Pistol · SAAMI
5.7x28mm FN
High-velocity pistol cartridge designed to defeat body armor.
- Caliber
- 0.2244″ · 5.7 mm
- Introduced
- 1990
- Case
- Rimless
- Primary use
- Military, Self Defense, Target
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1990
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- Belgium
- Inventor
- FN Herstal
- Manufacturer
- FN Herstal
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Moderate
- Case capacity
- 11.5 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:9
- Primer
- Small Rifle
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 48,500 psi
- Eff. range
- 200 yd
- Max range
- 1500 yd
- Recoil
- 2–4 ft·lb
Introduced by FN Herstal
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for 5.7x28mm FN.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
CIP TDCC · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 5.70 | 0.224 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 6.38 | 0.251 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 7.95 | 0.313 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 35° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 7.95 | 0.313 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 7.80 | 0.307 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.14 | 0.045 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 4.63 | 0.182 | ≈ |
| Case length | 28.90 | 1.138 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 40.50 | 1.594 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 5.7x28mm FN is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in 5.7x28mm FN
12 models in the database chamber 5.7x28mm FN. Browse all →
Connected reference
History
Developed by FN Herstal in late 1980s for NATO PDW requirement. Won NATO trials over HK's 4.6x30mm. Designed for P90 submachine gun and Five-seveN pistol. Civilian adoption limited by high cost and armor-piercing reputation, though civilian ammunition is not armor-piercing. Gained popularity after US Secret Service adoption.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 5.7x28mm FN use?
- 5.7x28mm FN typically uses a 1:9 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 5.7x28mm FN?
- 5.7x28mm FN uses a 0.2244″ (5.7 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 5.7x28mm FN still in production?
- 5.7x28mm FN is active; typical availability is moderate.
- What is 5.7x28mm FN used for?
- 5.7x28mm FN is primarily used for military, self defense, target.
Sources & provenance
- Standard SAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299 — Cartridge & Chamber Drawings archived
- Standard C.I.P. — C.I.P. TDCC — Tables of Dimensions of Cartridges and Chambers
- Standard SAAMI — New Cartridge & Chamber — 5.7 X 28 FN (5.7 FN), issued 07/11/2024 · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Federal (federalpremium.com) — American Eagle Handgun 5.7x28mm 40 Grain FMJ (AE5728A) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Speer (speer.com) — Gold Dot Personal Protection 5.7x28mm 40 Grain (25728GD) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer FN America (fnamerica.com) — FN SS197SR 5.7x28mm (40 gr Hornady V-MAX) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Fiocchi (fiocchiusa.com) — Hyperformance Defense 5.7x28mm 40 Grain Polymer Tip (57PT40) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer FN America (fnamerica.com) — FN SS195LF 5.7x28mm (27 gr lead-free JHP) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer FN America (fnamerica.com) — FN DFNS SS200 5.7x28mm (30 gr JHP) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Fiocchi (fiocchiusa.com) — Hyperformance Defense 5.7x28mm 35 Grain Jacketed Frangible (57JF35) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 57 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →