What's the big deal with a FN 5.7?

J

Jason

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I've handled one of these but haven't shot one yet. Its seem decently built but I'm seeing the thing go for $1100-$1300 at many NH shops. Down in the People's Commonwealth of Massachusetts I see classifieds as high as $2500. What is the big deal about this pistol and the 5.7x28 round? I know it is supposed to be a high penetration round but a little googling shows that class 3 armor stops it like every other pistol round.
 
It's an overpriced pistol (Even in free states, as the thing used to be like $800, now its over a grand) with shitty .22 magnum-like ballistics, shooting overpriced ammo, and is really only suitable for dispatching rampaging zombie woodchucks enrobed in level 2 kevlar. [laugh]

Ok, now that I've said my part... I'm sure a small regiment of 5.7x28 fanbois/apologists will be out shortly to tell us all how it's the next best thing since sliced bread... (cue drum roll.... ) despite the fact that the platform has basically been a continual flop since it came out, with only a handful of units/agencies, actually using it....

ETA: The wolves in this video were all shot in the ass with a FiveSeven... now they're really pissed. j/k... sorry, couldn't resist... [laugh]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cmT8M_67ow

-Mike
 
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drgrant said:
It's an overpriced pistol (Even in free states, as the thing used to be like $800, now its over a grand) with shitty .22 magnum-like ballistics, shooting overpriced ammo, and is really only suitable for dispatching rampaging zombie woodchucks enrobed in level 2 kevlar. [laugh]

Ok, now that I've said my part... I'm sure a small regiment of 5.7x28 fanbois/apologists will be out shortly to tell us all how it's the next best thing since sliced bread... (cue drum roll.... ) despite the fact that the platform has basically been a continual flop since it came out, with only a handful of units/agencies, actually using it....

ETA: The wolves in this video were all shot in the ass with a FiveSeven... now they're really pissed. j/k... sorry, couldn't resist... [laugh]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cmT8M_67ow

-Mike
Click to expand...


Well we can close this thread now cause that about covers it.[grin]
 
I've shot the 5.7 and found it to be accurate and easy to shoot. The light recoil and large magazine capacity make it fun to plink with. I can think of a couple of more serious applications but for me it would just be something to play with and I can think of several other guns I'd rather spend that much money on.
 
gillis51 said:
What hand gun is chambered in either 22 magnum or 7.62x25 with 20 round mag capacity??
Click to expand...

Or a 30 round mag,

Or a ps90

Or a 5.7 ar-15.

85% of us are playing or collecting guns, that is what we do!!!!

That is why there are different ice flavors or cars that sell for $10,000 and $200,000.

If you can get what you want to it if you can''t do not knock any one that can.

That is jealous envey.

Fred
 
I also own a five-seven. Fun to shoot. You should get one if you see the right price, not much like it.

Although I think Fred has a point... if you have the cash/want... just pay. If you don't? Don't sit there and say a guns sucks because its $1000+. Please. $1000 in this business is nothing. Everything is $1000 (H&K, SIG, Kimber, Bushmaster, etc).

As gun guys, thats what we do. Pay. [smile]

Why bash a gun/caliber? IMHO, anything that goes bang and makes holes in targets is great in my book. [wink]
 
PWM said:
I also own a five-seven. Fun to shoot. You should get one if you see the right price, not much like it.

Although I think Fred has a point... if you have the cash/want... just pay. If you don't? Don't sit there and say a guns sucks because its $1000+. Please. $1000 in this business is nothing. Everything is $1000 (H&K, SIG, Kimber, Bushmaster, etc).

As gun guys, thats what we do. Pay. [smile]

Why bash a gun/caliber? IMHO, anything that goes bang and makes holes in targets is great in my book. [wink]
Click to expand...

VERY WELL SAID!!!

