Best 5.7x28mm Guns & Ammo [Range-Tested]
FN's 5.7x28mm round is experiencing a renaissance with new pistols and rifles. We go over our top picks of 5.7 guns plus the best available ammo choices.
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Looking for the best 5.7x28 guns and ammo? If you like small, oddball cartridges that are blazing fast, you're going to love shooting 5.7x28.
This cartridge got its start in the European military arena, and ended up being a cult classic among civilians here in the U.S.
But how do you know what's worth spending your money on? After all, this stuff isn't cheap.
We couldn't miss out on the fun. After a bunch of testing, these are the best 5.7x28 guns and ammo we've found.
Let's dig in!
The Quick List
- Best Overall Pistol: Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7Jump to Details ↓
- Best PCC: Ruger LC CarbineJump to Details ↓
- Best Classic Pistol: FN Five-seveNJump to Details ↓
- Best Value Pistol: Ruger-5.7Jump to Details ↓
- Best Budget Pistol: Palmetto State Armory 5.7 RockJump to Details ↓
- Best Classic Rifle: FN PS90Jump to Details ↓
- Best AR: CMMG Banshee Mk4Jump to Details ↓
- Most Unique: KelTec P50Jump to Details ↓
Table of Contents
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5.7x28 Guns Comparison Chart
| Caliber | Barrel Length | Overall Length | Weight | Capacity | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 | 5.7x28 | 5" | 8.5" | 27 oz | 22+1 | $609 |
| Ruger LC Carbine | 5.7x28 | 16.25" | 28.7 - 30.6" | 5.9 lbs | 20+1 | $737 |
| FN Five-seveN | 5.7x28 | 4.8" | 8.2" | 21 oz | 20+1 | $999 |
| Ruger-5.7 | 5.7x28 | 4.9" | 8.65" | 25 oz | 20+1 | $401 |
| PSA 5.7 Rock | 5.7x28 | 4.7" | N/A | 25 oz | 23+1 | $399 |
| FN PS90 | 5.7x28 | 16" | 26.23" | 6.3 lbs | 30+1 | $1,375 |
| CMMG Banshee Mk4 | 5.7x28 | 8" | 23.7" | 5.1 lbs | 30+1 | $1,199 |
| KelTec P50 | 5.7x28 | 9.6" | 15" | 3.2 lbs | 50+1 | $734 |
How We Tested the Best 5.7x28 Guns & Ammo
For this article, we rounded up a bunch of pistols, carbines, and ammo we've personally tested here at Pew Pew Tactical. We also included a few that we didn't directly test in 5.7x28, but still have experience with and recommend.
Every review handgun undergoes a strict testing protocol that requires a minimum of 500 rounds of both FMJ and JHP ammo through it at 5 and 7 yards.
Meanwhile, every review rifle undergoes 500 rounds of practice ammo and heavier match-grade ammo at 50 and 100 yards with a 5-25x scope (unless otherwise noted). We require all AR-15s to be tested with at least 3 magazines to assess compatibility, and we use a Lyman Digital Trigger Gauge to measure the average trigger pull for all guns.
For guns we have reviews on, we've linked those so you can read more.
Best 5.7x28 Guns
1. Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 - Best Overall Pistol
Pros
- Good trigger
- High capacity
- Light recoil
Cons
- This is one long pistol!
Specs
- Caliber: 5.7x28
- Action: Semi-automatic, single action
- Capacity: 22+1
- Barrel length: 5"
- Overall Length: 8.5"
- Weight: 27 oz
- Country of Origin: USA
When the Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 came along, it brought a suite of features that lands it the top spot on our list -- for handguns, anyway.
For starters, the slide is optic-ready. We're big proponents of pistol red dots, so having that option is important, regardless of cartridge. Those aggressive front and rear serrations make for easy racking and press-checking.
The frame includes an accessory rail so you can mount a pistol light, too. That's a big advantage if you plan on using your pistol for defense.
