Seriously thinking about 5.7

4512 Views 117 Replies 14 Participants Last post by GrumpyOlMan, 6 mo ago

lklawson

Discussion Starter · 8 mo ago

My "new job windfall" is going to buy my a new gun. I'm kicking around several ideas ranging from a lightweight .308 AR to a 1911 45ACP +P stoked with 450SMC. But the 5.7x28 is quite intriguing to me. I'm too cheap to ever buy a FN FiveseveN but the Ruger 57 was looking interesting, that is until I stumbled across the PSA 5.7 Rock.

So far, literally, every review I've found of it has been positive. Lower price, decent trigger, more capacity (23+1), more affordable mags, optics ready options...

OTOH, it's out of stock all the time and seems like there's only one company making OWB Kydex for it (WeAreNerd). And it's a "full size handgun" that is a tad longer than the G17 in OAL with more of a slide.

And 5.7 ammo ain't free. I like being able to reload to save money on practice ammo and, as @greg_r has noted, 5.7 ammo has a reputation, at best, for being errr... "fiddly."

But the round is flat shooting, claims 30% less recoil than 9mm, has what looks to me to be good terminal performance, is endorsed by people I trust as being very effective for social work, and, in the event that Russia invades, most of the ammo will penetrate NIJ II soft armor and about 1/3 of boutique commercial offerings will penetrate Level IIIA, and that's nothing to sneeze at.

...still, I'm pretty cheap.

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk

Reactions: 1

21 - 40 of 118 Posts

Think1st

· #21 · 8 mo ago

Paul Harrell just did a video on the Ruger LC Carbine. It might give you some more food for thought.

Same for you @greg_r

greg_r

· #22 · 8 mo ago

Nice review. I generally like Paul Harrell.

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

Magazine compatibility
The cool factor
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.

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Reactions: 2

undeRGRound

· #23 · 8 mo ago

lklawson said:
My "new job windfall" is going to buy my a new gun. I'm kicking around several ideas ranging from a lightweight .308 AR to a 1911 45ACP +P stoked with 450SMC. But the 5.7x28 is quite intriguing to me. I'm too cheap to ever buy a FN FiveseveN but the Ruger 57 was looking interesting, that is until I stumbled across the PSA 5.7 Rock.

So far, literally, every review I've found of it has been positive. Lower price, decent trigger, more capacity (23+1), more affordable mags, optics ready options...

OTOH, it's out of stock all the time and seems like there's only one company making OWB Kydex for it (WeAreNerd). And it's a "full size handgun" that is a tad longer than the G17 in OAL with more of a slide.

And 5.7 ammo ain't free. I like being able to reload to save money on practice ammo and, as @greg_r has noted, 5.7 ammo has a reputation, at best, for being errr... "fiddly."

But the round is flat shooting, claims 30% less recoil than 9mm, has what looks to me to be good terminal performance, is endorsed by people I trust as being very effective for social work, and, in the event that Russia invades, most of the ammo will penetrate NIJ II soft armor and about 1/3 of boutique commercial offerings will penetrate Level IIIA, and that's nothing to sneeze at.

...still, I'm pretty cheap.

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk

I thought we already discussed this...

Buy the AR10 AND the 1911 (450 SMC) and be money ahead! 💰💰💰

Congrats on the promo, has CMG finally decided you guys are worth it? 😁😁😁

Reactions: 1

undeRGRound

· #24 · 8 mo ago

greg_r said:
Nice review. I generally like Paul Harrell.

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

Magazine compatibility

The cool factor

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.

TCM FTW!!!

WOW!

lklawson

Discussion Starter · #25 · 8 mo ago

undeRGRound said:
Congrats on the promo, has CMG finally decided you guys are worth it? 😁😁😁

I'm going back to the job I had before.

Peace favor your sword (mobile)

Reactions: 1

undeRGRound

· #26 · 8 mo ago

I thought you were reacting to my opinion on what you should buy, now I have my doubts. 😁

At least you always try and negate the "impulse" factor. Well thought out and planned purchases are rarely regretted. Especially such heavily reviewed items like popular guns.

I was wowed by @greg_r 's comparison to the 22TCM, I didn't know it was so huge a disparity 🧐

lklawson

Discussion Starter · #27 · 8 mo ago

undeRGRound said:
I thought you were reacting to my opinion on what you should buy, now I have my doubts. 😁

At least you always try and negate the "impulse" factor. Well thought out and planned purchases are rarely regretted. Especially such heavily reviewed items like popular guns.

I was wowed by @greg_r 's comparison to the 22TCM, I didn't know it was so huge a disparity 🧐

Me too. But he is comparing his own TCM handloads to factory 5.7, presumably optimized for the handgun length bbl.

Still, it is something to consider.

Peace favor your sword (mobile)

Reactions: 1

ajole

· #28 · 8 mo ago

At the cost of new ammo, reloads are the best thing to compare.

Reactions: 1

undeRGRound

· #29 · 8 mo ago

lklawson said:
Me too. But he is comparing his own TCM handloads to factory 5.7, presumably optimized for the handgun length bbl.

