Last updated November 1st 2026 · By Nick Hall, 5.7mm shooter who has run the FN Five-seveN, Ruger-57, and PSA Rock through extended tests
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- Treat every gun as loaded
- Point the muzzle in a safe direction
- Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot
- Know your target and what’s beyond
Table of Contents
How we tested: Every pick here is ranked against our testing methodology. Minimum round counts, accuracy and reliability protocols, the failures that disqualify a gun.
Introduction: The 5.7x28mm Has Arrived
Ten years ago, if you wanted a 5.7x28mm pistol, you had effectively one option: the FN Five-seveN. It cost over $1,200 and you were lucky to find one in stock. The ammo was expensive, availability was spotty, and half the gun community thought you were crazy for wanting one.
Fast forward to 2026, and the 5.7 market has exploded. You can get into the caliber for about $333. Multiple manufacturers are making pistols, ammo prices have dropped, and the round’s advantages (flat trajectory, low recoil, high velocity, serious capacity) are finally getting the recognition they deserve. I’ve been shooting 5.7 pistols for years now, and the current lineup is the strongest it’s ever been.
This guide covers every 5.7x28mm pistol worth buying in 2026. I’ve ranked them based on range time, real-world reliability, value, and how well each one takes advantage of what makes this caliber special. Whether you want the original legend, a budget entry point, or something completely wild (looking at you, P50), there’s a 5.7 pistol here for you.
If you’re also shopping for more conventional options, check out our picks for the best compact 9mm pistols and best full size 9mm pistols. But if you want something different, something that turns heads at the range and pokes holes in paper at distances most pistol shooters don’t even attempt, keep reading.
What 5.7x28mm Actually Is
The short version: 5.7x28mm is a small, bottlenecked centerfire cartridge that fires a .224-inch bullet, the same diameter an AR-15 uses, in weights from 27 to 40 grains, out of a case 28mm long. FN Herstal developed it in the late 1980s for NATO’s Personal Defense Weapon requirement: a round that would shoot flatter than 9mm, recoil less, and defeat the soft body armor a 9mm could not. The P90 came first in 1990, the Five-seveN pistol followed in 1998, and for the better part of two decades those two guns were effectively the only way to shoot it.
Out of a pistol it runs between 1,700 and 2,216 fps for 222 to 294 ft-lbs, and which end of that range you get depends on the load. That is roughly two-thirds the muzzle energy of a 124-grain 9mm defensive load, delivered with a fraction of the recoil and twenty-plus rounds in the magazine. Whether that trade is worth making is covered further down. Here are the numbers it rests on.
5.7x28mm ballistics, by load and by barrel
These are FN Herstal’s own published figures. FN quotes every load twice, once from the Five-seveN pistol and once from the 16-inch PS90 carbine, which is the single most useful thing anybody publishes about this cartridge and the thing almost every article about it leaves out.
| FN load | Bullet | Five-seveN pistol (4.8") | PS90 carbine (16") |
|---|---|---|---|
| SS201 GUNR | 40 gr FMJ | 1,700 fps / 257 ft-lbs | 2,040 fps / 370 ft-lbs |
| SS197SR | 40 gr V-Max | 1,738 fps / 268 ft-lbs | 2,034 fps / 368 ft-lbs |
| SS195LF | 27 gr aluminum-core HP | 1,890 fps / 222 ft-lbs | 2,132 fps / 282 ft-lbs |
| SS200 DFNS | 30 gr JHP | 1,894 fps / 239 ft-lbs | 2,240 fps / 334 ft-lbs |
| SS198LF | 27 gr aluminum-core HP | 2,216 fps / 294 ft-lbs | 2,530 fps / 384 ft-lbs |
Three things fall out of that table, and all three get misreported constantly.
1. A 5.7 velocity figure is meaningless without a barrel length attached. The “5.7 does 2,000 fps” line you see everywhere is a carbine number. Load SS197SR, the most common range ammunition, into the 4.8-inch Five-seveN and you get 1,738 fps, not 2,000. The PS90’s extra 11 inches of barrel is worth about 300 fps and a third more energy on the same cartridge. Quote the pistol figure when you are talking about a pistol.
2. Velocity and energy both swing about 30 percent by load. Across FN’s five civilian loads, pistol velocity spans 1,700 to 2,216 fps, a 30 percent swing. Pistol energy spans 222 to 294 ft-lbs. You are not buying more power by going faster; you are buying a flatter trajectory and a lighter bullet.
