FN 5.7

8382 Views 7 Replies 5 Participants Last post by sniperdog-alpha1, Jan 16, 2005

Scatch Maroo

Discussion Starter · Dec 27, 2004

The Five-seveN is hailed as the newest cop killer--anyone use it yet? Heard lots of great things about it, 'cept the high cost of ammunition. Is all of it steel core, and is the barrel designed at all to reduce the damage caused by such ammunition?

Scatch Maroo

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Scatch Maroo

Discussion Starter · #2 · Dec 27, 2004

FNH USA, Inc.
5.7x28mm WEAPON SYSTEM

The 5.7x28mm weapon system is comprised of three components: the 5.7x28mm ammunition, the P90 Sub-machine gun, and the Five-seveN handguns. The 5.7x28mm SS190 ammunition has been designed to bridge the gap between the 9mm ammunition and the 5.56 x 45mm. The 9mm FMJ round will not penetrate modern body armor and the 5.56mm (.223 Rem.) rifle ammunition creates over-penetration concerns in a close combat situation or urban warfare. The SS190 has unique design, utilizing two metal inserts. The tip of the ogive has a steel penetrator followed by an aluminum core that is heavier than the forward tip. This causes the bullet to tumble in soft body tissue after 2 inches of penetration. This design virtually eliminates the risk of over penetration. This also creates a large wound cavity and quick incapacitation. The SS190 will perforate 48 layers of Kevlar up to 200 meters when fired from the P90 and achieve the same result up to 50 meters with the Five-seveN handgun. The 5.7 ammunition has only 60% of the recoil impulse of a 9mm. The muzzle velocity of the SS190 is 2,346fps when fired from the P90 and 2,133fps with the Five-seveN. Tracer, Sub Sonic, Training and Blank ammunition available. Ammunition is supplied in the U.S. by Olin.

A personal opinion...

It's always a good thing to be aware. There are real dangers out there faced by LEOs every day. That said, the article is a little over-the-top. The author refers to the FiveSeven loaded with SS190 ammo, which is not only armor-piercing, but also restricted to law enforcement and military only. No civilian can get their hands on it...FN won't even sell it to individual officers, only to departments on letterhead.

The civilian-legal ammo is SS192 hollowpoint ammmo, which lacks the steel core of the SS190 and is classified as non-AP ammo by the BATFE. It will still go through a level II vest, but only by virtue of its small size and high velocity, and much in the same way that any small HV pistol round will go through kevlar...like .22 Magnum, or 7.62x25, both of which have been available for decades.

I wouldn't be too concerned about the Five-SeveN. Those things are very expensive and rarer than hen's teeth, the civilian ammo is expensive and hard to find, and the unrestricted loads won't do anything that a .22 Magnum out of an AutoMag II won't do for a lot less money.

Now I am actually pondering selling my brand new Five-SeveN. It would make a swell little carry gun, as it is very lightweight and holds twenty rounds, but I'd rather not get pulled over by an officer who has that bulletin in the back of his head when he discovers that I have one of those things in my holster.

(Then again, he may just be a fellow gun guy, and ask to take a look at it.)

It was being discussed (inappropriately) elsewhere that .22s are good for silencing guards, dogs, and various other Bond-like targets: given that this gun is much more accurate and powerful than a .22LR, do you think it will find its place in either military applications or perhaps a choice for CCW?

I agree that cheap and easy-to-find rifles make it unlikely this will be anything but a professionals' choice for killing cops, but what about the other applications?

Scatch Maroo

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muzzleblast

· #3 · Dec 27, 2004

I think its international LE sales have been brisk, Scatch...And it does have impressive ballistics from a pistol. There are other rounds developed that offer the same advantages, one was a short fat casing called .224 BOZ from England...supposed to be "LE only" I saw a Glock, a 1911, and an MP5 chambered in that round and liked them.

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Kenshin

· #4 · Dec 27, 2004

Hello all,

I own a FN 5.7 and have had it for about 9 months. I paid about $750.00 U.S. and had no problems obtaining it by civilian means.
The gun is great. I really enjoy the 5.7 caliber. I’ve had just about every type of ammo put through it and it’s only jammed a few times. {the 4 or 5 jams I had were with tracer rounds}

I’ve put over 5000 rounds in it and stripping and cleaning is not a problem.
Ammo is a bit on the pricey side but if you like to shoot stock competitive competition it’s amazing. The recoil is a touch more than my Walther or Ruger 22. but the pistol in rapid fire is super easy to control. Magazine holds 20 rounds in the L.E. magazine which now are easily acessible. There really are no after market goodies available right now other than universal mounts for flashlights ect.
Accuracy is great compared to pistols in it’s price range. I own many pistols and this one right now is in my top three favorite. Give me a little more time and it might be my top pick.

My wife likes the pistol but hates that the frame is so long. She has trouble getting a nice fit for her hand.
The 5.7 round is long and thin. She shoots a custom 38.super 1911 that we had thinned out.
As far as reloading goes I’ve not had a set of dies made for it and to be honest I’d rather comb the internet for a good price for pistol ammo than spend time at the bench reloading it. Rifle Ammo is a different story. I’m working up loads for my 408 Chey Tac right now

Well Guys and/or Girls hope this help
Cheers,
Kenshin

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muzzleblast

· #5 · Dec 27, 2004

Hey Kenshin, can you own a Five-Seven here in Canada with just a restricted license?

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AK

· #6 · Dec 27, 2004

Good to hear that you're having no problems obtaining one in Canada. Whereabouts in Alberta are you, Kenshin? I'm origonally from Calgary, deported to this rocky Hellhole in the summer of '03.

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Kenshin

· #7 · Dec 27, 2004

5.7

Hello again,
Well here is the story on ownership of a 5.7. I’m originally from Fort McMurray AB. I then later moved to Edmonton AB to go to university after a small stint in the Canadian forces. I’m a professional musician that travels alot. My wife is from Ohio so I have dual citizenship and own property in both countries which allows for the best of both worlds for me, however taxes are a pain in the a$$. It was a long and grueling process to get that but it allows for a lot of leeway in firearms purchase. I bought the 5.7 through “gunbroker.com” from a dealer in Ohio and had it shipped here in Ohio.
I’ve not checked into bringing my 5.7 into canada but I figure as long as the magazines are 10 rounds or less I’d be fine. However don't quote me on that I’ve not checked. The great thing about a P.A.L license from Canada is I can get things the Americans can’t and vise versa.
The main thing for me is buying Norinco M14’s or other Norinco products for about $400.00 Canadian. and having them customized and bringing them into the states. There are perks and downsides,
There is a lot of paper work involved but I love to shoot in my downtime.
For you guys and or girls that live in Alberta contact P & D Gunshop in Edmonton Alberta.
They are a mom and pop gunshop but are the nicest people I’ve ever met. They can answer your questions via email or phone call and are very knowledgeable in the area . If Kevin still works there ask for him or Jim.
Their website lists their current inventory and prices {in canadian} so you Americans prepare for a rude awakening as to what we Canadians pay for firearms.
P & D’s website is www.p-d-ent.com you can make contact through them.
Well guys I hope this helps a little
Cheers,
Kenshin

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sniperdog-alpha1

· #8 · Jan 16, 2005

As rare as hen's teeth you say?! I had the guns and still have the ammo at work. I sold out of the guns, they went for $900. I do expect to get a few more in soon. I guess like hen's teeth you just have to know where to look.

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