Still, it is something to consider.

Peace favor your sword (mobile)

But I believe he quoted the factory ammo as shot from a 16" barrel, versus his 22" barrel as well.

Rerun

· #30 · 8 mo ago

Harrell has an interesting video out about the Ruger 5.7 Carbine.

Rerun

greg_r

· #31 · 8 mo ago

undeRGRound said:
But I believe he quoted the factory ammo as shot from a 16" barrel, versus his 22" barrel as well.

I was.

Never shot 22TCM out of a handgun, there i was comparing what Armscor says vs what Paul said.

The load i worked off of quotes 2800 fps out of the M22 with a 40 grain bullet. I backed off a bit because of sticky bolt lift.

Reactions: 2

Bill whitney

· #32 · 8 mo ago

I cant get past 40 gr projectiles.

undeRGRound

· #33 · 8 mo ago

Bill whitney said:
I cant get past 40 gr projectiles.

Common for caliber, why not?
I was thinking like that but the short neck and really short OAL limits it.
If you want AR15 sized bullets, well, that's an easy step up, high MV and heavier to boot.
Just change guns

lklawson

Discussion Starter · #34 · 8 mo ago

Visper said:
I'm not cheap, thrifty, but not cheap!!!

I passed on the 5.7, had a PSA one in my cart and passed. Then had an FN version in my hand for a long time at a gunshow, decided not to... every time it was due to ammo prices. If I can't afford to shoot it, it's no good to me.

That being said, if your looking 308 also that is running 80 cents a round to $1.00 a round for the 5.7. Both are gonna cost ya and if you can stomach the extra 20 cents a shot, go for it.

Really depends on which one you will use more.

EDIT:

Just went and looked again... I hate you...

https://palmettostatearmory.com/blem-psa-5-7-rock-complete-optics-ready-pistol-with-threaded-barrel-10-magazines-psa-pistol-case.html

Great deal... $599 with 10 mags and optic ready 5.7 Rock with threaded barrel and case...

I decided to buy it. Checked out and paid, being delivered to a local FFL I like.

Now all I need is ammo, a holster, and an RDS and I'll be ready for the mall.

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk

Reactions: 3

greg_r

· #35 · 8 mo ago

lklawson said:
I decided to buy it. Checked out and paid, being delivered to a local FFL I like.

Now all I need is ammo, a holster, and an RDS and I'll be ready for the mall.

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk

Let us know how it does

Reactions: 1

Rerun

· #36 · 8 mo ago

lklawson said:
I decided to buy it. Checked out and paid, being delivered to a local FFL I like.

Now all I need is ammo, a holster, and an RDS and I'll be ready for the mall.

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk

WHEW!

I'm glad that's over with - let us know how it works out!

Rerun

Reactions: 1

lklawson

Discussion Starter · #37 · 8 mo ago

Rerun said:
WHEW!

I'm glad that's over with - let us know how it works out!

Rerun

I only obsessed over three or four different options before finally deciding on this one.

Peace favor your sword (mobile)

Reactions: 2

undeRGRound

· #38 · 8 mo ago

lklawson said:
I only obsessed over three or four different options before finally deciding on this one.

Peace favor your sword (mobile)

Ultimately your choice, I hope it really does the trick for you 👍👍👍

A huge factor in my own thinking is that, for me, it's a bad time to add "systems". As you all are tired of hearing, I usually get everything all together up front or I don't do it.

@lklawson, you already as a seasoned reloader has that advantage. Good on ya!

Reactions: 1

Visper

· #39 · 8 mo ago

lklawson said:
I decided to buy it. Checked out and paid, being delivered to a local FFL I like.

Now all I need is ammo, a holster, and an RDS and I'll be ready for the mall.

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk

Great to hear!! Yeah, the deal was a good one, too good to pass up in my opinion.

Reactions: 1

lklawson

Discussion Starter · #40 · 8 mo ago

undeRGRound said:
Ultimately your choice, I hope it really does the trick for you 👍👍👍

A huge factor in my own thinking is that, for me, it's a bad time to add "systems". As you all are tired of hearing, I usually get everything all together up front or I don't do it.

@lklawson, you already as a seasoned reloader has that advantage. Good on ya!

Everything I see or read says that it can be a fiddly cartridge to reload for. Apparently the 2 big gotchas to watch for are 1) to not damage the coating on the brass and 2) the powder charges have a very narrow min/max spread. Accommodating the first seems pretty simple, just hand wash, hand brush, don't tumble and accept you won't get "shiny" brass to reload. The second is pretty doable as well; the first powder I started with in 9mm is Titegroup. I chose it because it had the lowest powder charges which stretches the number of rounds I can get from a pound. But it's fiddly as the day is long. Depending on the bullet, the blasted powder has a min/max spread of 0.3 to 0.4 grains! The min/max spread on the 5.7 is 0.6 to 0.8 grains depending on bullet and powder. That's literally twice the spread. Much less fiddly than Titegroup.

Of course, I'll have to buy dies. Lee makes dies, but they're expensive by Lee standards. $56-ish.

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk

Reactions: 1

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