FN Five-Seven Semi-Automatic Pistol

FN Five-Seven

The FN Five-seveN pistol was developed in the early 1990s and features a cold hammer-forged barrel that is chrome-lined for extended service life. The polymer-framed FN Five-seveN offers single-action operation, low felt recoil and is equipped with an ambidextrous, forward-mounted manual safety, and an accessory rail that accepts tactical lights and lasers.

Features

Chrome-lined chamber and bore
MIL-STD-1913 accessory mounting rail
Reversible magazine release
Lockable fitted hard case

Made In United States of America

FN Five Seven Product Information

Cartridge	5.7x28mm FN
Capacity	10+1 Round
Weight	21 Ounce
Barrel Length	4.8 Inches
Action Type	Semi-Automatic
Trigger Type	Single Action
Safety	Manual
Threaded Muzzle	No
Barrel Finish	Chrome
Front Sight	Fixed Blade with White Dot
Rear Sight	Adjustable Two Dot
Case Included	Yes
Frame Material	Polymer
Grip Material	Polymer
Frame Finish	Flat Dark Earth
Magazine Quantity	3
Slide Finish	Black
Grip Style	Checkered
Grip Color	Flat Dark Earth
Compensated	No
Country of Origin	United States of America
Trigger Pull	4.4-7.87 Pound

Delivery Information

Must Ship to FFL Dealer	Yes
Shipping Weight	5.190 Pounds

FN Five-Seven Semi-Automatic Pistol – Features, Design & Performance Overview

TASTYTSUNAMI Informational Guide

Introduction to the FN Five-Seven

The FN Five-Seven Semi-Automatic Pistol is a modern polymer-framed handgun developed by FN Herstal. Known for its lightweight construction, high-capacity magazine design, and chambering in the 5.7×28mm cartridge, the Five-Seven occupies a unique position in the handgun market.

Unlike traditional compact or full-size pistols chambered in common handgun calibers, the Five-Seven is built around a bottlenecked cartridge designed for high velocity and flat trajectory performance characteristics.

This informational guide from TASTYTSUNAMI explores the platform’s design philosophy, ergonomics, cartridge system, and practical considerations.

Design Philosophy of the Five-Seven

The FN Five-Seven was engineered with a focus on:

Lightweight handling characteristics
High magazine capacity
Flat-shooting ballistic profile
Reduced recoil impulse
Modern polymer-frame construction

The platform was designed to provide controllable performance in a high-velocity handgun cartridge format.

5.7×28mm Cartridge Overview

The Five-Seven is chambered in 5.7×28mm, a bottlenecked cartridge originally designed for compact firearms.

General characteristics include:

High velocity relative to traditional handgun cartridges
Flat trajectory at short-to-medium ranges
Reduced recoil impulse
Lightweight projectile design
Specialized ballistic performance profile

These characteristics influence the handgun’s overall handling and shooting behavior.

Polymer Frame Construction

The Five-Seven uses a polymer frame design to reduce weight and improve handling comfort.

Frame advantages include:

Lightweight carry profile
Corrosion resistance
Improved handling balance
Reduced fatigue during extended use

The polymer construction contributes significantly to the platform’s low overall weight.

Ergonomics and Grip Design

The platform features a full-size grip designed to accommodate its high-capacity magazine system.

Ergonomic features include:

Textured grip surfaces for improved control
Extended grip length for magazine capacity
Balanced grip angle for natural pointing
Comfortable handling during repeated firing

These design elements support stable shooting performance.

High-Capacity Magazine System

One of the defining features of the Five-Seven is its high-capacity magazine design.

Capacity advantages include:

Large round count compared to traditional handgun platforms
Efficient use of cartridge dimensions
Balanced grip-to-capacity ratio
Extended operational range between reloads

This is a key factor in the platform’s design identity.

Recoil Characteristics

The 5.7×28mm cartridge produces relatively low recoil compared to many conventional handgun calibers.

Recoil advantages include:

Reduced muzzle rise
Faster follow-up shot capability
Improved shooting control
Lower fatigue during extended use

This makes the platform highly controllable for many users.

Trigger System Characteristics

The Five-Seven uses a striker-fired trigger system designed for consistent operation.

Trigger features include:

Predictable trigger travel
Consistent break characteristics
Defined reset point
Reliable cycling performance

Trigger consistency contributes to practical shooting accuracy.

Accuracy and Practical Shooting Performance

The platform is designed for practical accuracy and consistent shot placement.

Accuracy-related characteristics include:

Flat trajectory from high-velocity cartridge
Stable sight alignment
Reduced recoil disruption
Consistent trigger response

These factors contribute to predictable shooting performance.

Slide Design and Handling

The slide incorporates functional design elements for usability.

Slide features include:

Front and rear serrations for manipulation
Lightweight slide construction
Durable finish for corrosion resistance
Simplified handling geometry

These features improve overall usability and maintenance handling.

Optics and Sight Systems

The Five-Seven supports modern sighting configurations depending on variant.

Sight-related features include:

Standard iron sight setups
High-visibility sight options
Optics-ready configurations (model dependent)

This allows flexibility in aiming system setup.

Durability and Construction Quality

The platform is engineered for long-term durability and reliability.

Construction features include:

Reinforced polymer frame
Steel internal components
Corrosion-resistant materials
Designed for consistent cycling

These factors contribute to long service life under regular use.

Maintenance and Field Stripping

The Five-Seven is designed for straightforward maintenance procedures.

Maintenance benefits include:

Simple field-stripping process
Minimal internal complexity
Easy cleaning access
Durable materials that resist wear

Routine maintenance supports long-term reliability.

Handling and Practical Use Considerations

The FN Five-Seven is known for its lightweight feel and controllable recoil.

Handling characteristics include:

Reduced overall weight compared to many full-size pistols
Stable grip geometry
Comfortable recoil behavior
Balanced shooting dynamics

These traits make it distinct among modern handgun platforms.

Position in the Modern Handgun Market

The Five-Seven occupies a specialized niche due to its cartridge and design philosophy.

Market-position characteristics include:

Chambered in 5.7×28mm cartridge
High-capacity design approach
Lightweight polymer construction
Unique ballistic performance profile

This combination differentiates it from conventional handgun categories.

FN Herstal Platform Development

FN Herstal continues to develop firearms systems across military, law enforcement, and civilian categories, with the Five-Seven representing one of its most distinctive handgun platforms.

Final Thoughts

The FN Five-Seven Semi-Automatic Pistol is a modern polymer-framed handgun designed around the unique 5.7×28mm cartridge. Its lightweight construction, high-capacity magazine system, reduced recoil characteristics, and flat-shooting performance profile make it a distinctive platform within the handgun category.

As part of the portfolio from FN Herstal, the Five-Seven reflects a specialized approach to modern handgun engineering focused on performance, controllability, and cartridge innovation.

FN Five-Seven Semi-Automatic Pistol

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FN Five-Seven Semi-Automatic Pistol