..Due to increasing demand from world militaries and law enforcement alike for a weapons platform capable of engaging and defeating subjects wearing modern body armor, Fabrique Nationale of Belgium recognized that the world didnt need a new weapon, it needed a new type of round, and then a new weapon to field it in.The FN Five SeveN is one of two weapon systems developed by FNH to meet this demand. Chambering the 5.7x28mm round, the FN Five SeveN incorporates many Military, Operator, and Law Enforcement features into a slim but potent package weighing in at only 1.64 lbs when fully loaded with a standard 20 round magazine. The Five SeveN is truly a 21st century handgun to meet 21st century needs, incorporating an ergonomic and aggressive design that allows a multitude of accessories from LAMs, to silencers, to tactical lighting systems. Not only did Fabrique Nationale meet the demand, they exceeded it.
Though the true gem of this weapon system is more in the ammunition it fires. The 5.7mm round type SS190 AP was rigorously tested upon release, and provided substantial or complete soft body armor penetration at a range up to 200 meters, while providing little in the way of discomfort for the user in the way of felt recoil. When FNUSA decided to market the Five SeveN to the civilian market, they created a less potent ammunition that would satisfy the laws of the US in regards to AP ammunition. Currently available ammunition includes the SS195 and SS197, both of which, while not supposed to be capable of penetrating body armor, have shown to be extremely effective in manners of self defense. Despite negative press and rumors pertaining to the 5.7mm round being unable to incapacitate a subject, there are no records of any instance where a perpetrator survived being hit center mass with the 5.7mm round.
The FN Five SeveN is currently available in three models; The Five Seven Tactical, the USG, and the IOM (though the tactical is increasingly hard to find). All three models are available for civilian purchase, though only two types of ammo are non-restricted. Regardless of the controversy and doubt surrounding yet another "plastic gun" by the same people that doubt all new weapons systems, the FN 5.7mm weapons system is currently in use world wide (and has been since the early 90's contrary to popular belief) though it is relatively new in the US. Despite its short exposure to the US, it has made a lasting impression and has been adopted by the following LE agencies (just to name a few who carry)
Atlanta, GA PD
Batesburg-Leesville, SC PD
Bellevue, NE PD Bentonville, AR PD Benton County, AR SO Birmingham, AL PD Bolton, NC PD Bryan, TX PD Burbank, CA PD Camden, SC PD Charles County, MD SO Charleston County, SC SO Chula Vista, CA PD Columbia, MO PD Creve Coeur, MO PD Creve Coeur, MT PD Davidson, NC PD Davis County, UT SO Daleville, AL PD Denton, TX UNT PD Doraville, GA PD Duluth, GA PD Edina, MN PD Edmund, OK PD Grand Forks, ND PD Greenwood County, SC SO Hallsville, MO PD Harahan, FL PD Houston, TX PD Indianapolis, IN PD Jacksonville, FL PD Jefferson County, OH SO Jennings County, IN SD Las Vegas, NV PD Lawrenceville, GA PD Lexington, SC PD Lincoln Borough, PA PD Little Rock, AR PD North Little Rock, AR PD Oakdale, ME PD Olathe, KS PD Palm Beach, FL PD Palm Beach County, FL SO Pasco County, FL SO Ramsey County, MN SO Richland County, SC SO Salt Lake City, UT PD Schenectady, NY PD Sioux Falls, SD PD Slidell, LA PD Sparta, NJ PD Tennessee State Police ERT US Defense Protective Service US Federal Protective Service US Secret Service Washoe County, NV SO West Columbia, SC PD Whiteoak Burrough, PA PD Yeadon Borough, PA PD Zephyr Hills, FL PD
The 5.7 is also in use with the following international agencies...
French GIGN
Service de police de la ville de Montréal Cypriot SOF Cypriot National Guard
Austrian Jadgkommando
Belgian DSU
Belgian SOF Belgian DAS VIP
German Polizei
Dutch Marines BBE
Dutch Army KCT
Singapore SOF
Thai SOF
South Korean SOF
Japanese Defence Force
Greek SOF Spanish GEO Lebanese VIP PPD Mauritius police forces
Venezuelan police
Chech SWAT Peruvian SOFThe FN Five SeveN is also in use with over a dozen PMF's worldwide, six of which are based in the United States.
