FREE Firearm Rentals and Limited FREE Ammo
Today, Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023 is a great time to visit a shooting range. Today is the second Annual Second Amendment Day (“2A Day”), a time to celebrate America’s Second Amendment freedoms and have fun hitting targets at the range. In observance of 2A Day, Brownells and Smith & Wesson will sponsor free firearm rentals and limited free ammo at 48 Range USA locations and other participating ranges. To learn more about 2A Day range events, giveaways, and more visit www.brownells.com/2ADAY.
Additional opportunities to celebrate and show support include joining organizations that promote Second Amendment rights on national and state levels or by sharing a photo or video post on social media using the hashtag “#2ADay” to help spread awareness.
Second Amendment Day Official Target (Download for FREE)
“February 22nd is a day we, as a nation, can recognize, celebrate and do our part to secure one of the most important rights guaranteed by our Constitution – the right to keep and bear arms,” said Pete Brownell, Chairman of the Board at Brownells. “I hope Americans from all walks of life visit the range on this one day – 2/22 … and safely exercise their Second Amendment right, which is the underpinning of safety and security in America.”
Will you be traveling out of state this spring? Or do you have questions about your own state’s firearms laws? Then you’ll want to have quick access to summaries of gun laws in America’s 50 states. Here’s a very valuable online resource you may want to bookmark.
The NRA-ILA (Institute for Legislative Action) has a great feature on the NRA-ILA’s homepage. There is a pull-down menu that includes all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, New York City, and Guam. This quickly provides a host of legal information for each region you select. From the NRA home page, NRA-ILA.org, you can instantly access a host of information for all 50 states. NOTE: Some of this information is not completely current, so you may want to check with more detailed, up-to-date reference, such as the Legal Heat $20 50 State Guide to Firearms Laws and Regulations (2023 Edition). Most of the information in the book is also available in the FREE Legal Heat Firearms Law APP for Android (Google) and iOS (Apple) mobile devices. Here are screenshots from the Legal Heat iPhone App.
Shown below is part of the NRA-ILA’s coverage for Texas. There is a summary of the most important Texas gun laws. Below that is a map showing the states that recognize Texas carry permits.
For today’s Saturday at the Movies compilation, we feature eight informative videos showcasing relatively new semi-auto pistols and revolvers. There are some great new guns from Smith & Wesson, Savage, Colt, CZ, FN, Taurus, Rock River, SAR USA, Stoeger, Nighthawk and more. NOTE: Some of these pistols were officially released in 2022, but are still just reaching the market. After watching these videos, you can view other new pistols and revolvers on the SHOT Show Daily Report from last month.
New Savage 1911 Pistol
You read that right, rifle-maker Savage Arms is now producing a 1911-type pistol and it looks very good. It has ambidextrous controls, a forward rail, target crown, and nice sights. The new Savage 1911 is built from stainless steel, has a dual recoil spring, machined sear and disconnector. It is offered in three styles: Black Nitride, Stainless, and Two-Tone (black slide, stainless frame). MSRP is $1499.00.
New Handguns for 2023 — Video Previews
Hundreds of handguns were showcased at SHOT Show 2023. This video covers seven relatively new design pistols that were on display at SHOT Show 2023. These are: The CZ P-10F (0:35 time-mark); Rock River Arms STK 100 (2:06); SAR9 Compact (03:44); Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 10mm (5:04); Bond Arms Roughneck Derringer (6:22); Mossberg MC2sc (7:08); and Cabot Guns Apocalypse (8:39).
New Handguns on Display at SHOT Show 2023
Here’s a good Ballistik Channel video featuring five impressive new (or nearly new) pistols. This video starts off with the eye-catching CZ TS2 “Racing Green” model (0:42) (other grip colors are offered).
Next is the Stoeger STF9F (2:32), a value offering. Third up is the potent S&W M&P 2.0 chambered in 10mm (4:25). The fourth pistol is the modern, Red-dot equipped, suppressor-ready, Shadow Systems XR 920. Last but not least, the video features the pricey Nighthawk Custom President (7:24), a 1911-type pistol chambered for the new Federal 30 Super Carry ammo.
