5.7×28 Pistols in 2026: What You’re Really Buying (and How to Pick the Right One)
February 3, 2026
If you’ve been eyeing 5.7×28 pistols, you’re probably chasing the same promise: high capacity, flat recoil, and a cartridge that stays “laser-ish” longer than most handgun rounds. In 2026, there are more viable options than ever—ranging from classic-duty-sized pistols to oversized “range toy” platforms that blur the line between pistol and carbine. This deep dive will help you decide what role a 5.7 actually fits, which features matter, and how to compare the most common models without getting lost in internet arguments.
5.7×28 pistols shine as low-recoil, high-capacity range guns and “fast follow-up shot” setups—especially if you’re already set up for optics and lights. The biggest tradeoffs are ammo cost/availability and the reality that “pistol performance” still depends heavily on load choice. If you want a traditional pistol feel, start with FN’s Five-seveN MRD or the Ruger-57; if you want maximum capacity and a very different handling experience, the KelTec P50 is its own lane.
The 2026 Reality Check on 5.7×28 Pistols
Here’s the most useful way to think about the category: you’re not buying “a better 9mm.” You’re buying a different system. The cartridge tends to be easy to shoot quickly (lighter recoil impulse for many shooters), magazines are often generous, and practical accuracy can feel almost unfair at typical pistol distances. That’s the upside.
The constraints are just as real. Ammo price is typically higher than mainstream handgun rounds, and availability can swing more dramatically. Also, a 5.7 pistol’s usefulness depends heavily on picking the right load for what you’re doing—cheap range ammo, hunting/varmint loads, and defensive-oriented loads aren’t interchangeable just because they fit in the same magazine.
So the first question isn’t “Which 5.7 is best?” It’s: What job is this pistol doing?
- Range and training: low recoil + high capacity can make long sessions more fun (and more productive).
- Optics-forward shooting: 5.7 pairs well with a red dot because the gun stays flatter and transitions faster for many shooters.
- Field use: some shooters like it for varmints/pests where legal and appropriate, but results depend on load selection.
- “One gun, one caliber” household simplicity: 5.7 is usually the opposite of this—unless you already run it in multiple guns.
Key Specs: Three Popular Directions (FN vs Ruger vs KelTec)
Below is a practical snapshot of three common approaches you’ll see when researching 5.7 pistols. Exact numbers can vary by SKU and generation, but this gets you into the right decision lane.
| Firearm | Platform | Action | Caliber | Barrel/Weight | Capacity | OAL | MSRP/Street |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FNH Five-seveN MRD | Handgun | Semi-auto | 5.7×28 | ~4.8″ / ~25 oz (varies) | Often 20+1 (check mags) | ~8.2″ | Varies by SKU |
| Ruger Ruger-5.7 (Ruger-57) | Handgun | Semi-auto | 5.7×28 | ~4.9″ / ~24–25 oz (varies) | 20+1 | ~8.6″ | Varies by SKU |
| KelTec P50 | Handgun | Semi-auto | 5.7×28 | ~9.6″ / ~3.2 lb (varies) | 50+1 (PS90 mags) | ~15″ | Varies by SKU |
Category note: all three live in Semi Auto Pistols, but the P50 especially handles more like a compact “pistol-carbine concept” than a duty-style handgun.
How They Feel in the Hand (and Why That Matters More Than the Caliber)
Most buyer regret in the 5.7 world isn’t about the cartridge—it’s about ergonomics and expectations.
FN Five-seveN MRD: This is the “classic” 5.7 pistol direction: a full-size handgun that’s meant to be shot quickly and accurately without drama. If you want something that behaves like a traditional pistol—draw, present, shoot—this is typically the baseline people compare everything else against. FN’s ecosystem and long-running design history also mean you’ll find lots of holster and support chatter (which matters if you plan to actually live with the gun).
Ruger-57: Ruger’s entry tends to attract buyers who want the 5.7 experience with a more approachable price and a very straightforward feature set: high capacity, practical sights, and modern “ready for accessories” thinking. If you’re the type who enjoys the “research checklist” approach—compare capacity, optic-mount method, controls, and street prices—Ruger often lands on the short list early.
