow anything “Concealed” smaller than .32 caliber. I’m not a huge Glock or plastic gun fan, but this baby is one great gun. & this is coming from a mainly 1911 man. Do not underestimate this pistol. It is unusually light feeling… if you intend on having to use your gun for any part of hand 2 hand. I’d perfer something steel.
Thx for the ear time
Pz.
Hi mr venkman you don,t happen to remember the full address were you bought your fn 5.7? thanks for the feedback….
I’ve had and carried a FiveSeven since about seven years, and have had a PS90 for the same time. I have zero complaints. My first 5.7 had 30000+ rounds put through it and the only reason I sold it to a friend was to get the new one with the fixed sights (yes, I prefer fixed sights…I tend to parallax shoot being left handed and right eye dominant.)
Almost no recoil, accurate further than I am, very very light, so you can carry it all day without ache. Penetration is better than most of the nay-sayers claim, and judging from the number it did on small game, I’m confident that it would be effective. (It bloody PULVERIZED bone!)
For concealed, I usually go with a wee Kel Tec, but when it’s not an issue, I’ve got the FiveSeven.
What an amazing weapon . It is so easy to manipulate. I did my research before buying this weapon and it paid off. I knew for a fact that I didnt want another rifle or another handgun. So how about both. A handgun that shoots a P90 round. Some may complain about the price of the 5.7 and the ammo. I say quality versus quantity. There are many pistols out there that are poorly made. The FN5.7 is not one of them. Its price and ammo should reflect it’s quality.
Ammo is not that expensive.. you can get a box of 50 for $20. which isn’t too bad if you can afford a $1000 pistol.
I’ve paid as little as $17.99 to as much as 23.95 for my 5.7 ammo here in PA. Now I reload them for almost half that. However it is not a simple process for the fragile 5.7 case but it’s fun to do. I rarely shoot my Five Seven because of the ammo costs and reloading aggrivation but still love it. I have other CCW pistols and revolvers to choose from and don’t want to carry an expensive gun for a CCW. Just one thats reliable and accurate and pray I will never have to use it.
Thank you for all the great articles in your publication.
My question is where did you get the numbers you mention in this article?
“In the run-up to International Elvis Tribute Week, let’s put it this way: 23,000 Five-SeveN buyers can’t all be wrong. That’s the annual total. ”
Thanks.
From FN.
Thank you for your quick response.
Do you know of any annual numbers on the P90/PS90? (Which of course uses the same 5.7X28mm cartridge as the Five-Seven). Is it the same kind of volume?
No, sorry, I don’t.
@ “The Secret Service is down with that.”
What do you mean in plain language? Does your colloquial usage mean the Secret Service likes the fact that 5.7×28 bullets tumble when they hit their target?
Or that they don’t?
I wouldn’t think bullet tumbling would be a good thing if you’re trying to put down a body-armor-wearing gunman attacking a high-value target. At least I wouldn’t want it to tumble before penetrating the body armor layer.
Anyway, what exactly was your point since I don’t know what is meant by the “down” reference?
the bullets tumble after entering ballistic gelatin, or the target. much like 5.45mm russian ammunition which tumble and breaks. a tumbling bullet creates a larger wound channel and therefore a higher shock to the target. these tiny 5.7 cartridges create a would channel roughly equal to a .45 acp in ballistic gel with 5 inches more penetration. yes. that is a good thing. the only firearms that bullets tumble before hitting their targets are bryco/jennings.
Like the individual from the keystone state said, price of ammo is a lot more affordable and competitive than when it first came out. Ammo isn’t as much of an issue anymore, but the price of the firearm still stands strong. I did catch my favorite gun shop selling a “lightly used” one for $850. I guess a 15% discount was good enough for someone. By the time I made it back the next week it was gone. Oh well, I guess my wallet finally got to hold onto some money for once.
i just got mine i havent shot it yet this is the only auto hand gun i have ever liked i grew up with single actions like the ruger black hawks. but i love the way it fits my hand i cant wait to shoot it.