Best .22 LR Pistols and Revolvers for 2023
Everyone should have at least one .22 LR handgun. Definitely check out this 13-minute video if you’re in the market for a new rimfire pistol. The video has great product images and is one of the best compilations of new (and recently introduced) .22 LR semi-auto pistols and revolvers you’ll find. Definitely worth watching.
1. FN 502 Tactical (1:05 time-mark)
2. SIG Sauer P322 (2:52)
3. Walther WMP (4:22)
4. Browning Mark Plus Vision (5:30)
5. Charter Arms Target Pathfinder Revolver (6:15)
Five New Pistols including S&W 5.7 and Taurus TX22
This video showcases five new pistols featured at Shot Show 2023. Leading off is the new Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 (00:34 time-mark). Next is the Rock Island Armory RIA 5.0 (02:42), followed by the Rossi RP63 (04:58). Then comes the FN 510 Tactical (7:04). Last but not least is the .22 LR Taurus TX22 Compact. The full-size TX22 rimfire pistol has become quite popular since its introduction.
New Glock Performance Trigger for Gen 5 Pistols
In this episode of TFB-TV, James Reeves interviews champion shooter Shane Coley. The key topic is Glock’s new factory-built Performance Trigger. Yes, Glock is now making a high performance trigger for its Gen 5 pistols. Shane explains all of the relevant details, including a surprisingly reasonable price. This new trigger should be available very soon.
Top Five New Revolvers for 2023
For wheelgun fans, this video covers five recently-introduced revolvers: Wrangler Sheriff model (1:25 time-mark), Colt Python 3 (3:03); Diamondback Sidekick (4:38); Rough Rider Tactical Cowboy (with Pic Rail, 6:03), and Taurus 325 carry revolver (7:30).
Bonus Video: Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 with 22-Rd Magazine
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.
1. Midsouth — Hornady Get Loaded Promo with 500 Free Bullets
⏺ Get 500 or 100 Free Bullets with Hornady hardware
Hornady is now running its 2023 Get Loaded® promotion. Now through 12/31/2023 get up to 500 FREE BULLETS with qualifying purchases of Hornady reloading products. You can also get significant up-front savings and/or FREE Shipping when you buy Hornady reloading presses and other products at Midsouth. For example, you can save $90 on the Hornady Iron Press Kit. Depending on the products purchased, customers can get 500 or 100 free bullets, valued up to $234.33.
⏺ Quality USA-made hunting rifle at good price; many chamberings
Looking for a good hunting rifle with a sub-MOA accuracy guarantee? Right now the Weatherby Vanguard with synthetic stock is ON SALE for just $499.97 at Sportsman’s Warehouse. This Vanguard model features a gray, Griptonite Monte Carlo composite stock. For this $499.97 bargain price, many chamberings are offered: .223 Remington, .22-250 Remington, .243 Winchester, .25-06 Remington, .270 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, and .240 Weatherby Magnum. Overall weight (without scope) is 7.75 pounds.
3. Midsouth — Fiocchi .223 Rem Ammo with V-Max Bullets
⏺ Good deal on factory ammo with quality Hornady V-Max bullets
Here’s excellent varmint ammo on SALE at a bargain price. If you’re planning a Prairie Dog safari this spring, but don’t want to handload, grab some Fiocchi Field Dynamics .223 Rem ammo. Choose the 40gr V-Max, 50gr V-Max, or 55gr V-Max versions, all with 50-rd boxes for just $34.99 on SALE. That’s $0.70 per round, a darn good price. This Fiocchi .223 Rem ammo has earned very positive reviews from purchasers.
⏺ Fast, programmable, accurate dispenser at great price
The Frankford Arsenal Intellidropper is a high-quality powder scale/dispenser. It’s accurate to +/- one-tenth of a grain, dispenses in seconds, and can be controlled by a handy mobile App that stores charge weights for different cartridges. This unit has a 7000-grain capacity with both auto and manual trickle capability. This is a great deal — you save fifty bucks (21%) off the regular MidwayUSA price, and the same Intellidropper is now $239.96 on Amazon.
