Ruger is all in on the 5.7x28mm. First the 5.7, then the LC Carbine, and they just introduced the LC Charger. I am not sure that this will get me jumping into the 5.7 arena anytime soon, but it's got me thinking about the cartridge again.
I don't really get the resurgence of the cartridge though, the FN patents expired a decade ago, and there really isn't some new affordable ammo manufacturer. It's at least double the price of 9mm or 5.56, no practical subsonic loads, limited performance being originally designed to defeat body armor with restricted ammo, and it is very hard to handload. It can work with many rimfire cans, it's about the fastest caliber that works with practical blowback designs and ammo that can fit in a reasonable sized grip.
How do you like the S&W?I have an S&W 5.7 pistol. A nice 5.7 rifle is in my future.
Fiocchi makes a factory load subsonic. It's available. I have 3 boxes of it sitting my closet.
Fiocchi standard velocity is in stock and available at $.50/round.
American Eagle (Federal) and AAC (Palmetto State Armory) are also readily available at $.60/round. So it's literally no more cost then 5.56.
I can use my rimfire can on my 5.7 (unlike 5.56, which I'll have to go out and buy another even more expensive can).
It's better then rimfire ballistics, centerfire reliability, and large capacity.
Limited performance defeating body armor? I think you are OFF TARGET on that topic.
I have an S&W 5.7 pistol. A nice 5.7 rifle is in my future.
That is cool. I've been seriously tempted with getting into 5.7 for a long time, but the cost and difficulty in reloading it keeps me away. 50 cents a round is a lot better than it used to be, but still .223 and 9mm can be had for 35 and 25 CPR respectively, and are reloadable for less than that. I knew some were loading subs with varying success using heavy 224 bullets, but not sure what it offered that other calibers didn't. The comment about body armor, was that the round's main design criteria was to defeat it and work in handguns and SMGs, at some expense to penetration and expansion in unarmored targets compared to 9mm. I do agree it is a cool round, centerfire reliability, high velocity, high BC/SD bullets for the caliber, low recoil, and high capacity. I really wanted an AR57 SBR upper that took PS90 mags, but 57center stopped making them, and other things took priority. Even so, I still do kinda want one, and with all the new 5.7 pistols out might have to revisit it. The PSA rock looks cool, might have to grab an optics ready /threaded barrel package with a pile of mags.
I usually get it from LAX or Freedom munitions, got a few K of 124gr RN 9mm in new brass for matches under 25CPR here https://www.freedommunitions.com/lax-factory-new-9mm-luger-124-gr-rn-1500ct-w-free-ammo-can.htmlYes I understand the original design of the high velocity armor piercing. To my understanding, you can find those loads by boutique ammo manufactures and it delivers as advertised.
Not sure where you are finding .223/5.56 for that cheap. It seems to have been 50/60cpr for awhile. I see AmmoJohn has some for 40cpr in the classifieds... and maybe you can scour the internet and find some steel cased for 35cpr, but is it really with shipping, etc?
Overall I think 5.7 is a very cool round in concept. For the every day person, is the actual application any better then having a 9mm handgun and 5.56 rifle? No. But, for those who have a ton of guns already, is it a cool addition for unique cases? Yes. Myself personally, I plan to use my 5.7 pistol as a carry gun when I am carrying OWB. I also want to use it to do hunting with (coyotes and fox) just to challenge myself in that. A 5.7 rifle (I might pickup the ruger) would be a cool hunting companion for me as well.
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I wasn't talking about 9mm... I know 9mm is cheaper....I usually get it from LAX or Freedom munitions, got a few K of 124gr RN 9mm in new brass for matches under 25CPR here https://www.freedommunitions.com/lax-factory-new-9mm-luger-124-gr-rn-1500ct-w-free-ammo-can.html
reman 55gr 223 34CPR https://www.freedommunitions.com/catalog/product/view/id/33423/s/223-55-gr-fmj-reman/category/19/
I like weird stuff, have been into things like 10mm and 38 super for a long time, and have shot 5.7 a number of times, stupid light recoil and accurate, the fact it can work with my 22cans is also awesome. I would like to try it out, really the cost and difficulty reloading it are the main things holding me back. I had a 22TCM barrel in the past and it was cool, similar to 5.7 in many ways, just kinda gave up on it. To get into 5.7 I would need a full upper or complete handgun, not just a barrel, so more cost/commitment up front.