Well Walt, you are in for a couple of surprises when you first shoot this gun. The first one you will notice is the incredible NOISE it makes! This gun is LOUDER than a .357 magnum. It doesn’t go bang dude, it goes BOOM!! The second thing you will notice( after you get over the noise and the fireball coming out of the muzzle ) will be the lack of recoil. The recoil is almost exactly like a .22 caliber target pistol(in other words there almost ISN’T any). The first time I shot mine at a range, people jumped and turned their heads and immediately started asking the same question which was:
“Hey dude! What the HELL IS that thing?” And these were guys that were shooting 45’s, 9 mm’s, and 357’s!
HMMMM.. let’s see: For years we were told that a 9mm bullet didn’t have enough caliber for serious stopping power. Even the .30 carbine rifle, pushing a 110 gr. pill at 1850 fps. wasn’t good enough.. Yet now this tiny 22 cal bullet is all the rage because it can punch through a vest? Get serious please!! Even with an expanding projectile, there isn’t enough stopping power or caliber going on here. If you shoot some 400 pound bad guy, you had better do a head shot, or he might make you eat it. Another overpriced FN product that won’t sell.
Ever heard of Fort Hood and what happened there? You might find it instructive.
I own several handguns. A P226, 3 Beretta FS92s, 1 Beretta 92L Parabellum, and of course, my favorite, the FiveSeven. I also have an AR-15 and M-16 Full Auto (5.56). As far as I’m concerned, the only Concealed Carry pistol I prefer is the Five Seven. It’s accurate (I’m accurate to 2″ @ 100 ft) and I carry 3 mags at 30 rounds a piece.
I’ve been kidnapped before and I vowed it will never happen again. I can tell you the penetration of the FiveSeven with the right Ammunition is just absolutely amazing.
In my car, as a backup, I have the AR-15 and the P226 (which I don’t really appreciate as much as the FiveSeven). I can tell you that LE get’s real weird when they know I’m carrying a FiveSeven with 3 mags of 30 (90 rounds).
I will say though, that it’s usually a funny situation and I always get into a long discussion over why I chose that weapon as my primary defensive weapon, even though they don’t seem to understand why I need 30 +1. My answer is simple and clear. If one doesn’t put them down (and it almost definitely would), two will.
I usually alternate my round mix in my FiveSeven. So if the primary doesn’t do it, the secondary does.
I had an old chevy truck that I didn’t really want anymore so I decided to see what a FiveSeven could do to one head-on. 2 shots and the engine was useless (never mind the radiator.. it went clear through it into the Engine block).
So as far as I’m concerned, if someone has an issue with the FiveSeven having enough stopping power, then all I can say is.. I hope their body is as hefty as the front grill + radiator + engine block of a chevy truck.
Keep in mind this was shot at 50 ft. So.. If it comes down to the ability to defend yourself, I would say the FiveSeven is the pistol to have.
I will say though that I have had to pull my AR-15 in one instance, but it’s amazing how the single shot off a FiveSeven at the body of a rice-burner (honda I think) made the attackers think twice. I just casually walked to the trunk and pulled out the AR-15 at that point and simply said, “your choice.. live or die” and I’ve never seen anyone tear out of there as quickly as they did even with their rice burner clearly with a damaged engine.
Gotta love those FiveSevens.. They’re definitely my defensive weapon of choice.
I make it a point to never fire at the person first, but simply to demonstrate what firepower I have at my disposal. I also tell them I have 30 rounds left (very calmly). You’d be surprised at how quickly they back down.
How many times have I been in this situation? 3 in the last year. So how do I respond? FiveSeven and a fully loaded AR in the trunk (which I’ve only had to pull out once).
Nobody gets hurt (so far).. and one of those times, I had 2 guns pointed @ me. No.. I’m not a drug-dealer.. Just a high-profile target, unfortunately. I still wonder why I don’t wear a vest full time.
