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One of the most popular modern types of ammo is 5.7x28mm, as it is featured in some of the most high-profile and recognizable firearms in television, movies, and video games. However, this star-studded caliber isn't just made for the screen, as it also fills a niche in the firearms market for shooters who want a fast round with excellent penetration without a ton of recoil. You can find handguns, AR15s, pistol caliber carbines (PCC), and more firearms chambered in this round, letting you pick the perfect option for your needs. If you're thinking about getting one, here's some about the history of 5.7 ammo.
When Was 5.7x28 Ammo First Made?
Originally created in 1990 by Fabrique Nationale, more commonly known as FN, the 5.7 cartridge was developed after NATO was thinking about replacing 9mm ammo as their standard handgun round. Even though 9mm is and was ubiquitous, it isn't known for power, accuracy at range, or speed, and it is also stopped by most body armor worn by military combatants. To improve on these aspects, FN developed 5.7x28 ammo, which has a bullet that is similar in size to a .223 or 5.56 rifle round, except shorter. By shortening a common rifle round, you can get excellent penetration by increasing the speed of the projectile since it weighs less. Alongside their debut of 5.7 ammo, FN released the P90 personal defense weapon (PDW) and the FN Five-seveN pistol, both of which are extremely well-known in modern media.Â
Despite the clear advantages of 5.7x28mm rounds over 9mm, it was not adopted by NATO. There has been an ebb and flow of the popularity of 5.7x28 ammo among consumers since it released. It has even been a controversial cartridge in legal circles because it has the ability to penetrate Level IIIA body armor, which is known for being able to stop almost all handgun calibers. However, since the 5.7x28 is fired from a pistol, some people lobbied to make the cartridge illegal. This has not passed in the U.S., and since then, it has become even more popular with many modern manufacturers taking FN's lead and making their own firearms chambered in 5.7x28mm. Some popular examples are the Kel-Tec P50, Ruger 57, and AR57 upper receivers.
Is a 5.7 More Powerful Than a 9mm?
Since the 5.7x28mm projectile flies so fast, it is a great caliber for short- to medium-range shooting. It only has a 2.5-inch drop off at 200 yards when fired from a firearm with a carbine-length barrel. This is a huge improvement over 9mm in the same conditions, which can drop up to 30-inches at 200 yards. As for ballistics, 5.7x28 ammo packs a muzzle velocity of up to 1,800 feet per second, which is huge compared to other pistol calibers. This is what allows the round to penetrate body armor, as a small, pointed projectile flying fast doesn't get as tangled up in soft body armor as flatter, slower rounds. Essentially, 5.7 ammo is similar to rifle rounds except it is small enough for handguns without sacrificing the speed and accuracy of rifles.
Another big advantage of 5.7x28 ammo is that it has minimal felt recoil. Since the rounds are small, they do not kick nearly as much as larger pistol calibers, such as 9mm, .40 S&W, or .45. This makes it easy to take follow-up shots and stay as accurate as possible. Additionally, 5.7 ammo weighs significantly less than other comparable calibers, so a full magazine doesn't weigh down your weapon nearly as much. This is extremely beneficial if you plan to carry a 5.7 as your primary firearm, whether as an every day carry pistol or a carbine, as you won't get fatigued as quickly.
What Is the Best 5.7 Ammo?
There is no clear "winner" in the best 5.7 ammo, as there are plenty of manufacturers making high-quality rounds. Like other pistol rounds, you can find several varieties of 5.7 ammo for different applications. For example, the Speer Gold Dot 5.7x28mm Hollow Point and the FN America 5.7x28mm Lead-Free Hollow Point rounds are perfect for self-defense because they expand inside of the target, which helps you avoid overpenetration. Alternatively, if you're looking for reliable target shooting ammunition, the Federal Premium 40gr FMJ 5.7 ammo and the Fiocchi Range Dynamics 62gr FMJ provide plenty of stopping power and consistent results so that you can finetune your firearms and optics.Â
Shop 5.7 Ammo & Accessories at OpticsPlanet!
Whether you're shopping for ammo, magazines, or something else to round out your 5.7 build, we have you covered here at OpticsPlanet. We have tons of FN America Magazines for both the Five-seveN and PS90, as well as CMMG AR15 Upper Receivers chambered in 5.7x28mm to help you complete your build. Whatever you need to gear up, train, amd shoot, you can find it on OpticsPlanet!
