Transcription
Anyone who's been following me knows I don't have a carry gun. I have a rotation of carry guns. I did a video about my current rotation and why, titled "Top Five Concealed Carry Gun Rotations," about a year ago, but I think I want to add one. You see, the FN 57 is my favorite handgun that shoots the 5.7x28 mm round, with the Ruger 57 being a very close second. For as long as I've had my FN 57, I flirted with the idea of making it part of my carry rotation, but never really pulled the trigger—pun intended.
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Then, FN flew me out to be a part of the release of the second-generation 57, where I spent three days shooting an extensive number of rounds through the Gen 2 FN 57. Then, when they sent me the Gen 2 version so that I can use it on my own, I continued shooting it like crazy, basically turning the Gen 1 into a safe queen. So, after years of ownership and a lot of fired rounds, I'm seriously considering making the FN 5.7 one of my go-to carry guns, and here are five reasons why.
Number one: The 5.7x28 mm round. You see, the only reason the 5.7x28 mm round exists is because, in 1989, NATO wanted to replace the 9mm with a round that had better accuracy, greater range, higher capacity, and equal or better terminal performance than the 9mm, and had armor-penetrating capabilities. A year later, FN made the 5.7x28 mm, and it basically did everything NATO asked. You see, the 5.7x28 is almost two times faster than the 9mm; it also shoots flatter. Where, at 200 yards, the 9mm would drop about 30 inches, the 5.7x28 drops only 2.5 inches. Granted, that's out of a longer barrel. That said, the 5.7x28 mm hits with around 66% of the energy of the 9mm, but the 5.7x28, being a small round moving really fast, arguably means more shock to the system than the 9mm, which moves a lot slower. You see, essentially, the 9mm is like throwing a small rock, and the 5.7x28 mm is like launching a mini spear, which makes sense because the 5.7x28 looks like a mini rifle round. Oh, and because I shoot a lot and, thus, I'm concerned about minimizing my lead exposure, the fact that the 5.7x28 is lead-free is an added bonus. Then there's the versatility of ammo as well; you can get them in various degrees for various reasons, whether it be plinking, self-defense, and also armor-penetrating, which aren't really available to the public, so that's kind of moot.
Reason number two: Capacity. For those who don't know, six years ago I came out of the closet as an asexual. What's going on, folks? This is Co on Noir. Um, uh, as of late, for you guys following me, um, you notice that I've kind of had a couple things really heavy on my mind, um, and with all the support you guys have been giving me all these years, I felt it was only right for me to come out and, um, share with you guys what I've been dealing with, um, and get it off my chest. Um, you guys—part of—really meant a lot to me over the years, so I figure it's time for me to stop lying and living the secret that I've been living for several years now. So, um, I'm just—I'm just going to come out and say it—I'm an asexual. So there it is. As an asexual, I'm obsessed with capacity, and for a gun that's roughly the same size as a Glock 17, I can't help but get giddy about having 20 rounds of little spears in a magazine that fits flush with the gun.
The third reason is shootability. To me, the FN 57 recoils about 20 to 30% lighter than other 9mm handguns that are the same size. It also shoots incredibly flat. This means it takes less effort on my part to be accurate with this gun. I can dump rounds on a target with such ease; it feels like I'm cheating. The only 9mm gun that gives me that kind of confidence is a 2011.
Reason number four: Concealability. The fourth reason I'm seriously considering the FN 57 as one of my go-to carry guns is its concealability. Don't get it twisted; I'm not saying the FN 57 is an easy gun to conceal, but with modern advancements and holsters like this Flex Tron holster from Insane Kidex Creation—who I had made this holster specifically for my Gen 2 57—it makes it a lot easier compared to holster options of the past when the 57 was available. The 57 is also really light, so even with its size and 20 rounds, it's still a lot lighter than most of my 9mm carry guns, and that makes carrying the gun a lot more enjoyable. The 57 is also not a very thick gun, and the Gen 2 has a flatter profile, so it lays flatter against the body, improving its ability to be concealed.
The fifth and final reason: Reliability. You see, the last reason I'm considering the 57 is reliability. It's nutty how reliable my Gen 1 and Gen 2 have been. Out of the thousands and thousands of rounds I've shot through these guns, I can't recall one malfunction—not one. Now, I'll admit I don't have the greatest memory in the world, but I'd recall any reliability issues if there were any, and I simply can't. There's one more reason I'm considering the 57 as a go-to carry gun, but I didn't include it in the five because it won't be that important to other people, but it's important to me: The X Factor. The 57 is undeniably a cool gun, and I love the way it looks and feels in hand; and it's the OG 57 handgun. Then there's the increase in aftermarket parts for it. Now, with the Gen 2's better ergonomics and the ability to put a red dot on it, it just adds to that X factor that I don't think other 5.7 guns quite have. Yes, it's expensive, but the price is worth it to me. If FN hadn't sent me this one, I would have bought it myself anyway. I like carrying guns that I genuinely enjoy shooting—not just shooting because it's my carry gun and I should train with my carry gun. I'm talking, it's a nice day, and I want to go to the gun range and shoot for the fun of it. The FN 57 is that type of gun for me, which is why it's more likely than not going to become one of my mainstays in my carry gun rotation.
You know how frightening it is to think about what happens in the moments before, during, and even days after having to use your gun in self-defense? When you first start carrying a gun for protection, it can be a very scary and nerve-wracking experience, especially if you haven't gotten the education and training you need to feel confident. I've been there myself, hoping I never have to go through a self-defense shooting, which is why I'm a member of the USCCA. As a USCCA member, you can eliminate some of the stress of carrying a gun for protection by accessing the amazing wealth of firearm education, training, and current state-specific gun laws of your state or states you may travel to. This can help you be prepared for, or hopefully even avoid, a self-defense incident. As a bonus, members automatically become insured on the self-defense liability insurance policy purchased by and issued to the USCCA. Click below to learn more. Guns aren't political; that's why I need your help getting this message to spread on YouTube by clicking the thumbs-up button, leaving a comment to let me know what you think of the video, then subscribing to the channel, but most importantly, click that bell symbol. For products featured in this video, click the links in the description.