Discover the ins and outs of remanufactured ammunition with True Shot Academy. Learn everything you need to know in this blog post.
Spring Cleaning Sale! Free/Flat Rate shipping on marked products. Shop now and enjoy the savings!
When initially comparing the 5.7x28mm and 9mm cartridges, they may appear quite distinct. 9mm ammunition possesses a larger and heavier bullet, whereas 5.7mm ammunition exhibits superior aerodynamics, resembling a scaled-down rifle cartridge while the 9x19mm resembles a conventional semi-automatic handgun round.
The 9mm Luger was developed in the early 1900s, whereas the 5.7mm was not designed until the late 1900s. Despite their different origins, both cartridges were developed for the same purpose. However, can the more recent 5.7x28mm surpass the performance of the time-tested 9mm?
Let us ascertain which of the two, 5.7mm or 9mm, emerges victorious in this comparison!
The 9mm cartridge, also known as 9mm Parabellum or 9x19mm, has a long and rich history. It was developed by German firearms designer Georg Luger in the early 1900s. Luger worked for the German weapons manufacturer Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken (DWM) and designed the 9mm Parabellum as a military cartridge for the German Army.
The development of the 9mm Parabellum was closely linked to the development of the iconic Luger semi-automatic pistol, also known as the Pistole Parabellum or Luger P08. The 9mm cartridge was specifically designed to be used with this new pistol, which featured innovative design elements such as a toggle-lock mechanism.
In 1902, the German Army adopted the Luger P08 pistol and the 9mm Parabellum as its standard sidearm. This marked the beginning of the widespread use of the 9mm cartridge in military and law enforcement contexts.
The 9mm Parabellum quickly gained popularity due to its moderate recoil, manageable size, and reliability. It offered a good balance between stopping power, capacity, and controllability, making it an attractive choice for both military and civilian applications.
Over the years, the 9mm cartridge continued to be adopted by various countries around the world as their standard military and police sidearm ammunition. It saw significant use during both World Wars and continued to be a popular choice in subsequent conflicts.
The 9mm Parabellum’s popularity extended beyond military and law enforcement circles, as it became one of the most widely used calibers for civilian self-defense and sporting purposes. Its availability, affordability, and versatility contributed to its widespread adoption by civilian shooters.
Today, the 9mm cartridge remains one of the most popular and widely used handgun calibers globally. It has undergone various advancements and improvements in bullet design and performance, offering a range of ammunition options tailored to different applications, including self-defense, target shooting, and competition shooting.
Looking to buy bulk 9mm ammo? Check out our 9mm ammo section on our site to see what’s in stock!
The 5.7x28mm cartridge was developed in the late 1980s by FN Herstal, a Belgian firearms manufacturer. It was designed specifically for the FN P90 submachine gun and the FN Five-seveN pistol. The development of the 5.7x28mm round was driven by the need for a compact and lightweight cartridge that would provide enhanced armor-piercing capabilities while maintaining controllability and minimizing recoil.
FN Herstal aimed to create a cartridge that could penetrate modern body armor while offering increased capacity and reduced weight compared to traditional handgun rounds. The 5.7x28mm achieved this by utilizing a small, bottlenecked case and lightweight bullets.
The cartridge was officially introduced in 1990 and gained attention for its unique characteristics. It featured a small-diameter, high-velocity bullet, typically weighing around 27 to 40 grains. The high velocity, combined with the bullet’s design, provided good penetration and effective terminal ballistics.
The 5.7x28mm cartridge gained popularity among military and law enforcement agencies worldwide. It was praised for its ability to defeat body armor, lightweight nature, and controllability during rapid fire. The FN P90 and FN Five-seveN pistol became the primary firearms chambered in this caliber.
Over the years, the 5.7x28mm cartridge has seen continued development and adoption. It has been used by various special forces units, as well as in certain law enforcement applications. While primarily designed for military and law enforcement use, it has also gained a following among civilian shooters for its unique characteristics and capabilities.
Looking to buy bulk 5.7×28 ammo? Check out our 5.7×28 selection on our site to see what’s in stock!