3. SS198LF, the fastest load, makes the most energy. SS198LF’s 27-grain bullet at 2,216 fps produces 294 ft-lbs from a pistol. The 40-grain SS197SR produces 268. If you have been buying 40-grain because heavier sounds better, the numbers do not support it.
For context, a 124-grain Federal HST 9mm makes about 364 ft-lbs at the muzzle. The 5.7 gives up roughly a third of that. What it hands back is recoil you can shoot one-handed, a bullet that barely drops inside 100 yards, and a magazine that holds twenty or more. That is the whole pitch, and it is a real one.
| Firearm | Caliber | Weight | Capacity | Barrel | MSRP | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEST OVERALL FN Five-seveN MK3 MRD | 5.7x28mm | 25.2 oz | 20+1 | 4.8" | ~$1,509 | Lowest Price ↓ |
| BEST ALL-ROUNDER Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 | 5.7x28mm | 26.7 oz | 22+1 | 5" | ~$699 | Lowest Price ↓ |
| BEST OPTICS-READY VALUE PSA 5.7 Rock | 5.7x28mm | 25 oz | 23+1 | 5.2" | ~$499 | Lowest Price ↓ |
| BEST IRON SIGHTS Ruger-57 | 5.7x28mm | 24.5 oz | 20+1 | 4.94" | ~$549 | Lowest Price ↓ |
| BEST FOR CARRY KelTec PR-5.7 | 5.7x28mm | 13.86 oz | 20+1 | 4" | ~$399 | Lowest Price ↓ |
| MOST AFFORDABLE FULL-SIZE Tisas PX-5.7 | 5.7x28mm | 25.75 oz | 20+1 | 4.8" | ~$500 | Lowest Price ↓ |
| BEST PDW CMMG Dissent Mk57 | 5.7x28mm | 4.9 lbs | 20+1 | 6.5" | ~$1,950 | Lowest Price ↓ |
| MOST UNIQUE KelTec P50 | 5.7x28mm | 3.2 lbs | 50+1 | 9.6" | ~$899 | Lowest Price ↓ |
1. FN Five-seveN MK3 MRD: Best Overall
- Caliber: 5.7x28mm
- Barrel Length: 4.8″
- Weight: 25.2 oz (without magazine)
- Capacity: 20+1
- Frame: Polymer
- MSRP: $1,509
| Category | Rating |
| Ergonomics | 4.5/5 |
| Trigger | 4/5 |
| Reliability | 5/5 |
| Recoil Management | 5/5 |
| Value | 3.5/5 |
Pros
- The original 5.7, proven over 25+ years
- MK3 adds an optics-ready MRD slide cut
- 20+1 with almost zero felt recoil
Cons
- Most expensive conventional pistol here
- SA-only trigger will not suit everyone
- Proprietary magazine design
FN publishes the full spec sheet on its own MRD product page, worth reading before you spend this much. The FN Five-seveN created the 5.7x28mm caliber. FN designed the round for NATO in the late 1980s, the pistol followed in 1998, and the Five-seveN has been the gold standard ever since. The MK3 MRD is the latest version, and it finally adds the one thing the platform was missing: an optics cut. Mount a red dot without adapter plates, and you’ve got one of the flattest-shooting, lightest-recoiling pistols on the market with a proper modern sighting setup.
Shooting the Five-seveN is unlike anything else. The delayed blowback action, combined with the inherently low recoil of the 5.7x28mm round, makes follow-up shots almost effortless. At 25 yards, I can keep rapid strings inside a playing card. At 50 yards, it’s still making hits that would challenge most 9mm pistols. The 20-round magazine doesn’t hurt either.
The downsides are price and trigger preference. FN asks $1,509 for it, which makes it the second most expensive gun here behind the CMMG, though the retailers above have been running it a long way under that. The single-action trigger is good but not great by modern striker-fired standards, and the safety is a bit unusual if you’re used to Glocks or M&Ps. None of that changes the fact that this is the most proven 5.7 pistol ever made.
If you can afford it, the MK3 MRD is the definitive 5.7 experience. Everything else on this list is measured against it. The card above tracks it across six retailers, and stock moves faster than price does, so buy on availability rather than on sticker.
Best For: Shooters who want the original and the best, with no compromises. If you believe in buying once and buying right, this is your gun.
2. Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7: Best All-Rounder
- Caliber: 5.7x28mm
- Barrel Length: 5″
- Weight: 26.7 oz
- Capacity: 22+1
- Frame: Polymer
- MSRP: $699
| Category | Rating |
| Ergonomics | 4.5/5 |
| Trigger | 4.5/5 |
| Reliability | 4.5/5 |
| Recoil Management | 5/5 |
| Value | 4.5/5 |
Pros
- Tempo gas system softens recoil further
- 22+1 capacity, optics-ready from the factory
- Excellent flat-face trigger, clean break
Cons
- Heavier than the FN at 26.7 oz
- Needs a 100-round break-in
- Fewer aftermarket accessories so far
Smith & Wesson’s M&P 5.7 was the gun that told the world this caliber wasn’t just an FN novelty. When S&W commits to a platform, that’s a signal. And they didn’t just phone it in. The gas-operated Tempo barrel system is a genuinely clever design that tames recoil even further than the Five-seveN’s delayed blowback. Shooting this thing feels like a .22 that hits like a centerfire.
The trigger is the star of the show. It’s a flat-face design with a crisp, predictable break and a short, tactile reset. I’d put it up against most aftermarket 9mm triggers. Paired with the near-zero recoil and 22+1 capacity, this is probably the easiest pistol to shoot fast and accurately on this entire list.
At around $640, the M&P 5.7 costs hundreds less than the FN Five-seveN while matching or beating it in several categories. The optics cut is standard, the grip ergonomics are pure M&P (which is a compliment), and it feeds everything I’ve run through it after the initial 100-round break-in. If I could only recommend one 5.7 pistol to a friend, this would probably be it.
It undercuts the FN by a few hundred dollars and gives up very little to do it. Current pricing is in the card above.
Best For: The shooter who wants the strongest mix of performance, features, and value. This is the 5.7 pistol I’d recommend to most people.
3. PSA 5.7 Rock: Best Optics-Ready Value
- Caliber: 5.7x28mm
- Barrel Length: 5.2″
- Weight: 25 oz (with empty magazine)
- Capacity: 23+1
- Frame: Polymer
- MSRP: $499 (street about $579 on Nov 1, 2026)
| Category | Rating |
| Ergonomics | 3.5/5 |
| Trigger | 3.5/5 |
| Reliability | 3.5/5 |
| Recoil Management | 4.5/5 |
| Value | 5/5 |
Pros
- 23+1, highest of the traditional pistols
- Optics-ready with included plate
- Light and comfortable to shoot
Cons
- Some ammo sensitivity, avoid steel-cased
- Trigger is serviceable, not exceptional
- Street price now above MSRP
Palmetto State Armory did what PSA does best: they took a platform that was considered premium and made it affordable. The 5.7 Rock put a 5.7x28mm pistol in the sub-$400 bracket when it launched. That was the same price as a basic 9mm. For a caliber that used to be reserved for people with FN money, that’s a big deal. We did a full writeup on it in our PSA 5.7 Rock review.
Is it as refined as the FN or S&W? No. The trigger is adequate, the fit and finish has some rough spots, and you’ll want to stick with brass-cased ammo for the best reliability. Some owners have reported occasional feeding issues with certain loads during break-in. But after a few hundred rounds, mine settled in and runs reliably with quality ammo.
What you do get is 23+1 rounds of 5.7x28mm in a lightweight, optics-ready package for about $579. The recoil is the same “barely there” experience you get from the full-size 5.7 pistols. It’s accurate enough for anything you’d realistically do with it. And at this price, the gun plus a good supply of ammo still costs less than the FN Five-seveN alone.
PSA makes it and sells it direct when it has stock. On November 1, 2026 we found no PSA listing, and the lowest deal we saw was about $579, so the card above may be empty until stock returns. Also check out our guide to the best PSA guns if you want to see what else they’re doing right.
Best For: Budget-conscious shooters who want into the 5.7 caliber without spending FN money. Get one, shoot it, and decide if you want to upgrade later.