KelTec P50: The P50 is a vibe. It’s large, it’s high-capacity, and it’s built around top-feeding PS90 magazines. That means reloads, balance, and storage feel different from a belt-holstered pistol. If your goal is pure range efficiency—long strings, minimal reload interruptions—the P50 can be wildly entertaining. If your goal is a conventional handgun you can carry with normal gear, it’s usually the wrong tool.
Optics, Lights, and Mounting: Don’t Buy the Headache
5.7×28 pistols pair well with modern accessories, but the details matter. “Optics-ready” can mean anything from direct-mount cuts to plate systems to proprietary footprints. Before you buy, decide what you’re mounting and how committed you are to that ecosystem.
- Red dot plan: Confirm how the slide is cut (direct vs plate) and what footprints are supported. If you’re already invested in a specific optic pattern, make that the first filter—not the last.
- Weapon light plan: Confirm rail type and fit. Full-size pistols tend to be simpler here; oddball platforms can require more trial-and-error.
- Co-witness expectations: Some setups give you usable backup irons; others are “optic only” in practice. Decide what you’re comfortable with.
If you want to browse by manufacturer first (often the fastest way to sanity-check variants and trims), start with the brand hubs: FNH, Ruger, and KelTec.
Ammo and Magazines: The Hidden Cost of the 5.7 “System”
Two buyers can spend the same amount on the pistol and have completely different long-term experiences—because 5.7 ownership is often defined by ammo sourcing.
Ammo: Treat 5.7 like a specialty caliber even when it feels “popular.” When prices are low and inventory is deep, it’s a dream. When availability tightens, it can turn into a safe queen. If you’re planning to shoot a lot, budget for ammo the same way you’d budget for the gun. A 20-round magazine is only “high capacity” if you can afford to fill it routinely.
Magazines: This is where platform choice becomes a lifestyle choice. The FN/Ruger approach uses pistol magazines (simple, familiar). The P50 is built around PS90 mags—great for capacity, but it changes how you buy, store, and load mags. If you like the idea of standardizing magazines across multiple guns, you might also look at 5.7 carbines that use similar mags, but keep your legal and practical needs in mind.
One practical strategy: decide your “minimum viable stash” (for example, enough ammo to shoot monthly for a season) and see if that number makes you flinch. If it does, 5.7 may be better as an occasional fun gun rather than your primary range workhorse.
Comparisons That Actually Help You Choose
Instead of comparing brand slogans, compare the things that change your day-to-day experience.
Choose FN Five-seveN MRD if… you want the most “normal pistol” interpretation of 5.7, you care about a long-established platform, and you want a setup that can realistically be configured for serious range work with a dot and light. This is the lane for people who want a 5.7 that handles like a duty-sized handgun.
Choose Ruger-57 if… you want high capacity with a straightforward feature set and typically a more approachable entry point. It’s often the pick for shoppers who want to get into 5.7 without paying “flagship tax,” while still staying in the conventional handgun format.
Choose KelTec P50 if… your priority is maximum capacity and you’re buying this as a range platform first. The P50 is less about concealed practicality and more about long strings, low interruption, and the novelty (in the best sense) of a PS90-mag-fed pistol.
Want to branch out beyond pistols? Consider whether a 5.7 carbine better matches your use case. Some shooters end up happier with a shoulder-fired platform in the same caliber, while keeping a more common handgun caliber for their pistol lineup.
Research Checklist: What to Confirm Before You Buy
- Optics method: direct cut vs plate system, and which footprints are supported.
- Magazine type and cost: availability, price, and whether you want to standardize across guns.
- Ergonomics: trigger reach, grip size, and whether controls work for your hands (especially safety/mag release).
- Intended ammo: pick a realistic range load and confirm you can buy it consistently.
- Role clarity: range fun, training volume, field use, or “just because it’s cool” (all valid—just be honest).
- Total setup cost: pistol + 3–5 mags + optic + light (if desired) + ammo baseline.
What to Watch Next in 2026
The most meaningful changes in the 5.7 space tend to come from two places: ammo (more loads, better availability, better pricing) and platform refinement (cleaner optics mounting, better triggers, improved ergonomics). If you’re on the fence, keep your eye on how often your preferred ammo shows up in stock and whether street prices trend toward “normal range day” territory. When 5.7 is easy to feed, it’s easy to love.
To keep browsing without getting overwhelmed, stick to two lanes: filter by Semi Auto Pistols, then compare variants inside a single brand hub like Ruger or FNH.