This table offers a high-level view of the potential differences between these two calibers. Generally, 5.7x28mm rounds are lighter and faster, offering a flatter trajectory and potentially higher capacity in comparable firearms. On the other hand, 9mm rounds are more common, generally cheaper, and offer a wider variety of bullet types and loads, which can make them more versatile for different applications.
| Aspect | 9mm (Standard Loads) | 5.7x28mm (Standard Loads) |
|---|---|---|
| Bullet Weight | 115-147 grains | 27-40 grains |
| Velocity | 950-1400 fps | 1700-2800 fps |
| Energy | 350-450 ft-lbs | 240-400 ft-lbs |
| Ballistic Coefficient | Varies, generally lower than 5.7x28mm | Varies, generally higher than 9mm |
| Trajectory | Moderate | Flat |
| Recoil | Moderate | Low |
| Penetration | Moderate to High | High |
| Capacity | High (depending on the firearm) | Higher (due to smaller cartridge size) |
The 5.7mm was specifically created as a replacement for the 9mm, which presents a formidable challenge. Therefore, it is reasonable to anticipate that it will surpass the 9mm in nearly all aspects we assess.
However, we should not underestimate the resilience of the 9mm. Its enduring popularity over the past century is not without reason. It boasts a vast community of devoted enthusiasts who may be hesitant to switch allegiances, regardless of the outcome discussed in this article.
The 5.7x28mm cartridge possesses a smaller diameter than the 9x19mm Parabellum, but it compensates with a longer overall length. In terms of bullet weight, most 9mm rounds are available in either 115 or 124 grains, while the 5.7mm offers bullets weighing 40 or 27 grains.
On average, the 5.7mm cartridge weighs only half as much as the 9mm Luger. This attribute enables larger magazine capacities and makes it easier to carry a greater number of rounds. For those seeking a compact yet potent round, which is often the case for law enforcement and government agencies, the 5.7mm unequivocally emerges as the winner in this comparison.
Neither caliber is renowned for its heavy recoil. This is often highlighted as a significant advantage by 9mm enthusiasts in the ongoing debate comparing 9mm vs. .45 ACP, as reduced recoil enables more accurate follow-up shots.
However, when it comes to recoil, the 9mm NATO is surpassed, as expected, by the 5.7mm due to its smaller bullet size. Although the disparity can be diminished by using lighter 9mm bullets, it remains insignificant enough not to be a major factor, as the 5.7mm still exhibits less felt recoil even when firing the lighter ammunition.
Using a heavier firearm can also mitigate recoil, but carrying or repeatedly shooting a heavy gun throughout the day can become tiresome. Considering the above, I give the advantage to the 5.7mm due to its lower recoil, despite the 9mm not being known for having substantial recoil.
As both calibers were designed for handguns and submachine guns, their trajectories do not possess the impressive characteristics of 5.56 NATO ammunition, or other calibers intended for long-range shooting.
Most shooters prefer a flat trajectory as it requires fewer calculations and adjustments. At close range, the differences in trajectory are minimal. However, as the distance to the target increases, the faster bullet of the 5.7mm ammunition exhibits a flatter trajectory compared to the bulkier 9mm rounds.
Initially designed to be lethal up to 50 meters, the 9mm’s trajectory does not allow it to be an effective long-range round, even in a carbine, although it remains lethal beyond that distance today. On the other hand, the 5.7mm was specifically developed to effectively penetrate body armor at 200 meters, necessitating a flat trajectory to ensure accuracy at that range. Therefore, the 5.7mm emerges as the winner in this category as well.
The accuracy of a fired round often depends on the skill level of the shooter. Additionally, factors such as the firearm, quality of ammunition, recoil, and bullet trajectory contribute to the overall accuracy.
The presence of recoil in a firearm can significantly affect the accuracy of the average shooter. Increased recoil may lead to anticipatory movements and jerking of the firearm instead of smoothly squeezing the trigger.
At close ranges, where these rounds were designed to be used, the accuracy of both the 5.7x28mm and 9mm ammunition will be quite similar. However, as the distance increases, the 5.7x28mm holds an advantage over 9mm ammo due to its reduced recoil and flatter trajectory.
The concept of stopping power is often overrated and misunderstood when comparing calibers. Stopping power is determined by multiple factors, including penetration (which itself encompasses various elements) and velocity.
Effective penetration contributes to a bullet’s stopping power. Higher-velocity rounds often exhibit better penetration, although this is not always the case. It is important to note that a well-placed shot from any caliber can effectively neutralize a threat. However, this scenario is often unlikely in intense situations without significant training, and movie portrayals like those in “John Wick” do not suffice.
While one might assume that the heavier bullet weight of the 9mm Luger automatically grants it an advantage in this category, this is not entirely accurate. FN designed the 5.7 caliber as a replacement for the 9mm in battlefield scenarios, necessitating excellent stopping power. In fact, one of the requirements for the 5.7 was its capability to penetrate level IIIA body armor. This is significant because soft body armor has been designed to stop 9mm bullets at close range. However, for the average citizen, these considerations are largely irrelevant since armor-piercing rounds are not accessible to the general public.