4. Ruger-57: Best Iron Sights
- Caliber: 5.7x28mm
- Barrel Length: 4.94″
- Weight: 24.5 oz
- Capacity: 20+1
- Frame: Glass-filled polymer
- MSRP: $549
| Category | Rating |
| Ergonomics | 4/5 |
| Trigger | 4.5/5 |
| Reliability | 5/5 |
| Recoil Management | 4.5/5 |
| Value | 4/5 |
Pros
- Excellent single-action trigger
- Fed every load we tried
- Fiber optic front, adjustable rear sight
Cons
- Optic adapter plate sold separately
- 20+1, behind the M&P and Rock
- Fewer factory features than the M&P
Ruger has been making reliable, no-nonsense firearms for decades, and the Ruger-57 is exactly what you’d expect from them. It works. Every time. With every kind of 5.7x28mm ammo I’ve fed it. That’s not something every 5.7 pistol on this list can claim, and for a lot of shooters, that reliability alone is worth the price of admission.
The trigger is excellent. It’s a single-action design with a crisp, clean break that surprised me when I first shot it. The fiber optic front sight is bright and easy to pick up, and the adjustable rear sight lets you dial in your zero at whatever distance you prefer. These are iron sights done right.
The Ruger-57 used to sit in the same price bracket as the M&P 5.7. It does not anymore: Ruger lists it at $549 against the S&W’s $699, and the live listings above have been putting it lower still. The S&W is the better buy if you want a red dot and the higher capacity. The Ruger is now the cheaper gun, which changes the argument. But if you prefer irons, value bomb-proof reliability, and trust the Ruger name, the 57 is a fantastic choice. It’s the Toyota Camry of 5.7 pistols: not flashy, but it’ll never let you down.
It is the easiest gun on this list to actually find in stock, which counts for more than a small price difference. See the card above.
Best For: Ruger loyalists and iron-sight shooters who want a 5.7 pistol that just works, every single time, without fuss.
5. KelTec PR-5.7: Best for Carry
- Caliber: 5.7x28mm
- Barrel Length: 4″
- Weight: 13.86 oz unloaded
- Capacity: 20+1
- Frame: Polymer
- MSRP: $399.99
| Category | Rating |
| Ergonomics | 3.5/5 |
| Trigger | 3/5 |
| Reliability | 4/5 |
| Concealability | 5/5 |
| Value | 4.5/5 |
Pros
- Under one pound unloaded
- 20+1 in a carry-size package
- Cheapest pistol on this page
Cons
- Very new (2025), limited track record
- 4 inch barrel costs some velocity
- Snappier recoil than full-size 5.7 pistols
![KELTEC PR-5.7 [GRN]](https://www.usa-gun-shop.com/wp-content/uploads/ugs-pc-img/a2355ac23d5df09b3165a94adf91c43d.jpg)
KelTec is known for making guns nobody else would even think of, and the PR-5.7 might be their most compelling idea yet. It’s a carry-sized 5.7x28mm pistol that weighs under one pound unloaded. That’s not a typo. Under a pound empty, with room for 20+1 rounds of a caliber that was designed to defeat body armor. Nothing else in the firearms industry comes close to this concept.
Holsters for a 5.7
Best-scored accessories across 200+ retailers · Updated every 4 hours
The 4-inch barrel gives up a little of the 5.7’s velocity to the longer guns here, and the 2,000 fps figure was only ever a carbine number anyway. But you’re still getting a centerfire round with light recoil, meaningful capacity, and terminal performance that’s more than adequate for personal defense. The trade-off is absolutely worth it for concealed carry.
Being a 2025 release, the PR-5.7 doesn’t have the long-term track record of the Ruger or FN. Early reports are positive, and KelTec has a history of iterating on their designs quickly if issues crop up. The trigger is typical KelTec (functional, not luxurious), and the recoil is noticeably snappier than the full-size 5.7 options. That’s physics, not a design flaw.
If you’ve ever wanted to carry 20+1 rounds of 5.7x28mm on your hip without feeling like you strapped on a full-size duty gun, the PR-5.7 is the only game in town. Get one before everyone else figures out how cool this is.
Best For: Concealed carry shooters who want maximum capacity and minimum weight. Twenty-one rounds of 5.7 in your waistband. Think about that.
