FN Five-seven

Template:Short description Template:Good article Template:Infobox weapon

The FN Five-seven (stylized as Five-seveN) is a semi-automatic pistol designed and manufactured by FN Herstal in Belgium.<ref name="ownersmanual2009">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The pistol is named for the 5.7×28mm cartridge's bullet diameter, and the trademark's capitalization style is intended to emphasize the manufacturer's initials—FN.<ref name="jbwood">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The Five-seven pistol was developed in conjunction with the FN P90 personal defense weapon and the FN 5.7×28mm cartridge.<ref name="arsmechanica">Template:Cite book</ref> The P90 was introduced in 1990, and the Five-seven was introduced in 1998 as a pistol using the same 5.7×28mm ammunition.<ref name="hogg2002">Template:Cite book</ref> Developed as a companion pistol to the P90, the Five-seven shares many of its design features: it is a lightweight polymer-based weapon with a relatively large magazine capacity, ambidextrous controls, low recoil, and the ability to penetrate body armor when using certain cartridge types.<ref name="bahde2009">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Sales of the Five-seven were originally restricted by FN to military and law enforcement customers, but since 2004, the pistol has also been offered to civilian shooters for uses such as personal protection and target shooting.<ref name="fnmfgdao">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="fnhusa57">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Although offered only with sporting ammunition, the Five-seven's introduction to civilian shooters was met with vocal opposition from gun control organizations such as the Brady Campaign, and the pistol has been subject to ongoing controversy in the United States.<ref name="brady2005">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="ayoob01">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The Five-seven is currently in service with military and police forces in over 40 nations, including Canada, France, Greece, India, Poland, Spain, and the United States.<ref name="milrev">Tirans, Ivars (2009). "Baltic Defence Research and Technology 2009 Conference Proceedings". Military Review: Scientific Journal for Security and Defence ({{#if:1407-1746|Template:Catalog lookup link{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-small Template:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-small Template:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-small Template:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-small Template:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-small Template:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-small Template:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-small Template:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-small Template:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-small Template:Main other}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}|Template:Error-small}}), Nr. 3/4 (132/133), p 103.</ref> In the United States, the Five-seven is in use with numerous law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Secret Service.<ref name="jbwood"/><ref name="jones2009">Template:Cite book</ref> In the years since the pistol's introduction to the United States' civilian market, it has become increasingly popular with civilian shooters.<ref name="grevillius2006">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

HistoryEdit

DevelopmentEdit

File:FN Five-seveN FDE right side.jpg

FN Five-seven (FDE) Flat Dark Earth

The Five-seven pistol and its 5.7×28mm ammunition were developed by FN Herstal in response to NATO requests for a replacement for the 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge and associated pistols and submachine guns.<ref name="gourley2003">Gourley, S.; Kemp, I (November 26, 2003). "The Duellists". Jane's Defence Weekly ({{#if:0265-3818|Template:Catalog lookup link{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-small Template:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-small Template:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-small Template:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-small Template:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-small Template:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-small Template:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-small Template:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-small Template:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no|yes|Template:Main other|{{#invoke:check isxn|check_issn|Template:Trim|error=Template:Error-small Template:Main other}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}|Template:Error-small}}), Volume 40 Issue 21, pp 26–28.</ref> NATO called for two types of weapons chambered for a new cartridge—one a shoulder-fired weapon, and the other a handheld weapon.<ref name="gourley2003"/> According to NATO, these new weapons, termed personal defense weapons (PDWs), were to provide "personal protection in last-resort situations when the user is directly endangered by the enemy [...]."<ref name="gourley2003"/> In 1989, NATO published document D/296, outlining a number of preliminary specifications for these weapons:

The new cartridge was to have greater range, accuracy, and terminal performance than the 9×19mm cartridge.<ref name="gourley2003"/> Additionally, it was to be capable of penetrating certain types of body armor.<ref name="gourley2003"/>
The shoulder-fired personal defense weapon was to weigh less than 3 kg (6.6 lb), with a magazine capacity of at least 20 rounds.<ref name="gourley2003"/>
The handheld personal defense weapon (pistol) was to weigh less than Template:Convert, although a weight of Template:Convert was deemed desirable; it was to have a magazine capacity of no fewer than 20 rounds.<ref name="gourley2003"/>
Both weapons were to be sufficiently compact to be carried hands-free on the user's person at all times, whether in the cab of a vehicle or the cockpit of an aircraft, and were to perform effectively in all environments and weather conditions.<ref name="gourley2003"/>

FN Herstal was the first small arms manufacturer to respond to NATO's requirement; FN started by developing a shoulder-fired personal defense weapon, the FN P90, along with a small caliber, high velocity 5.7×28mm cartridge type.<ref name="gourley2003"/> The original 5.7×28mm cartridge, called the SS90, went into production with the P90 in 1990.<ref name="marchington2004">Template:Cite book</ref> This cartridge type was discontinued in 1993, and replaced with the 5.7×28mm SS190, which used a heavier and slightly shorter projectile weighing 2.0 g (31 grains).<ref name="gunzonetimeline1990">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="marchington2004"/> The reduced length of the SS190 projectile allowed it to be used more conveniently in the Five-seven, which was under development at that time.<ref name="gunzonetimeline1990"/>