PK, do you have a website with these experiences and knowledge saved or maybe a forum you hang out or perhaps a newsletter to subscribe to?
One more point.. It’s amazing how lousy a shot most people are.. Can someone please explain the pointing the pistol at you sideways thing? God knows I can’t figure it out.
oops.. almost forgot.. I have a 357 magnum as well.. Talk about a waste of money.. completely useless in my eyes.
What a wonderful bunch of reviews and information about the 5 x 7 – what would intelligent people do without the i. net? I do agree that the price of $1100 (retail $1300) is too high, but what has not gone up lately. I noticed that there is a lot of mussel-flash with the 5 x 7.
Just imagine what Ob will do if he gets re-elected with his A.G. Thug Holder still in charge. God help us, but we Americans still have our 2nd Amendment – how big again is the world’s largest private ARMY? Provided there are not too many sheeples that will be afraid to defend themselves.
“If you love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animating contest of freedom,-go from us in
peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands that feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon
you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen!”
~Samual Adams~
All that and it makes a nifty short range varmint cartridge too! I might retire my Romainian TT-33, as my I.O.M. 5.7 is working on the resident groundhog and raccoon population very well! Can’t wait too see what it will do to a coyote!
well let’see, we have been told for decades the 7.25 and 9mm rounds were too small, the 30 carbine at 1800 fps was too small, the 223 in the M16 was too small, yet somehow this even smaller cartridge is a super-stopper wonder pill???? What a load of crap. Another goofy FN product that’s a lame attempt to reinvent the wheel with a absurd price tag–like many of their other products. Only a pinhead would carry something like this.
This is crazy. 30 Seconds after Gunbot posts 22LR for sale at JGSales.com, I’m already adding to cart. 30 seconds after that, the site is down. I think gunbot crashed the site.
Now what could cause this? Maybe the demonization of gun owners by msm? Maybe cause our politicians wanna take them? Hoping they find out how many gun owners there are in 2014…
Join the club and don’t feel like the Lone Ranger..
How about STFU you stupid bitch. Let’s hear some other cause and effect tales. I blame the sun since it rose this morning. Again, STFU.
Shot my buddies five seven and I loved it. To pricy for my wallet, but I hope to be able to afford one in the future. Great Gun!
I bought my 5.7 a couple months ago and I simply love it. I payed to much for it and I’m still paying to much for ammo but it is what I wanted. I think the safety is different but I don’t let it bother me I have shot all types of guns living in north Idaho we hunt kill and eat everything that moves and the amount of ammo u can carry at such lightweight I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
The rifles (one per school) would be accessible via fingerprint recognition and only the school resource officer would have access.
Let’s ask Apple how secure fingerprint scanners are…
“Mr. School Resource Officer, could you hold this firmly between your thumb and forefinger for a second?”
< scan, process, print, bypass>
“Hello free M4!”
Just traded two glocks for a 5.7 in August, worst trade/purchase I have ever made.
The gun itself is quality, but the round is worthless. Ammo quality and availability is horrible, reloading almost impossible. Loud as hell, muzzle flash from hell and worthless for nighttime defensive.
Wish I had never met the 5.7. Will be selling very soon.
To all of you who complain about the cost of the gun and the ammo I have one question. What’s your life or your families life worth?
I will be buying one as soon as I move to Arizona because California laws suck. I don’t care about the cost of the gun or the ammo, it’s not like I’m going to be shooting thousands of rounds out of it.
Right on Tony, get out of KA just like I did 10 years ago – and I was born/raised there. Don’t listen to the posts on this website regarding ammo availability. EVERY sporting goods retailer where I live in Nevada has the ammo – $28 for 50 rounds (blue tip). And you’re right – unlike .45 ACP (which I love), you don’t need to shoot many rounds to get good with the Five Seven. The “green tip” ammo is all over the Internet. The “blue tip” has the same energy as a .38 special and the “green tip” is the same as a .357 magnum. Practice with the “blue tip” and carry the “green tip”.