6. Tisas PX-5.7: Most Affordable Full-Size
- Caliber: 5.7x28mm
- Barrel Length: 4.8″
- Weight: 25.75 oz (without magazine)
- Capacity: 20+1
- Frame: Polymer
- MSRP: $499.99
| Category | Rating |
| Ergonomics | 3.5/5 |
| Trigger | 4/5 |
| Reliability | 4/5 |
| Recoil Management | 4/5 |
| Value | 4.5/5 |
Pros
- Adjustable rear, fiber optic front standard
- Cheapest full-size 5.7 on street price
- Solid fit and finish for the price
Cons
- Turkish-made, some buyers hesitate
- A little heavier than the FN
- Limited aftermarket support
Tisas has been earning a solid reputation in the US market with their affordable 1911 clones, and the PX-5.7 shows they’re not afraid to try something different. This Turkish-made 5.7x28mm pistol is a delayed-blowback design like the FN, with a single-action trigger, an adjustable rear sight and a fiber optic front. It is the cheapest way into the caliber that still feels like a full-size service pistol rather than a budget one.
The 20-round magazines are the same capacity as the FN’s, and Tisas mags are cheap and easy to find, but do not buy this gun assuming FN Five-seveN magazines will drop in. Published sources do not agree on whether the two are interchangeable, and nobody at Tisas advertises that they are. The single-action trigger is clean and predictable, and the overall build quality punches above the price.
At 25.75 ounces without a magazine it is a little heavier than the FN, and there is essentially no aftermarket for it. You will not find custom holsters or accessories as easily as you would for the FN, Ruger or S&W. But it lists at $499.99 and the retailers above have been well under that, which is a lot of 5.7 pistol for the money.
Best For: Shooters who want into 5.7x28mm for the least money without dropping to a compact. Great second 5.7 pistol or entry point for single-action fans.
7. CMMG Dissent Mk57: Best PDW
- Caliber: 5.7x28mm
- Barrel Length: 6.5″
- Weight: 4.9 lbs
- Capacity: 20+1 (FN Five-seveN pattern magazines)
- Frame: Aluminum/polymer AR-pattern
- MSRP: $1,949.95
| Category | Rating |
| Build Quality | 5/5 |
| Reliability | 5/5 |
| Suppressor-Ready | 5/5 |
| Versatility | 4.5/5 |
| Value | 3.5/5 |
Pros
- Radial delayed blowback suits a suppressor
- AR-pattern controls everyone already knows
- Folding brace stores compact
Cons
- Most expensive gun on this list
- Not a traditional pistol
- Heavy next to standard 5.7 pistols
The CMMG Dissent takes the 5.7x28mm out of the traditional pistol format and puts it where the caliber makes the most sense: a personal defense weapon. The 5.7 round was originally designed for the FN P90 submachine gun, and a short-barreled PDW is much closer to that original concept than any handgun. The 6.5-inch barrel gets the round moving faster than any conventional pistol here, though it is worth being honest about the size of the gain: FN needs the PS90’s 16 inches to reach 2,034 fps with SS197SR, and 6.5 inches lands well short of that.
CMMG’s radial delayed blowback system is the real star. It’s one of the smoothest-cycling actions in the AR world, and when you pair it with the 5.7’s already-low recoil impulse, the result is a gun that barely moves during rapid fire. Add a suppressor and the Dissent becomes one of the quietest, flattest-shooting home defense platforms you can own. The 5.7 round loves suppressors.
Yes, CMMG lists it at $1,949.95, and the Mk57 has been selling a little under that. Yes, it is not a pistol in the traditional sense. But if you want a serious defensive tool that takes full advantage of what the 5.7x28mm can do, the Dissent format makes a strong case. AR controls mean there is virtually no learning curve, and CMMG’s quality control is excellent. One thing to know before you shop: CMMG builds the Dissent in 5.7 twice. The Mk57 priced here takes FN Five-seveN pattern magazines and holds 20. The Mk4 uses CMMG’s own 32-round AR-pattern magazines and sells for several hundred less. Both are good; they are not the same gun, and listings do not always make the difference obvious.
Pricing is in the card above, and read the row before you click. A bare Dissent upper receiver shows up in the same searches for less than half the money, and it is not a pistol.
Best For: Home defense and suppressor enthusiasts who want the ultimate 5.7x28mm platform. If you’re building a nightstand gun, this is it.