In 1993, Jean-Louis Gathoye of FN filed a United States patent application for a delayed blowback operating system intended for the Five-seven pistol, and U.S. Patent 5,347,912 ("Elements for decelerating the recoil of the moving parts of a firearm") was received the following year.<ref name="gunzonetimeline1990"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 1995, FN officially announced development of the Five-seven pistol, and a prototype of the pistol was publicly displayed the following year.<ref name="gunzonetimeline1995">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> With some improvements, a double-action only model of the pistol went into production in 1998, and a single-action model called the Five-seven Tactical was then introduced shortly afterward.<ref name="hogg2002"/><ref name="fnmfg57tactical">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Five-seven first entered service in May 2000, when the Cypriot National Guard (Template:Langx) purchased 250 pistols for their special forces group.<ref name="gourley2003"/>

File:FN5711.jpg

Polymer materials are used extensively in the Five-seven's design; even the steel slide is encased in a polymer shell.<ref name="humphries2008"/>

NATO evaluationEdit

In 2002 and 2003, NATO conducted a series of tests with the intention of standardizing a PDW cartridge as a replacement for the 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge.<ref name="oliver2007">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The tests compared the relative merits of the FN 5.7×28mm cartridge and the HK 4.6×30mm cartridge, which was created by German small arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch as a competitor to the 5.7×28mm.<ref name="oliver2007"/> The results of the NATO tests were analyzed by a group formed of experts from Canada, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and the group's conclusion was that the 5.7×28mm was "undoubtedly" the more efficient cartridge.<ref name="oliver2007"/>

At the time, the German delegation and others rejected the NATO recommendation that 5.7×28mm should be standardized, delaying the standardization until its eventual completion in February 2021.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="gourley2003"/><ref name="oliver2007"/> Despite this delay, both the 4.6×30mm and 5.7×28mm cartridges (and the associated weapons) have been independently adopted by various NATO countries, according to preference; the Five-seven pistol is currently in service with military and police forces in over 40 nations throughout the world (see Template:Section link).<ref name="gourley2003"/><ref name="milrev"/>

PresentEdit

At first, sales of the Five-seven pistol were restricted by FN to military and law enforcement customers,<ref name="fnmfgdao"/> but in 2004 the new Five-seven IOM model was introduced and offered to civilian shooters for use with 5.7×28mm sporting ammunition.<ref name="sterett2005">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The IOM model incorporated several modifications to the weapon's design, such as the addition of an M1913 accessory rail, a magazine safety mechanism, and fully adjustable sights.<ref name="sterett2005"/>

Further development of the Five-seven pistol led to the introduction of the Five-seven USG model, which was approved by the ATF as a sporting firearm in 2004.<ref name="fnhusaammo2006">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The USG model incorporates a conventionally shaped square trigger guard, a reversible magazine release, and other minor changes.<ref name="fnhusa57"/>

The Five-seven MK2 was introduced in 2013, replacing the USG model.<ref name="fnhusa57"/> The MK2 model has cocking serrations on the front of the slide, all black controls, and slightly different iron sights.<ref name="fnhusa57"/>

The Five-seven MK3 MRD was introduced at Eurosatory in 2022, introducing the possibility to mount a Mini Red Dot on top of the slide, a threaded barrel, making it possible to use a silencer, a new texture pattern on the grip and deeper slide serrations.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

DesignEdit

The Five-seven is a semi-automatic delayed blowback pistol chambered for FN's 5.7×28mm ammunition.<ref name="ownersmanual2009"/> The pistol has a concealed hammer.<ref name="ownersmanual2009"/> Polymer materials are used extensively in the pistol's design, and even the steel slide is encased in a polymer shell.<ref name="sterett2005"/><ref name="humphries2008">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This provides reduced weight and greater resistance to corrosion.<ref name="dettyTL2008">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="dockery2007">Template:Cite book</ref> The slide's polymer shell gives the pistol the appearance of being constructed entirely of polymers, but the slide interior, barrel, trigger, springs, pins, and similar parts are all steel.<ref name="sterett2005"/><ref name="humphries2008"/> However, the pistol is unusually lightweight, weighing only 744 g (1.6 lb) with a loaded 20-round magazine.<ref name="dettyTL2008"/><ref name="marchington2004"/>