5. Natchez — Frankford Quick-N-Easy Case Tumbler Kit, $79.99
⏺ We’ve used this Combo Kit for many seasons — very good value right now
Keeping your brass clean is important (and essential if you anneal). If you’re looking for a new, affordable setup to clean cartridge brass, consider the Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler Master Kit. You get everything needed to dry-tumble your brass and remove the media. This is all available now for a very low $79.99. You could pay that much for a good vibratory tumbler alone, yet this combo kit includes tumbler, media separator, bucket, brass polish, and media.
6. Palmetto State Armory — Norma Tac-22 .22 LR 500rds, $32.99
⏺ Very good .22 LR ammo at extremely low price — GREAT VALUE
If you love .22 LR rimfires and want quality ammo at an ultra-low price, grab some Norma TAC-22. Priced at just $3.30 per 50-ct box, this is a true bargain, yet the TAC-22 is good enough for NRL22 matches as well as fun target shooting. We’ve shot this Norma ammo and been very satisfied. You’ll be hard-pressed to find better .22 LR ammo at anywhere near this price. Don’t delay ordering — at this price, we expect this TAC-22 ammo will sell out soon.
7. KYGUNCO — Rock Island Armory TM22 Rifle, $278.00
⏺ Slick, AR-style rimfire rifle with new features
Looking to get started in NRL22 competition, or want a rimfire varmint rifle with familiar AR look and feel? Then check out the Rock Island Armory TM22. This handsome semi-auto .22 LR rimfire rig weighs 6.5 lbs. with its 18″ barrel. The modestly-priced TM22 sports an AR-type grip, commercial buffer tube adapter, top rail, and M-LOK fore-end. The rifle is set up with right-handed controls, but the TM22 can easily be modified for left-handed operation. The TM22 ships with two 10-rd aluminum magazines with aftermarket 15- and 25-round magazines available.
8. Midsouth — 1000 Rounds Federal 9mm FMJ Ammo, $314.99
⏺ Great DEAL on quality Federal 9mm Luger (9x19mm) ammo
Here’s a great ammo offering, with major-brand quality 9mm cartridges from Federal. Get 1000 rounds of 115gr FMJ American Eagle ammo for just $314.99 at Midsouth. This works out to just $15.75 per 50rd box — a great deal. We have shot this ammo in a variety of 9x19mm pistols and it is very reliable. This is NOT loose bulk-pack, there are twenty convenient 50rd boxes.
⏺ Super-low prices on compact binoculars — up to 63% Off
Need a spare pair of compact, lightweight binoculars? Now you can get a decent set of weatherproof binoculars for under $25.00. Choose from Bushnell, Simmons, and Tasco binoculars on sale now at CDNN Sports starting at just $9.99. We like the Bushnell H20 8×25 waterproof binocs at $17.76 — 61% off the $44.99 MSRP. NOTE: None of these are truly excellent binoculars that can compete with a $400+ Nikon, Leica, Sightron, or Zeiss. But these are small, handy, and can fit in a vehicle glove box or a fanny pack. So they can be used regularly when you’re hiking, camping, or game-watching.
⏺ Versatile eye protection — 4 colors of lenses plus adjustable frame
Walker’s Adjustable Sport Glasses feature FOUR interchangeable lenses made of high-grade polycarbonate that exceeds ANSI 287.1-2003 High Impact Requirements. The interchangeable lenses come in four colors (Smoke Gray, Amber, Yellow, and Clear). The frames adjust for length and angle. These safety glasses ship with a soft carrying pouch that holds the extra lenses. This is a good deal — the same combo kit sells for $23.53 on Amazon!
The Firearms Regulatory Accountability Coalition (FRAC), SB Tactical, B&T USA, Rick Cicero, and 25 States have filed a lawsuit against the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) challenging the legality of a new ATF rule that reverses a decade of ATF agency precedent. That radical ATF rule would retroactively mandate the burdensome and costly registration of millions of pistols equipped with stabilizing braces, contrary to federal statutes enacted by Congress.
“The ATF has placed millions of law-abiding firearm owners in legal jeopardy”, notes Jeff Creamer, president and CEO of SB Tactical. “It’s a gross overreach of the Bureau’s authority and, if allowed to stand, will result in the largest gun registration scheme in U.S. history.”
