5.7x28mm vs. 9mm — Which is Better?

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I was quite surprised by Ruger’s sudden embrace of the 5.7x28mm cartridge with the launch of their Ruger-57 pistol this January. A company the size of Ruger getting behind the 5.7x28mm cartridge is big news, and will have an effect on the market, especially future ammunition offerings. As interesting as the Ruger-57 pistol is though, it’s really the cartridge it’s chambered for which contains the magic. The 5.7x28mm is a small bottleneck cartridge known for its relatively high muzzle velocity. People who have shot a 5.7x28mm pistol typically comment on its mild recoil, allowing very fast follow-up shots, and its flat trajectory aiding hits past 50 yards. The question many shooters have though is, “How does the 5.7x28mm stack up against the 9mm?” Basically, should you consider buying a 5.7x28mm over a 9mm for recreational shooting, training, and personal protection? That is a good honest question for someone considering laying out their hard-earned money for a pistol chambered for this cartridge. Other questions I am frequently asked are: Is the 5.7x28mm a good cartridge? Is it expensive to shoot compared to the 9mm? Is it easy to reload? Are there drawbacks to the 5.7x28mm I should be aware of? While the 5.7x28mm cartridge may be new to you, it has actually been around for quite a while. It is significantly older than such popular cartridges as the 300 AAC Blackout, 6.5mm Grendel and 6.5mm Creedmoor for instance. The design was patented back in 1989 by FNH. It was originally developed as part of a military Personal Defense Weapon (PDW) project undertaken by FNH for NATO. In a nutshell, the 5.7x28mm was originally designed to replace the 9mm cartridge in NATO service. This never happened, and eventually, it was released onto the US commercial market.

Sheer velocity can be very effective when it comes to terminal performance, but it must be high enough. Generally, most wound ballisticians agree that hydrostatic shock begins to come into play when velocity gets above about 1,800 fps. So, with certain loads at or above 1,800 fps hydrostatic shock may come into play with the 5.7x28mm. A good example would be the Elite Ammunition 28-grain DevastaTOR at 2,475 fps. Velocity wise this load is 145 fps faster than a 7.62x39mm fired from a 16-inch AKM. Loads below 1,800 fps, you only have as much tissue damage as the small projectile can crush during its path through the target. Yawing can aid terminal performance. Depth of penetration is very important, with a minimum of 12 inches in 10-percent Ordnance gel desired.

The issue with the 5.7x28mm is to find a load that expands reliably and yet will also provide a minimum of 12-inches of penetration. Or, if it doesn’t expand that it offers enough velocity and an early yaw cycle to provide sufficient terminal performance similar to a rifle. One load on the horizon that looks well suited for personal protection is Speer’s soon-to-be-released 40-grain Gold Dot load. This should offer a good combination of expansion and penetration. The question I have though, is how much will it expand? Will it expand to .30-caliber, .32-caliber, .35-caliber? I think you can see my point. When it comes to terminal performance I would go with a modern expanding 9mm load. There is a huge amount of investment and testing done, with decades of data on 9mm expanding loads. 9mm loads are available to meet the needs of both armed citizens and LE. They expand reliably, penetrate well, even through intermediate barriers, and are readily available at reasonable prices. The 5.7x28mm is a very interesting cartridge, and current loads can be improved upon, but for right now I will stick with a 9mm for personal protection. Now this doesn’t mean the 5.7x28mm is a bad cartridge. It’s a very fun cartridge to shoot, has impressive velocity and can be used effectively for personal protection with good shot placement. Its light recoil makes it very easy to shoot well and quickly. I just would not take one over a 9mm if I could only have one pistol. If I already had a 9mm though, then that is another story.

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