The Five-seven is a full-size pistol, having an overall length of Template:Convert, a height of Template:Convert, and a max width of Template:Convert.<ref name="ownersmanual2009"/><ref name="detty2008"/> It has the same grip angle as the distinguished Browning Hi-Power and M1911 pistols.<ref name="cutshaw2006">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Despite the considerable length of the pistol's 5.7×28mm ammunition, the grip is not particularly unwieldy—the distance from the trigger to the back of the grip measures Template:Convert, which is identical to a U.S. Military issue M9 pistol chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum.<ref name="jbwood"/><ref name="marchington2004"/> The Five-seven barrel is cold hammer-forged and chrome-lined, with a total length of Template:Convert and a rifled length of Template:Convert.<ref name="ownersmanual2009"/><ref name="fnhusa57"/> The barrel has eight rifling grooves with a right-hand twist rate of 1:231 mm (1:9.1 in), and it weighs Template:Convert.<ref name="ownersmanual2009"/><ref name="sterett2005"/> The small caliber gives the barrel a length in calibers of more than 20, 58% more than a comparable 9x19 barrel. It has a stated service life of 20,000 rounds<ref name="humphries2008"/> and the Five-seven is noted for being very accurate.<ref name="detty2008">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="ayoob01"/><ref name="grevillius2006"/>

Current models of the Five-seven are single-action, having a short and light trigger pull of 20 to 30 N (4.4 to 6.6 lb_F).<ref name="ownersmanual2009"/> They have a Picatinny rail for mounting accessories, and a magazine safety mechanism that prevents the pistol from firing without a magazine inserted.<ref name="ownersmanual2009"/> The grip texture on current pistols is extensively checkered for a superior hold, and each side of the slide has a series of narrow ridges at the rear to aid grasping.<ref name="fnhusa57"/><ref name="grevillius2006"/> The trigger and trigger guard surfaces also have grooves to reduce finger slip, and the trigger guard is elongated to ease firing while wearing gloves.<ref name="marchington2004"/> The Five-seven is currently offered in two different frame finishes (standard black or flat dark earth), and two different iron sight systems (adjustable sights or low profile fixed sights).<ref name="fnhusa57"/><ref name="fixedsights01">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

AmmunitionEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

File:57lineup.jpg

5.7×28mm cartridges as used in the Five-seven. From left to right: SS195LF hollow point, SS196SR V-Max, and SS197SR V-Max.<ref name="grevillius2006"/>

Particularly significant to the design of the Five-seven pistol is the small caliber, high velocity bottlenecked cartridge it uses.<ref name="marchington2004"/> The 5.7×28mm cartridge was created by FN Herstal in response to NATO requests for a replacement for the 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge, which is commonly used in pistols and submachine guns.<ref name="oliver2007"/> The 5.7×28mm cartridge weighs 6.0 g (93 grains)—significantly lighter than the average 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge (M882 NATO total cartridge weight of 12 grams (180 grains))<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>—making extra ammunition less burdensome, or allowing more ammunition to be carried for the same weight.<ref name="dettyTL2008"/><ref name="fnhusaammo2002">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="fortierusg02">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Since the 5.7×28mm cartridge also has a relatively small diameter, an unusually high number of cartridges can be contained in a magazine.<ref name="amselle2011">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The cartridge has a loud report and produces considerable muzzle flash, but it has roughly 30 percent less recoil than the 9×19mm cartridge, improving controllability.<ref name="ayoob01"/><ref name="marchington2004"/><ref name="fortierusg02"/> Due to its high velocity, the 5.7×28mm also exhibits an exceptionally flat trajectory.<ref name="dockery2007"/>

One of the design intents for the standard 5.7×28mm cartridge type, the SS190, was that it would have the ability to penetrate Kevlar protective vests—such as the NATO CRISAT vest—that will stop conventional pistol bullets.<ref name="fortierusg02"/> Fired from the Five-seven, the 5.7×28mm SS190 has a muzzle velocity of roughly 650 m/s (2,130 ft/s) and is capable of penetrating the CRISAT vest at a range of Template:Convert, or 48 layers of Kevlar material (roughly equivalent to two stacked Level II Kevlar vest panels) at a range of Template:Convert.<ref name="fnmfg57tactical"/><ref name="fnhusaammo2002"/> It is also capable of penetrating a PASGT vest at a range of Template:Convert or a PASGT helmet at a range of Template:Convert.<ref name="fnmfg57tactical"/> FN states an effective range of Template:Convert and a maximum range of Template:Convert for the 5.7×28mm cartridge when fired from the Five-seven pistol.<ref name="sterett2005"/>

In testing conducted by Passaic County, New Jersey Sheriff's Department, the 5.7×28mm SS190 penetrated to a depth of Template:Convert in bare ballistic gelatin, and a depth of Template:Convert in gelatin protected with a Kevlar vest.<ref name="humphries2008"/> In testing, the SS190 and similar 5.7×28mm projectiles consistently turn base over point ("tumble") as they pass through ballistic gelatin and other media, using the 21.6-mm (.85 in) projectile length<ref name="sterett2005"/> to create a larger wound cavity.<ref name="dettyTL2008"/><ref name="bahde2009"/><ref name="humphries2008"/> However, some are skeptical of the bullet's terminal performance, and it is a subject of debate among civilian shooters in the United States.<ref name="bahde2009"/>

