{"id":213018,"date":"2025-03-01T21:25:16","date_gmt":"2025-03-02T03:25:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/?p=213018"},"modified":"2026-01-05T06:08:13","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T12:08:13","slug":"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\/","title":{"rendered":"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-estimated-reading-time yoast-reading-time__wrapper\"><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-icon=\"clock\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" style=\"display:inline-block;vertical-align:-0.1em\" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"2\" d=\"M12 8v4l3 3m6-3a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__spacer\" style=\"display:inline-block;width:1em\"><\/span><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__descriptive-text\">Estimated reading time: <\/span><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__reading-time\">11<\/span><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__time-unit\"> minutes<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It must\u2019ve been over two years ago when I read a couple of articles concerning the 5.7x28mm round. The last article argued in favor of the 5.7&#215;28 for self-defense purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"723\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A1-1024x723.jpeg\" alt=\"Suppressed handgun with 5.7x28mm ammo and a magazine\" class=\"wp-image-213020\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A1-1024x723.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A1-400x283.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A1-150x106.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A1-768x542.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A1-1536x1085.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A1-2048x1447.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The 5.7 Fest featured suppressed M&amp;P 5.7\u2019s, Fiocchi ammo, presentations and lots of shooting.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>Table of contents<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-an-invitation-to-the-5-7-fest\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\" data-level=\"2\">An Invitation to the 5.7 Fest<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-what-i-knew\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\" data-level=\"2\">What I Knew<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-5-7-ammo-options\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\" data-level=\"2\">5.7 Ammo Options<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-ballistics-at-the-5-7-fest\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\" data-level=\"2\">Ballistics At the 5.7 Fest<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-comparisons\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\" data-level=\"2\">Comparisons<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-round-counts\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\" data-level=\"2\">Round Counts<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-quirks\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\" data-level=\"2\">Quirks<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-accuracy\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\" data-level=\"2\">Accuracy<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-tisas-px-5-7-pistol\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\" data-level=\"2\">Tisas PX-5.7 Pistol<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-self-defense-with-the-5-7\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\" data-level=\"2\">Self Defense With the 5.7?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-conclusions-from-the-5-7-fest\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\" data-level=\"2\">Conclusions From the 5.7 Fest<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Soon afterwards, I shot a <a href=\"https:\/\/ruger.com\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\">Ruger<\/a>-5.7 pistol chambered in that round. The pistol\u2019s owner handed me the loaded Ruger, and I pulled off a half dozen shots at a steel target ten yards away. Not bad, I thought, low recoil and pistol and round seemed quite accurate. I asked the Ruger owner to see an unfired round. He dropped one in the palm of my hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That self-defense article running through my head, my first impression was of a beefed up, bottle-necked <a href=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/search?keyword=Marlin%20Model%20-783%20.22%20WMR%20Rifle\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\">.22 WMR<\/a> and I thought: This dink would save my life? Man\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-an-invitation-to-the-5-7-fest\">An Invitation to the 5.7 Fest<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Have to admit, I pretty much ignored future coverage of the round. Fun to shoot, I figured, but another solution in search of a problem that didn\u2019t exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ignored, that is, until Jahred Gamez sent me an email. The Digital Marketing Manager at firearms importer <a href=\"https:\/\/sdsarms.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\">SDS Arms<\/a>, Gamez invited me to be his company\u2019s guest at something called the 5.7 Fest for two days in May 2024. The event was at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rangereadystudios.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\">Range Ready Studios<\/a> in Robert, Louisiana, home of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.guntalk.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\">Gun Talk Media.&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A2-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"TV with merch in front of it\" class=\"wp-image-213021\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A2-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A2-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A2-150x113.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A2-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A2-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A2-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Moring One of the Fest.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In these two days, I was assured, I\u2019d learn a great deal about the 5.7x28mm round, including history, ballistics and applications.&nbsp;Plus, I\u2019d get spend a whole lot of quality time shooting firearms chambered in 5.7.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sponsors included what seemed about half the shooting sports industry, from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eotechinc.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\">EOTech<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalpremium.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\">Federal Ammunition <\/a>and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.caldwellshooting.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\">Caldwell Shooting Supplies<\/a>, to <a href=\"https:\/\/fiocchiusa.