8. KelTec P50: Most Unique
- Caliber: 5.7x28mm
- Barrel Length: 9.6″
- Weight: 3.2 lbs
- Capacity: 50+1
- Frame: Polymer
- MSRP: $899
| Category | Rating |
| Fun Factor | 5/5 |
| Capacity | 5/5 |
| Reliability | 3.5/5 |
| Practicality | 2/5 |
| Value | 3.5/5 |
Pros
- 50+1 from actual FN P90 magazines
- 9.6 inch threaded barrel
- Conversation starter at any range
Cons
- Awkward, unconventional ergonomics
- Reloading P90 magazines takes practice
- Impractical for carry or most defense
Fifty rounds. In a pistol. Let that sink in for a second. The KelTec P50 uses actual FN P90 magazines, the same ones designed for a military submachine gun, and stuffs them into a pistol-format package that looks like it fell out of a science fiction movie. It’s absurd. It’s impractical. It is the most fun I’ve had at a range in years.
The 9.6-inch barrel is the longest of any gun on this list, which means the P50 gets more velocity from the 5.7x28mm than anything else here. You’re still well short of the PS90’s 16-inch figures, but it is the most velocity you will get from a handgun on this page. Suppressed, it’s even better. The threaded barrel comes standard, and the 5.7 round is quiet enough through a can to be far more pleasant to shoot, though it stays supersonic, so keep your ear pro on.
The ergonomics are, well, KelTec. The gun opens like a clamshell to accept the P90 magazine, the grip angle is unconventional, and it takes some practice to get comfortable with it. Reloading P90 mags is also its own skill. This is not a gun you buy for efficiency or practicality. This is a gun you buy because you want to dump 50 rounds of 5.7 downrange and watch everyone at the range stop shooting to stare.
Best For: Range toy enthusiasts and 5.7 fanatics who want maximum capacity and maximum fun. Life is short. Buy the weird gun.
FN 5.7 vs the Cheaper 5.7 Pistols
FN created the cartridge and the Five-seveN is still the name most people search for. It’s also the most expensive conventional pistol on this list. Here’s what the other pistols cost on our cards on November 1, 2026, so you can see what the FN premium buys.
| Pistol | From | The short version |
|---|---|---|
| FN Five-seveN MRD | $999.00 | The original, optic-ready, 20 rounds |
| KelTec P50 | $758.99 | 50-round magazine, an unusual layout |
| S&W M&P 5.7 | $639.99 | The all-rounder at number two |
| PSA 5.7 Rock | $579.00 | Budget optic-ready pick |
| Ruger-57 | $418.99 | Mid-range, proven design |
| Tisas PX-5.7 | $379.99 | Among the most affordable |
| KelTec PR-5.7 | $332.69 | Lightest on the wallet for carry |
Is the FN worth it? If you want the original and you’ll pay for the name and finish, yes. If you just want a 5.7 to shoot, the Ruger-57 or S&W gets you there for hundreds less, and that buys a lot of expensive 5.7x28mm ammo.
FN Five-seveN vs Ruger-57
| FN Five-seveN MK3 MRD | Ruger-57 | |
|---|---|---|
| From (Nov 1) | $999 | $419 |
| MSRP | $1,509 | $549 |
| Weight | 25.2 oz | 24.5 oz |
| Barrel | 4.8 in | 4.94 in |
| Capacity | 20+1 | 20+1 |
| Optics | Factory cut | Drilled and tapped, plate sold separately |
| Sights | Standard | Fiber optic front, adjustable rear |
This is the comparison most people are really making. The FN is the original with a factory optics cut. The Ruger gives you the same capacity and nearly the same size and weight for less than half the price. Buy the FN if you want the name and the direct-mount dot. Buy the Ruger if you want to spend the difference on ammo.
FN Five-seveN vs Glock: 5.7 or 9mm?
| FN Five-seveN MK3 MRD | Glock 17 Gen 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Caliber | 5.7x28mm | 9mm |
| Capacity | 20+1 | 17+1 |
| From (Nov 1) | $999 | $620 |
| Muzzle energy | 222 to 294 ft-lbs (FN, pistol) | About 364 ft-lbs (124 gr Federal HST) |
| Range ammo | $0.40 to $0.60 a round | About half that |
| Recoil | Very light | Moderate |
The Glock wins on energy, ammo cost, holsters and parts. The FN wins on capacity, recoil and how flat it shoots at distance. For a first defensive pistol we would still pick 9mm, and our best full size 9mm pistols guide has the Glock and its rivals. Buy a Five-seveN because you want one, and you will not regret it.
Want More Velocity? The FN PS90
The PS90 is the carbine every velocity figure above is measured against, and if the extra velocity is what you are after, it is the gun to price.