The new ATF rule lacks a clear definition of what is actually being regulated. The language gives ATF the power to decide on a case-by-case basis which firearms are and are not regulated. READ NRA-ILA Analysis.
“The ATF’s new definition for stabilizing braces is arbitrary. The Bureau is declaring that they will effectively decide on a case-by-case basis whether a firearm is subject to the NFA. Every American gun owner is in danger of potentially facing felony charges at the whim of these bureaucrats and without any new statute in place. The NRA believes this rule will fail for the same reasons the bump stock rule failed — ATF can only apply federal statutes; it can’t rewrite them”, said Jason Ouimet, executive director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action.
“This rule demonstrates a clear abuse of power by the ATF”, Ouimet said. “They’re clearly carrying out the Biden Administration’s anti-gun agenda and it’s got to stop. The NRA is putting its full weight behind fighting this unlawful rule”.
About Stabilizing Braces
Stabilizing braces were designed to enable gun owners to operate certain firearms with one hand with more stability. The ATF’s new rule says, essentially, that using a stabilizing brace with a pistol turns the firearm into a short-barreled rifle and must now be regulated by the National Firearms Act (NFA) — which means they’d be subject to registration, additional taxation, and long wait times for approval due to ATF’s lengthy NFA processing times. Because of this rule, the millions of Americans who own a pistol and a stabilizing brace, regardless of style or caliber or type of brace, must either dispose of, alter, or register their firearms. If they don’t comply, they will become felons and face 10 years in prison and large fines.
According to the Congressional Research Service, there are currently between 10 and 40 million stabilizing braces in the United States.
FRAC is Lead Plaintiff with Coalition of 25 States
The lawsuit challenging the ATF policy is Firearms Regulatory Accountability Coalition, Inc (FRAC)., v. Merrick Garland and was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota.
Along with FRAC, other plaintiffs are: SB Tactical, B&T USA, Wounded Warrior Richard Cicero, and a coalition of 25 states led by West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley, also including Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming.
SIG Sauer is introducing SHOOT SIG — a membership program with fun matches and member benefits. The matches are convenient, running under two hours start to finish. And SIG Sauer will even provide the pistol if you don’t have one. SHOOT SIG benefits include: 1) exclusive member pricing; 2) access to purchase SHOOT SIG Gun of the Year; 3) 15% Webstore cart discount after match completion. An annual SHOOT SIG membership costs $50. Individual match registration costs $45. To learn more about the SHOOT SIG Program and the member benefits visit ShootSig.com.
SHOOT SIG Matches — Fast, Fun, and Affordable
Developed by Team SIG shooter Daniel Horner, the SHOOT SIG competition program is designed for all levels of shooters. To compete you need two boxes of ammo, and an hour (or two) of your time. There are three, simple standardized courses of fire. Bring your own gun or use one of the SIG guns at the range, with generous prize opportunities and giveaways at every match.
Don’t have a SIG? No problem, at each match there are SIG firearms available for use. Want to compete with a pistol that’s not a SIG? No problem, you can still compete. However, competitors using different pistol brands (e.g. Kimber, Glock, S&W, Walther, Taurus) are NOT eligible for match prizes.
SHOOT SIG Member Benefits
SIG Product Purchase Program: The Shoot SIG Product Purchase Program allows SHOOT SIG members to purchase one (1) SIG SAUER discounted pistol or rifle at a discounted rate direct from the factory per membership year.
Quarterly Prize Pack Drawing: Every quarter, SHOOT SIG members are eligible to receive 1 of 5 prize packs with SIG products and partner organization products. The inaugural prize pack includes SIG branded eye and ear protection, an ammo bag, and two boxes of SIG 9mm ammunition.
Aspirational Raffle: As a member of SHOOT SIG you are automatically entered into a members-only sweepstakes for an MCX-SPEAR with a SIG SAUER Electro-Optics TANGO6T and SLX Suppressor package.
SHOOT SIG Welcome Pack: SHOOT SIG Members will receive a welcome package. This includes a welcome letter, an exclusive members-only SHOOT SIG hat, and a SHOOT SIG sticker set.
This 12″ Bullseye Pistol Diagnostic Target helps improve handgun marksmanship. The target diagnoses common problems with one-handed shooting based on shot impact zones. While this target is designed for righties, left-handed shooters can use the target too. Just observe the opposite tips.