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\">Fiocchi USA<\/a>, SDS Arms, Ruger and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smith-wesson.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\">Smith and Wesson<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1019\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A3-1019x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"5.7 Fest sponsor sheet\" class=\"wp-image-213022\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A3-1019x1024.jpeg 1019w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A3-299x300.jpeg 299w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A3-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A3-768x771.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A3.jpeg 1125w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1019px) 100vw, 1019px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Top industry companies sponsored the 5.7 Fest.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Thank you and yes, I replied to Gamez\u2019s email, thinking, why the hell not&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-i-knew\">What I Knew<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Pre-5.7 Fest, I knew a few things about the round in addition to its dink profile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I knew, for example, that the round was developed by <a href=\"https:\/\/fnherstal.com\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\">FN Herstal<\/a> in the 1980\u2019s and was marketed as a possible replacement for the 9mm Parabellum. It didn\u2019t replace the 9mm. Also, I knew FN designed their Star-Wars-looking FN P90 for this round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"699\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A4-1024x699.jpeg\" alt=\"4 cartridges of ammo side by side\" class=\"wp-image-213023\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A4-1024x699.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A4-400x273.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A4-150x102.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A4-768x524.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A4-1536x1049.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A4-2048x1398.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">From L to R, .22 WMR, 5.7&#215;28, 380 AUTO, 9mm.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Obviously, it was becoming more popular given the many articles on the round appearing, and a small but increasing number of firearms kept popping up in this caliber. The very fact of the 5.7 Fest suggested the round was trending up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, time for Brian to get some education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-7-ammo-options\">5.7 Ammo Options<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One 5.7 Fest reality which stood out immediately was there are more 5.7 ammunition options than I realized. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ammunition I used included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalpremium.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\">Federal Ammunition<\/a> American Eagle, 40 grain, full metal jacket (FMJ).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/fiocchiusa.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\">Fiocchi USA<\/a> and three different rounds. Hyperformance 35 grain jacketed frangible, Hyperformance 40 grain tipped hollow point, and Range Dynamics Subsonic 62 grain FMJ for suppressed firearms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hornady.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\">Hornady<\/a> Critical Defense 40 grain FTX poly tipped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.speer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\">Speer Ammunition<\/a> Personal Protection 40 grain Gold Dot hollow point. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"917\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A4b-1024x917.jpeg\" alt=\"6 Different boxes of 5.7 ammo\" class=\"wp-image-213024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A4b-1024x917.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A4b-335x300.jpeg 335w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A4b-150x134.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A4b-768x688.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A4b-1536x1376.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A4b-2048x1834.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ammo used at the 5.7 Fest.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I guesstimate I shot over 450 rounds of 5.7 in my time at Range Ready, most of it through pistols. There were <a href=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/search?keyword=Ruger%20lc%20carbine%2045\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\">Ruger LC Carbines<\/a> in the round, too. I pulled off just under 100 rounds through these carbines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-ballistics-at-the-5-7-fest\">Ballistics At the 5.7 Fest<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ballistically, the 5.7&#215;28 is a much stouter round than its size suggested to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A5-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"Range with posters and targets\" class=\"wp-image-213025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A5-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A5-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A5-150x113.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A5-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A5-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A5-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Range and other 5.7 Fest facilities provided by Range Ready and Gun Talk Media. &nbsp;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Take the Speer Personal Protection self-defense load. Speer rates the bullet leaving a 5-inch pistol barrel at 1,800 feet per second (fps), and down to 1,651 fps at 25 yards. Given the load\u2019s 40 grain bullet, that translates to 288 foot-pounds (ft-lbs.) of energy at the muzzle and 242 ft-lbs. at 25 yards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Or the Hornady Critical Defense 5.7. Its 40 grain FTX bullet leaves a 5-inch barrel at 1,810 fps for 291 ft-lbs., so at about par with the Speer load at 25 yards for fps and ft-lbs. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-comparisons\">Comparisons<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Both Hornady Critical Defense and Speer Personal Protection offer a .22 WMR self-defense option.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In .22 WMR, the Hornady 45 grain FTX bullet pops out of the muzzle at 1,000 fps for 100 ft-lbs. of energy. The 40-grain Speer hollow point is a bit faster at 1,050 fps at the muzzle and hits a little softer at 98 ft-lbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, despite a somewhat similar size, the 5.7&#215;28 is much more powerful than these two .22 WMR\u2019s. Turns &nbsp;out, the 5.7 also offers considerably more thump than the 380 AUTO even though 380 AUTO bullets weigh approximately twice as much as the 5.7s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Hornady Critical Defense 380 AUTO launches a 90 grain FTX bullet at 1,000 fps muzzle velocity and 200 ft-lbs., and Speer Personal Defense Gold Dot 90 grain bullet exists the barrel at 1,040 fps and 216 ft-lbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Making the 380 AUTO slower and possessing less energy than 5.7s rounds loaded with bullets half the weight. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A8-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"Rifle hooked up to VelociRadar at the range\" class=\"wp-image-213027\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A8-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A8-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A8-150x113.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A8-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A8-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A8-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Caldwell\u2019s VelociRadar clocked various 5.7 rounds at an impressive 2,100 fps out of the Ruger LC Carbine.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We chronographed some 5.7 rounds through a Ruger LC Carbine using Caldwell Shooting Supplies\u2019 new VelociRadar chrono. The LC\u2019s longer, 16-inch barrel juiced up the rounds into the vicinity of 2,100 fps. That translated to approximately 390 ft-lbs. of energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-round-counts\">Round Counts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Thanks to the round\u2019s smaller case diameter, the pistols I used at the 5.7 Fest carried large numbers of 5.7&#215;28 rounds. <em>Large.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/ruger.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\">Ruger<\/a>-5.7s I fired had 20+1 ammo capacity, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smith-wesson.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\">Smith and Wesson<\/a> M&amp;P 5.7s 22+1, and the Tisas PX-5.7 imported by<a href=\"https:\/\/sdsarms.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\"> SDS Arms<\/a> 20+1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A6-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"Handgun with box of Fiocchi 5.7x28mm ammo\" class=\"wp-image-213029\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A6-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A6-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A6-150x113.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A6-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A6-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A6-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A real workhorse: Tisas PX-5.7 pistol imported by SDS Arms.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>For the home defense and concealed carry, a 5.7&#215;28 pistol provides a good deal of firepower in a platform that recoils much less than a 9mm or 45 AUTO pistol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-quirks\">Quirks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The 5.7&#215;26 is a quirky little round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, the cartridge case of the 5.7 doesn\u2019t have a lot of taper, so it needs a slicker surface than other cases to feed and extract properly. To slick it up, most 5.7 ammo makers apply a thin coating of lacquer to the cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It works. Yet, the lacquer case coating also means that reloading is difficult and generally not recommended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Firearms in the round operate well with suppressors. But Ryan Harkema, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.silencercentral.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\">Silencer Central <\/a>representative who attended the Fest, noted that given the high pressure of the rounds (Maximum Average Pressure at 48,500 PSI, according to SAAMI, versus 35,000 PSI for the 9mm) and the bullet design, first round \u201cpops\u201d and similar \u201chiccups\u201d are common with suppressed 5.7 firearms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 5.7 round hasn\u2019t gained much traction as a bolt action, yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/savagearms.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\">Savage Arms<\/a> debuted the Savage Model 25 in 5.7 in 2011 but pulled that chambering at some point. Savage currently offers no firearms in 5.7.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/darkmountainarms.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\">Dark Mountain Arms<\/a> manufactures the Stowaway, a take-down bolt in 5.7&#215;28.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There appears to be some technical problems in making bolt actions in this chambering. &nbsp;During 5.7 Fest, Christian Hogg, vice president of marketing for <a href=\"https:\/\/fiocchiusa.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\">Fiocchi USA<\/a>, noted that Fiocchi and Ruger are collaborating to design a 5.7 bullet that will work well in a bolt-action platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-accuracy\">Accuracy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I shot ten rounds through an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eotechinc.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\">EOTech<\/a> scoped Ruger LC Carbine in 5.7 at 50 yards in about 24 seconds during a Fest contest. My group was no larger than a quarter. And I lost that contest as two other guys at the event shot tighter groups!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A7-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"Man shooting rifle with green range bag\" class=\"wp-image-213030\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A7-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A7-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A7-113x150.jpeg 113w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A7-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A7-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A7-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">McCombie found the 5.7 round, VUDU X scope and the Ruger LC Carbine a very accurate trio.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Pistol groups at ten yards offhand were easily way more than self-defense accurate. I couldn\u2019t measure groups because of all the shooting going on.  But I made a 2.0-inch group easy enough. Some Fest participants shot tighter groups, too.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tisas-px-5-7-pistol\">Tisas PX-5.7 Pistol<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I used the Tisas PX-5.7 pistol extensively at the event, imported from Turkey by <a href=\"https:\/\/sdsarms.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\">SDS Arms<\/a>, and it was a solid workhorse of a full sized handgun. I put at least 150 rounds through the various PX-5.7\u2019s at the SDS Arms shooting station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"791\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A11-791x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Man in sunglasses and hat aiming handgun \" class=\"wp-image-213031\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A11-791x1024.jpg 791w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A11-232x300.jpg 232w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A11-116x150.jpg 116w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A11-768x994.