5.7 x 22 for home defense?

[Dogshooter]

I've always kept my .45 acp Kimber close at hand for home defense but I have started taking a second look at my FNH  Five-Seven pistol for that duty. First of all, it has a rail that I have put my TLR-2 light/laser on. Second, the magazine holds 20 rounds. I THINK the V-Max factory loads would be great for home defense because they shouldn't penetrate many obstacles. I have not seen any info on the terminal ballistics so I am not certain the round would be a good "stopper". Any thoughts or experience with this round would be appreciated and might help me make a choice between the two.

[rdmallory]

5.7x28

I own one and I can put 20 rounds in a 2" square at 7 yards faster than I can put 7 with my 45. You wife will love shooting it it is like shooting a 22RF. There is plenty of discussion on the internet on the terminal ballistics and a lot of "opinions" by folks have never shot one.  The factory round tumbles so you don't have the same would cavity as you do with a 9mm or 380.

I went and had a 20" barrel made for my Encore and it is great on Prairie dogs out to about 150 yards.
Buds has a reactive target range (Wack-a-mole) and it is the only gun I can drop all 8 targets on level 10. I think it is 8 targets in 10 seconds. So I can double tap each one in case I miss and still have time to get off the second shot. With any of the other pistols I run out of ammo or time before I can get them all. Even the MAC10 with a 32 round mag the target will drop before I can get off the second shot.

Doug

[Dogshooter]

Thanks for that info. Of course I meant to call it a 5.7 x 28 but you apparently knew what I meant. I agree that it is very fast on follow up shots. Looks like the 45 will go back into the safe!

[williamlayton]

I liked the one I had. Ammo is expensive. BYEBYE
Blessings

[LocnLod]

See if you can find any gelatin tests online for the round that you choose.  I wouldn't pick it if it penetrates less than 10" with a large temporary cavity or 12" with a small temporary cavity.
 On M4 carbine I've read that many law enforcement agencies that use the P90 aren't terribly happy with the ballistics that the 5.7 in the longer barrel has it will just be worse in the shorter barrel.
There are many higher capacity (than 1911) handguns with rails available.

[coyotejoe]

I guess if I had to choose one or the other I'd take the new Kel-Tec .22 WMR. There really isn't much difference in ballistics between the FN 5.7x28 and the old .22 mag rimfire but there is a whopping difference in cost of both the gun and the ammo. I presently have the old AMT Auto Mag and find it an excellent trail gun and small game and varmint handgun. It's light, carries flat against the side, is quite accurate and flat shooting and since I have it I can't see much reason to go to the much more expensive FN pistol or the clunky and awkward looking Kel-Tec. The AMT only holds 10 rounds but I can't imagine a need for more. It seems Chuck Hawks agrees.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/5-7x28_cop_killer.htm

[rdmallory]

There really isn't much difference in ballistics between the FN 5.7x28 and the old .22 mag rimfire but there is a whopping difference in cost of both the gun and the ammo.

Not true ... 

Kel-Tec PMR-30  CCI .22wmr 40gr              1343fps   ft-lb 160 
FiveSeven          SS197 40gr                     1709fps   ft-lb 259


Ballistic Gelatin Block Results
Blocks were 6x8x10” 10% ballistic gelatin, placed lengthwise for 20” total gelatin depth. All shots were taken from a distance of 10'.


SS197 (FsN Pistol)
Shot #1: Fragmented early in the block, fragments penetrated the entire depth of the block and exited the back.

Shot #2: 14” penetration, core separated from jacket.

Shot #3: Fragmented early in the block, fragments penetrated to 18”

SS190 (FsN Pistol)
Shot #1: Penetrated to 15”, round remained intact. Large (2.5”) cavitation present from 3”-10”, apparently due to bullet tumbling.

Shot #2: Penetrated to 14.5” before exiting the bottom of the block, bouncing off the metal, and continuing downrange outside (under) the block). Similar wound channel to shot #1 prior to exiting the block.

Shot #3: Penetrated to 15”, similar wound channel to shot #1. All rounds remained intact.

CCI .22WMR 40gr HP
These rounds were fired into a single 10" block.  Both rounds penetrated the length of the block and created a wound channel not much larger than the bullet's diameter.

This is one caliber there is so much misinformation on by people that don't understand ballistics.

http://youtu.be/lpnnh-0YEbk

http://www.brassfetcher.com/index_files/Page2558.htm

22 WMR $10 a box
SS190 $19 a box reloadable
Reloads with Varmint nightmares is about $6 a box.

Doug

[Dogshooter]

Thanks again for the info. I watched several of the you tube clips and am duly impressed. I will taking the wife out soon to let her shoot it and it will have the place of honor by our bed.

[GatCat]

I think it would serve you well, but I don't think much of the rail mounted light.
1) Muzzle is pointing at illuminated area ( oops, kid up at night raiding fridge, etc. etc.)
2) If indeed truly bad guy is there, the light is a bullet magnet.
3) Too much "things" for one hand to do, at a time of extreme stress.
 
Get a very good compact light, use it in the off hand, in an "icepick" hold, with thumb on rear pressure switch. Better to "paint" an area, etc., while keeping pistol tucked in tight, close to body,
Mark

[rdmallory]

Get a very good compact light, use it in the off hand, in an "icepick" hold, with thumb on rear pressure switch. Better to "paint" an area, etc., while keeping pistol tucked in tight, close to body,
Mark

Looks like someone has had some police training. 

We were told NEVER to hold the light anywhere near your body.

Doug

[Mikey]

Gun Tests Magazine just ran a comparison between the two exact pistols you are talking about and the KalTec came out on top.  The testers preferred the KalTec pistol over the FN.  They found the 22 mag to penetrate more deeply than the 5.7, but the wound channel on the 5.7 was more impressive to them. 
 
I have seen the sort of damage the 22 wmr can cause from a very short barrel, I can only imagine that it would be worse from the PMR30 length barrel.  If KalTec were to make a 10 shooter legal for nys I would own one in a heartbeat and simply stock up on 30 rnd mags.
 
WilliamLayton reflected on one of the concerns in the test article, which was the availability of the 5.7 ammo.  When the caliber and gun were first introduced they were not legal in ny because the 5.7 ammo would penetrate body armor and you could not find ammo.  The 9mm is legal though - duh.

[Spirithawk]

 I'm not so sure I'd concider either for a home defense round. In a home defense situation there are two factors I look at;
 
 1) Over penetration, and the bullet possibly going through a wall and hitting something or someone I'd rather it didn't, is a big concern
 
2) I prefer something, such as a properly loaded shotgun, that will stop an intruder in their tracks.
 
 I'd expect .22 mags to go right through someone at close range and keep right on going and, unless bone was hit or you could score multiple fast hits, I doubt you'd stop anyone in their tracks. With all the firearms and calibers available I'm thinking there are much better choices to be had but if I had to choose one of the two it would have to be the 5.7.
 
As to modern tac lights on a firearm they are more than a simple flaslight. They are designed to blind an oponent and when used properly have their merit.