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NATO adopts the 5.7mm

9.6K views 43 replies 28 participants last post by  Devereaux  
#1 · (Edited)
The FN-designed 5.7x28mm caliber has joined the ranks of 5.56 and 7.62 by recently being standardized by NATO.

Looks like more firearm manufacturers will be producing 5.7mm?
I wonder will the price of ammo come down?

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From left to right: 9×19mm Parabellum, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, 5.7×28mm, 5.56×45mm NATO, .300 Winchester Magnum, with 2.75-inch (70 mm) and 3-inch (76 mm) 12 gauge shotgun shells


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Left to right, .22 WMR, 5.7 NATO, 5.56 NATO (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

9mm Fiocchi 115 Grain Full Metal Jacket
Average muzzle velocity: 1132 fps
Average muzzle energy: 327 fps


9mm Sig Sauer 124 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point
Average muzzle velocity: 1151 fps
Average muzzle energy: 365 ft/lbs


5.7mm FN 30 Grain SS195LF Jacketed Hollow Point
Average muzzle velocity: 2162 fps
Average muzzle energy: 311 ft/lbs


5.7mm American Eagle 40 Grain Full Metal Jacket
Average muzzle velocity: 1653 fps
Average muzzle energy: 243 ft/lbs

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#2 ·
I haven't read much about the 5.7. Haven't been interested in it due to ammo costs. But yes, with NATO adopting it, there will be ammo manufacturers around the world cranking up production of that caliber. A major increase in supply, especially for imports from countries with lower labor costs, should lower prices significantly and likely increase load choices.
 
#12 ·
A background article on the cartridge:


It specifically mentions the FN P90 PDW in use by many nations.
 
#15 ·
NATO Standards (STANAGS) don’t “do” anything except set the specifications. It in no way guarantees that any NATO country or organization is going to procure any weapons in that caliber. For any that so, however, the STANAG ensures interoperability.

I wouldn’t be running out and buying stock in 5.7x28 manufacturing companies…
 
#18 · (Edited)
No its old news reported on fnforum.net long time ago. FN still controls most of the brass and their proprietary coating required to make the FsN pistol/PS90 cycle properly. There is a lot more info on this on the FN forum. Ammo acquisition is still an issue, especially self-defense ammo (unobtanium except small single box quantities), The SS197SR polymer tip in the OP image is considered range practice ammo by a 5.7x28 US joint agency study not suitable as a duty round. Speer has started to ship production but small quantities.
 
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#23 ·
Interesting Post!

Regarding AP ammo (specifically designed to penetrate body armor or steel)

I believe in the U.S. federal law prohibits the production/etc. of any armor piercing round that can be fired from a handgun....making it difficult to find most AP rounds. There are certain rounds where there is no popular handgun that fires them though. 30-06 comes to mind. Obviously 5.7 ammo would get caught up in this rule as it is designed to be used in handguns.
 
#25 ·
I have to admit, if I was going to go down the 5.7 road, the Keltec P50 with some type of stock or brace looks like fun. My DA mask is rated for 5.7 but at the speed those rounds running, there would still be a far amount of sonic crack
 
#32 ·
I bought a Ruger 57 a couple of years ago because I wanted something different. Yeah, it’s different, sometimes in a bad way. I got a box of ammo with the gun, went to the range and fired it. Couldn’t find more ammo anywhere for the longest time, and when it first became available it was $75 for 50 rounds. There were times when I was sorry that I wasted my money on that pistol. I paid full price. You can buy the same pistol for $200 less now, maybe even less. I don’t shoot it often because of the cost, but it is fun to shoot when I do. Prices are better now, and I’ve got a few rounds in the safe. I do keep it loaded because it would be pretty effective in a pinch.
 
#34 ·
Lots of NATO & ISAF personnel I served with had 5.7 PDW's and ammo coming out of their ears, so this only makes sense now.

They always said that eventually the 5.7 would make it's way in to NATO, and there are numerous contracted protection/security groups that swear by it.

I'm holding off on jumping on this one for now. Ammo is not on shelves regularly down here in GA and the prices are just getting steeper it seems. I do like the new FN pistol however...
 
#35 · (Edited)
Wasn't the 5.7 developed by FN because of a request BY NATO in the first place?

I've shot the FN 5-7 pistol. Interesting, not much kick at all, but loud obviously. This round should make for some interesting PDW's, in addition to the P90.

CMMG Banshee already in 5.7. Imagine something like a mini Sig MCX Rattler.
 
#37 ·
THE biggest drawback to 5.7 is the cartridge coating necessary for proper function. It has been mentioned above, but not emphasised enough IDT.

You can buy 5.7 ammo that isn’t coated, but you will have function issues. This means, among other things, that reloading is pretty much out. If isn’t that everyone reloads; it’s that a moderate number of people DO, and this won’t be a weapon they’ll be interested in having - unless they have unfettered access to a military ammo storage facility.

It’s been mentioned this is a great round for a sub gun. I personally don’t believe subguns have a place in weaponry except for perhaps a very small subsection. Moder SBR’s would serve the same purpose, with longer range capability to boot.
 
#43 ·
THE biggest drawback to 5.7 is the cartridge coating necessary for proper function. It has been mentioned above, but not emphasised enough IDT.
I wasn't even aware of that issue until I'd read about it somewhere else, before. It makes reloading a real challenge as you mentioned.
It’s been mentioned this is a great round for a sub gun. I personally don’t believe subguns have a place in weaponry except for perhaps a very small subsection. Moder SBR’s would serve the same purpose, with longer range capability to boot.
That's a solid point. There's a reason sub guns aren't really in broad use by military and police organizations like they used to be.
 
#38 · (Edited)
I kind of see it as an 'intermediate' between pistol caliber subguns and a short 5.56 like the MK18. But then, maybe that's why it's kind of pointless, and they already have very short .300 BLKs like the Rattler. For really close or cramped situations though, kind of lie the idea of having a 'mini' assault rifle with a ton of capacity.
 
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#39 ·
I kind of see it as an 'intermediate' between pistol caliber subguns and a short 5.56 like the MK18. But then, maybe that's why it's kind of pointless, and they already have very short .300 BKs like the Rattler. For really close or cramped situations though, kind of lie the idea of having a 'mini' assault rifle with a ton of capacity.
.300 BLK
 
#40 ·
Right you know what I meant. Maybe if you look at it as something with more penetrating capability than a sub gun, but maybe without quite as much punishing blast as a short-barreled 5.56, especially in more confined areas.