Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/929822
system (pistol plus PDW), while Heckler & Koch had only MP7 (UPC pistol was in concept phase and finally project was abandoned). Thanks to smaller overall length of SS190 round (by roughly 2.7 mm) it was possible to design 5.7x28 pistol, acting as perfect addition to P90. FIVE-SEVEN Works on the 5,7 x28 SS190 handgun started in 1993 when Jean-Louis Gathoye placed application in US Patent Office patent application for a delayed blowback operating system, that was core of later firearm. In 1994, US Patent 5,347,912 was assigned and in 1995 Fabrique Nationale officially announced works on the 5.7x28 pistol. First prototype was presented in 1996 and early test series with some adjustments proposed by potential users was released at break of 1996-1997. In 1997, the competition tests between Five-seveN and Browning HP were completed. Serial Five-seveN was put into production in 1998. Its most characteristic element was very peculiarly profiled trigger guard with shape of rounded "W" letter for easier operation in gloves. Pistol had DAO trigger with 10-14 pounds trigger pull (that was object of complaint by most of the guys that had opportunity to fire one), small non-adjustable sights, lack of external safety lever or slide release lever. Only manipulator was trigger itself and one side magazine release button. Except original shape of trigger guard Five-seveN surprised with aerodynamic futuristic appearance – slide is covered with polymer coating what makes impression that whole handgun is polymer. In front of the frame was rounded rail for mounting laser pointer. Grip was covered in front part by characteristic peas-like pattern with forty dots – same pattern was at the back of the grip but only with six dots. Another version was Five-seveN Tactical presented during MILPOL 1999, where main change was SA trigger with trigger pull reduced to 4,4-6,6 pounds and ambidextrous external safety lever (in first version black, changed later to light gray) placed on the frame right above trigger itself, slide release lever was also added. It has to be mentioned that both "regular" and Tactical versions were available only for low enforcement and military units. Follower of Tactical was Five-seveN IOM (Individual Officer Model) from 2004 and it was a first version available to a wider group of users. Pistol had short MIL-STD-1913 rail on the frame for tactical weapon lights and adjustable sights. There were added grooves on the back of the slide and on the front portion of the trigger guard for enhanced grip. There were still pea dots on the grip. IOM version was first one to have typical US solution: the magazine safety that results as impossible to take shot without magazine. IOM had also enlarged sights with white dot on front sight. Worth to know that this version was available for purchase only by law enforcement, military units or soldiers and police officers for personal use. It was never introduced for retail market. Last version of Five-seveN pistol was USG (United States Government) that went through series of modifications in comparison with IOM version (USG became its successor, what's interesting – first USG firearms may have instructions and paperwork describing them as IOM, but they never had version with regular trigger guard). It was decided to change trigger guard for something with more standard shape, the option of changing slide release lever side was added and bean-like pattern on the grip was swapped for dense checkering (it was also added on the back of the grip). On the slide showed up classic angled grooves. In the first batches of USG sights were adjustable and pretty high (for shooting with suppressor), but in 2009 FN started to offer version with low sights. Safety lever and slide release lever by standard were in light gray, but beside whole black version they offered USG with frames in Flat Dark Earth (FDE, produced until 2013) and Olive Drab Green (ODG, produced until 2012), where manipulators were all black. Five-seveN USG was first version that ATF agree to sell on the retail market. USG was issued to US Secret Service. FIVE-SEVEN MK 2 In January 2013 debuted an upgraded version, the Five- seveN Mk2, in which most noticeable external change was angled grooves in front part of the slide for faster reloads, especially when hands are wet or in gloves. Another upgrade is changed shape of magazine well which was extended and flared. Sights are stainless steel and manipulators are all black. Five-seveN Mk2 went through series of design changes that cannot be seen – slide covered in polymer is now single piece. The trigger was changed to Single Action with 4.5-7.9 lbs pull. IN ACTION