Not sure why people complain about the price of the gun or the ammo. I bought mine 3 years ago for $950. I find that to be reasonable for any higher end gun. As for the ammo, it comes in a box of 50 and I can buy it from my local gun dealer for $18 a box. With that said I have about 500 rounds stocked up and he has them available on his shelf. Not hard to find at all.
hi fredi if you talking about fn 5.7×28 i sure would appreciate if you can hook me up to the address or website were you ordered yours thank you appreciate any feedback j.r.m.
I very interested in this work. and my nice choice it
I got a chance to try one (rental) at the local range a month or so ago. What a fun gun! Dead-nuts accurate, very little recoil, HUGE flames out the barrel with each shot. Fun! I’d like to get one at some point.
Anyone know of a store of individual selling one of these 5.7s? I’d truly appreciate any assistance
CTD and Buds are both sold out. Those things sell as soon as they hit the shelves. A MI cop shop tries to keep them in stock, but they are usually spoken for before they even get them in! That’s where I bought my last one (I have several). You could try calling, though. They sell to the general public, but don’t advertise. Michigan Police Equipment Co. Address: 6521 Lansing Rd, Charlotte, MI 48813 Phone:(517) 322-0443
Otherwise, just keep checking the internet, or put yourself on one of the waiting list. Buds has a “Notify me when this item is in” button. Gunbroker also has some.
I found one on gunbroker.com — now I just have to wait another month to do the paperwork, then another ten days to pick it up. Ah, California — one “concealable” weapon per month, plus the ten day “cooling off” period to buy a firearm I’ve wanted for years. Oh, and the 20-round magazine is hobbled down to 10-rounds. That really irritates me. How do we repeal these dumb laws?
That’s one of the reasons I’m leaving California. In Arizona I can have the 20 round mags and carry it. California laws already suck and after this latest shooting in Santa Barbara they’re going to be screaming again for stricter gun control.
I’m seriously considering a condo in AZ with a big gun safe and a big A/C unit. I’ll go visit on weekends and vacations…
Yeah, even though the wack job in Santa Barbara used a knife to kill 3 of his victims. I don’t miss KA at ALL! Oh, I was at “Sportsman’s” the other day, they had hundreds of boxes of 5.7 – both FnH and American. More common than .22LR!
Yeah, most stores have it in stock again, even Cabelas. It is still a little higher than it was before Sandy Hook, though, about 10%, but I suspect the price will keep coming down.
not all parts of Arizona are hot.most of my family lives near Prescott.they are at 5500 feet elevation and get snow in the winter.I’m recently retired and am going to be moving around the Chino Valley area.that’s why I’m going to wait to buy one of these until I get there.I’m not going to waste my money buying one in California and only getting 10 round magazines
Consent to this remark and we’ll help a mythical critter!
WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! After a year of saving and trying to find one. I finally got my 5.7!!!!!! Now it seems harder to find a decent holster for the mk2 model
Mernickle holsters make them. I have one, no issues.
Congrats. You looking to CC or OC? I wear a Safariland SLS for my Five-seveNs. (Yes, plural).
I just don’t understand why people complain about the price of a gun (ok, it is expensive), but we buy guns all the time for lots of money. I have a Savage 110ba in .338 Lapua, that cost me 2k and optics on it that cost $1200 not mention the cost of ammo, and I shoot it 2 maybe 3 times a year. Wasted money? Not to me. I have guns that range from $150 (High-Points) to 6k (very well set up match M1A), not a single one do I regret buying, even the crappy High Points. As to my 5.7, it’s my most trusted hand gun that I own (of which include Sigs, Glocks, Colts, Rock Island, Walthers, Springfields and yes, High Points). As to ammo, 28-34 bucks for 50 rounds (and remember these are good rounds not just plinkers), how is that horribly expensive? It’s barely (max 5 bucks) more than I spend on .40’s or .45’s.
