Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/929822
Five-seveN, the name is written that way on purpose to highlight connection with FN, have always drawn a lot of attention. Their futuristic shapes, uncommon highly effective ammunition and limited availability causes that everyone are focus on them when they pop somewhere. Where such a handgun came from? See below. FROM BULLET TO PISTOLT Beginnings of the history of Five-seveN reach late 1980s, when NATO started to look to replace previous standard pistol 9 mm Parabellum round to be used in new weapons system and new weapon classified as PDW (Personal Defense Weapon) – new category that supposed to replace classic assault rifles and SMGs. Full-sized and even carbine length rifles, because of their size, in case of 30- 40% of soldiers were useless, their use was marginal and in most cases there not go along well with everyday duties. SMG's were for sure more handy but does not deal with modern bulletproof vests. There was urgent requirement for firearm dedicated for personal defense of soldiers and crews. First manufacturer that respond to requirements was Fabrique Nationale Herstal from Belgium. The FN proposed revolutionary P90 assault rifle (now classified submachine gun) with newly-designed dedicated 5.7x28 SS90 round with impressive ballistic parameters and great range. 5.7x28 mm round looks more like rifle rather than typical pistol ammunition and this is caused by its build which narrowing bottleneck case and cone like lancet bullet. Prototype 23 grain AP FMJ SS90 plastic core round with 850 m/s muzzle velocity had 540 J energy. In 1993 first serial produced was introduced as SS190 AP FMJ. Bullet weight was 31 grains, muzzle velocity 716 m/s and energy 534 J. The ammunition very stable and flat bullet flight path, terminal performance and high penetration rate. During tests, bullet fired from P90 was able to penetrate NATO-standard CIRSAT target (1.6 mm titanium plate plus 20 layers of Kevlar) from 200 meters. Standard pistol ammunition fired from SMG does not penetrate such target. It is worth to mention that in 2002-2003 there were conducted NATO tests from which result was supposed to be introducing new PDW and new ammunition – two nations stand to this fight – Belgians with 5.7x28 ammunition and P90 plus Germans from Heckler & Koch with 4.6x30 mm MP7. Tests proved higher effectiveness of SS190 and also potential possibility of adopting current 5.56x45 ammunition production lines to new caliber. NATO recommendation went to FN. Lack of agreement from Germany and few other countries cause final cancellation of program and every country move ahead its own way. Both competitive solutions was chosen by different countries. It should be noticed that in the time of NATO tests only Fabrique Nationale was able to provide complete weapon www.fragoutmag.com