Ammo was getting down to 9mm prices up until Hamas chose violence, so it's been going up. It is cheaper than 5.56, though, which... I personally never thought I would see. Fiocchi got in on the game in the last year or two and I picked up a couple boxes of their stuff last fall. Haven't shot it yet, but it's supposed to be better than American Eagle, and it's cheaper, too. Or at least it was when I was buying. Anyway, the ammo situation has improved in recent years, but if you want some, well, you know the rest.

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:
I'd like to try some of the "good stuff" next time they bring that P90 out...what load should I be looking for?

SS198LF is an all-copper slug, far as I know. "Lead free." It supposed to be really devastating stuff. I have a 500 round brick of it I've been hoarding since 2018.

quote:

Originally posted by tigerbloodwinning:
However, since FN almost has a monopoly on 5.7x28 ammo production and because they only want to sell SS198LF to Military and LE, it’s more difficult to get than the more “sporting” (their words, not mine) cartridges.

That used to be the case at one time, but that's not correct anymore.

quote:

I have a 500 round brick of it I've been hoarding since 2018.

Its readily available (but expensive) if you would rather shoot some of it rather than hoard it.

I kind of want one. Probably Ruger's offering. Practicality and ammo cost has kept me from doing it, but I'm tempted.

They are a blast to shoot, and 20 rounds in the mag is kind of nice, too.

I have had the FN and the Ruger ... mostly because they are really cool. I could not find a practical use for them so they are gone. I have a good amount of ammo left so there may well be another moment of weakness. Of the two, I preferred the Ruger. The FN is just odd to me. The Ruger is simpler and shot just as well. I had red dots on both.

I've had a Five Seven since 2009. It's accurate, low recoil and a hoot to shoot. When I loan it out I get it back with a big grin on the face of the new shooter.

RE: ammo. I stocked up on 5.7x28 back in the day, and am glad I did. Yes it's pricey now, but has come down from the most recent craziness.

RE: ammo sources. In addition to FN and Federal, Elite Ammunition used to make a whole bunch of fairly esoteric defense rounds, but going to their website now, it looks like they may have reduced the number of varieties they make.

Anyway, I am very happy with the FN. That said, I have a PS 90 and am now considering also getting a Kel-Tec P50 which apparently uses the same 50 round mags as the PS 90.

Never handled the Mk1, but have shot the Mk2 Five-seveN on multiple occasions. Like each experience but never enough to want to buy one for myself. Ridiculous price, goofy looks, cheapish toy-like feel and spendy ammo were the contributing factors. Passed on at least a half dozen nice used examples over the years, even a couple at decent price points (around $800 before bartering), but just couldn't do it.

The MRD version looks and feels more like a pistol should, but still unreasonably priced in my mind, especially in light of all the new 5.7 competition now available. Maybe if I had liked the 'two snails having sex' aesthetic of the PS90 more and bought one of those I might have felt differently, but I didn't so I don't.

Have a FiveseveN USG and a Ruger 57, and prefer the FN over the Ruger. Thought the Ruger grip was too thin for my taste, thought the mag release was too stiff and more awkward, FN takedown easier, and the Ruger was a bit snappier when firing. Also, I can get 30 round mags for the FN, but not sure they are available for the Ruger (at least not factory mags).

That said, the Ruger is definitely cheaper, and my position is from already owning the FN for years (since 2005), before there were any other options. Buying a first 5.7 caliber pistol today, the price of the FN pistol may put me off (especially at today’s MSRP), but of the two that I have, I feel it’s the better pistol.

I have owned two FN 5.7 pistols; an USG model w/gray-colored controls (purchased 2007) and a later MK2 (purchased 2016) through which I fired collectively well over 1000+ rounds of mixed ammunition (SS195 hollow-point, SS197 blue-tip Hornady VMax and SS198 green-tip). Functioning/reliability of each was flawless, with my only criticisms being the trigger-pull weights being a little heavy (but crisp). The FNs were each excellent pistols and I have no doubt the latest MK3 will follow suit.

In late 2022, I purchased an optic-ready, threaded-barreled PSA Rock 5.7 for approximately half the price of an FN and, notwithstanding being a longtime FN owner, thereafter immediately sold both FNs. The Rock is ergonomically superior to the FNs, has run 100% flawlessly, is certainly as accurate as the FNs and, importantly, has replacement parts readily available by mail (if ever needed). The ergonomics/price/performance/value of the Rock is simply unbeatable.

As a longtime actual owner/user of a 5.7 pistol, a word of caution when considering purchasing such a pistol (no matter the brand). You will encounter the customary critics of the round many of whom don’t even own such a pistol or may not have ever even fired one so DO NOT be easily dissuaded. The round is extremely flat shooting (e.g. steel plates at 50-75 yards are boringly easy). The round has minimal felt recoil/muzzle flip (albeit substantial blast) or at least considerably less than the 9mm. The round is easily found/readily available, simply use the internet you’re using to access this forum and have readily available ammunition delivered to your front door (ditto with the long supposedly dead .357 SIG round). The round is very affordable with the cost continuing to decline (my last purchase was $.49 a round delivered). Finally, the round IS easily reloaded with the now readily abundant reloading data (exercise caution w/ALL reloading).

Good luck with your decision.

I find the plastic covered slide cheapy and Hi-Pointish.

It’s pretty much all been said so I’ll just say I like mine a lot. A friend has the Ruger and we’ve shot them together.
He likes his, I like mine. That’s how it should be.
Here’s mine with my 365, my only brown handguns.

I had the MRD version and didn't get along with it. Found it quite inaccurate with irons and a dot.

If I was going to get another 5.7 pistol, it'd be the S&W.

I had one on a Dept. T&E deal for a while. My impression was: Odd, safety in really weird location, reliable, low recoil, light weight. Everybody that shot it liked it. I was not tempted to replace any of my more common pistols with the FN57..

quote:

Found it quite inaccurate with irons and a dot.

of course there can always be a problem child in anyone's production. But am now up to have 9 of these guns (3 of which are MRD) and none of them have accuracy problems. I have seen and shot with people with dozens or more examples and none of those exhibited anything like poor accuracy. I have been on the internet for the whole time these pistols have existed and I have never seen anything that suggest an accuracy problem in the design. Maybe you got a defective barrel or something else, but its not a general trait of the guns.

Anything is possible, I did state that “I didn’t get along with it”, so it could’ve been totally me. But even bench resting the gun, I expected more from the 5.7 round or at least better than ~4” groups at 25 yards.

I ditched it, didn’t even bother contacting FN, because there wasn’t much I liked about the gun.
FN’s support is 2nd rate too

quote:

Originally posted by Blackwater:

FN’s support is 2nd rate too

You are very generous.

I would put FNH customer support at 4th rate in my experience. I had issues with out of spec magazines on my FNP-45, and FNH's response was "you are on your own, son." No more FNH products for me!

I have an OG 5.7 IOM with the curvy trigger guard. I enjoy it quite a bit. Made my later PS90 purchase easier, same caliber and all