The 5.7x28 cartridge isn't a great candidate for suppression since its power comes almost entirely from velocity, but the M&P 5.7 does have a threaded barrel so you can add a can.
The M&P 5.7 comes with two 22-round steel magazines.
Shooting-wise, it performed well with smooth reloads and manageable recoil.
Like the rest of the M&P lineup, this gun has excellent reliability and accuracy paired with solid ergonomics that make for a pleasant shooting experience. If you want the benefit of a proven platform paired with the 5.7x28 round, the M&P 5.7 is it!
Read all the details in our Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 review.
2. Ruger LC Carbine - Best PCC
Pros
- Shares magazines with the Ruger-5.7
- Accurate
- Reliable
Cons
- Expensive
- Only comes with one magazine
Specs
- Caliber: 5.7x28
- Action: Semi-automatic, blowback
- Capacity: 20+1
- Barrel Length: 16.25"
- Overall Length: 28.7 - 30.6"
- Weight: 5.9 lbs
- Country of Origin: USA
If you want to shoot 5.7x28 out of a carbine that's light, accurate, and small enough to fold up and stuff in a backpack, the Ruger LC Carbine is your huckleberry.
This PCC has a 16.25-inch barrel, but it feeds from a magazine in the pistol grip and features a folding stock, so it's surprisingly compact.
During testing, we were impressed with the LC Carbine's accuracy and reliability. It cycled all the ammo we fed it and reliably hit 4-inch targets. If ammo weren't so expensive, we'd still be on the range and grinning from eat to ear.
We didn't have any issues with the LC Carbine's ergonomics, but the controls might require some stretching for smaller hands. Aside from the price tag, that's really the only downside to this hoot of a PCC.
Catch all our thoughts in our Ruger LC Carbine review, and watch the video to see it in action!
3. FN Five-seveN - Best Classic Pistol
Pros
- Very low recoil
- Flat-shooting
- Lightweight
Cons
- Safety location is not ideal
- Expensive
Specs
- Caliber: 5.7x28
- Action: Semi-automatic, single action
- Capacity: 20+1
- Barrel Length: 4.8"
- Overall Length: 8.2"
- Weight: 21 oz
- Country of Origin: Belgium
The FN Five-seveN is the companion sidearm meant to go with the P90. It's the OG 5.7x28 pistol!
Developed by FN early on in the life of the cartridge, this handgun actually caused significant changes to be made to the overall design and dimensions of the round so it would feed reliably in a handgun.
The Five-seveN is a lightweight, polymer-framed gun. The 20+1 capacity is standard for 5.7x28 pistols today, but it was big news when it launched and topped the Glock 17.
The gun is not striker-fired as many would assume. Instead, it uses an internal pre-cocked hammer design that creates a crisp, single-action pull.
It's also deceptively light at just 1.6 pounds loaded.
The one downfall of this gun is the price. Belgian guns aren't cheap.
Want to dive deeper? Check out our FN Five-seveN review!
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4. Ruger-5.7 - Best Value Pistol
Pros
- Low Recoil
- Great sights
- Optic-ready
Cons
- May require a break-in period
Specs
- Caliber: 5.7x28
- Action: Semi-automatic, double action
- Capacity: 20+1
- Barrel Length: 4.9"
- Overall Length: 8.7"
- Weight: 25 oz.
- Country of Origin: USA
Ruger went head to head with FN in producing the Ruger-5.7.
The design goal for this pistol seems to be making the FN Five-seveN, but without all the weird stuff that makes Americans not want to buy it. That's a noble goal.
To achieve this, Ruger kept the basic dimensions and operating system of the Five-seveN, and did away with the European-style controls. This gives the gun a familiar 1911-style safety.
Beyond that, you have all the same benefits as the Five-seveN: low recoil, high capacity, and a good trigger.
Oh, and it's less than half the price -- that's a smoking deal!
Want more details? We have them in our full Ruger-5.7 review.
