Wednesday, December 03, 2003

5.7 x 28 System Imprortant Info (Official FN - Outdated)

Important information about availability of ALL 5.7 x 28mm weapon systems and ammunition

BATF regulations: All components of this system are tightly regulated by BATF. The P90 (NFA, Class III weapon) can only be sold and registered to a law enforcement agency. The Five-seveN pistol is slightly different. The first sale, which requires the pistol to be legally imported into the US, requires the same procedure as the P90. A BATF Form 6 is needed which the chief or the second in command must sign. The pistol can then be removed from the Custom Bonded Warehouse and shipped to the agency. The ammunition is controlled in much the same manner, an approved BATF Form 6 is required then the ammunition can be shipped direct to the agency.

The 5.7x28mm weapon system is comprised of three components: the 5.7x28mm ammunition, the P90 Submachine gun, and the Five-seveN handguns.

The 5.7x28mm SS190 ammunition has been designed to bridge the gap between the 9mm ammunition and the 5.56 x 45mm. The 9mm FMJ round will not penetrate modern body armor and the 5.56mm, being a front line type combat ammunition, is far too potent to address close combat situation or urban warfare.

The SS190 due to its unique design with two inserts, the tip of the ogive has a steel penetrator followed by an aluminum core heavier than the forward tip, will cause the bullet to tumble in soft body tissue after 2 inches of penetration. The SS190 virtually eliminates the risk of over penetration This terminal ballistic behavior will cause large wound cavity and quick incapacitation. The SS190 will perforate 48 layers of Kevlar up to 200 meters when fired from the P90 and achieve the same result up to 50 meters with the FsN handgun. The 5.7 ammunition has only 60% of the recoil impulse of a 9mm. There are four types of ammunition: the duty SS190 (0.41c/round), the tracer L191 (0.69c), the subsonic Sb193 (0.44c) and the training round T194 (0.29c). The ammunition is available from a CBW stateside (Belgium production) or made by Winchester Olin and stored here at FN Manufacturing. The muzzle velocity of the SS190 is 2,346fps when fired from the P90 and 2,133fps with the FsN.
The weapons system components are the P90 Submachine Gun, the Five-seveN Double Action and the FsN Tactical.

  • P90: Light (6.6lbs w/ 50 rounds of ammunition), compact, easy to fire, both semi and full automatic, reliable and effective. Available in a standard model $1,250.00(suggested LE Price) or with integrated laser $1850.00(suggested LE Price). A complete line of accessories is available such as silencer, sling, rails etc. The weapon can be configured in many variations.

  • Five-seveN Pistol: Light (1.64lbs w/ 20 rounds of ammunition), simple, reliable and highly effective. Available in a Double Action models (about 12.00lbs trigger pull) or Single Action Tactical (about 5.00lbs trigger pull). The FsN DAO sells for $585.00(suggested LE Price) while the Tactical sells for $650.00(suggested LE Price). Available with night sight and modular tactical light and laser, at additional cost. Various manufacturers offer holster such as DeSantis, Gould&Goodrich, London Bridge Trading Co., Blackhawk Eagle etc. this for both tactical and duty in leather or webbing.

A list of the departments using the 5.7 WS is available upon request.

Your department can request T&E weapon(s) with ammunition or ask us to provide an on site presentation and demonstration of our weapons.


Page Last Updated: 12/03/03

5.7 x 28mm System FAQ (Official FN)


The following is a summary of the frequently asked questions from customers.

Five-seveN

Q: How much recoil does the pistol produces?
A:
1.7 kgm/s or 55% of a 9mm. The recoil of the FsN is slightly less than the P90

Q: What is the trigger pull in lbs?
A:
The tactical is 4.85lbs - 5.5 lbs, the dao is 9 -12

Q: Are the sights adjustable?
A:
Yes, in windage by moving the rear sight

Q: Can we get night sights?
A:
Yes, tritium rear sight are red, front sight is green to get a better contrast

Q: Can a person with small hands easily handle and shoot the Five-seveN?
A:
Yes, the gun was designed with the human factor taken in consideration

Q: What is the noise level?
A:
Less than 130dbA

Q: What type of safeties are on the pistol and safety features?
A: The dao has a firing pin safety with the heavier trigger pull, the tactical has a positive safety as it blocks the trigger

Q: What type of accuracy can be expected?
A:
The guns are fired in the factory in Belgium and must meet a figure of merit, measurement of the vertical and horizontal spread, of a group of 6 rounds fired at a distance of 20 meters (21.84yd). The group can not exceed 200mm or (7.87in)

Q: How durable is the gun?
A:
20000 rounds life for the main components: barrel, frame and slide

Q: What process is used to produce the rifling?
A:
Rotary forging also known as swaging or cold forming

Q: Have any type of adverse condition testing been performed on the pistol?
A:
Drop tests have been performed according to NATO STANAG standards and much more

Q: Is the pistol easy to strip down and clean?
A:
Yes, some little information and training are required due to its unique design

Q: What is the muzzle jump like?
A:
This of course will vary according to the wrist strength of the shooter, again the recoil is only 55% of a 9mm.

