FN Five-seveN

Gun description

FN Five-seveN — A 21st-Century Pistol with Piercing Power

Introduction: Lightweight precision with armour-piercing capability

The FN Five-seveN is a modern, lightweight semi-automatic pistol built around the unusual 5.7×28 mm cartridge. Designed and produced by Belgian manufacturer FN Herstal as a companion sidearm to the P90 PDW, the Five-seveN pairs low recoil and exceptional ergonomics with high-velocity ammunition engineered to defeat light body armour — a combination that made it popular with elite units, police services and civilian shooters worldwide.

History and purpose: Why the Five-seveN was born

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, FN Herstal developed the 5.7×28 mm round and the P90 personal defence weapon to meet NATO requests for a PDW able to defeat new-generation soft armour. The Five-seveN pistol followed as a natural partner: a lightweight, low-recoil handgun that could use the same cartridge and extend the PDW concept to a concealed or sidearm role. Introduced commercially in the late 1990s, the Five-seveN was aimed at military, law-enforcement and security customers who needed a compact firearm with superior controllability and specialised terminal performance.

Technical specifications — what they mean in practice

Calibre: 5.7×28 mm

• Why it matters: The 5.7×28 mm is a small, high-velocity projectile that offers a flatter trajectory, reduced recoil and increased capacity compared with many traditional pistol calibres. It was engineered specifically to improve penetration of soft body armour and to maintain velocity at longer ranges than typical pistol rounds.
• In practice, Shooters experience less muzzle flip and quicker follow-up shots; tactical users value the cartridge’s ability to penetrate some soft armour types at close to intermediate ranges.

Construction: Polymer frame and lightweight design

• What it gives you: A polymer frame keeps the pistol light and easy to carry for prolonged duty use. The low weight plus manageable recoil results in excellent controllability during rapid fire and in high-stress situations.

Magazine capacity and ergonomics

• Typical mags: 10, 20 or 30-round detachable box magazines (capacity options depend on market regulation).
• Practical effect: High capacity in a slim, wrist-friendly package reduces reload frequency and improves sustained defensive or tactical performance.

Sights and accessory options

• Standard: Low-profile sights optimised for quick target acquisition.
• Modern upgrades: Many user-configurable models accept optics, threaded barrels or accessory mounts, broadening tactical flexibility.

Real-world use: Who adopted the Five-seveN and why

Military and security: Selected by various special operations and security services that prioritised a lightweight, flat-shooting sidearm with armour-penetration potential.
Law enforcement: Units that required a controllable pistol with a higher magazine capacity and low recoil for rapid follow-ups.
Protective services: Chosen in some VIP protection details and agencies (notably some Secret Service and Gendarmerie-type units) for concealability and the ballistic profile of the 5.7 round.
Civilian market: Popular with shooters who appreciate low recoil, high capacity and modern ergonomics; availability varies regionally due to legal restrictions on the cartridge or magazine capacity.

Cultural and pop-culture significance

The Five-seveN’s unconventional calibre and modern silhouette quickly made it noticeable in media and entertainment. It appears in films, TV and video games (for example, many tactical shooters), usually portrayed as a futuristic or specialised sidearm — a reputation that helped the pistol gain recognition beyond purely technical circles.

Variants and notable models

• Standard Five-seveN — original model with polymer frame and standard sighting.
• Five-seveN Tactical / FS-series — versions with threaded barrels, accessory rails and optic-ready slides.
• Civilian configurations — magazine and sight options tailored to different markets; barrel/thread compatibility for suppressors on certain models.

Manufacturers and aftermarket suppliers also offer optics, threaded barrels and upgraded controls to suit competition or duty roles.

Advantages vs. disadvantages — a balanced look

Advantages

• Low recoil and minimal muzzle rise enable fast, accurate follow-ups.
• High magazine capacity in a relatively slim handgun.
• 5.7×28 mm offers improved penetration of soft armour and a flatter trajectory than many pistol rounds.
• Lightweight, ergonomic design suited to extended carry.

Disadvantages

• Armour-penetration claims are context-dependent: not all 5.7 loads defeat modern armour plates, and terminal performance varies with projectile type.
• Ammunition availability and cost can be an issue in some regions compared with mainstream pistol calibres.
• Legal or political restrictions in certain markets limit ownership or magazine capacity.
• The debate about stopping power vs. larger pistol calibres remains among practitioners.

FAQ — quick answers

Why is the Five-seveN favoured by some professionals?
Because it combines low recoil, high capacity and the 5.7×28 mm cartridge’s ability to retain velocity and penetrate certain soft-armour types, making it attractive where controllability and specialised ballistics matter.

Does the Five-seveN penetrate body armour?
Some 5.7×28 mm projectiles—especially specialised armour-piercing or high-velocity designs—can defeat certain types of soft ballistic protection at short ranges. Effectiveness depends on the specific projectile, range and armour standard.

Is 5.7×28 mm ammo common?
It is widely produced, but less ubiquitous than 9×19 mm; availability and price vary by country and market.

Can civilians buy the Five-seveN?
Yes, in many countries, although local laws on armour-piercing ammunition, magazine capacity or handgun imports may restrict availability.

Conclusion: A modern sidearm built around a purpose

The FN Five-seveN is not a conventional pistol — it was created to fulfil a specific tactical niche: a lightweight, low-recoil handgun that leverages a high-velocity cartridge for improved controllability and specialised penetration. That focused design, combined with modern ergonomics and capacity options, earned the Five-seveN a loyal following among selective professional users and informed civilian shooters alike.