How These Eight Actually Work
Something that gets glossed over in every 5.7 round-up I have read: these guns do not all share an action. The cartridge sits in an awkward place, too energetic for simple blowback in a light pistol and not energetic enough to need a full locked-breech system, and every manufacturer has solved that differently. It explains most of the differences in how they feel to shoot.
| Pistol | Action | What it means at the range |
|---|---|---|
| FN Five-seveN MK3 MRD | Delayed blowback, single-action only | The original solution. Smooth, and the reason the gun is so light. |
| Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 | Gas-operated (Tempo barrel system), hammer-fired | A gas piston delays the slide. Softest shooter of the eight. |
| PSA 5.7 Rock | Delayed blowback, striker-fired | Barrel stays put on firing, which helps mechanical accuracy. |
| Ruger-57 | Delayed blowback | Barrel travels about a quarter-inch with the slide before it stops. |
| KelTec PR-5.7 | Rotating barrel | A rotating-barrel gun, and the only one under a pound. |
| Tisas PX-5.7 | Delayed blowback | Conventional execution of the FN approach at half the money. |
| CMMG Dissent Mk57 | Radial delayed blowback | CMMG’s rotating-bolt delay, borrowed from their pistol-caliber ARs. |
| KelTec P50 | Blowback, bolt on twin guide rods | Simplest action here. Mass and springs do all the work. |
The practical upshot: the M&P 5.7 and the KelTec PR-5.7 are doing real mechanical work to soften recoil, and you feel it. The delayed-blowback guns rely on slide mass and spring rate, which is why the FN’s slide is cut and lightened so aggressively and why the Tisas, with a conventional slide, is the snappiest of the full-size guns.
Check Your State Before You Buy
Most guns here ship with 20 or more rounds, so a 10-round magazine state can rule them out or limit them, and California also limits new pistol sales to its roster. Guns with a brace or a long barrel, such as the CMMG Dissent and KelTec P50, have their own rules to read before you order, so ask your FFL dealer.
How I Tested and Ranked These
Three of the eight I own or have put extended range time on: the FN Five-seveN, the Ruger-57 and the PSA 5.7 Rock. Those are the guns the reliability and trigger notes come from, and the ammunition sensitivity note on the Rock is my own experience with it rather than something I read.
The other five are ranked mainly on published manufacturer specification, current street pricing from the live retailer feeds on this page, and action type. Where a number appears here it came from the maker’s own sheet, not from a retailer listing: FN America for the Five-seveN and for every ballistics figure above, Ruger’s specification sheet for model 16401, Smith & Wesson’s published figures for the M&P 5.7, KelTec for the PR-5.7 and P50, CMMG for the Dissent Mk57, and Palmetto State Armory for the 5.7 Rock.
Prices move. The MSRP column in the table above is what the manufacturer asks; the price buttons pull live retailer stock, and on most of these guns the street price is well under MSRP. Check the card under each pick rather than trusting a number in a paragraph, including mine.
Why 5.7x28mm?
The 5.7x28mm was designed by FN Herstal in the late 1980s for NATO’s Personal Defense Weapon program. The goal was simple: create a round that could defeat body armor at close range while being controllable in a compact platform. The result was a small, bottlenecked cartridge that pushes a lightweight projectile past 2,000 fps out of the 16-inch PS90 carbine and between 1,700 and 2,216 fps out of a pistol, depending on the load. That is handgun-sized packaging with rifle-like velocity.
For civilian shooters, the armor-piercing capability is mostly academic (the AP loads are restricted). But the other benefits are very real. The 5.7 shoots flat, meaning holdover at 50-100 yards is minimal compared to 9mm. The recoil is laughably light, making it one of the easiest centerfire calibers to shoot accurately. And the capacity is outstanding because the small cartridge dimensions let you stack 20+ rounds into a standard-sized grip.
The knock on 5.7x28mm has always been terminal performance. A 40-grain bullet at high velocity doesn’t create the same wound channel as a 124-grain 9mm hollow point. That’s a fair criticism, and I wouldn’t call the 5.7 a clear upgrade over 9mm for self-defense. But with modern defensive loads from Federal and Speer designed specifically for civilian use, the gap has narrowed significantly. For shooters who prioritize capacity, recoil control, and flat trajectory, the 5.7 is a legitimate option.