Q: Is there any jamming or feeding problem with the pistol?
A:
No, the cartridges are in line with the chamber, there is no feed ramp on the barrel only a main taper angle. The magazine has two rows of 10 ammunition like rifle magazine, this is more reliable than conventional 9mm pistol

Q: If the pistol needs service, to whom do we send it?
A:
FN offers armorer training, weapons can always be send to us for repair.

Q: Does the pistol has a non glare finish?
A:
Yes, it is matt black technical polymer

Q: How is the muzzle flash?
A:
The muzzle flash is bigger than 9mm

Q: How strong is the action?
A:
49,000 psi is the maximum working pressure, the pistol is tested at proof pressure of 63,000psi

P90 SMG

Q: How durable is the gun?
A:
The gun is very durable we submitted it to the NATO type testing.

Q: What type of accuracy can be expected from a P90?
A:
The accuracy requirement for the P90 is 9 out of 10 rounds with a figure of merit not exceeding 7.87in at 50 meters

Q: How strong is the action?
A:
Very strong since it is a bull pup.

Q: Is the P90 easy to strip down and clean?
A:
Yes, it only has 5 major components and can disassembled in 5 seconds. The design is fool proof.

Q: How weather/ corrosion resistant is the gun?
A:
The frame is made of high impact polymer, the barrel support is quality aluminum with hard anodize, the barrel, breech block, flash hider are made of steel and are manganese phosphate, the barrel bore is hard chrome plated, the other components are polymer, stainless pins and springs

Q: What type of safety's and safety features are on the gun?
A:
The gun fires only from a closed breech, there is a selector that prevents the trigger from being manipulated while on safety there is a drop safety feature that blocks the secondary sear from being disengaged when dropped on the muzzle and there is an automatic sear that will prevent the hammer from falling since it will reengage when the weapon is dropped on the butt. The gun fires from a closed breech

Q: What is the survivability of the P90?
A:
It is very durable as we submitted it to the same tests required by NATO

Q: Are there any jamming or feeding problems with the gun?
A:
No, again due to the design the feeding is extremely reliable

Q: What type of accessories are available?
A:
The gun is ready for all accessories such as tactical light, case collector, suppressor, laser pointer, tactical sling, and many sights with the addition of a Picatinny rail for the standard model.

Q: Can the weapon be supplied in a semi automatic version only?
A:
Yes

Q: What type of sights are on the gun?
A:
The standard model has a solid glass of 14mm in diameter with aiming marks, circle and a cross hair that illuminates in low light condition with a tritium cell. There are also iron sight on both sides of the primary sight. The Triple Rail model has no sight so any day or night sights can be mounted, the interface is a Picatinny rail

Q: What is the muzzle velocity?
A:
2345 f/sec

5.78x28mm ammunition

Q: Will the 5.7mm round penetrate the target?
A:
Yes, it will penetrate 48 layers of Kevlar at 200 meters with the P90 and at 50 meters with the handgun

Q: What type of bullets are offered and how are they constructed?
A:
There are four types: the SS190 ball round or duty, the T194 hollow point, the tracer and the subsonic. We are developing a blank, a frangible, a monoblock and a sabot round. The construction of the SS190 is very unique as it has two cores, first a steel then an aluminum wrapped in a steel jacket. The hollow point round does not have the forward steel insert. The tracer has ignition material, tracer media and the steel penetrator. The Sb193 is a 55 grains FMJBT.

Q: What is the effective range of the SS190 duty round?
A:
200 meters

Q: Who makes the ammunition?
A:
FN and Olin Winchester

Q: What type of knock down power is the 5.7 round capable of?
A:
The SS190 transfers nearly all its energy to the target on impact, even at close range. The bullet will tumble after approximately 2 inches of travel in soft body tissues causing large wound cavity and quick incapacitation.