Do you know someone who wants to get started in pistol shooting? Here’s a helpful resource. The NRA now offers its Basics of Pistol Shooting Course in an online format. That makes it easy to cover the “classroom” phase of the course on your own time. The $60.00 online course includes 11 step-by-step lessons (to be followed by live range training). CLICK HERE to enroll in online Pistol Training Course.
Train Online, Then Register for a Range Session
For the NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting course, Phase 1 is conducted in an online environment, completed on your own time (cost is $60.00, non-refundable). After successfully completing the online exam, students can register for Phase 2, the instructor-led training session. Phase 2 is conducted at your local range with an NRA-Certified Instructor. NOTE: There will normally be an additional fee for Phase 2. You must successfully complete BOTH Phase 1 and Phase 2 in order to receive your NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting course certificate.
Designed and developed by experts to accommodate busy schedules, the web-based course takes a blended learning approach to firearms training with both online and physical components. Students have 90 days to work through 11 online lessons before registering for Phase 2, the NRA Certified Instructor-led phase at a local range.
“Thanks to our online courses and network of more than 125,000 NRA Certified Instructors, it has never been easier to learn basic firearm skills,” said Kyle Weaver, NRA General Operations Exec. Director. The NRA offers other online training courses at Onlinetraining.nra.org. Along with pistol course, these offerings include Rifle Training, Shotgun Training, a Range Safety Office (RSO) course, and a Range Development and Operations course.
Know someone getting started with handguns? Here is a useful video focusing on safety:
Shown is the Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm model. The M&P 45 is the same except for chambering.
You’ll hear some shooters complain loudly about the (perceived) lack of accuracy of their handguns. Well, sometimes the problem IS the gun, but other times the problem is “driver error”. At the range, we often hear guys blame their gun for poor accuracy, when in fact the real problem is lack of operator skill. This saga, posted a while back on Facebook, is a case in point.
Here’s the story. A gentleman attending an armorer’s course at Smith & Wesson was loudly dissing a S&W M&P 45, claiming it could not shoot. Very loudly he tells the instructor, “the M&P 45 one of our officers is carrying is sh*t”. He then trash-talks the gun, saying that both he and his officer couldn’t get the gun to shoot decent groups, either with FMJ or duty ammo.
Well it seems that Gregory Grutter, S&W’s Chief Firearms Instructor, happened to overhear these vociferous complaints, so Grutter asked to test-fire the M&P 45 pistol. Grutter put a couple of his business cards up at 15 yards, then shot one with Winchester Ranger SXT and the other with Winchester White Box ammo. Grutter’s best group was about half an inch, measured with OnTarget. Check it out:
We’re told that, after hearing the litany of complaints, Grutter walked over to the loud-mouthed grumbler and asked: “Hey Sir, can I shoot it?
“Have at it, I don’t want that POS back!” said Mr. Negative.
Kharma time baby… In Grutter’s hands the M&P performed superbly. Here are Grutter’s two 5-shot groups, each shot at 15 yards with the .45 ACP Smith & Wesson pistol. Pretty darn impressive:
After seeing this, the complainer asked: “Why did you shoot your cards — Ain’t got no targets?”
Grutter smiled and replied: “Nah… in case you or your officer want to learn how to shoot [this way] you will have the numbers to call.” Badda Bing!
Jessie Harrison is arguably the best female action pistol shooter in history. No other lady has amassed as many championships or set so many speed-shooting records. Over the past two decades Jessie Harrison (who has also competed with with married names Jessie Duff and Jessie Abbate) has earned dozens of major titles including twenty-two U.S. Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) Ladies Championships. Jessie won her 22nd USPSA title at the USPSA Race Gun Nationals in October 22–24, 2021 at the Talledega Marksmanship Park in Alabama.
This Saturday at the Movies feature showcases Jessie Harrison shooting in competition as well as Jessie offering shooting and firearms safety tips. You can see dozens more action pistol videos featuring Jessie on the Jessie Harrison YouTube Channel.
