Always seemed like the 5.7X28 was an interesting option, but the price of ammo and the difficulty of reloading always made me choose other options. So, with the renewed interest by the industry, what is today's wisdom for choosing the 5.7X28?
5.7x28 just doesn't have the track record or the production volume of other cartridges right now. It has a niche as a HD gun for people who are sensitive to recoil....but a 10/22 loaded with Velocitors can serve that purpose, too.
I'd stick with 9mm and .22lr for volume storage....maybe add .38Spl and. 357Mag for heavier uses.
I've shot a lot of 5.7's, i have no problems with the caliber itself, but no one seems to be making economical range ammo, or good reliable defense ammo in sufficient quantities. AAC has been making some, but their loads are pretty weak, from what I've heard.
I'd take a 9mm. Lots of good JHP's with good street rep, everyone makes guns in this caliber, and range ammo is cheap and plentiful.
I have a Ruger 57 and love it. But I wouldn’t count on it for EDC. I still depend on my SR9 with a high level of confidence.
I reload for all my guns, so ammo in general and the scarcity of 5.7x28 in particular isn’t really a factor. Even though it takes 3-4X as long to reload the 5.7 because it’s a finicky round, I can produce enough to practice regularly. Someone who doesn’t reload has to consider the availability and limited selection of ammo. Also, the unique loads that the caliber was designed for, the SS190 and SS193 subsonic, have been banned in the US, leaving it more of a curiosity than a unique caliber.
One (unnamed) company makes some radical defense rounds for the 5.7, but I personally have a low regard for this company and who wants to be tied to one supplier?