Q: What is the stopping power of the 5.7x28mm?
A:
The SS190 has about the same muzzle energy as the 9mm

Q: What are the energy/ number?
A:
320flbs at muzzle, 297flbs/ 50meters, 227flbs/ 100m, 126flbs/ 200m, 74flbs/ 300m, 58flbs/ 400m

Q: What department are using the 5.7 system?
A:
The list is available upon request.


Disclaimer - This information is provided to answer common questions about some of our products and are for reference purposes only. This information offers no warranty of any kind and is subject to change without notice..


Page Last Updated: 12/03/03

Five seveN Tactical (Official FN)


Five-seveN Tactical Pistol

This version of the Five-seveN pistol has been designed to meet the needs of Law Enforcement special units.

For officers on tactical teams, close protection details, and other such duties, the Tactical has many advantages.

It holds 20 rounds of the highly effective 5.7 mm cartridge used in the P90 SMG. This round provides the accuracy, the penetration of soft body armor and incapacitation needed to stop determined and well equipped criminals.

  • The short, light trigger pull allows fast and accurate shooting.

  • The shrouded hammer will not catch on equipment and is protected from impacts.

  • The firing pin safety avoids accidental firing, while the manual safety can be used to block the trigger.

The Five-seveN Tactical, in the hands of a skilled shooter, when only the best is good enough.

Benefits

  • Polymer frame and slide cover: ergonomic, incredibly light and easily maintained

  • 20-round magazine: large firing autonomy

  • Fires 5.7 mm round: the FMJ SS190 penetrates Class IIIA body armor

  • Firing pin safety: only fires when the trigger is intentionally pulled

  • Low recoil: the weapon can be quickly realigned

  • Integrated accessory rail: easy mount for light and laser

  • Short, light trigger pull: for fast and accurate shooting

  • Manual slide stop: for quicker reloading

Tecnical Data

Five-seveN Tactical Pistol

Caliber:

5.7 x 28 mm

Trigger mechanism:

single action

Operating principle:

delayed blowback

Magazine capacity:

20 rounds

Length of weapon:

208 mm (8.2 in)

Length of barrel:

122.5 mm (4.82 in)

Weight:

-with empty magazine:

630 g (1.36 lb)

-with loaded magazine:

756 g (1.64 lb)

SS190 ammunition

Type:

Ball

Ammunition length:

40.5 mm (1.6 in)

Ammunition weight:

6 g (93 grains)

Projectile weight:

2.02 g (31 grains)

Muzzle velocity:

650 m/s (2,133 ft/s)

Suggested Price

(Law Enforcement agencies only- 5.7 x 28 caliber weapons are not available to the general public)

Five-seveN Tactical: $650 Available Mid 2001
Five-seveN Tactical N.S.: $780 Available Mid 2001
Page Last Updated: 12/03/03

Five seveN (Official FN)


Five-seveN Pistol

Advantages

The Five seveN Pistol is the companion weapon to the P90 sub-machine gun. The Five seveN is an easily concealable double action pistol with a larger, 20-round magazine capacity. A maximum use has been made of composite materials in the frame and slide to result in an extremely light weight, 1.7 pound, design. The 5.7x28mm ammunition has the capability of penetrating body armor at extended ranges. This new ammunition features a lead-free projectile to eliminate environmental concerns. NATO STANAG classification for the ammunition is currently underway.

Technical Data

Length:

8.2 inches

Height:

5.4 inches

Weight


Empty:

1.4 pounds

Loaded:

1.7 pounds

Magazine Capacity:

20 rounds

Penetrate PASGT vest:

300 meters

Penetrate PASGT helmet:

240 meters

Penetrate CRISAT vest:

100 meters

Suggested Price
(Law Enforcement agencies only- 5.7 x 28 caliber weapons are not available to the general public)

Five-seveN D.A.: $585 Available!
Five-seveN D.A.N.S: $702 Available Mid 2001
Page Last Updated: 12/03/03

5.7 x28mm Ammunition (Official FN)

It is a sad commentary on the time we live but the criminal element, which police are facing today, is more and more determined and resourceful. They could be classified as professionals who carefully choose their targets, weapons, and protection, which as the Bank of America and other recent incidents prove often include personal body armor.

This is the reason why FN Herstal developed the 5.7 x 28 mm ammunition for the P90 submachine gun and the Five-seveN pistol.

The round will consistently penetrate 48 layers of Kevlar where all known 9 mm, .40 cal. and .45 cal. bullets will just bounce off. The light weight, high velocity bullet will tumble on impact, ensuring reliable incapacitation without over-penetration.