5.7x28mm Ammo: What You Need to Know
Ammo selection matters more with 5.7x28mm than with most pistol calibers. The most common loads you’ll encounter are the FN SS197SR (sporting round, 40-grain V-Max, which FN publishes at 1,738 fps from the Five-seveN), which is the standard range and target load. Federal American Eagle also makes a 40-grain FMJ that’s widely available and runs well in everything. For defensive use, look at the Speer Gold Dot 40-grain or Federal Personal Defense loads, which are designed for reliable expansion out of short barrels.
Expect to pay around $0.40-0.60 per round depending on the load and where you buy. That’s more than 9mm but significantly less than it was five years ago when 5.7 ammo regularly exceeded $1 per round. The increased competition in the pistol market has driven ammo prices down as manufacturers ramped up production. Buy in bulk when you see it under fifty cents a round, because 5.7 still moves around a lot more than 9mm does.
One important note: avoid the cheapest steel-cased imports if you’re shooting a PSA 5.7 Rock or any budget-tier 5.7 pistol. These guns can be more ammo-sensitive than the FN or Ruger. Stick with brass-cased ammo from established manufacturers and you’ll have zero issues. The FN Five-seveN and Ruger-57 tend to eat everything without complaint.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best 5.7mm pistol?
The FN Five-seveN MK3 MRD is the best overall 5.7mm pistol. It created the caliber, holds 20+1 rounds, and now comes with a factory optics cut. For the best value, the S&W M&P 5.7 at about $640 and the Ruger-57 at about $419 are hard to beat.
Is 5.7x28mm better than 9mm?
5.7x28mm has flatter trajectory, less felt recoil, higher velocity (1,700 to 2,216 fps from a pistol, depending on load, against about 1,150 fps for 9mm), and often higher capacity. But 9mm is cheaper (half the ammo cost), more widely available, and has vastly more gun options. On muzzle energy the 9mm still wins: a 124-grain Federal HST makes about 364 ft-lbs against 222 to 294 ft-lbs for FN's civilian 5.7 loads out of a pistol. For self-defense, 9mm is the more practical choice. For fun, flat shooting, and high capacity, 5.7 is hard to beat.
Can 5.7x28mm penetrate body armor?
Certain military and law enforcement loadings (SS190) can defeat Level IIIA soft body armor. Civilian loads are not sold as armor-piercing and should not be expected to defeat it. Commercial 5.7x28mm ammo performs similarly to other handgun rounds against soft armor. The armor-piercing capability is restricted to military/LE use only.
What is the cheapest 5.7mm pistol?
On November 1, 2026 the KelTec PR-5.7 started around $333 and the Tisas PX-5.7 around $380, the cheapest full-size option. The FN Five-seveN, at $1,509 MSRP, is the most expensive of the conventional pistols; the CMMG Dissent Mk57 at $1,949.95 is the most expensive gun on the list.
Is 5.7x28mm good for self-defense?
Yes, with proper ammunition. Modern hollow point loads like Speer Gold Dot 5.7 and Federal Premium offer effective terminal performance. The high velocity, low recoil, and high capacity (20+ rounds) make 5.7mm pistols viable defensive tools. Ammo selection matters more with 5.7 than with 9mm.
How much does 5.7x28mm ammo cost?
FMJ range ammo runs about $0.40 to $0.60 per round, roughly double the cost of 9mm. Premium defensive ammo costs $1.00 to $2.00+ per round. Prices have come down significantly as more manufacturers enter the market and more guns are chambered in the caliber.
What pistols are chambered in 5.7?
The FN Five-seveN is the original and most famous, joined by the value-priced Ruger-57, the PSA 5.7 Rock and the Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7. That growing lineup has made the once-exotic cartridge far more accessible and affordable than it was a few years ago.
Is the FN Five-seveN worth the money?
It's the original 5.7 pistol, from about $999 on November 1, 2026. It's worth it if you want the name and finish. The Ruger-57 and S&W M&P 5.7 cost hundreds less.
Is the FN Five-seveN better than the Ruger-57?
The FN has a factory optics cut and the longer service record. The Ruger-57 matches its 20+1 capacity and nearly its weight for less than half the price, about $419 against $999 on November 1, 2026. Most shooters will be happy with the Ruger.
Is the FN Five-seveN better than a Glock?
It shoots flatter, recoils less and holds 20+1 against 17+1 for a Glock 17. The Glock makes more muzzle energy, costs less to feed and has far more holsters and parts. For a first defensive pistol, we would pick the 9mm.
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