The 5.7×28mm projectile potentially poses less risk of collateral damage than conventional pistol bullets, because the projectile design limits overpenetration, as well as risk of ricochet.<ref name="humphries2008"/><ref name="cutshaw2006"/><ref name="57facts">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The lightweight projectile also poses less risk of collateral damage in the event of a miss, because it loses much of its kinetic energy after traveling only Template:Convert, whereas a conventional pistol bullet such as the 9×19mm retains significant energy beyond Template:Convert.<ref name="dockery2007"/> This range exceeds the engagement distances expected for the 5.7×28mm cartridge's intended applications, so the cartridge's limited energy at long range is not considered to be disadvantageous.<ref name="dockery2007"/> Since the 5.7×28mm SS190 projectile does not rely on fragmentation or the expansion of a hollow-point bullet, the cartridge and pistol are considered suitable for military use under the Hague Convention of 1899, which prohibits the use of expanding bullets in warfare.<ref name="bahde2009"/>

Ballistic performance summary for various 5.7×28mm cartridges
Cartridge type	SS190<ref name="fnhusacatalogammo08"/>	SS195LF<ref name="fnhusacatalogammo08"/>	SS197SR<ref name="fnhusacatalogammo08"/>	EA Protector<ref name="bahde2009"/>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	EA S4<ref name="gunblast"/>
Projectile weight	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
Muzzle velocity	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert
Muzzle energy	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert	Template:Convert

FeedingEdit

File:FNFLASH01.jpg

The Five-seven has a loud report and produces considerable muzzle flash, but it has roughly 30% less recoil than a 9×19mm pistol, improving controllability.<ref name="ayoob01"/>

The Five-seven pistol feeds from detachable box magazines, but it is unconventional in that it feeds cartridges into the chamber without the use of a barrel feed ramp, having a beveled chamber only—the pistol's feeding is inherently reliable because of its use of bottlenecked cartridges.<ref name="jbwood"/> The pistol is supplied with 20-round magazines as standard, or 10-round magazines for jurisdictions with a high-capacity magazine ban.<ref name="ownersmanual2009"/> The Five-seven will also accept an aftermarket extended 30-round magazine, which protrudes an additional Template:Convert from the base of the pistol.<ref name="amselle2011"/> With an additional cartridge in the chamber, the Five-seven pistol has a total capacity of 11, 21, or 31 rounds depending on which magazine type is used.<ref name="ownersmanual2009"/> Magazine pouches for the Five-seven magazine are available from various manufacturers.Template:Citation needed

The Five-seven's magazine can be disassembled for cleaning or lubrication by removing the polymer floorplate.<ref name="ownersmanual2009"/> The magazine body is constructed of polymer, with steel inserts at the feed lips.<ref name="jbwood"/> Unlike a conventional pistol magazine, it is a double-stack staggered-feed magazine, with a follower that has the same appearance as that of an M16 rifle's magazine, and which is loaded in the same manner: by pushing cartridges straight down into the magazine, rather than pushing them down and back.<ref name="wagner2008">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This setup makes it very easy to load individual cartridges into the magazine.<ref name="jbwood"/> The magazine floorplate has a slight finger spur, and four holes in the left side of the magazine body allow a convenient estimate of the amount of remaining ammunition.<ref name="ownersmanual2009"/><ref name="sterett2005"/>

ControlsEdit

All controls (excluding the trigger) on the Five-seven USG and earlier models are grey polymer, in contrast to the black polymer frame and slide cover.<ref name="grevillius2006"/> Similarly, all of the controls on the Five-seven FDE and Five-seven ODG models are black polymer, in contrast to the flat dark earth and olive drab polymer frames.<ref name="fnhusa57"/> A takedown lever is located at the front on the left side of the weapon's frame, and a slide release is located at the rear on the left side of the frame; these controls are protected from accidental movements by slight projections in the frame contour.<ref name="ownersmanual2009"/><ref name="sterett2005"/> A chamber indicator, in the form of a pin inside a tiny hole, is provided on the left side of the slide.<ref name="ownersmanual2009"/> When a round has been chambered, this pin will protrude Template:Convert, which is sufficient to provide both visible and tactile indication of the chamber's status.<ref name="jbwood"/><ref name="grevillius2006"/>

Current models of the Five-seven have an ambidextrous manual safety device, which is located in an unconventional position: one control is found on each side of the frame above the trigger guard, where it is reachable with the trigger finger or support hand thumb.<ref name="ownersmanual2009"/><ref name="grevillius2006"/> A red dot is visible here when the safety is deactivated and the pistol is ready to fire; when the safety is moved to the raised position, it is activated and the red dot is no longer visible.<ref name="ownersmanual2009"/> The pistol's push-button magazine release, located on the left side of the frame where the trigger guard intersects with the grip, is square-shaped and reversible for left-handed shooters.<ref name="ownersmanual2009"/>