Low recoil impulses makes follow-up shots quick and accurate because we know that in spite of all the hype written about new wonder bullets in the industry bullet placement is the single most important factor in ending a lethal confrontation.

Technical Data


SS190 (Ball)L191 (Tracer)Sb193(subsonic)T194(training)
Cartridge length:1.59 in. - 40.5 mm1.59 in. - 40.5 mm1.59 in. - 40.5 mm1.59 in. - 40.5 mm
Cartridge weight:93 grains - 6 grams93 grains - 6 grams118 grains - 7.6 grams88 grains - 5.75 grams
Projectile weight:31 grains - 2.02 grams31 grains - 2.02 grams55 grains - 3.6 grams27 grains - 1.75 grams
Recoil impulse:1.95 kgm/s1.95 kgm/s1.3 kgm/s
Chamber Pressure:345 Mpa max piezo345 Mpa max piezo345 Mpa max piezo
Accuracy with P90
10-round group (H+L)
at 50 meters:
5.9 in. - 15 cm7.9 in. - 20 cm7.9 in. - 20 cm
Muzzle velocity:



- with P90

2346 fps - 715 m/s2346 fps - 715 m/s984 fps - 300 m/s705 m/s

-with Five seveN

2132 fps - 650 m/s2132 fps - 650 m/s

-

640 m/s
Effective range with P90:200 meters200 meters50 meters
Minimum penetration
Class IIIA body armor:
200 meters200 meters50 meters

Suggested Price

(Law Enforcement agencies only- 5.7 x 28 caliber weapons are not available to the general public)

Price per unit in thousands
SS190:

$0.41

Sb193 Subsonic:

$0.45

L191 Tracer:

$0.71

T194 Training Round:

$0.29

Page Last Updated: 12/03/03

P90 (Official FN)

P90

5.7mm SUB-MACHINE GUN


Technical Data:

Operation:

Overall Length:

Width:

Height with Optical Sight:

Blowback mechanism firing from closed breech

19.7 in.

2.2 in.

8.3 in.

Weight with Loaded Magazine:

6.6 lbs.

Magazine Capacity:

50 rds

Firing Modes:

Single shot, full automatic

Cyclic Rate of Fire:

900 rpm

Maximum Effective Range:

200m

SS190 Ammunition:

Caliber:

5.7mm

Weight:

93 grains

Projectile Weight:

31 grains

Recoil Impulse:

0.44 lb/s

Muzzle Velocity:

2,346 fps

Perforation at 200m: Body Armor
Kevlar

>48 plies of Kevlar

PASGT helmet

Accuracy with P90

(7.9 in.) (10 shots)

Suggested Price:
(Law Enforcement agencies only- 5.7 x 28 caliber weapons are not available to the general public)