What are your thoughts on the Ruger-57? Rate it below!
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5. Palmetto State Armory 5.7 Rock - Best Budget Pistol
Pros
- High capacity
- Minimal recoil
- Optics-ready version available
Cons
- Loud
- Expensive ammunition
Specs
- Caliber: 5.7x28
- Action: Semi-automatic, striker
- Capacity: 23+1
- Barrel Length: 4.7"
- Overall Length: N/A
- Weight: 25 oz
- Country of Origin: USA
Palmetto State Armory jumped into the 5.7x28 game with the 5.7 Rock, looking to take on the likes of Ruger and FN.
At a real bargain of a price, the 5.7 Rock is a good option for those who want to save some money for ammo. Overall, it’s a decent gun.
During our testing, we found it to be both accurate and reliable. You can even get different colors now.
This pistol has fantastic ergonomics. Both our large handed and small handed staff found it to be quite comfortable to hold and shoot.
The undercut trigger guard and raised beaver tail offer a high grip which further helps mitigate any recoil. All controls were super easy to reach and manipulate – not to mention the magazine release is ambidextrous!
You can check out more in our PSA 5.7 Rock review.
6. FN PS90 - Best Classic Rifle
Pros
- Compact
- Low recoil
- Fully Ambidextrous
Cons
- Mediocre trigger
- Optics sit really high
Specs
- Caliber: 5.7x28
- Action: Semi-automatic
- Capacity: 30+1
- Barrel Length: 16"
- Overall Length: 26.23"
- Weight: 6.3 lbs
- Country of Origin: Belgium
We haven't had the pleasure of reviewing the FN PS90, but how could we leave it off the list it created?
The select-fire FN P90 was first produced in 1990 (hence the name). It quickly became popular with police and counter-terrorist units, as well as various military personnel such as tankers, military police, support staff, and special forces.
Of course, unless you’re a SOT, and a fairly wealthy one at that, you’ll have to settle for the semi-auto version, the PS90.
All variants use a bullpup design with a lightweight polymer frame that makes it incredibly maneuverable in tight spaces such as inside buildings, vehicles, or spaceships.
It's available in 16-inch and 10.4-inch barrel configurations, although the latter requires extra paperwork because it's an SBR.
According to FN, the standard magazine capacity is 30 rounds. You can also get 10- and 50-round mags, depending on your applicable laws.
7. CMMG Banshee Mk4 - Best AR
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Fun to shoot
- Well-built
Cons
- Expensive
Specs
- Caliber: 5.7x28
- Action: Semi-automatic, radial-delayed blowback
- Capacity: 30+1
- Barrel Length: 8"
- Overall Length: 23.7"
- Weight: 5.1 lbs
- Country of Origin: USA
Let’s move away from handguns again for a minute and talk about one of the few 5.7x28 ARs on the market: the CMMG Banshee Mk4.
CMMG is a powerhouse in the world of pistol-caliber carbines, and the Banshee Mk4 is one of their most popular offerings.
It’s actually available for 10 cartridges, with three barrel lengths and numerous configurations among those choices. So, you can pretty much style it how you like.
Oh, and did we mention it takes Five-seveN mags?
If you’re interested in the idea of a 5.7x28 PCC or pistol but prefer the AR-15 platform, this is your best option by a country mile.
You should also take a look at our CMMG Banshee Mk4 review!
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8. KelTec P50 - Most Unique
Pros
- Comes with two 50-round mags
- Super fun to shoot
- Compact
Cons
- Hard to find at times
Specs
- Caliber: 5.7x28
- Action: Semi-automatic, blowback
- Capacity: 50+1
- Barrel Length: 9.6"
- Overall Length: 15"
- Weight: 3.2 lbs
- Country of Origin: USA
The KelTec P50 is a spacey-looking gun that will scratch your 5.7x28mm itch.
Weighing in at 3.2 pounds, this gun takes 50-round magazines. That's plenty of firepower!
