5.7x28mm Ammo

Ballistics: What 5.7x28mm Actually Does

5.7x28mm typically launches a 27–40 grain bullet between 1,650 and 1,950 fps from a pistol-length barrel. The high velocity and small diameter produce a flat trajectory and excellent accuracy at range. Recoil is significantly less than comparable 9mm loads, making rapid follow-up shots fast and controlled. The cartridge achieves its terminal effectiveness primarily through velocity — the small bullet tumbles and fragments at the high velocities produced by the cartridge's design. From a carbine like the FN PS90 or Ruger LC Carbine, velocity increases by 200–300 fps over pistol loads, further improving terminal performance.

5.7x28mm vs. 9mm: A Practical Comparison

The most common comparison for 5.7x28mm buyers is against 9mm. 9mm carries more energy per round due to its heavier bullet weight — a standard 115-grain 9mm at 1,200 fps delivers approximately 368 ft-lbs of muzzle energy versus roughly 340 ft-lbs from a typical 5.7x28mm load. 5.7x28mm's advantages are recoil (noticeably lower), magazine capacity (the Five-seveN holds 20+1 rounds), and platform weight. For a shooter who wants to maximize controllable capacity in a pistol — particularly for home defense scenarios where multiple shots may be required — the Five-seveN's 20-round magazine is a meaningful advantage. For most carry applications, 9mm's ammunition availability, lower cost, and wider platform selection make it the practical choice. 5.7x28mm is a specialized cartridge for buyers who specifically value its characteristics.

FMJ Practice Loads

For range use, 40-grain FMJ loads from Federal and Speer are the most common and cost-effective options. Fiocchi also produces civilian-market 5.7x28mm FMJ at competitive pricing. The cartridge runs approximately $0.50–$0.90 per round depending on quantity — more expensive than 9mm but comparable to other specialty pistol calibers. Buying in bulk (500 rounds or more) brings per-round cost toward the lower end of that range. Steel-case 5.7x28mm is not commonly available, so brass-case is the standard for all practice use.

Defensive Loads: What to Carry

For defensive carry in 5.7x28mm platforms, look for hollow point loads specifically engineered for the cartridge's velocities. Federal's Elite Civilian load and Speer's Gold Dot 5.7x28mm are the most widely used defensive options. The Fiocchi 40-grain JHP is another solid choice. The 5.7x28mm defensive load selection has expanded significantly as the civilian platform has grown — the days of limited defensive ammunition choices for this cartridge are largely over. Verify function with your chosen defensive load in your specific pistol before relying on it for carry, as the tight tolerances of the Five-seveN's feed ramp can be particular about hollow point geometry.

Pistol vs. Carbine Velocity: What You Actually Gain

Barrel length matters significantly with 5.7x28mm. From the FN Five-seveN's 4.8-inch barrel, a standard load runs approximately 1,850 fps. From the FN PS90's 16-inch barrel, the same load reaches approximately 2,100+ fps — a gain of 250+ fps. The Ruger LC Carbine's 16.25-inch barrel produces similar gains. This additional velocity meaningfully improves both trajectory and terminal performance, making the 5.7x28mm carbine a genuinely capable defensive and light hunting tool at ranges where the pistol is marginal. For buyers who own both a Five-seveN and a PS90 or LC Carbine, the same ammunition serves both platforms — one of the core advantages of the caliber.

Platform Guide: Which Gun Chambers 5.7x28mm

Current civilian platforms chambered in 5.7x28mm: FN Five-seveN pistol (20+1 rounds), FN PS90 carbine (50-round magazine, SBR version available), Ruger-57 pistol (20+1 rounds), Ruger LC Carbine (10-round magazine, Glock-compatible magwell), Kel-Tec PR57 pistol. Military and law enforcement-only loads are not available to civilians; the civilian ammunition selection now covers both range and defensive needs adequately from multiple major manufacturers.

Availability and Buying Guide

5.7x28mm has historically been less available than common pistol calibers due to limited manufacturer participation, but availability has improved significantly as the platform has grown in popularity. Federal, Speer, and Fiocchi produce civilian-market loads regularly. Buying in bulk when available is a sound approach for 5.7x28mm shooters — the cartridge can experience supply gaps during high-demand periods. Store ammunition in cool, dry conditions away from direct sunlight; the small case dimensions make 5.7x28mm particularly efficient to store in quantity.

Shop 5.7x28mm Ammo at Impact Guns

Browse the full 5.7x28mm ammunition selection at Impact Guns. For the firearms that chamber it, see the Ruger-57, Ruger LC Carbine, and Kel-Tec PR57. For other specialty pistol calibers, see our 9mm ammo and .22 LR ammo pages.

Frequently Asked Questions

What guns use 5.7x28mm ammunition?
Current civilian platforms chambered in 5.7x28mm include the FN Five-seveN pistol (20+1 rounds), FN PS90 carbine, Ruger-57 pistol (20+1 rounds), Ruger LC Carbine, and Kel-Tec PR57. All use the same ammunition — one of the caliber's primary advantages is running a matched pistol and carbine on a single ammunition type.

Is 5.7x28mm good for self-defense?
Yes, with appropriate defensive hollow point ammunition. Federal's Elite Civilian load and Speer Gold Dot 5.7x28mm are both quality defensive options with documented terminal performance. The low recoil and high capacity of the FN Five-seveN and Ruger-57 make the platform well-suited to home defense. Run 50+ rounds of your chosen defensive load through your specific pistol before relying on it.

Is 5.7x28mm the same as .22?
No — 5.7x28mm is a centerfire cartridge that operates at significantly higher pressure and velocity than .22 LR. While both fire small-diameter bullets, 5.7x28mm produces approximately 340 ft-lbs of muzzle energy versus roughly 140 ft-lbs for .22 LR. They are not interchangeable and use completely different platforms.

Does Impact Guns carry 5.7x28mm ammunition?
Yes. Impact Guns stocks 5.7x28mm FMJ practice loads and defensive hollow points from Federal, Speer, and Fiocchi at our Ogden and Boise stores and ships nationwide. See our Ruger-57 and Ruger LC Carbine pages for compatible firearms.