P90STD: $1,250
P90STD Auto: $1,350
Page last updated on: 03-07-2001

Tuesday, April 01, 2003

Experiences with the FN P90 by Sandy Wall


Experiences with the FN P90

By Sandy Wall


The Houston, TX, Police Department was the first American law enforcement agency to deploy with the FN P90 submachine gun on its SWAT team. We received five P90s into our inventory in 1999 along with several thousand 5.7mm rounds of ammunition. After a short period of in-house testing and training, the P90s became operational within our entry team elements. The P90 has been utilized primarily at the point man positions where its CQB features are best utilized.
The first time I saw a P90, I couldn’t help but notice how unique and interesting it looked. It was fun to shoot and no one could argue about the innovations the engineers at Fabrique National in Belgium had featured on this weapon. The fact remained, however, that the 5.7x28mm cartridge was unproven.
We had all the energy data and gelatin shots, but had no documentation on what the round would do on a real human body. It may sound morbid, but in the tactical world the proof is in the real deal. That missing element was always in the back of our minds.
Well, the jury is now in. Houston SWAT was involved with the first and only lethal engagement with the weapon to date.
I first wrote an article on the P90 for the Texas Tactical Police Officers Association (TTPOA) Command Magazine. Then, as well as now, I carried a P90 as my primary weapon. I have shot thousands of 5.7mm rounds in training and continue to deploy with the weapon on every SWAT situation and high-risk warrant I respond to.
I concede that the P90 is not all things to all people. However, for what I do, as a SWAT officer in a major city, it’s a great weapon. Its CQB features are many, so I will just touch on the high points.
The weapon system, including both the P90 submachine gun and the FiveseveN pistol, is built around the SS190 5.7x28mm cartridge. One of the unique features about this system is that the cartridge can be fired from an assault rifle or a handgun. The SS190 version of the 5.7mm cartridge uses a 31-grain, steel jacketed, steel tipped, aluminum core bullet. It is capable of 2350fps and it can defeat level IIIA body armor at 200 meters. The bullet contains no lead for environments that prohibit toxins.
The round is not cheap but as the weapon becomes more popular here in the United States, the cost should come down. Winchester will soon assemble the 5.7mm round from imported FN components and also plans to make a hollowpoint round.
The 5.7mm round has 379 ft-lbs of energy, compared to 1300 ft-lbs for the 5.56mm NATO. The recoil from the 5.7mm round is much less than even the 9mm.
The SS190 ball is not only flat shooting, but also capable of penetrating car doors and auto-glass with minimum ricochet potential. In contrast, the bullet is designed to stay intact and start a controlled tumble once it penetrates a soft medium, thus reducing any over-penetration worries. The SS190 ball penetrates between 11 and 13.5 inches of gelatin, compared to between 17 and 22 inches of penetration for the M855 dual-core 5.56mm NATO round.
Upon impact with soft targets, the 5.7mm ball tumbles one time, base over point. This transfers energy and limits over-penetration. The 5.7mm ball produces a wound cavity about the size and shape of the best 9mm 115 grain JHP +P+, except the peak occurs at a deeper penetration.
In the one shooting we had with the P90, the bullet performed well. In fact, the bullet performed exactly as it was designed. The autopsy provided detailed information about the wound cavity and travel of the bullets. None of the 5.7mm rounds fragmented and as far as we can tell, none exited either. The shooting itself was a violent confrontation with many rounds exchanged between the suspect and the react team. The suspect was hit multiple times with both 5.56mm and 5.7mm rounds.
The P90 works from a simple blow-back bolt in a bullpup design. It is as easy to break down and clean as any gun you will ever shoot. I have been amazed at how little residue I find even after hundreds of rounds. I find less residue than in most weapons fired only 50 rounds. The simplicity of the action provides almost no chance of malfunctions. We literally tried to make one of ours malfunction by refusing to clean it. After several thousand rounds we couldn’t stand it anymore, broke down and cleaned it anyway. To this day, after thousands of rounds down range, I have yet to experience a malfunction with my P90.
The ergonomic design provides comfort and speed on target but does not compromise accuracy. It can hold a respectable group at 100 yards and the recoil is about one third of an M4, and even less than a 9mm MP5. Recoil management and time back on target is easy. It has a two-stage trigger in full-auto mode that allows the shooter to fire single or full-auto fire with just trigger manipulation— no more accidentally going full-auto because you did not realize where your selector was positioned. With the P90 the shooter has to commit a conscious effort to pull through the semi-auto stage to the full auto mode.
Every feature of the weapon can be operated equally from the right or left hand position. Spent casings eject straight down, which makes my partners on the firing line happy. No more doing the hot-brass-down-my-shirt dance. FN even has a slick little pouch that neatly attaches to the eject port. It will catch about a hundred casings before you have to dump it.
The 50 round magazine almost eliminates the need to carry extra ammo. The magazine is translucent, which allows the shooter to know how many rounds remain with just a glance, even while you operate the weapon because the magazine sits right on top of the weapon just below the shooter’s cheek well.
The P90 comes with a two or three rail option for after market accessories and an optional built in laser. One of the drawbacks of the weapon is poor iron sights and I don’t really care for the optional factory optics. We popped them off and went with EOTech Holo sights. Normally, I’m not big on lasers, but in this case I use my built-in laser as a good back up to my holo sights should it malfunction.
When I talk to operators from other agencies about weapons, I now seldom have to explain what weapon I’m talking about when I mention the P90 as my primary. Obviously the folks at FN are getting the message out and the weapon is now familiar. If you operate in an environment like the one I operate in, you can’t go wrong with a P90 slung at the low-ready.


Sandy Wall is the past president of the TTPOA.

Sunday, March 09, 2003

US Marine Corps P90 fact sheet



The purpose of the P90 Submachine Gun initiative
is to examine a possible replacement for the
current Marine Corps sidearm weapon.

Background: The P90 Submachine Gun is
being examined as a potential replacement for the
aging 9mm Beretta pistol. The Beretta’s lack of
range, penetration and ammunition capacity are
problems that have been identified by operating
forces. The P90 initiative seeks to remedy these
problems by providing the warfighter with a compact,
lightweight alternative that possesses the
firepower operational forces are seeking.
...

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