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A11-1187x1536.jpg 1187w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A11-1583x2048.jpg 1583w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A11-scaled.jpg 1978w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 791px) 100vw, 791px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>On Day Two of the 5.7 Fest, I watched as two shooters ran a single PX-5.7 through 500 rounds of American Eagle, and Fiocchi ammunition, emptying a fully loaded magazine, &nbsp;immediately replacing it and then firing off the new mag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In just under seven minutes, the pair blasted through 500 rounds of different 5.7 brands with zero failures to feed or eject. They also drilled the hell out of a silhouette target\u2019s center mass area at ten yards. Yes, the pistol was super hot by the end of the display. But it still worked fine!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have the newer Optics Ready version of the PX-5.7 on hand and will soon post a full review here at GunsAmerica.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-self-defense-with-the-5-7\">Self Defense With the 5.7?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Day Two of the Fest also saw us shooting into clear ballistic gel. For the self-defense 5.7 rounds, 12- to 14-inches of penetration was about the average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A9-1024x640.jpg\" alt=\"Ammo streaks through clear ballistic gel \" class=\"wp-image-213032\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A9-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A9-400x250.jpg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A9-150x94.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A9-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A9-1536x960.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A9-2048x1280.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Through pistols, Hornady Critical Defense 5.7 penetrated between 12\u201d and 14\u201d of clear gel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Then, we shot the same rounds through a quarter-inch sheet of plexiglass covering a gel-shaped &nbsp;torso. All the rounds punched through the plexiglass and then drove approximately six inches to seven inches into torso. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I didn\u2019t have the chance to retrieve bullets and measure for expansion and weight retention. But the penetration alone suggested a much better self-defense option than the \u201cdink\u201d round I had initially dismissed a couple of years previous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A10-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"Torso shaped ballistic gel with circles drawn in marker to show where bullets penetrated\" class=\"wp-image-213033\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A10-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A10-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A10-150x113.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A10-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A10-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/A10-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The 5.7 self-defense round pierced a \u00bc\u201d of plexiglass (circles drawn on it) and then penetrated approx. 6\u201d to 7\u201d of torso-shaped clear gel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Still, the smaller diameter of the 5.7 bullet means less damage and trauma than a larger diameter 9mm or 45 AUTO. True, your basic 5.7 pistol will likely have 20+1 rounds of self-d firepower, so multiple shots could make us for the smaller wound channels. Of course, that assumes one will have time to make multiple shots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_9602-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"Side view of ballistic gel pierced with 5.7 ammunition\" class=\"wp-image-213034\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_9602-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_9602-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_9602-150x113.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_9602-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_9602-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_9602-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">5.7 rounds shot into torso-shaped gel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-conclusions-from-the-5-7-fest\">Conclusions From the 5.7 Fest<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I will do my own testing with 5.7x28mm self defense rounds to determine what actually happens when these bullets impact bone and tough muscle, and how those factors affect expansion and weight retention and depth of penetration.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>READ MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/ruger-lcr-32-magnum\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\">Ruger LCR .32 H&amp;R Magnum \u2013 A&nbsp;Gun &amp; Caliber Whose Time Has Come<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Given what I saw and experienced first-hand at the 5.7 Fest, it\u2019s clear the 5.7 round is superior to both the .22 WMR and 380 AUTO for self-defense purposes, both of which are popular self-d choices. I don\u2019t think the round is superior to the 9mm, but I am going to determine just how close the 5.7 might be to its parabellum big brother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Still, I have to admit the \u201cdink\u201d turned out to be a harder hitter, was more accurate and a lot more fun to shoot than I knew before the 5.7 Fest. Now, the 5.7 round and its related firearms are definitely on my radar.&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><strong><em>*** <a href=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"back-to-school-the-5-7-fest-and-a-5-7x28mm-education\" title=\"Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Buy and Sell on GunsAmerica!<\/a> ***<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Day Two of the Fest also saw us shooting into clear ballistic gel. For the self-defense 5.7 rounds, 12- to 14-inches of penetration was about the average.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":91,"featured_media":213020,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_specdata_upc":"","_specdata_placement":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[282],"tags":[2342,553,102],"featured":[],"hunt365":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-213018","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-columns-ammo-tests","8":"tag-5-7","9":"tag-ammo-test","10":"tag-feature-articles"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Self-defense and the 5.7 Fest<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The 5.7 Fest is not the only way to learn about this ammo type and all that it is capable of. 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