Jessie with Team USA at 2022 IPSC World Shoot
American shooter Jessie Harrison was part of a victorious USA Team and took second in the Ladies Open Division at the IPSC Handgun World Shoot held in November, 2022 in Pattaya, Thailand. The IPSC World Shoot is considered by many to be the most prestigious action pistol competition in the world. “The IPSC Handgun World Championships are our equivalent to the Olympics, the pinnacle of matches,” said Harrison.
Blast From the Past — Young Jessie in Cowboy Action Mode
Early in her shooting career, Jessie enjoyed Cowboy Action Shooting. She honed her skills shooting revolvers and lever guns “on the clock” with steel targets. For this Single Action Shooting Society (SASS) sport, all competitors use an official “alias” at matches. Jessie’s SASS alias was “Jasmine Jessie”. Watch this video from 2009 to see a young Jessie in action with a slick shotgun-loading trick.
Jessie Harrison, Successful Huntress
Jessie also enjoys hunting. Back in 2019, the chance to bag a Muley buck drew action-shooting ace Jessie Harrison out to Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains region. Jessie, who is probably the best lady action pistol shooter on the planet, had a successful hunt with Big Horn Outfitters. Jessie, Shooting Team Captain for Taurus USA, really enjoyed getting out into the Wyoming wilderness. And she got her buck!
This Saturday Movie showcase features four handguns chambered for the modern, high-velocity 5.7x28mm cartridge. In a 5″-6″ barreled pistol, the 5.7x28mm round can achieve very high velocities compared to a 9x19mm (9mm Luger) or .40 SW. The bottle-necked 5.7×28mm cartridge weighs roughly two-thirds as much as a typical 9mm Luger cartridge, allowing more rounds to be carried for the same weight. The cartridge can produce considerable muzzle flash when fired from a pistol, but it has roughly 30% less recoil than the 9mm Luger cartridge, improving controllability. Thanks to its high velocity, the 5.7×28mm has a flatter trajectory than most pistol ammo types.
Today we showcase videos of four different 5.7x28mm pistols — the new S&W M&P 5.7, the PSA 5.7 Rock, the Ruger-5.7, and the FN Five-SeveN Mk3 MRD. If you are looking for the best deal on a 5.7 pistol, check out the the PSA 5.7 Rock. You can buy one today for $599.99 including Holosun Red Dot Sight.
Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 with 22-Rd Magazine
Chambered for the high-velocity, flat-shooting 5.7x28mm, the Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 features S&W’s new TEMPO barrel system. This is a two-part, lock-breech barrel with a proprietary gas system for improved cycling and extraction. The new M&P 5.7 includes a 1/2×28 threaded barrel to mount a muzzle device or suppressor, optics-cut slide, flat-face trigger, and forward, frame rail for mounting accessories.
PSA 5.7 Rock — Best Value in a 5.7x28mm Handgun
The Palmetto State Armory (PSA) 5.7 Rock is the best value in a 5.7x28mm pistol. Right now PSA offers it complete with a mounted Holosun Red Dot sight for just $599.99 with two 23-rd mags. A full-sized, polymer-framed pistol, the PSA 5.7 Rock has threaded carbon steel fluted barrel and 416 stainless steel slide with QPQ finish for corrosion protection. Chambered in 5.7x28mm, the PSA 5.7 Rock is fed from a 23-round magazine and operated by a smooth, single-action, striker-fired trigger mechanism. While sold with a Holosun 407k optic, the 5.7 Rock slide accepts other Shield footprint optics.
Ruger-5.7 Pistol Review by Hickok45
In the video above, popular YouTube host Hickok45 reviews the Ruger-5.7, which was introduced in late 2019. This gun has proven reliable and when it hit the market it was much less expensive than its main competitor made by FN. Ruger’s 5.7x28mm pistol is blow-back operated with an internal hammer and ambidextrous thumb safety. The pistol is offered with a 20+1 capacity magazine and an adjustable rear sight paired with a fiber-optic front. Current MSRP is $899.00. If you’re interested in the Ruger-5.7, read the On-Target Magazine Full Review.
FN Five-SeveN Mk3 MRD Review
In this episode of TFBTV, James Reeves reviews the new FN Five-SeveN Mk3 MRD. At $1,449.00 MSRP, this is the most expensive 5.7x28mm pistol on the market, but might it also be the best? James takes the new Five-seveN Mk3 MRD to the range and to the table to tell you if FN’ lastest, high-tech 5.7x28mm pistol is worth the spend.