The P50 sports a 9.6-inch barrel and a 15-inch overall length. If you want to add accessories, a Picatinny rail and QD mounts provide options.
Is it practical? Hardly. Do we want one? Desperately.
Best 5.7x28mm Ammo
1. Speer Gold Dot
Speer Gold Dot is legendary in the world of defensive ammo. It's one of the most popular choices for law enforcement in North America.
If you’re looking for a defensive 5.7x28 round, these 40-grain hollow points are what we recommend.
2. Federal American Eagle
Another venerable and familiar choice here, Federal American Eagle is one of the most popular budget FMJ ammo choices out there.
If you’re looking for cheap, reliable, FMJ 5.7 ammo, Federal has got you covered.
3. Fiocchi Combo Packs
Buying 5.7x28 ammo is never cheap, but you can make life easier by picking up ammo in bulk.
These combo packs from Fiocchi come in two varieties. Grab 200 rounds of Range Dynamics training ammo along with your choice of 200 rounds of either Hyperformance defensive ammo or Range Dynamics Subsonic training ammo.
History of 5.7x28 Guns & Ammo
The FN 5.7x28 cartridge was originally created as part of an attempt by NATO to replace 9mm with better range, accuracy, and terminal performance.
FN completed development on the first 5.7 round, the SS90, in 1990. It used a 23-grain projectile moving at 2,800 feet per second from the 10.4-inch barrel of the FN P90 that was developed at the same time.
Out of the P90, the tiny bullet was capable of penetrating NIJ-rated Level IIIA ballistic armor at 200 meters.
NIJ IIIA armor is rated to stop .357 Mag, so a light-recoiling round that could defeat this type of body armor was attractive to many potential adopters from various militaries and police agencies, especially considering the capacity advantage over something like .357 Mag.
Further development led to a shorter, heavier projectile that still reached a muzzle velocity of 2,350 feet per second out of the P90. This SS190 would go on to become the standard 5.7x28 round w know today.
The shorter length allowed the round to feed more reliably in the FN Five-seveN handgun that was also in development at the time.
As you know, 9mm didn't go anywhere. Nevertheless, many militaries and law enforcement agencies independently decided to adopt 5.7x28.
Today, there's a growing interest in 5.7x28 guns and ammo in the commercial market. Enough firearm and ammunition manufacturers have gotten on board now that it looks like 5.7x28 is here to stay.
Meet the Experts
Megan Kriss is an avid recreational shooter by day, and writer/editor by night. She has an extensive linguistics and writing background, and has written for everyone from Allstate to celebrity plastic surgeons. She also has experience in international affairs and political policy analysis.
Editing this article is Scott Murdock. Scott is a Marine Corps veteran who competed and qualified as a rifle and pistol expert while in service. In addition to shooting, Scott has written for a variety of publications, testing, researching, and evaluating guns and gear. He brings that knowledge and skillset to this article, editing and fact-checking for accuracy.
Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers. She is a National Rifle Association Basic Pistol Instructor as well as a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. With 2,000+ articles to her name, she uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical.
Final Thoughts
This awesome little round has a fun history. While it's something of a niche caliber, it's growing in popularity and availability. Will it be your next defensive cartridge?
It’s not ideal for plinking given the expense of the round compared to 9mm or .22 LR, but if you’ve got the cash, fire away!
If you are thinking about adding 5.7x28 to your collection, you won’t regret it.
What do you think of these 5.7x28 guns? Let us know in the comments! If you're intrigued by the PS90, check out the Best Bullpup Rifles and Shotguns (you know you want to)!
Latest Updates
- August 2025: Added a comparison chart and Meet the Experts section. Added the Ruger LC Carbine and Fiocchi 5.7x28 ammunition combo packs.
- June 2024: Added PSA Rock 5.7 and Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7. Added supplemental data to each product and also included a section on how we chose the best 5.7 pistols.