FN Five-seveN Pistol: A Belgian Killer With Punching Power

The FN Five-seveN pistol is a unique weapon developed by the Belgian company Fabrique Nationale (FN) Herstal in the late 5,7th century as part of a weapons system chambered for the 28×1998mm cartridge. Introduced in XNUMX, the Five-seveN was created for military and law enforcement agencies that required a weapon with high penetration, low recoil and a large magazine capacity. Its unusual caliber, lightweight polymer construction and innovative design made the Five-seveN a notable phenomenon in the pistol market, distinguishing it from traditional models such as Glock or Beretta. The history of the FN Five-seveN, its technical characteristics, design features and areas of application highlight its role as a specialized weapon that combines advanced technology and practicality, remaining in demand in military circles and among civilian shooters.

History of the FN Five-seveN pistol

The history of the Five-seveN begins in the late 1980s, when NATO initiated a program to develop a new generation of personal weapons - the Personal Defense Weapon (PDW). The goal was to create a compact weapon capable of penetrating the body armor that was becoming increasingly common among adversaries, while maintaining low recoil and high accuracy. In 1989, FN Herstal began work on a project that included the creation of a pistol and a light machine gun (P90), united by a common 5,7x28 mm cartridge. This cartridge, developed under the supervision of engineer Jean-Paul Denis, was a compromise between pistol and rifle ammunition: its light bullet (weighing about 2 grams) ensured high velocity (up to 700 m/s) and penetrating power, and its small diameter allowed more cartridges to be placed in the magazine.

The Five-seveN took nearly a decade to develop. The first prototype was unveiled in 1995 under the name "Five-seveN" - a play on words, with "five" and "seven" referring to the 5,7mm caliber, and the hyphenated spelling alluding to FN. The official unveiling took place in 1998, and production began in 2000 at FN's plant in Herstal, Belgium. The pistol was designed as a complement to the P90, to provide armored vehicle crews, artillerymen, and other military personnel with a close-combat weapon with the same penetrating performance. In 2004, the Five-seveN was adopted by NATO special forces, including the Belgian Special Forces, and later became available on the civilian market, particularly in the United States, where it was marketed by subsidiary FN America.

Design of the FN Five-seveN pistol

The Five-seveN design is based on the delayed blowback principle, which distinguishes it from most modern pistols that use a short barrel stroke. After the shot, the gas pressure throws the slide back, but a special mechanism slows its movement, providing reliable locking before the bullet leaves the barrel. This solution made it possible to use a powerful 5,7x28 mm cartridge in a lightweight design without the need for complex locking, as in Browning systems. The 122 mm long barrel is made with polygonal rifling, which increases service life and improves accuracy. The pistol's frame is made of reinforced polymer, which reduces the weight to 610 grams without a magazine, and the slide is made of steel with a coating resistant to corrosion and wear.

The Five-seveN is a single-action, internal hammer trigger, meaning the hammer is cocked with each stroke of the slide, and the trigger pull remains consistent (around 2-3 kg). The absence of an external hammer and minimal trigger travel make shooting fast and accurate, although it takes some getting used to for those familiar with double-action systems. Safety is provided by a trigger safety and a manual frame safety, which can be ambidextrous in some versions, making the pistol convenient for left-handers. The magazine holds 20 rounds (10 or 30 depending on the version), which is significantly larger than most 9mm pistols, such as the Glock 17 (17 rounds), and emphasizes its tactical focus.

Characteristics of the FN Five-seveN pistol

The Five-seveN is 208 mm long, 137 mm high and 36 mm wide, making it larger than compact models, but convenient for duty carry due to its lightness. The weight with a full 20-round magazine is about 744 grams, which is lighter than many steel pistols, such as the Beretta 92 (950 g). The muzzle velocity of the bullet varies depending on the type of cartridge: for a standard SS190 it is about 650-700 m / s, and the muzzle energy is about 500 J, which ensures penetration of class IIIA body armor at a distance of up to 50 meters. The sighting range is declared at 50 meters, although the effective range for accurate shooting is usually limited to 25-30 meters, which is typical for pistols. The Five-seveN Tactical version has a threaded barrel for a suppressor, and the pistol is compatible with a Picatinny rail and optical sights, which expands its capabilities.

Below are the main characteristics of the FN Five-seveN in the form of a table for clarity:

These parameters highlight the uniqueness of the Five-seveN, which combines lightness, high capacity and penetrating power. Its ergonomics include adjustable grips and ambidextrous controls, making it comfortable for different users, although its large dimensions make it difficult to carry concealed.

Application of the FN Five-seveN pistol

The Five-seveN has found use in the military and law enforcement sectors. It has been adopted by NATO special forces, including the Belgian Special Forces Group, the French GIGN, and American intelligence agencies such as the US Secret Service, which uses it to protect high-profile individuals. The pistol is prized for its ability to penetrate body armor, making it effective against terrorists and heavily armored targets. In the civilian sector, the Five-seveN has become popular in the US since its introduction in 2004, particularly among self-defense and target shooters. However, ammunition availability is limited: military variants such as the SS190 (with an armor-piercing bullet) are banned for civilian use, and only sporting (SS197SR) or hollow-point (SS198LF) versions with less penetrating power are available.

FN Herstal continues to develop the Five-seveN, offering modifications such as the Five-seveN IOM (Initial Officer Model) with adjustable sights, the Five-seveN USG (United States Government) with a Picatinny rail, and the Five-seveN Tactical with a threaded silencer. The pistol has been tested in extreme conditions, from arctic cold to desert heat, and has proven reliable, withstanding up to 20 rounds without serious failure. Its polymer frame and steel slide provide corrosion resistance, and compatibility with optics and silencers makes it versatile for special operations. However, the high cost (around $000–$1200 in the US) and expensive ammunition (around $1400 each) limit its mass production.

In popular culture, the Five-seveN has gained notoriety for its uniqueness and association with elite special forces. It can be seen in films such as The Dark Knight Rises and games such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, where it is presented as a powerful but difficult-to-master weapon called the "Five-SeveN". In real life, the pistol is praised for its low recoil, high accuracy, and magazine capacity, but criticized for its limited stopping power against soft targets, complex design, and high price. Some also note that it is bulky for concealed carry despite its light weight.

The FN Five-seveN is an example of how innovation can create a weapon for a specific task, such as fighting armored opponents. Its history is linked to the evolution of the PDW concept and NATO’s attempt to adapt to new threats. Although the Five-seveN has not achieved the mass appeal of a Glock or SIG Sauer, it remains in demand among professionals and enthusiasts, offering a combination of penetration, lightness and tactical capabilities that is hard to beat. Today, the Five-seveN is not just a pistol, but a symbol of FN Herstal’s engineering excellence, embodying the idea that the future of firearms lies in the balance between power and practicality.