I live in the “P.R.C.” (Kalifornia), so I don’t have mags larger than 10 rounds…..you hear that Big Brother, I DON”T have any standard….I mean, high capacity mags….because that would be…well….illegal.
Now, after reading this post you should know that income wise, I’m barely above the poverty line, but I can still afford decent stuff when I save,
Sorry this is long winded, but just had to say my “piece” (lol)….
“ammo, 28-34 bucks for 50 rounds”
Online you can find it for $24. Before Obama was reelected and FN quit making them for a while, Cabela’s routinely had SS197SR on sale for $17.95–without coupon. Throw a $20 coupon in and it was $15.95.
True, you can find it that cheap, which I do always search for (Gunbot, etc.). I was referring to fairly standard post Sandy Hook/Obama, non discount, non coupon prices, which still aren’t that bad.
why does nobody recognize that the 5.7X28 is basically a really expensive center fire .22 WMR equivalent? i’ve shot the five-seven and its a lot of fun, but side by side with say… a kel tec PMR-30? it would be hard for me to choose between the two. If you want another option to shoot this nifty little round check out the AR-57. My old man has one and even with the cheap red dot he has on it, its a hell of a lot of fun. Makes a great gun for jackrabbits
5.7×28 from the pistol is approximately equal to 22WMR from a RIFLE. It also shoots a true jacketed hollow point/frangible bullet seen in centerfire varmint calibers. 22WMR is going slower, and with a plain-Jane expanding or non-tumbling cast or jacketed bullet everywhere I’ve seen it. And it’s only about 1/4 to 1/3 cheaper (and at least in Texas, just as harder to find for some reason). Considering the price of brass is at least that by itself in resale, they are closer to comparable than you think, but one is an inherently less reliable rimfire and the other a reloadable centerfire (albeit a difficult reload).
You know, if you fire a gun for an afternoon with a hundred rounds or so, that may make you qualified to form an impression, but hardly an opinion. I’ve have a FiveseveN for over two years now and have probably put a couple thousand rounds through it. I think I can offer some realistic opinions:
The author leaves “reliability” open from lack of long term use. I can tell you, at least with my experience, I honestly do not remember the FiveseveN having a single FTF or FTE. The ONLY problem I ever had, is that on the earlier versions of the gun, the needle nosed bullets, it not seated all the way into the mag, can catch a magazine release return spring and pop it out of the gun. (It’s an inverted “V” shaped spring and the bullet tip could catch it and pull it out). This was addressed with a different spring. In my case, since I’m never switching the release to a lefty, I put in a small dab of glue to hold the apex of the spring against the housing. Outside of that, the gun has always worked flawlessly.
On the cost? The rounds seem “more expensive” than the really are. Without buying in bulk, they rounds cost about 40-45 cents each. Sure, way more than a 22LR, but what does premium 9mm or 45 round cost? The FiveseveN rounds are currently $25-$30/box of 50 so somewhat more expensive but not by a whole lot. Perhaps the author is considering cost of reloaded ammo. I wouldn’t recommend it with a FiveseveN. The cases have a polymer coating so they don’t stick in the magazine and cleaning the cases on solvents with destroy the coating. Just tumbling may eventually wear it away as well. I believe the factory ammo bullets are also glued in. Also, with reloading a case this small, just a small error with a few extra grains of powder could have really bad consequences. For this reason, I don’t reload any pistol ammo. So yeah, ammo is harder to come by and more expensive, so you buy in bulk. I bought a ton at a gun show for $19 bucks a box two years ago and still have some left. It’s just like any weird caliber, you buy it when you can find it at a good price or pay the premium for smaller amounts when you need some. Think 16 gauge shotgun ammo.
Let’s look at the “weird” place for the safety. I love it. I wish all my handguns could have it. It makes sense. When you draw the weapon, if you are doing it right, your finger is right where the safety is. With a thumb safety on a M9 or 1911 etc, you have to loosen your grip slightly to operate the slide safety. To me, that is a little cumbersome. With the FiveseveN, you are moving your finger to the trigger “anyway” when you are getting ready to fire, so it seems the appropriate place and time to take the safety off. In short, it’s a dime of difference, but I find the FiveseveN safety a plus.