Fred
 
The only way that round makes any sense to me personally is in a PS90 with a 50-round mag - and that's even a stretch. Other than that, I think it's a waste of time. Expensive ammo with marginal ballistics and questionable stopping power. However, if an expensive plinker is soup du jour, like Greg said - buy what you like - like what you buy...For me though - even if money was no object, I'd take a big pass...
 
5.7x28 is running $18/50 ($0.36/round) for a case and $22/50 ($0.44/round) locally. Last I checked .223 is around $0.45/round, .308 is around $0.60/round 40 cal and 45 ACP is around $0.35/round, 9mm is around $0.18/round.

It's not inexpensive but it is not much worse than most pistol or rifle.
 
there's one in the classifieds right now that I would make an offer on if I had an LTC-A.

My brother has a PS90, so I pointed him at it instead.
 
The AR57 is a blast to shoot and will also fit onto any papered M16 receiver.

I have one of them available that is NIB.

http://www.57center.com/
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=AR57&aq=f&oq=

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2008/11/30/sneak-peek-of-suppressed-full-auto-ar57/

images-573-tm.jpg


flotter390 said:
Or a 30 round mag,

Or a ps90

Or a 5.7 ar-15.

85% of us are playing or collecting guns, that is what we do!!!!

That is why there are different ice flavors or cars that sell for $10,000 and $200,000.

If you can get what you want to it if you can''t do not knock any one that can.

That is jealous envey.

Fred
Click to expand...
 
The 5.7x28mm has excellent ballistics with it's intended ammunition. Unfortunately mere mortals cannot obtain the appropriate ammunition and are stuck with the weaker loads that FN allows us to buy which are 22 magnum-like performance at best.

The 5.7x28mm was never intended to be used in a main battle rifle. It's a PDW round designed to be used instead of 9mm for non-combatives that need a PDW. It was designed to mainly displace the MP5 for air crews, tank crews & truck drivers and offered a smaller weapon with better stopping power.
 
Light weight? Check.
High capacity? Check (20 rounds).
Accurate? Check.
Stopping power? Check.

That last one is subject to debate, but I sure as hell wouldn't want to get shot by one.

I'd love to own a 5.7, but even if I could afford one, I could only carry 10 rounds in MA so one of the gun's big advantages is effectively neutered. If I move to a free state it will be one of my first acquisitions (right after a suppressor that would go on a SBR 10/22 with a folding stock).
 
I have a PS-90.Yes,it was expensive for a hunk of plastic,especially one that only holds 10 rounds,but it's cool,different and fun to shoot.

My general thinking was " with the hoo-hah about the 5.7 being a *cop killer* round and a D sure to win next election,you'd probably better buy one instead of kicking yourself in the ass like the 9mm AUG and SP89 you could have bought years ago but didn't because there wasn't any point in spending that much on a range toy...".Call me a fool with soon parted $ if you want.

If I was into shooting people,maybe I'd care that the ballistics or terminal effects of the round might be marginal. I'm a little too old and fat for combat and have my doubts on the combined Cuban and Chinese fleet picking Martha's Vineyard as their first invasion target so I'm more concerned with how well it works on paper,water jugs and squash.For that,it's just fine.
I saw a fake motivational poster someone made that said "5.7. If I got shot with one and find out about it,I'm going to be mad".I would not in any way be willing to find out just how long it would take to found out that one of the little V-max rounds only pentrated 6" of my thigh.I understand the concern of using a given gun for personal protection but I own several .22's,treat them as respectfully as a .308 and don't begrude them for not being something they are not.I wouldn't take the FN elk hunting any more than I'd take my 10/22.


It's no more expensive to shoot than .40 or .45 these days and now that I have enough brass to bother with,will soon be reloading it cheaply.If you try to justify owning it,it might be a tough sell but if you want something different and enjoy being just a little odd,then they make perfect sense.
 
My PS90 SBR is my primary bail-out gun. Fits in a small backpack with 4 magazines and 1000 rounds of ammo. BAM ... justified [smile]


EDIT: If you're interested in reloading 5.7 let me know. I've got about 500 rounds of reloads through my PS90 and i've learned quite a bit about reloading this caliber.
 
flotter390 said:
If you can get what you want to it if you can''t do not knock any one that can.

