Handguns

The 5.7x28mm cartridge, also called the FN 5.7x28mm or the FN 5.7x28mm NATO, seems more popular than ever, largely due to the introduction of modern handguns such as the FN FiveSeveN and Ruger-5.7. We’ve been interested in the round for a while, reviewing the FiveSeveN in the November 2011 issue (versus the 22 Magnum KelTec PMR-30) and the December 2014 issue (versus the Rock Island Armory Micro Mag Standard 51687 22 TCM) and the Ruger-5.7 in the October 2020 issue (versus the Rock Island Armory TCM044816 22 TCM and the KelTec PMR-30 PMR30BBLK 22 WMR). We also covered the FN PS90 chambered in the round (January 2018) and the 57Center AR57 PDW 5.7x28mm Upper in the March 2011 issue. It seems 5.7x28mm firearms are more affordable and more useful than ever before.

The 5.7x28mm cartridge, also called the FN 5.7x28mm or the FN 5.7x28mm NATO, seems more popular than ever, largely due to the introduction of modern handguns such as the FN FiveSeveN and Ruger-5.7. We’ve been interested in the round for a while, reviewing the FiveSeveN in the November 2011 issue (versus the 22 Magnum KelTec PMR-30) and the December 2014 issue (versus the Rock Island Armory Micro Mag Standard 51687 22 TCM) and the Ruger-5.7 in the October 2020 issue (versus the Rock Island Armory TCM044816 22 TCM and the KelTec PMR-30 PMR30BBLK 22 WMR). We also covered the FN PS90 chambered in the round (January 2018) and the 57Center AR57 PDW 5.7x28mm Upper in the March 2011 issue. It seems 5.7x28mm firearms are more affordable and more useful than ever before.

Ranging in experience from the veteran of a few action-pistol matches to a few decades, all the members of the Houston test group are competitive shooters. Soon to recognize the 40th anniversary of his first USPSA match, the most ancient among the team has witnessed the pitfalls of the 1911 platform as a competition pistol, and he talks frequently about the advancements made in today’s offerings versus those of yesteryear. So our shooters thought you might like to see some solid examples of what makes today’s firearms better in many respects than what we had back in the day.

Ranging in experience from the veteran of a few action-pistol matches to a few decades, all the members of the Houston test group are competitive shooters. Soon to recognize the 40th anniversary of his first USPSA match, the most ancient among the team has witnessed the pitfalls of the 1911 platform as a competition pistol, and he talks frequently about the advancements made in today’s offerings versus those of yesteryear. So our shooters thought you might like to see some solid examples of what makes today’s firearms better in many respects than what we had back in the day.

Interested in shooting 22 Long Rifle pistols with red dots either at paper targets or steel plates? Ringing steel with smallbore pistols is fun. Some might say addictive. But gearing up for smallbore-pistol target shooting can be confusing because there are many choices between pistols and red-dot optics. Also, putting a ton of money into a 22 LR target pistol might not be in the budget for most shooters, but if you want to play, you’ll still want to invest enough into the pistol and optic to be competitive on the common courses of fire.

Interested in shooting 22 Long Rifle pistols with red dots either at paper targets or steel plates? Ringing steel with smallbore pistols is fun. Some might say addictive. But gearing up for smallbore-pistol target shooting can be confusing because there are many choices between pistols and red-dot optics. Also, putting a ton of money into a 22 LR target pistol might not be in the budget for most shooters, but if you want to play, you’ll still want to invest enough into the pistol and optic to be competitive on the common courses of fire.

Interested in shooting 22 Long Rifle pistols with red dots either at paper targets or steel plates? Ringing steel with smallbore pistols is fun. Some might say addictive. But gearing up for smallbore-pistol target shooting can be confusing because there are many choices between pistols and red-dot optics. Also, putting a ton of money into a 22 LR target pistol might not be in the budget for most shooters, but if you want to play, you’ll still want to invest enough into the pistol and optic to be competitive on the common courses of fire.

Among the trends we have noted over the past decade is the replacement of the snubnose 38 Special revolver with the slim-line 9mm Luger pistol. Pistols such as the 9mm Smith & Wesson Shield and Glock 43 are the most popular pistols for concealed carry these days, but SIG took the platform even further with the SIG P365, a 10-shot 9mm with good reliability and practical accuracy. Other makers followed suit, including Smith & Wesson with the Shield Plus and Ruger with the Max 9. In this installment, we match up three comparable handguns, but each with different features. These makers have managed to stuff as many as 17 rounds into the magazine. Two offer a flush-fit magazine for pocket carry and an extended magazine for holster carry.

Among the trends we have noted over the past decade is the replacement of the snubnose 38 Special revolver with the slim-line 9mm Luger pistol. Pistols such as the 9mm Smith & Wesson Shield and Glock 43 are the most popular pistols for concealed carry these days, but SIG took the platform even further with the SIG P365, a 10-shot 9mm with good reliability and practical accuracy. Other makers followed suit, including Smith & Wesson with the Shield Plus and Ruger with the Max 9. In this installment, we match up three comparable handguns, but each with different features. These makers have managed to stuff as many as 17 rounds into the magazine. Two offer a flush-fit magazine for pocket carry and an extended magazine for holster carry.