The Five-seven can be disassembled quickly and easily, by using the left hand to retract and hold the slide Template:Convert rearwards, while simultaneously using the left-hand thumb to push and hold the takedown lever rearwards.<ref name="ownersmanual2009"/><ref name="marchington2004"/> When the slide is released, it moves forward freely and the complete slide assembly can be disengaged from the frame, whereupon the barrel (and captured recoil spring) can be removed from the slide.<ref name="ownersmanual2009"/> This level of disassembly is sufficient to perform thorough cleaning of the pistol, and FNH USA recommends no further disassembly except by an authorized armorer, FN Herstal, or FNH USA.<ref name="ownersmanual2009"/> Reassembly of the pistol is done in the reverse order, except no use of the disassembly lever is necessary.<ref name="ownersmanual2009"/>

Sights and accessoriesEdit

File:FN57SIGHTS03.jpg

The tritium-illuminated fixed sights of the Five-seven USG pistol, in normal and dim lighting.

The Five-seven has a sight radius of Template:Convert; the pistol is currently offered with either adjustable sights or fixed sights.<ref name="ownersmanual2009"/><ref name="sterett2005"/> The "three-dot" type adjustable sights consist of a 2.9-mm (0.12 in) square notch rear and a 3.6-mm (0.14 in) blade front, which has a height of Template:Convert.<ref name="sterett2005"/> The sights are targeted at Template:Convert, but can be adjusted for either windage or elevation.<ref name="grevillius2006"/> The "three-dot" type C-More fixed sights, which are offered as a low profile alternative to the adjustable sights, can only be adjusted for windage.<ref name="amselle2011"/><ref name="fnhusanightsights">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The fixed sights are targeted at Template:Convert using SS195LF ammunition, and are available with or without tritium-illuminated inserts ("night sights") to aid use of the pistol in dim lighting.<ref name="ownersmanual2009"/><ref name="fnhusanightsights"/>

The Five-seven is supplied with a lockable hard case, a locking device and keys, a magazine release reversal tool, a sight adjustment tool (not included with the fixed sights model), a cleaning kit, an owner's manual, and three 20-round magazines (or three 10-round magazines, where restricted by law).<ref name="ownersmanual2009"/>

The Five-seven can be used in conjunction with a wide range of firearm accessories; holsters are offered by various manufacturers, and the pistol's MIL-STD-1913 (Picatinny) accessory rail will accept tactical lights or laser aiming devices.<ref name="ownersmanual2009"/><ref name="tgs01">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> With the use of an extended, threaded barrel, the pistol can also be fitted with various sound suppressors developed by Advanced Armament Corporation, Gemtech, Silencerco, and other manufacturers. The Gemtech SFN-57, which was developed in 1998 specifically for use with the Five-seven, is a matte black aluminum suppressor with a length of Template:Convert, a diameter of Template:Convert, and a weight of Template:Convert.<ref name="jones2009"/><ref name="gemtechsfn57">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Israeli manufacturer FAB Defense offers a complete PDW conversion kit for the Five-seven, designated the KPOS G2 FN 5.7, that allows the pistol to be reconfigured into a shoulder-fired personal defense weapon, and CornerShot offers a weapon system compatible with the Five-seven that allows the shooter to aim and fire around corners without being exposed.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="lewis2007">Template:Cite book</ref>

VariantsEdit

Five-seven: The original Five-seven was introduced in 1998,<ref name="hogg2002"/> and it is now discontinued. It had no manual safety device and it was double-action only, with a heavy trigger pull of 4.5 to 6.5 daN (10 to 14 lb_F); its double-action only trigger was harshly criticized.<ref name="hogg2002"/><ref name="ayoob01"/><ref name="fnherstal572002">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> The original Five-seven had a pebbled grip pattern, a smoothly contoured accessory rail, low profile fixed sights and a large circular-shaped trigger guard designed to facilitate gloved use.<ref name="sterett2005"/><ref name="fnherstal572002"/> It did not have a slide release and the slide was not serrated as on newer models, but a portion at the rear of the slide was instead slightly concave to aid grasping.<ref name="sterett2005"/><ref name="fnherstal572002"/> The pistol also had slightly different markings, with an FN logo placed on the left side of the frame above the trigger guard.<ref name="sterett2005"/>

Five-seven Tactical: The Five-seven Tactical was introduced shortly after the original double-action only model, as a single-action alternative.<ref name="marchington2004"/><ref name="fnherstal572002"/> It had a short and light trigger pull of 2 to 3 daN (4.4 to 6.6 lb_F), as on current models.<ref name="fnherstal572002"/> It also had the addition of an ambidextrous manual safety device (located on each side of the frame, as on current models), and a slide release.<ref name="fnherstal572002"/> Aside from these modifications, the Tactical model was identical to the original double-action only Five-seven.<ref name="fnherstal572002"/> It was discontinued following the introduction of the IOM model.Template:Citation needed

