Seriously thinking about 5.7

Nice review. I generally like Paul Harrell.

I am still on the fence about a Ruger 57 & LC Carbine. The pros:

1. Magazine compatibility
2. The cool factor
3. It’s a Ruger.

The cons all center around the cartridge itself. Basically the cost and reloadability

This has also made me look hard at the 22 TCM again. I do like the 22TCM. I have the rifle, I have the dies, it does not have reloading issues and cases can be formed from plentiful brass. The platforms are "old school" and that appeals to me. A 1911 chambered for 22 TCM would be a neat acquisition and the wood and parkerized finish would match the wood and parkerized finish of the M22. Magazines are comparable, except I do not see me sticking the 17 rounders in the rifle, I am happy with the 5 round mags for the rifle, but I could if I wanted to. The only drawback is availability. No 22TCM 1911’s are available to order at my LGS. I was added to the wish list.

One thing the video made clear to me that I was not paying attention to before though. The 22 TCM is considerably more powerful than the 5.7x28. Paup was getting just over 2100 fps using the 40 grain load out of the LC Carbine. I am getting over 2700 fps out of my M22 using a 40 grain bullet. A difference of some 630fps is nothing to sneeze at. Granted, that’s comparing a 22 3/4" barrel with a 16" barrel, but advertised velocity using the 5" RIA 1911 is still some 300 fps faster than the velocity out of the 57 pistol.

lklawson said:

I'm contemplating building some sort of table-top brass net for when I take it to the outdoor range. PVC and netting or something. Any suggestions?

Click to expand...

Here ya go Kirk. You need one of these.

Still following this thread with interest. However my interest is somewhat different. My idea is first, a range toy, second, bushcraft/foraging, third, social work. It is important for me that magazines interchange between the carbine and pistol. So I would pretty much be looking at the Ruger LC carbine and 57 pistol. And it would effectively replace my Ruger PC Carbine and American pistols. Plus I already have a bolt action rifle for the Armscor 22TCM, I have been sourcing a 1911 22 TCM pistol, but none of my normal sources can get me one. I am on the list at my favorite LGS. It surprised me how many people want one, I am number 4!

I still worry about reloading. As a range toy I go through a lot of 9mm. It’s an easy task to sit in front of my Pro 4000 and turn out 300-400 rounds an evening. And I would have no worries running the 22TCM through the Pro 4000, although it’s a single stage proposition for me now as I don’t really shoot that much of it now. But I have loaded enough that I am comfortable with it. I would simply back of the charge a bit. Today I load it to the ragged edge, everything is weighed. Honestly I doubt I would go through as much ammo, considering the rifle would be a bolt action. Even with the 18 round mag installed!

The 5.7 would be a different story. With a handful of 20 round magazines ammunition could go away quickly. And with the horror stories I hear about reloading the cartridge, no, it just a’int going into a progressive.

I am thinking the PC Carbine and American Pistols are probably the most practical for me. The Armscor boltie and 1911 would max out the cool factor, especially for a 1911 fan, while the 57 pistol and LC Carbine would bring me into the 21’st century.