Stopping power: Well, I’ve studied this for decades and know all the arguments and all the tests and all the “theories”. Big and slow or little and fast. A headshot with either and it’s game over. With the light recoil I can attest I can get a lot more rounds in a kill zone with a FiveseveN compared to something like a 45. For true pray and spray I’d rather have my doublestacked FNP 45 Tactical to do some serious damage, but I wouldn’t discount the FiveseveN because of the capability for accurately placed shots. Thing surgical strike vs the carpet bombing approach. Both can work in the long run.
Everything else in the review was pretty much spot on in terms of the trigger feel, etc. There is a magazine safety you can disconnect to make it even smoother. I prefer a single action auto because of the trigger feel. I feel my DA guns with a decocker are probably safer, but I hate the feel of my index finger tip curled back on itself to reach the trigger on one of these DA guns being fired in SA. The FiveseveN doesn’t have any kind of decocker since it’s hammer is internal. There is no way to drop the hammer without clearing the chamber first. That to me is not a plus.
One last thought: The FiveseveN is so light that it is almost hard to “hold still” while aiming. If you wonder what it is like, try seriously aiming a kid’s squirt gun, that’s what it feels like. A gun with more mass is more stable when it comes to aiming because the mass resists movement inputs more than a light weight gun. What I found is that putting a Veridian X5L on the FiveseveN gives it the perfect amount of mass out front to stabilize the gun from an aiming perspective without making it undoubtedly heavy.
As far as size? I must have larger hands because the grip perfectly fits my hand. Yes, I can see where folks with smaller hands may have an issue. As far as concealability, it’s as concealable as a 1911 or M9. In other words, not very. About the only way to conceal it is with a shoulder rig, (which I prefer). I normally carry a PPK/S in a pocket but sometimes run the FNP or FiveseveN in a shoulder rig. Trust me, that FiveseveN feels like it’s not even there when compared to the 45 Tac.
Anyway, I just wanted to add some insight into the FiveseveN for anyone thinking about getting one. They aren’t just a ‘weird oddity’ that costs a lot of money. Like anything else, they have their pluses and minuses. You can only really determine these from experience, not an afternoon with a box or two of ammo.
I don’t think I was quite clear on the decocker. It doesn’t have one, but it doesn’t really need one. If you want to clear the gun you can do so with the safety engaged, but to drop the internal hammer, you still need to “fire” the gun. I prefer a decocker for safety reasons, but there is no way to do so on a FiveseveN.
Nice summary.
Former USMC, retired LEO.
Always liked decockers as well, but I’ve carried numerous frames and calibers professionally since 1979, and I can live without it. Not really a big deal.
Once I tried the safety on the FiveSeven, I never wanted to go back. It’s right there – no real adapting necessary, especially if going from a DA/SA semi, where you never really used a safety anyway. Most firearms I carried which weren’t revolvers were ‘cocked and locked’; internally or externally.
FiveSeven is my primary carry, except in grizzly backwoods. Then I feel more comfortable with my 460V. My Sig P229 .40 cal sits in the safe until my son is ready for it. The Tanfoglio Force 99 in 9mm – which I love – comes out at the range for fun. But the FiveSeven is my practical piece.
And I can buy ammo all day at the box stores: low 20s for 50 rounds.
If someone’s not confident of their ability to stay calm in a crisis and place rounds, let them get a bigger caliber. But odds are they’ll be even less accurate – possibly to the point of missing.
Targets don’t shoot back.
How does this cartridge compare to a 17 hornet with the 17 grain 17 HMR bullets?
Not in the same league. This is a major league round. 27 gr (red box) = .357 mag, 40 gr (blue box) = .38 special
I swore my PS90 would be my last firearm purchase. Damn, I hate lying!
