FNH 5.7x28 in Clear Ballistics Gel

[5pins]

Test Gun: FN Five-seveN.
Barrel length: 4.8 Inches
Ammunition: FNH 5.7x28 40gr Hornady V-Max SS197SP, FNH 5.7x28mm 27gr HP SS198LF.
Test media: 10% Clear Ballistics Gel.
Distance: 10 feet.
Chronograph: PACT 1 XP with inferred sky screens.
Gel Temperature 72 degrees.



The 5.7x28mm was designed in conjunction with the P90 PDW (Personal Defense Weapon) and has had its fair amount of controversy. I think the idea was to give support troops a weapon that would perform better than the more a standard pistol round at penetrating body armor. Some consider this to be a rifle round while others say it’s nothing more than a glorified .22 magnum. I personally think the latter is probably closer to right. As you will see just about any rifle round will put perform the 5.7. The FN Five-seveN is a blowback operated pistol with a 20 magazine. It’s a soft shooting pistol made largely of polymer with a large grip, three dot sights, and a decent trigger pull.

The first type of ammo I used was the SS197SP. Round one had a velocity of 1729fps. The bullet was recovered in mutable parts with the polymer tip recover in two parts at 1.5 inches and 2.5 inches. The jacket separated at 9.5 inches and the recovered lead core stopped at 18.5 inches and weighed 25.6 grains. Round two traveled 1749fps and penetrated to 18.5 inches but didn’t expand. The polymer tip broke into two parts and was recovered at 3 inches and 9.5 inches.

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The SS198LF is a lead-free round and is supposed to be a law enforcement only round but not restricted by law and is easily found for anyone to purchase. Round one hit at a velocity of 2047fps curved upward and left the top of the block at 8.25 inches and was recovered on the floor. The second round had a velocity of 2083fps curved to the left and stopped at 8.75 inches and was recovered base forward without expanding.

 

[FL-NC]

I wonder what it does through the 16" barrel on the PS90?

 

[Panzerschwein]

What pitiful results. Excellent test and thank you for the information, though! Certainly not a gun or cartridge on my radar and this is the reason why. Not combat pistol performance. To be fair I'm sure it does better with the "military/police" cartridges FN has up their sleeve.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

This is another cartridge that falls into the category of a solution in search of a problem.

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

Round one had a velocity of 1729fps. The bullet was recovered in mutable parts with the polymer tip recover in two parts at 1.5 inches and 2.5 inches. The jacket separated at 9.5 inches and the recovered lead core stopped at 18.5 inches and weighed 25.6 grains. Round two traveled 1749fps and penetrated to 18.5 inches but didn’t expand.

Interesting, last time I ran my Five-Seven over a chronogrpah, the SS197SR averaged 1830ish FPS. The American Eagle stuff averaged in the 1760s.

I expect the typical 5.7x28 thread... So, I'll just keep killing hogs with it and be happy the haters leave more ammo for me.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I don't hate it, I just don't see any use for it.

 

[crestoncowboy]

Firing my 5.7 beside my old grendel p30 through a chrono i came to the same conclusion. The 5.7 is far more reliable though in my experience. Accurate and flat shooting. Great to teach people how to shot with, a bit loud though. It's the only gun I've ever noticed having the safety set up in that manner too, but after about one magazine its actually not a bad setup. Teaches people where to keep their finger too. I know plenty that own one, none of them use it for a defensive gun though

Edit to add...
I've never fired a gun that launched brass so bad either. Puts all my 10mm to shame.

 

[gulogulo1970]

So, what we are seeing is 22Mag rifle velocity out of a pistol but with little or no expansion?

I guess a handgun is more easily carried, but 22Mag rifles aren't really big, heavy firearms.

I'm not sure of the 5.7x28mm's niche but I think it is a pretty small one.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I recall a Brit extoling a similar cartridge as being ideal for "a terrorist riding in his armoured limousine."

There may be a lot of them in England, but they're downright scares here in Mountain View, Arkansas.

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

So, what we are seeing is 22Mag rifle velocity out of a pistol but with little or no expansion?

SS198 isn't supposed to expand. The hole in the tip isn't a hollow point, it's a ballistics thing.

 

[Hokkmike]

I don't hate it, I just don't see any use for it.

It is a niche gun to be sure. My FN pistol came with three 20 round magazines and I added a 30 rounder later. Lightweight, high capacity, and accurate far beyond any other pistols out there, it is like carrying an AR in your holster. The perfect "bug-out" gun. It is also super sturdy and ultimately reliable. The only real negative is its cost.

 

[gulogulo1970]

Click, do you shoot the pistol and carbine or just pistol?

Taking hogs with it is impressive. Are you getting them behind the ear or are you taking more traditional heart/lung shots?

 

[GBExpat]

I don't hate it, I just don't see any use for it.

But ... but ... the TV shows Stargate:SG1 & :Atlantis wouldn't have been nearly as good if they had stuck with the MP5s rather than going to the P90s.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I'm trying to figure out what use I'd have for this cartridge and gun combo. Nothing's coming to mind.

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

Click, do you shoot the pistol and carbine or just pistol?

I have the pistol and an AR upper. I only use the pistol out and about though. The AR upper is a range toy mostly.

Are you getting them behind the ear or are you taking more traditional heart/lung shots?

I shoot them where ever I can hit them. I'll pop half a magazine after running hogs if I can. It's war on the suckers. I have a Burris Fastfire III on mine. It's like cheating. As long as you aren't shooting a big boar right through the chest plate, it does it's job just fine. Hogs aren't really as tough as most people think. We kill them all the time with .223.

 

[Rodentman]

I bought one for the inestimable pleasure of reloading the little suckers.

 

[GBExpat]

The PS90 is a rifle that I would love to own ... but ... I could not talk myself into buying one because I determined (for myself) that reloading the 5,7x28 is just too problematic. More trouble than I am willing to expend and I refuse to buy factory centerfire ammo if I cannot easily reload the cases.

 

[golden]

One of my co-worker's bought a Five-Seven for his wife who has arthritis. He wanted a low recoil pistol like a .22 rimfire with better reliability and more power. In that niche, it is the best choice, if only the price was lower, a lot lower.
My wife has a similar problem and we went with a GLOCK 42, because the gun also had to be small enough to conceal, the 5-7 is poor in that.

Jim