5.7X28 or 9X19 carry option

[Tcruse]

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?

 

[Darkpriest667]

as long as you don't ever need it in the EOTWAWKI situation its fine, but ammo is expensive and hard to come by.

 

[seeker_two]

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.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

Here's a thread to peruse while waiting for replies....

5.7x28 What's it good for?

Besides costing a bunch.

www.texasguntalk.com

 

[zackmars]

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.

 

[twarr1]

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?

 

[MountainGirl]

Here's a thread to peruse while waiting for replies....

5.7x28 What's it good for?

Besides costing a bunch.

www.texasguntalk.com

 

[surevaliance]

Magic 5.7 is not on the list of Meksikoon cartels? Shocking!

https://archive.is/Z37E0

 

[mongoose]

With the Cartels being abundant, my CHL instructor ( VN era Green Beret) bought one for it's ability to penetrate a Level III vest.

 

[TipBledsoe]

I'd rather have a 30 Super Chicken than a 5.7x28

 

[PinnedandRecessed]

5.7 is not hard to find.

Is it as prevalent as 9mm and 5.56? No.

I wouldn't call it cheap but it ain't terrible if you're into it.

FN 5.7 VMax 50 cents/rd

https://palmettostatearmory.com/5-7x28mm-40gr-hornandy-v-max.html

Fiocchi 43 cents/rd

https://palmettostatearmory.com/fiocchi-5-7x28mm-40gr-ammo-150rds-57fmj40.html

 

[Lonesome Dove]

It's Not the next best thing.

 

[surevaliance]

There is nothing 5.7 can do that bi-metal FMJ Wolf 9x19 115-gr can’t

 

[seeker_two]

There is nothing 5.7 can do that bi-metal FMJ Wolf 9x19 115-gr can’t

....except do it with half the recoil.

 

[surevaliance]

....except do it with half the recoil.

…and twice as expensive.
Also, less available and reliable.

 

[Lonesome Dove]

There is nothing 5.7 can do that bi-metal FMJ Wolf 9x19 115-gr can’t

Cost a little more and for some it looks cooler when your loading the mags.
Side note.. I'm sure it shoots flatter and farther but Really?
I've never been interested enough to research it much, but is if it were Awsome everyone would have one or six.

 

[PinnedandRecessed]

Haters gonna hate.
Poors gonna poor.

 

[zackmars]

People still like 5.7? This is a most troubling relevation

 

[Hoji]

With the Cartels being abundant, my CHL instructor ( VN era Green Beret) bought one for it's ability to penetrate a Level III vest.

They don’t penetrate a level III vest from a handgun. Have tried it with several flavors of ammo from my 5-7 and exactly zero rounds made it through.

 

[surevaliance]

I am not sure if I already posted it here, so here it is.

A decorated, experienced SWAT officer at a U.S. LE agency that has had multiple OIS incidents with 5.7 mm FN P90's has written the following note that his comments equally apply to the 4.6 mm MP7:

”The 5.7 pistol as a carry gun is a mistake. There are far more effective weapons and ammunition combinations out there. The only factor that comes close to equalizing the P90 (not the 5.7 pistol) is it's full auto capability: 900 rpm of very controllable fire. Even this advantage is limited to close-in, CQB type engagements. I can put more rounds on target faster with the P90 than with my M4 in close contact engagements. Unfortunately you may HAVE to put more rounds in the threat due to the lack of damage the projectile causes. The 5.56 is far more effective at getting the attention of men than 5.7 mm. This is not speculation. We have been using 30 P90's for five years now. There have been multiple BG's shot with them. We will not be buying more 5.7 mm or other small caliber PDW systems.

• 30 P90's for five years
• 100,000 rounds per year through those weapons
• very reliable weapon
• very user friendly
• very easy to shoot
• everyone happy
• three OIS's later and some unbelievably poor terminal balistic performace we dropped them quickly.
• 22+ OIS using AR-15's with .223 - everyone’s happy (except the 21 dead bad guys)."