Reloading the 5.7 isn’t that bad,, just pay attention. Anyone want to get rid of you brass let me know. 🙂
.
our 5.7 will leave a far deeper dent in a 1/4 thick plate than a .223 will
no recoil, 20 rounds, whats not to like?
I have m1a1 springfield loaded- w/ black syntetic stock only 20 rounds fired with it other than that its new , 3rd generation scope mount , brand new bipod, carrying case, olive green sling,cleaning kit and 60 rounds vacuum packed from moisture, invested around $1700. willing to trade for fn 5.7×28 complete in its box , any takers send me a kite….
Isn’t “kite” prison slang?
Yes but it doesn,t mean i,ve been there ja ja ja …..
finally got my fnh herstal pistol , I have a little problem with the rear sight it seems to have 3 steps for elevation ,but no were in the owner,s manual explains what each step represents , 10 yrs , 10 feet , or 10 meters or what the pistol is sighted in when you get it from the factory or store.any feed back or tips will be helpful , thank you….
Sight it in for the distance and ammo you want. There are several ammo choices from FN as well as third part manufacturers, and although the Five-seveN is pretty flat shooting, your distances matter as you bought the target model. The one with SD/combat sights is not adjustable.
FYI to 5.7 owners: I just passed 1,000 rounds thru pistol and I have NEVER experience ANY type of malfunction. I cannot say the same about any of my other semi-auto pistols. TOTALLY RELIABLE!! (Accurate too!) I usually shoot 2 types of FN ammo.
The 5.7 as we call it is on the mark everytime. I picked up a two tone earth and black for 1150.00 here in Florida. Get you r ammo on line at palmetto state armory ,the best and cheapest around . I shoot all the time and never a stove pipe or miss feed.I carry a glock 17 all the time but about to change that.
Glocks don’t jam. Five sevens do at lest once every fifty rounds. Fact, been there done that!
Edward, sorry you are WRONG. I own glock 22 g4, g19 g4 and g26 g4, great guns, but they are not in the same pack as a 5.seven, I own one too. The five seven replaced my glocks, no failures at all, the same as my glocks. Just don’t say the 5.7 is shit. My 5.7 out shoots my glocks and by the way the glocks trigger point to shoot is not in the same ball park, O.K. Speak when you know the truth. don’t be a shit.
As with any business venture, it is of the utmost importance
to do your research before deciding to go in the business of web hosting reseller packages.
Figure out what it is you need and want and from there shop around to see what web hosts matches these
expectations. Japanese Gardens – Although the gardens are technically in Fort Worth, Texas, it is only a short drive.
Robert Farago, welcome to the real world. Bullets fired from rifled barrels do NOT tumble through the air; do NOT yaw in the target mass. How do these myths persist?
Jeff Cooper and Elmer Keith put these old wive’s tales to bed forty years ago. Do Winchester, Remington, Federal ammo makers support your fantasy?
My FnH 57 has become my favorite for ALL handgunning, period.
In the bonds, Vapor Lock
Truth for those that will hear it.
First the standard ammo is garbage and way below the requirements of the weapon. I suggest the purchase of ammo worthy of the weapon.
My current choice travels at 2260 FPS on the chron and penetrates 3A like it’s a sweatshirt.
The weapon has no recoil to speak of, and the safety mentioned sits naturally at the trigger finger. Compared to say a 92F the FN is much more intuitive.
The weapon will not jam no matter how sloppy limp wrist I shoot it and it will put holes in holes.
The fort Hood shooter’s results was what interested me in the weapon after years of carrying a 45.
Stopping power is a myth with any weapon that is not a long gun, bullet placement being the valued factor.
In real life situation the weapon proved to be deadly and accurate with low grade ammo.
This is an expensive, dependable, large, lethal weapon that with the correct ammo slings rounds at near rifle velocities through body armor, but is less likely to over penetrate and kill the innocent.
If you have the means you will fall in love again.