Five-seven IOM: The Five-seven IOM (Individual Officer Model)<ref name="grevillius2006"/> was the first model of the Five-seven pistol to be offered to civilian shooters, debuting in 2004.<ref name="sterett2005"/> It is now discontinued in favor of the USG model. The IOM was similar in its basic design to the Tactical version, but differed in that it had a MIL-STD-1913 (Picatinny) accessory rail, a serrated slide and trigger guard, and fully adjustable sights.<ref name="sterett2005"/> It also had a magazine safety mechanism incorporated into the design, to prevent the pistol from being fired without a magazine inserted.<ref name="sterett2005"/>

File:FN5729.jpg

FN Five-seven USG pistol equipped with a Viridian X5L (Gen. 2) light/laser combo

Five-seven USG: The Five-seven USG (United States Government)<ref name="grevillius2006"/> model was approved by the ATF as a sporting firearm in 2004,<ref name="fnhusaammo2006"/> replacing the IOM model. The USG retained the changes that were incorporated in the IOM, but it had further modifications, including a conventionally shaped square trigger guard, a tightly checkered grip pattern, and a larger, reversible magazine release.<ref name="ownersmanual2009"/><ref name="fnhusa57"/> It was originally offered with adjustable sights, but starting in 2009 it was also offered with low profile fixed sights.<ref name="fixedsights01"/> The USG model had a black frame finish with grey controls as standard, but it was also offered in limited quantities with black controls.<ref name="acusport">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> Since 2013, the USG model is no longer listed by FNH USA.<ref name="fnhusa57"/>

Five-seven FDE: The Five-seven FDE (Flat Dark Earth)<ref name="fnhusa57"/> model was built to the same specifications as the Five-seven USG, but it had a brown frame finish and black controls, as opposed to the standard black frame finish and grey controls of the Five-seven USG.<ref name="fnhusa57"/> Like the USG model, the FDE was offered with either adjustable sights or low profile fixed sights.<ref name="fnhusa57"/> Since 2013, the original FDE model is no longer listed by FNH USA, although a flat dark earth version of the new MK2 is available.<ref name="fnhusa57"/>

Five-seven ODG: The Five-seven ODG (Olive Drab Green)<ref name="bahde2009"/> model was built to the same specifications as the Five-seven USG model, but it had an olive drab frame finish and black controls, as opposed to the standard black frame finish and grey controls of the Five-seven USG.<ref name="bahde2009"/> Like the USG model, the ODG model was offered with either adjustable sights or low profile fixed sights.<ref name="bahde2009"/> Since 2012, the ODG model is no longer listed by FNH USA.<ref name="fnhusa57"/>

Five-seven MK2: The Five-seven MK2 model was introduced in 2013, and is now the standard version of the Five-seven offered by FN Herstal.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> This new model has cocking serrations on the front of the slide, and has a one-piece metal slide (under the polymer cover), whereas the previous models have a two-piece welded metal slide.<ref name="fnforum.net">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It is available only with adjustable sights.<ref name="fnforum.net"/><ref name="ReferenceA">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The rear sight on the adjustable-sight version has also been changed, with beefed-up construction and white straight-edge sight references compared to the present three-dot target-style sights; these have been described as "combat adjustable sights".<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

The MK2 has a black frame and slide, with flat black controls in place of the grey controls of the IOM and USG models. It is also available with a flat dark earth frame color. It is slightly wider than previous models and will not fit most custom holsters made for earlier versions of the Five-seven.Template:Citation needed

Current modelEdit

Five-seven MK3 MRD: The Five-seven MK3 MRD model was introduced in 2022, the main difference is the new FN patented interface that accepts the most commonly used red dot sights, and multisurfaced textures. Optically it has a new slide and a more textured grip, compared to the MK2. It is available in black and flat dark earth.

ControversiesEdit

The Five-seven pistol and 5.7×28mm ammunition were originally restricted by FN to military and law enforcement customers, but in 2004 the new Five-seven IOM model was introduced, and offered to civilian shooters for use with 5.7×28mm SS192 ammunition.<ref name="sterett2005"/><ref name="fnmfgdao"/> FNH USA has marketed the Five-seven to civilian shooters as a pistol suitable for personal protection, target shooting, and similar uses, but the Five-seven's introduction to civilian shooters was strongly opposed by U.S. gun control organizations such as the Brady Campaign; by the end of 2004, sales of the Five-seven pistol had increased dramatically.<ref name="fnhusa57"/><ref name="brady2005"/><ref name="statesman01">Template:Cite news</ref>

In early 2005, the pistol was subject to controversy in the United States after the Brady Campaign stated that commercially available 5.7×28mm SS192 ammunition penetrated a Level IIA Kevlar vest in testing.<ref name="brady2005"/><ref name="nraila01">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) shortly countered the Brady Campaign's claim by stating that the gun control group may not have adhered to standard testing procedures, and that FN offers armor-piercing varieties of the 5.7×28mm cartridge only to military and law enforcement customers.<ref name="nraila01"/><ref name="fnhusaammo">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Varieties offered to civilians are classified by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as not armor-piercing, and it was stated that the SS192 and SS196 cartridge variations were unable to penetrate various types of Kevlar vests in tests conducted by FNH USA.<ref name="batfe2005">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Template:Quote box

