FN57 Questions

[SGTKane]

While teaching at FT Dix last month I had the chance to shoot the FN57 on the pop-up pistol range there and I enjoyed it. I enjoyed it a lot more than I enjoy shooting my Glock 23 and nearly as much as shooting my 1911.

So I'm looking at picking one up. However, a grand plus is a lot of money to spend on something fun (for that price I can hit Disney with the wife and kids for four days) and before I do I want to make sure I'm not going to get trapped in a "CA only version".

The FN57 comes with three 20 round magazines. The version I can buy here in CA comes with three 10 round magazines. One of the dealers I spoke too, mentioned that the FN57 that comes with the 10 round magazines is not compatible with the 20 round magazines. This means if I buy it I'm locked into the 10 round version for as long as I own the weapon.

When I asked other dealers about it, most of them said they didn't know. One told me that was incorrect, and spot checking shows adds that make the incompatible claim and none that say the two are interchangeable.

So my first question (because its a deal breaker) is, is the CA legal version of the FN57 compatable with the 20 round magazines?

[Nor*Cal]

I had looked into getting one but the ammo price made me change my mind. I do not however recall hearing that the 10 round mag CA model was not compatible with the 20 round mags.

Call FNH USA, I'm sure they can confirm if that is the case. 1-800-635-1321
Also, grabagun has the CA model in stock for $991.

Make sure you weigh in the cost of the ammo. There's very little selection and its pricey.

Update: SGAmmo sells a case of 2000 for $856 shipped.

Good luck and let us know what you find. I'm curious to know the answer.

[Forewarned]

There is no difference in the pistol, they will shoot with a 10 round mag or a 20 round mag. There is no Ca model, when I bought mine it had the part number to the 20 round model. The FFL just swapped out the mags to 10 rounders and sold the 20's to LEO's.

[gwanghoops]

I believe sgammo has some starting around $22 / box of 50. Still expensive but not crazy.

I was looking and saw a lot of people selling them almost new with a low round count. Wasn't sure if that was a bad sign.

[cannon]

Ammo is about the same price as .45 acp.

[Nor*Cal]

Ammo is about the same price as .45 acp.

You should look into that. It's $4 to $5 more per box of 50.

[fennecfrank]

had one. recoil is just a little bit more than .22 LR. very pleasant gun to shoot. if you can't shoot this gun, don't know what guns you can shoot.

however, it feels like the whole pistol is plastic and after shooting for a while, the lack of recoil kills the fun. also, I don't like magazine disconnect.

you can use 20-round mag's for this gun. however, the hi-cap mag's were banned BEFORE this gun was invented...........therefore, don't know what you can say if you get caught with one (unless you're LEO)

[Forewarned]

It could be found on the net for around $21.00 a box of 50 plus shipping.

[SGTKane]

Here's the word from the lady I spoke with at FNH USA (good advice by the way on calling them).

She was a bit hurried as I think she wanted to be done for the day, but the gist of it is that its not a 10 rd/20rd issue. Its a generational issue. The older gen mags aren't compatible with the newer (Gen3?) systems.

Which is still good to know, if I happen to see mags for sale I need to make sure they are the right mags for the right generation.

As far as why this would have been a deal breaker for me, its not that I want to own 20 rnd mags here in CA. I would never do such a thing! Its against the law!

But I don't plan to live here forever. I like living here mostly, but to be honest with you the last two years tax bills have been real ball breakers and it wouldn't suprise me if I found myself in another state in a couple of years. And limiting myself to a CA legal system that would always only be a CA legal system doesn't make much sense at the $1,000 price point.

Ammo cost is always a concern, but given that I'm used to the bend it over for the .45 and .40 prices (to the point I even bought an LW conversion barrel for the 23 to 9mm) I'm used to it.

I'm also seeing Hornday 5.7x28 for $21 for 50 and .45 at $18, so its comparable at least. Of course if its as much fun to shoot as I think I might end up shooting more rounds than I do with the .45 driving the cost that much higher...

fennecfrank did you have any issues with the plastic, other than it just feeling cheap?

[dachan]

One of the dealers I spoke too, mentioned that the FN57 that comes with the 10 round magazines is not compatible with the 20 round magazines.

Totally wrong, gun store FUD.

[hyperion.excal]

So I'm looking at picking one up. However, a grand plus is a lot of money to spend on something fun (for that price I can hit Disney with the wife and kids for four days)

Disney wont go away, you can get the gun and still see your $1000 except its a Five-Seven VS Disney will just take your money and never give it back

[fennecfrank]

fennecfrank did you have any issues with the plastic, other than it just feeling cheap?

no issues with the plastic. the gun does not feel like a gun, it simply feels like a toy.

I've been spoiled by custom/semi-custom 1911's and pulling the slide on the Five-seveN/slide action and trigger pull are not as smooth as my 1911's.

I had some fun with the gun. It's very pleasant to shoot. BTW, I didn't feel a "perfect" grip when I hold this gun. If you're not used to the gun, it's a bit awkward in hand. Also the sights seem too high (from where the grip is). However, the gun was my primary home defense gun (I know I won't miss anything with it). Had to part with it because I really wanted something a calgunner had and he really wanted the Five-seveN. I'll get another one someday. BTW, did I mention that you'll need to find a cleaning rod that fit? The regular one for .22 LR won't fit.


other than that, it's a gun used by Snake Eyes in G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra and Modern Warfare 3. It's also rumored to be used by Protection Detail of Secret Service, along with the P90.

[1 SIG fan]

the gun just 'feels' cheap but not it's not flimsy plasticy cheap if that makes sense..?? It's a GREATgun and lots of fun! I love it..

[WTSGDYBBR]

I own the 5.7 with 10rnd , 20rnd and 30rnd mags. The guy is sick. I would never sell it. It has 0 recoil and its on point every shot.

[immaculate]

I own the 5.7 with 10rnd , 20rnd and 30rnd mags. The guy is sick. I would never sell it. It has 0 recoil and its on point every shot.

same story here. my Five-seveN just turned 5 years old - I bought it in March of 2007 in San Diego. takes the 10, 20, and 30 round magazines without issue.

despite being consistently proven wrong, people keep going on and on about ammo pricing. Let me try to clarify =] I bought 50 round boxes of SS197 at the last gun show for $19.99/box. The ammo is currently available at Turners as well for (I think) $22 or $23/box. Today, I bought 5 boxes of Federal American Eagle 230gr .45ACP (50rounds/box) for $21.99 per box, as advertised in the Turners email that went out. The 5.7 ammo has consistently been priced around $20-25/box. I have never paid more than $25/box of 50 rounds.