General Facts
- TYPE
Pistol - ORIGIN
Belgium - NICKNAMES
- - DESIGNED
1993 - 1998 - DESIGNER
Fabrique Nationale - PRODUCTION
1998 - present - PRODUCERS Belgium - Fabrique Nationale
- QUANTITY
Ten thousands produced, production continues. - UNIT COST
$ 1.100 in 2009
$ 1.200 in 2014 - CHARACTERISTICS
Large magazine capacity
Low weight
Armor piercing capability
Limited recoil
Limited stopping power
Wide pistol grip
Introduction
The Five-seven is a modern pistol Belgian origin. It was developed by FN of Belgium in the late 1990's as a companion to the P90 sub machine gun. The name was derived from the 5.7x28mm round it fires. As such, it is the first successful pistol in a high velocity small diameter caliber.
Design
The Five-seven is a delayed blowback pistol. The exterior consists of polymer, while the internal mechanism is made out of metal. The hammer is encased by the polymer coated steel slide. A distinctive feature is that the Five-seven is thinner near the muzzle. An accessory rail is mounted under the forward frame.
Firepower
The Five-seven is a semi-automatic pistol that fires the 5.7x28mm round from a 20 round magazine. The Five-seven is unique in providing true armor piercing capability in a medium sized and medium powered pistol. A longer threaded barrel is available for mounting a silencer. The effective range is a few dozen meters.
Users
The Five-seven has not been adopted as a standard issue military sidearm but is in use with various law enforcement and special forces units. It is mainly used in the USA and Europe.
Five-seven
Five-seven: Original production model. Double action only pistol that fires the 5.7x28mm round from a 20 round magazine. The slide and frame are made out of grey polymer.
Five-seven Tactical: Single action only version of the original Five-seven. Similar in all other aspects.
Five-seven IOM: Individual Officers Model (IOM) that features fully adjustable sights, magazine safety catch and a Picatinny accessory rail under the barrel instead of a smooth one.
Five-seven USG: United States Government (USG) model that is also certified for civilian sales. Available in black, dark earth and olive drab. The USG is a further modified version of the IOM that features a checkered grip pattern, changed magazine release, square trigger guard and either fixed or adjustable sights.
Five-seven Mk 2: Latest production model with improved sights, stronger slide and new frame.
- Specifications:
- Five-seven
- Five-seven Tactical
- Five-seven IOM
- Five-seven USG
| Type | Pistol |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 5.7x28mm |
| Magazine | 20 |
| Operation | Delayed blowback, double action |
| Fire selector | 0-1 |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic |
| Barrel length | 112 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 8 grooves, 231 mm right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | 650 m/s |
| Stock | - |
| Length | 208 mm |
| Width | 36 mm |
| Height | 145 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.617 kg empty, 0.744 kg loaded |
| Sights | Iron sights, fixed, 178 mm sight radius |
| Remarks | - |
| Type | Pistol |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 5.7x28mm |
| Magazine | 20 |
| Operation | Delayed blowback, single action |
| Fire selector | 0-1 |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic |
| Barrel length | 112 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 8 grooves, 231 mm right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | 650 m/s |
| Stock | - |
| Length | 208 mm |
| Width | 36 mm |
| Height | 145 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.617 kg empty, 0.744 kg loaded |
| Sights | Iron sights, fixed, 178 mm sight radius |
| Remarks | - |
| Type | Pistol |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 5.7x28mm |
| Magazine | 20 |
| Operation | Delayed blowback, single action |
| Fire selector | 0-1 |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic |
| Barrel length | 112 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 8 grooves, 231 mm right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | 650 m/s |
| Stock | - |
| Length | 208 mm |
| Width | 36 mm |
| Height | 148 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.617 kg empty, 0.744 kg loaded |
| Sights | Iron sights, adjustable, 178 mm sight radius |
| Remarks | - |
| Type | Pistol |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 5.7x28mm |
| Magazine | 20 |
| Operation | Delayed blowback, single action |
| Fire selector | 0-1 |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic |
| Barrel length | 112 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 8 grooves, 231 mm right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | 650 m/s |
| Stock | - |
| Length | 208 mm |
| Width | 36 mm |
| Height | 148 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.617 kg empty, 0.744 kg loaded |
| Sights | Iron sights, adjustable, 178 mm sight radius |
| Remarks | - |
Media
5.7x28mm FN
The Five-seven pistol fires the 5.7x28mm round, which is unique to the Five-seven and the P90 sub machine gun.
P90 sub machine gun
The 5.7x28mm round used in the Five-seven was originally developed for the FN P90 sub machine gun.
MP7 A1
The Heckler & Koch MP7 is a direct competitor to the P90 as a personal defense weapon using a proprietary small caliber high velocity round.