Michael D. Barnes, then-president of the Brady Campaign, responded to the NRA's statements on the Five-seven by challenging NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre to be shot with the pistol while wearing a Kevlar vest.<ref name="nraila02">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The NRA again responded to the Brady Campaign's statements, saying that "Barnes demonstrated his group's complete and utter disregard for gun safety and its flaming zeal to further restrict the rights of law-abiding gun owners."<ref name="nraila02"/> In the same year, two pieces of legislation were introduced in the United States Congress, specifically targeting the Five-seven pistol and 5.7×28mm ammunition for a federal ban: the H.R. 1136: PLEA Act was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), and the S. 527: PLEA Act was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ); neither bill proceeded to a vote by the House or Senate.<ref name="hr1136">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="s527">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In March 2007, legislation was again introduced in the United States Congress by Rep. Engel, under the new designation H.R. 1784: PLEA Act.<ref name="hr1784">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Once again, the bill failed to proceed to a vote.<ref name="hr1784"/> In the following years, the Five-seven was subject to further controversy due to reports of the pistol's use by drug cartels in the Mexican Drug War.<ref name="byron2009">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="grillo2007">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="castillo2009">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the United States, the Five-seven has been used once to shoot and kill a police officer, causing the line of duty death of Wisconsin State Patrol Trooper Trevor Casper. Various news sources such as The Boston Globe and La Jornada also report incidents in which the pistol was used to shoot and kill police officers or civilians in Mexico.<ref name="grillo2007"/><ref name="brady02">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="flores2007">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> According to the ATF, the Five-seven is one of the weapons favored by drug cartels in the Mexican Drug War, and a smuggled Five-seven pistol can sell for up to 66,000 pesos (US$5,000) in Mexico.<ref name="byron2009"/><ref name="castillo2009"/> From Mexico, the pistols have been smuggled into other South American countries;<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> in a July 2010 drive-by shooting in Envigado, Colombia, two cartel gunmen armed with Five-seven pistols opened fire on a group of bystanders outside a nightclub, leaving 9 people dead and 10 wounded.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In November 2009, the Five-seven again became subject to controversy in the United States, following the shooting at Fort Hood military base, in Texas.<ref name="ayoob01"/><ref name="statesman01"/><ref name="brady02"/> A U.S. Army psychiatrist, Major Nidal Hasan, opened fire on fellow soldiers with a Five-seven pistol, killing 13 people and wounding 29 in the worst shooting ever to take place on an American military base.<ref name="ayoob01"/><ref name="statesman01"/><ref name="brady02"/> Shortly after the shooting, FNH USA responded with a fact sheet dismissing allegations about the nature of the pistol, stating that it is only offered to civilians with sporting ammunition.<ref name="57facts"/> Later in the month, a number of gun control organizations such as the Brady Campaign wrote a collaborative letter to U.S. President Barack Obama, citing the weapon's use by the Fort Hood shooter and Mexican drug cartels, and calling on him to ban importation of the Five-seven pistol and 5.7×28mm ammunition.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In July 2010, legislation was introduced in the United States Congress by Rep. Engel, for a third time, under the new designation H.R. 6030: PLEA Act.<ref name="hr6030">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Like its previous incarnations, the H.R. 6030 bill failed to proceed to a vote by either the House of Representatives or Senate.<ref name="hr6030"/>

UsersEdit

File:Five-seveN Users.png

A map with Five-seven users in blue

The first military organization to adopt the Five-seven was the Cypriot National Guard (Greek: Εθνική Φρουρά), which purchased 250 pistols in May 2000 for its special forces group.<ref name="gourley2003"/> By 2009, the Five-seven was in service with military and police forces in over 40 nations throughout the world.Template:Citation needed

In the United States, the Five-seven (as of 2010) is used by over 300 law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Secret Service.<ref name="jones2009"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Military and law enforcement organizations using the Five-seven include:

