FN Five-seveN 5.7x28mm FN FDE/Tan Pistol

They say imitation is...

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. In that case, with the recent introduction of a handgun chambered in 5.7x28 by Ruger acknowledges the attributes and qualities of the cartridge and the original handgun - the FNH FiveseveN. Specifically, the FiveseveN utilizes a unique locking system to hold barrel and slide locked together during the high pressure phase of firing, and unlock after round has left the muzzle. That this exact system has been incorporated by Ruger in their 5.7x28 chambered handgun, validates and vindicates the designers and engineers across the pond!\\r\ Since I already own two FiveseveNs, it is redundant to state the many qualities of the pistol other than a brief outline. The FiveseveN, often referred to as the FsN for the sake of brevity, is a large, polymer framed pistol designed for military service. It was designed around what was then a novel cartridge - the 5.7x28FN which uses a tiny bottleneck case and fires a .22 caliber bullet. Original loads demonstrated the capability of defeating substantial body armor made up of 1.6mm tungsten plate backed by 20 layers of Kevlar at a distance beyond 150 meters. This round has never been available on the US market. Commercial ammo is designed to more for sporting purposes with velocity attenuated appropriately, yet the caliber, when fired from the FsN handgun garnered a large following of discerning shooters who have either experienced first-hand, or recognize the performance available as well as that which is attainable in the aftermarket.\\r\ \\r\ While often called all polymer, the FsN is steel where it's needed with a complete steel slide and internal parts. It has a polymer slide cover that adds to bulk, but little weight, and the polymer exterior is extremely resistant to marking, and being marred by common handling. The pistol uses an internal hammer with firing pin block and is single-action. The delayed blowback mechanism relies on the barrel being locked to the slide by the interface of a frame-mounted lever locked into the slide body by action of a lower barrel lug driven forward and held by both a frame-mounted torsion spring and the recoil spring. Upon firing, bore friction pushes the barrel forward, and the slide is held closed. When the bullet exits and bore friction stops, inertia imparted into the barrel and slide mass causes them to move rearward, and at approximately 2/10ths of an inch the slide is released from the barrel as the locking lever drops away. The pistol cycles, ejects the empty, cocks the hammer, and chambers a fresh round, and when the slide abuts the barrel coming forward, both are driven into a locked condition.\\r\ \\r\ The FiveseveN uses 10 or 20 round polymer magazines that are of typically high-quality construction and reliability. My current FiveseveNs have never failed to function using FN components. The only failure to chamber was when using an off-brand magazine where the next round up was overridden by the breech due to the weaker spring. Overall the FsN is a very reliable handgun. While it has less recoil than a similar weight 9mm, the FiveseveN is by no means without recoil, but skilled shooters using a proper grip have no problem making rapid hits out to 100 meters and even farther. The pistol can be sighted in for 100 meters and the bullet be less than 50mm high (2 inches) at closer ranges, and can easily make tactical hits out to 125 meters with no hold over.\\r\ \\r\ As it appears new, less expensive handguns chambered for the 5.7x28 are coming on to the market, the FiveseveN will now become the ultimate as those who were put off by the FsN relatively high price, buy the entry level brand, experience the qualities of the cartridge, and decide they now want to have the original!\\r\ \\r\ The FiveseveN is a must buy for anyone serious about personal handgun security.