Ruger-5.7 vs. PSA 5.7 Rock
Ruger-5.7 vs. FN 5.7
Comparison Between 5.7x28mm and 9x19mm
In this video James Reeves compares the performance of the 5.7x28mm round with the 9mm Luger. The 5.7x28mm round certainly offers higher velocity and greater penetration than the legendary 9mm round. Plus common 5.7 magazines hold over 20 rounds. James discusses the advantages of this modern 5.7x28mm cartridge, as well as a few of its shortcomings — such as high cost per round. There is another insightful comparison between the two ammo types on the Ammo-to-Go website. Editor John Lewis notes: “5.7×28 is lighter and faster than 9mm ammo” while the 9mm had a “slight advantage in energy [and was] much better in gel”.
5.7x28mm vs 9mm Penetration Test
In this video the tester shot both 9mm and a 5.7x28mm bullets into horizontal stacks of paper plates. The smaller-diameter 5.7mm bullet penetrated about 40% more paper plates than the 9mm bullet (See video at 3:10-3:35). The 5.7mm bullet basically retained its dimensions in this test, while the hollow-point 9mm spread out slightly. Just mere horizontal penetration can’t tell you the actual effectiveness of the round based in a defensive situation. In a different test using Ballistic Gel, both rounds penetrated adequately but the 9mm created a bigger wound channel. SEE: AmmotoGo.com 5.7x28mm Test.
Short History of 5.7x28mm Guns and Ammo
The FN 5.7×28mm (designated as the 5.7×28 by the C.I.P. and FN 5.7x28mm NATO) is a small-caliber, high-velocity, rebated rim, bottle-necked centerfire cartridge designed for handgun and personal defense weapon uses. It is similar in length to the .22 WMR and somewhat similar to the .22 Hornet or .22 K-Hornet. Unlike many new cartridges, it has no parent case — it was developed from scratch by FN.
The 5.7×28mm was developed in conjunction with the FN P90 PDW and FN Five-Seven pistol in response to NATO requests for a replacement for the 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge (9mm Luger). 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. The tests compared the relative merits of the 5.7×28mm cartridge and the 4.6×30mm cartridge, which was created by Heckler & Koch.
By 2006, FN’s 5.7×28mm firearms — the P90 PDW and Five-Seven pistol — were in service with military and police forces in over 40 nations worldwide. In the USA, 5.7×28mm firearms are currently used by many law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Secret Service.
Along with use in military and law enforcement firearms, in recent years the 5.7×28mm cartridge has become popular for handguns in the USA. In December 2019 Ruger unveiled the Ruger-5.7 semi-automatic pistol chambered in this cartridge. In January 2021 Kel-Tec introduced its P50 handgun, which uses horizontal 50-round FN P90 magazines. In January 2021 Palmetto State Armory (PSA) introduced its Rock 5.7 pistol. And this year, Smith & Wesson has released its new M&P 5.7, featured above.
The 5.7×28mm cartridge itself is produced by multiple ammunition makers including Federal, Fiocchi, FN, and Speer. 5.7x28mm ammunition is PRICEY — the cheapest 5.7x28mm ammo we found with a quick search was 40gr Federal American Eagle at $0.77 round. By comparison, you can currently find bulk CCI 9mm Luger ammo for $0.30/round.
Some still images and text shared from Wikipedia: CC BY-SA 3.0
This Saturday Movie showcase features four handguns chambered for the modern, high-velocity 5.7x28mm cartridge. In a 5″-6″ barreled pistol, the 5.7x28mm round can achieve very high velocities compared to a 9x19mm (9mm Luger) or .40 SW. The bottle-necked 5.7×28mm cartridge weighs roughly two-thirds as much as a typical 9mm Luger cartridge, allowing more rounds to be carried for the same weight. The cartridge can produce considerable muzzle flash when fired from a pistol, but it has roughly 30% less recoil than the 9mm Luger cartridge, improving controllability. Thanks to its high velocity, the 5.7×28mm has a flatter trajectory than most pistol ammo types.