Country	Organization	Model	Quantity	Date	Reference
{{#invoke:flag	Belgium}}	Composante Air (Belgian Air Force) pilots	−	−	−	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="armycz2009">{{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Composante Terre (Belgian Army), replacing the Browning Hi-Power pistol	Mk2	−	2013–	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="altairmk2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Directorate of Special Units (DSU) group of the Federale Politie/Police Fédérale	−	−	−	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Special Forces Group (SFG)	−	−	−	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="armycz2009"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Liège metropolitan police force	−	−	−	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:CAN	Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) in Montreal, Quebec	−	−	−	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
{{#invoke:flag	Cyprus}}	Εθνική Φρουρά (Cypriot National Guard) special forces	Five-seven	250	2000–	<ref name="gourley2003"/><ref name="jones2009"/><ref name="valpolini2009"/>
Template:Flagu	Direction Générale de la Sécurité Extérieure (DGSE) intelligence agency	−	−	−	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	GIGN counter-terrorist unit of the Gendarmerie Nationale	−	−	−	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Recherche Assistance Intervention Dissuasion (RAID) unit of the Police Nationale	−	−	−	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
{{#invoke:flag	name=Georgia}}	Georgian army	−	−	−	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
{{#invoke:flag	Ministry of Internal Affairs	−	−	−	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
{{#invoke:flag	Greece}}	Ειδική Κατασταλτική Αντιτρομοκρατική Μονάδα (EKAM) unit of the Hellenic Police	−	−	−	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flagu	Dirección General de Inteligencia Civil (DIGICI) intelligence agency	USG	−	2008–	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
{{#invoke:flag	India}}	Special Protection Group (SPG) assigned to the prime minister and other officials	USG	−	2008–	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:IDN	Komando Pasukan Katak (Kopaska) tactical diver group of the Indonesian Navy	−	−	−	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:IDN	Komando Pasukan Khusus (Kopassus) special forces group of the Indonesian Army	−	−	−	<ref name="idnvojnik"/>
{{#invoke:flag	Italy}}	Col Moschin 9º Reggimento d'Assalto Paracadutisti (9th Parachute Assault Regiment) special forces of the Italian Army	USG	−	−	Template:Catalog lookup link{{#if:Template:Trim\|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no\|yes\|Template:Main other\|{{#invoke:check isxn\|check_issn\|Template:Trim\|error=Template:Error-small Template:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim\|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no\|yes\|Template:Main other\|{{#invoke:check isxn\|check_issn\|Template:Trim\|error=Template:Error-small Template:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim\|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no\|yes\|Template:Main other\|{{#invoke:check isxn\|check_issn\|Template:Trim\|error=Template:Error-small Template:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim\|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no\|yes\|Template:Main other\|{{#invoke:check isxn\|check_issn\|Template:Trim\|error=Template:Error-small Template:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim\|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no\|yes\|Template:Main other\|{{#invoke:check isxn\|check_issn\|Template:Trim\|error=Template:Error-small Template:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim\|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no\|yes\|Template:Main other\|{{#invoke:check isxn\|check_issn\|Template:Trim\|error=Template:Error-small Template:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim\|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no\|yes\|Template:Main other\|{{#invoke:check isxn\|check_issn\|Template:Trim\|error=Template:Error-small Template:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim\|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no\|yes\|Template:Main other\|{{#invoke:check isxn\|check_issn\|Template:Trim\|error=Template:Error-small Template:Main other}}}}{{#if:Template:Trim\|{{#ifeq:Template:Yesno-no\|yes\|Template:Main other\|{{#invoke:check isxn\|check_issn\|Template:Trim\|error=Template:Error-small Template:Main other}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}\|Template:Error-small}}), 2007.</ref>
Template:LBY	Military of Libya (used by Muammar Gaddafi's military forces in the 2011 Libyan civil war, and some of these examples were captured and used in the war by Libyan rebel forces)	USG	367	2008–	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="AFP01">{{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:MEX	Ejército Méxicano (Mexican Army)	−	−	−	<ref name="flores2007"/><ref name="valpolini2009"/>
	Estado Mayor Presidencial (EMP; Presidential Guard)	−	−	−	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Fuerzas Especiales (FES; Special Forces) of the Mexican Navy	−	−	−	<ref name="lajornada2008"/>
Template:Flagu	Nepalese Armed Forces	−	−	−	<ref name="valpolini2009"/>
Template:PER	Grupo de Fuerzas Especiales (GRUFE) of the Peruvian Armed Forces	USG	−	2009–	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
{{#invoke:flag	Poland}}	Centralne Biuro Śledcze (CBŚ; Central Bureau of Investigation)	−	−	−	<ref name="altairmk2"/>
{{#invoke:flag	Grupa Reagowania Operacyjno-Manewrowego (GROM) special forces (used primarily for dignitary protection)	USG	−	2007–	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1\|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:KSA	Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia	USG	12,000	2007–	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flagu	Singapore Armed Forces Commando Formation (CDO FN)	Five-seven Tactical	500	−	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:SPN	Fuerzas Armadas Españolas (Spanish Armed Forces)	−	−	−	<ref name="valpolini2009"/>
Template:SPN	Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid) municipal police force	−	−	−	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flagu	Security forces	−	−	−	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:THA	กองทัพบกไทย (Royal Thai Army)	−	−	−	<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Template:Flagu	United States Secret Service	−	−	−	<ref name="jones2009"/><ref name="LSP"/>
	Duluth, Georgia police department	−	−	−	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Passaic County, New Jersey sheriff's department SWAT	−	−	2002–	<ref name="humphries2008"/>
	Landis, North Carolina police department	USG & Mk2	5	2011–	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

ReferencesEdit

Template:Reflist

External linksEdit

Template:Sister project Template:Sister project

Template:Official website
Template:Official website – FNH USA
Owner's Manual
FNH Firearms Blog
"FNH USA Five-seven Pistol 5.7×28mm" Template:Webarchive – Tactical-Life

Video

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