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The Five-seveN is a semi-automatic pistol manufactured by Fabrique Nationale de Herstal (FNH). Its name is derived from the unique ammunition it uses, and the company's initials "FN".
FN created the new 5.7x28mm cartridge for its FN P90 personal defense weapon to meet NATO requirements released in 2000. Subsequently, FN created the Five-seveN pistol as a side arm using the same cartridge.
Conventional side arms usually use the 9x19mm Parabellum, .45 ACP, and similar cartridges and are designed to injure or kill unarmored people or targets. However, FN argues that these bullets can not defeat a Kevlar vest, such as those in use by more than half the world's armed forces and an increasing number of criminals. FN claims that their newly designed 5.7x28mm cartridge allows the Five-seveN to pierce the older U.S. Army PASGT vest at 300 meters range, and a U.S. Army PASGT helmet at a range of 240 meters. However, these penetration statistics are for the military SS190 cartridge. Other available cartridge variants are not armor-piercing, according to the BATFE. These cartridges are loaded with heavier, expanding projectiles driven at lower velocities.
FN markets the SS190 variant of the 5.7 mm round as being able to penetrate and effectively incapacitate enemy personnel by injuring or killing them, but there has been controversy over these claims. Conventional hollow point bullets rely on expansion to create a large wound channel, but the Five-seveN's ammunition is designed to hit, travel a few inches, then tumble end over end without deforming. This means that the wound it creates would be as tall as the length of the projectile (more than 21 mm), supposedly creating a more grievous wound channel, but without the expansion of a hollow point or the fragmentation of a frangible bullet. As a result, FN claims the round—and the Five-seveN—are suitable for military use under the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907, which prohibit use of expanding or fragmenting bullets in warfare.
The advantages of the pistol itself include its weight (the 5.7 mm round weighs half as much as a standard 9 mm round), its recoil (FN claims the 5.7 mm round produces roughly half the felt recoil of a 9 mm round), and its 20-round magazine, which holds significantly more ammunition than other pistols. Despite its magazine capacity, the Five-seveN is a light pistol, weighing 726 g (1.6 pounds) loaded. It is also a full size automatic handgun, despite it's small caliber
Though an "effective" weapon, the Five-seveN has not been widely adopted, due mostly to the high cost, rather unconventional concept and ammunition. Current users include several international special forces/counter-terrorist groups (including the French GIGN)[1] a large number of local police department SWAT teams (including some in the United States), and Mexican drug cartels, because of the 5.7's perceived "cop-killer" armor-piercing ability.
Variants
Five-seveN
The original Five-seveN is now discontinued. It has a double action only (DAO) trigger and no safety. This makes shooting slower and less accurate than with the newer single action variants of the Five-seveN. It features a shaped trigger guard, designed to facilitate gloved use.
Five-seveN Tactical
This model is identical to the original version, with the exception of the single action (SA) trigger and a safety device. The Five-seveN Tactical is also increasingly hard to find.
Five-seveN IOM Prototype
This model has the smooth rail found on the tactical model, but the serial number is on the rail. It has low profile adjustable sights. It has the magazine safety. It has the round trigger guard which is not lined. They are hard to find.
Five-seveN IOM
The IOM model (for Individual Officer's Model) was the first publicly available variant, debuting commercially in 2004. The IOM is similar in its basic design to the original versions, but differs in that it has a different accessory rail, lined trigger guard outside edge, and adjustable sights. It also incorporates a magazine disconnect—this safety mechanism prevents the weapon from being fired without the magazine inserted.
Five-seveN USG
The most recent version of the Five-seveN, the USG. (United States Government) variant debuted in 2005 and replaced the IOM. The USG keeps the differences incorporated in the IOM, such as the magazine disconnect and adjustable sights, but has further modifications, including a conventionally-shaped (square) trigger guard, checkered grip pattern, and a larger, reversible magazine release.
