Five-seveN

The Five-seveN is a pistol manufactured by Fabrique Nationale.

Overview

The FN Five-seveN (written Five-seveN to accent Fabrique Nationale's initials) is designed ergonomically and has a polymer frame – it is therefore light and easy to handle. The 5.7 x 28 mm round's unique design also results in extremely low recoil for the gun (according to FN, 60% less recoil).

The Five-seveN's use of the 5.7 x 28 mm SS190 cartridge enables it to penetrate class IIIA body armor at up to 50 m. Independent testing [1] has shown that the SS190 round can blow through a combination of kevlar armor and heavy clothing (sweater, denim jacket) and still penetrate 7" into ballistic gelatin. This makes the Five-seveN unique among handguns.

Since it is the only other commercial weapon to fire the 5.7 x 28 mm round, the Five-seveN is advertised as the companion sidearm of the FN P90. It was popularized as Sam Fisher's standard-issue sidearm in the series of Splinter Cell computer games and novels, as well as in the popular shooter Counterstrike. The version to appear in both is the Five-seveN Tactical.

Variants

Five-seveN Tactical – Double Action / Single Action (DA/SA) – The hammer can either be manually pulled back to the cocked position to fire, or fully cocked and fired simply by pulling the trigger. After the first shot, the hammer is automatically pulled back by the motion of the slide. After the first shot, trigger pulls are short and light and the user is therefore capable of delivering a second shot faster and expending ammunition faster and more accurately than with the Double Action Only variant.

Five-seveN – Double Action Only (DAO) – the hammer is not pulled back automatically, necessitating a longer trigger pull. Shooting is slower and less accurate than with the Tactical variant. The DAO variant does not have a manual safety.

Five-seveN IOM (Individual Officer's Model) – Double Action / Single Action (DA/SA) – similar to the Tactical variant in that it is single action. The IOM features adjustable rear sights (which are not directly compatible with the earlier sights), a magazine disconnect safety feature, cross-slots on the tactical rail, and 10-round magazines that were legal for civilian posession during the AWB era. The IOM magazines are backward compatible, but the IOM itself will not function with earlier magazines.

Five-seveN USG (United States Government?) – Double Action / Single Action (DA/SA) – similar to the IOM variant feature-wise, but with cosmetic differences: a new squared-off trigger guard, a new enhanced grip (checkered fore grip and backstrap,) and a new user changeable (left or right handed) magazine release that is larger than those on previous models.

Accessories

All models of the Five-seveN can also mount a laser aiming module (LAM) or a tactical flashlight on the accessory rail. Laser-Devices, Inc. (LDI) produces a LAM specifically designed for the Five-seveN pistol.

A threaded barrel is available for mounting of a suppressor (silencer.) Gemtech produces suppressors specifically designed for the Five-seveN pistol, model number S-FN57.

FN produces night sights for the DAO and Tactical models. These sights do not fit the IOM and USG models without gunsmithing. Trijicon is slated to produce tritium night sights for the IOM and USG models but they are not available yet. (December 6, 2004)

Holsters are being produced now by Sidearmor. These will not fit the IOM model, but are available for the more popular Tactical model. Sidearmor

External links

• FNH USA product description
• FAQ on the FiveseveN and its ammunition
• Modern Firearms – Five-seveN
• Steve's (Latest) Firearms Interest: The FN 5.7 x 28 mm Weapon System
• FN FiveseveN Discussion Forum