That is jealous envey.

Fred
Click to expand...

Fred, FWIW, if someone wants to buy one of these things, more power to em... at the same token, I'm not afraid to call it like I see it... then again when it comes to guns I'm unique in the sense that I have no problems goring sacred cows, even those which roam on my own farm. I bought guns which have almost as terrible of a value proposition, such as my MK23 and my P7. Both are overpriced, and somewhat overhyped. But I keep both of them because I like how they work... but if someone asks me if it's a "good deal" or not, I'm not going to hold back. [grin] A lot of guns we buy are not a good deal practically speaking, but we still buy the damn things anyways, because we LIKE to shoot/carry/collect them.

Value is all relative, and often it can't be measured in dollars.

The reason I said what I said, is because I find the puffery and hype associated with this particular cartridge/handgun to be somewhat amusing, and wanted to make light of it. It's fine if people buy the thing, the more products the merrier..... it's just that people buying one, should know that the cartridge is not going to stop Chuck Norris, part the red sea, or anything else the fanboys say it's gonna do. [grin]

-Mike
 
drgrant said:
The reason I said what I said, is because I find the puffery and hype associated with this particular cartridge/handgun to be somewhat amusing, and wanted to make light of it.
Click to expand...

Yeah.

The "I have it so it must be awesome" quotient is off the scale with this caliber. It's almost as bad as Dillon owners.
 
drgrant said:
I bought guns which have almost as terrible of a value proposition, such as my MK23 and my P7. Both are overpriced, and somewhat overhyped. -Mike
Click to expand...

Blasphemer!


Heretic!


Off with your head!


-40 million and 7!

In that case Mike, sell me the P7M8.....


You know you want to... [wink]
 
LR308_GNR said:
And on the other end of the spectrum, there is the .500 S&W. Just as big a fanboy following and just as impractical on two legged critters. [pot]
Click to expand...

Just as? Try way more impractical. It's also noisy and expensive (but you can hunt bears with it).

The S&W .500 has a different kind of fanboy following. S&W fanboys would never try to pass one off as an effective CQB mall ninja type weapon. We know they're an over the top extravagance.

Aside from ballistically everything, here's the main difference between the two calibers:

What percentage of people laugh out loud after firing a 5.7? It's nearly 100% with the S&W .500.
 
EddieCoyle said:
Just as? Try way more impractical. It's also noisy and expensive (but you can hunt bears with it).

The S&W .500 has a different kind of fanboy following. S&W fanboys would never try to pass one off as an effective CQB mall ninja type weapon. We know they're an over the top extravagance.

Aside from ballistically everything, here's the main difference between the two calibers:

What percentage of people laugh out loud after firing a 5.7? It's nearly 100% with the S&W .500.
Click to expand...

Just messing with you Eddie, I know how much you love those .500's... I watched you run those things two fisted at the last car shoot![wink]

I currently own neither caliber, but plan to own both in short order.
 
I did a brief test on body armor and the 7.62x25 was the only pistol round that went through the vest. I didn't have access to the 5.7 at that time but the 5.56 went through the vest so effortlessly that I thought the shot missed. I was impressed that the vest stopped the .500 S&W(sorry EC). but only after it smashed the vest through the plastic drum it was wrapped around and drove the vest 2" into the drum(happy now?) The 5.7 and the .500S&W were designed for very different tasks and it's safe to say that most of the shooters here don't use either one for it's intended purpose. We shoot for fun so shoot whatever puts a smile on your face. Who cares what it was designed for. One last point. The .500 would be great for self defense with EC's loads. Even if you miss, your attacker will be rendered deaf and blind by the muzzle blast.
 
I believe you. I can get more vests and trauma plates designed to stop a .308. Lets see what your nuclear loads will do to them. Whats the velocity of the 700 gr. loads? Where do you get bullets that heavy?
 

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