What matters is that the 5.7mm is a high-velocity bullet, albeit with less mass, resulting in lesser penetration compared to a bullet with greater mass. In general, the 9mm bullet tends to offer better penetration than the lighter 5.7mm bullet. Consequently, it should exhibit greater stopping power, despite the 5.7mm traveling at a velocity of 1,800 feet per second (fps). Therefore, the 9mm earns a win in this category for the average shooter. However, for military and law enforcement applications, the 5.7mm stands out due to its armor-piercing capabilities.
Handloading is highly regarded by many dedicated shooters because it grants them complete control over all the factors within their reach. Mass-produced ammunition, by its nature, lacks the consistency of hand-loaded ammo. This is because mass production relies on a range of specifications instead of fine-tuning each individual round.
In other words, handloading allows you to make each round as close to identical as possible, whereas mass-produced ammo is deemed acceptable as long as it meets approximate standards. Not all calibers and cartridges are suitable for reloading. Take the .22 Long Rifle, for instance, which is a rimfire cartridge. Once fired, its brass cannot be reused. On the other hand, the 9mm and 5.7 are centerfire cartridges, meaning their brass can be reloaded.
Obtaining reloading equipment and supplies for 9×19 is relatively easy due to its widespread use as a common caliber. However, the 5.7 presents a different situation. It is less common, and its casing is not well-suited for reloading. The brass requires a dry lubricant to ensure easy extraction after firing. Unfortunately, this lubricant loses its effectiveness after multiple firings, which adds both cost and complexity to the process of reloading the 5.7mm.
If you intend to venture into the world of reloading, the well-established 9mm is undoubtedly the optimal choice.
It is unlikely that I will settle the long-standing debate surrounding the 9mm vs. .40 vs. .45 in this brief section. However, I believe that as the 5.7mm caliber continues to gain popularity, it will also be considered among the best self-defense calibers. In my opinion, the best self-defense caliber is the one with which you have the utmost confidence in shooting.
Even if you carry a firearm with incredible stopping power like the 500 Mag, its effectiveness diminishes if you are not accurate with it. In such a scenario, you would lack confidence in utilizing the firearm when faced with the need for self-defense. The 9mm has demonstrated its effectiveness as a personal defense caliber in numerous wars and daily use by both law enforcement and civilians.
Considering that the 5.7mm was designed to replace the 9mm, it should be equally effective for self-defense. Many military and law enforcement agencies believe this to be the case, as they have adopted this caliber for their personnel.
For concealed carry, I continue to choose the 9mm due to the availability of guns and ammunition. The broader range of options in the 9mm caliber makes it easier to find a firearm and ammunition that suit individual preferences.
Regarding home defense, I still prefer the 9mm because it is less likely to penetrate multiple walls compared to 5.7mm bullets. This prioritizes the safety of my family by minimizing the risk of friendly fire. The 9mm emerges as the winner in the personal defense weapon category. However, this could change as the popularity of the 5.7 caliber grows, leading to more firearm and ammunition options entering the market.
Given the 100-year existence of the 9mm, there are numerous ammunition manufacturers producing it. You can find 9x19mm ammo within various price ranges, with the cheapest FMJ ammo starting at around $0.30 per round. However, for self-defense ammunition such as jacketed hollow points (JHP), you can expect to pay closer to $1.60 per round.
One downside to the popularity of the 9mm is that it is often one of the first calibers affected by ammunition shortages. Conversely, it is also among the first to become available again after a shortage. So, while availability might be temporarily delayed, it is typically restored relatively quickly.
On the other hand, Federal brand American Eagle 5.7x28mm ammo is more expensive, priced at $1.20 per round. However, a 5.7 JHP is $0.30 more affordable than a comparable 9mm, which is surprising considering that fewer manufacturers produce 5.7 ammo. This also means that the 5.7 caliber is more challenging to find, even when other types of ammunition are readily available.
In this round, the 9mm emerges as the winner due to its abundant availability at a lower price point. However, this could change as the 5.7 caliber continues to rise in popularity.
To claim that the 9mm has been completely replaced would be an exaggerated statement. The 9x19mm has been a steadfast choice for over a century and will continue to hold its position. Nevertheless, if there is any caliber that has the potential to replace the 9mm, it would be the 5.7x28mm. It offers many similar advantages that the 9mm brought when compared to the .45 ACP. These include a higher-capacity magazine, lighter and more accurate bullets, and reduced recoil.
Despite the 5.7mm prevailing in most categories, I firmly believe that the debate between the 5.7 and 9mm is far from over. On the contrary, it is just getting started.
Want to learn more about 9mm ammunition compared to other calibers?
Check out our related articles:
Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587 or, you can email us at [email protected] for more ammo options.
