Fn 5.7

[StevieGuns77]

WOndering if anybody knows anything about the 5.7 cartridge from FN. I see that they offer some handguns in the 5.7 with a 20 round capacity. I heard this is a nasty round with a lot of penetrating power. anybody know anything about it?

[mbott]

Basically, the standard Five-seveN round is nothing but the .223 / 5.56mm projectile on a smaller case, so it has no mystical qualities different than that of the 5.56 round. I've had the opportunity to fire the Five-seveN and the P90 subgun, and while very entertaining, not my cup of tea. I still prefer the .45 round and the FNP-45 over the Five-seveN.

--
Mike

[Gatorfarmer]

The deeper penetrating ammunition, which will go through IIIA vests and then penetrate around 9 inches of tissue, is restricted to LE/military purchasers only. The stuff for commercial consumption will not penetrate soft body armor.

The 20 rd mags can actually be converted to 30s and there is a promo right now where FNH is giving away 200rds of free ammunition. There were complaints about the cost and availibility of the ammunition, so I think this was negatively affecting sales.

[StevieGuns77]

so is the ammo available to civilians still effective?

[Saturn9]

so is the ammo available to civilians still effective?

Effective for what is the question.

The Mil/LE grade 5.7mm is, from what I've read, a gpod round. Not fantastic, there's not much "unique" about it outside of it being an odd round.
I compare it a lot like the 5.45x39mm round, which is one test I've yet to see. Usually the tests are comparing the 5.7 to the .223 and the handgun crowd. It offers good penetration past handgun, but nothing you wouldn't see from a rifle round.
Again, this is all Mil/LE grade, so the same round is restricted to the civvy market (so I've read).

To be honest, I'm not eager to touch it. It's a unique handgun, with unique ammo, and I'm much more confident in a .40S&W or .45ACP - not for any reliability issues, FN makes a fine firearm (and FINE at that), but...
...honestly? them releasing the Five-seveN and the FSP90 onto the civvy market is...I don't know the word for it...
...seems kind of half-assed. Yes, we get the newest military developments, but they're scaled down to civvy levels. That round has caused a lot of unspoken controversy amongst LEOs, so they had to scale it back. Has good accuracy, but, at that range, I think you're better off with a good ol' .45ACP or a subcarbine.

[collegeb]

I think the p-90 is pretty neat. Not many guns have a magazine like they do, actually none that I know of do, but that's not saying too much.

[Tomac]

What makes the FN Five-seveN pistol interesting is its ability to launch a bullet at *rifle* velocities leading to permanent stretch cavities instead of the temporary stretch cavities you get w/most handgun rds. With that being said, it has very mild recoil, is very flat shooting & has a 20rd mag capacity. I shoot it faster and more accurately than any other handgun and that's earned it nightstand duty in my home (shot placement and sufficient penetration are paramount, all else is secondary as all handguns are relatively poor "stoppers" regardless of caliber or bullet used).
Tomac
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/Tomac/FN57withTLR-1020.jpg

[gunrun45]

I have 2 of the handguns.
Ammo has to be hadloaded to be truely appreciated from this platform.
General ammo available to the civilian market is an OK stoper that has a traumatic wound channel at a shallower depth (4-6 inches) with less penetration or risk of overpenetration. Penetration through interior barriers like common structure in homes is reduced and makes it a viable interest in home defense.