The video opens with a lighthearted exchange about the cost of the FN Five-seveN compared to the Ruger 57 and Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7, joking that you could almost buy both of the latter for the price of the FN. The hosts introduce the "Battle of the 57s" and lay out the three contenders: the original FN Five-seveN, the updated FN Five-seveN MRD with improved grip angle and optics cut, the Ruger 57, and the new Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 with a threaded barrel. They note that the FN MRD model runs around $1,500, the older FN about $1,400, the Ruger about $899, and the M&P about $699. The M&P is highlighted as optics-ready and threaded at the lowest price point, which immediately impresses the reviewers even before shooting. Early handling impressions mention noticeable slide play on the FN and its very light, plasticky feel due to the polymer slide, which some might associate with an airsoft-style build. The Ruger feels tighter and more solid by comparison. The FN’s ambidextrous safety and magazine release are pointed out, but the slide release is criticized as being difficult to use effectively despite the gun’s premium price.
Attention shifts to how each pistol’s controls, sights, and ergonomics compare. The FN Five-seveN MRD offers ambidextrous safety and magazine release, but only a single-side slide release and takedown, limiting true ambidexterity. Its raised night sights are praised and contrasted with the more basic sight setups on the Ruger 57 and M&P 5.7. All three pistols include Picatinny accessory rails, and both the Ruger and Smith & Wesson feature ported slides. The M&P 5.7 stands out as the only model combining a threaded barrel with an ambidextrous slide release while still being the least expensive. Ergonomically, the Ruger is described as the most comfortable in hand, with a grip that feels natural and secure. The FN’s grip is narrow front-to-back but wide side-to-side, a shape that may not suit all shooters. Magazine release usability is dissected: the FN’s button is hard to reach without shifting grip, the M&P’s release is more tactile and protrusive, and both FN and Ruger require more deliberate pressure. The FN’s safety placement is preferred for positive engagement, though some shooters may favor the more conventional positions on the Ruger and M&P.
The discussion of manual safeties compares the FN Five-seveN’s layout with the Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 and Ruger 57. The M&P 5.7’s optional external safety mimics the popular Shield-style position, similar to the Ruger’s, and is considered more ergonomic than the FN’s setup for many shooters. Price and feature comparisons are reiterated: the M&P 5.7 at about $699 offers an optics cut, ambidextrous slide release, and threaded barrel, undercutting the Ruger at roughly $899 and the FN at around $1,500. On the range with the FN Five-seveN, the polymer slide is noted for becoming slick when damp, encouraging an overhand racking technique. The pistol’s extremely light weight, 20-round capacity, and very low recoil are emphasized, along with a loud report and noticeable muzzle flash. The 5.7x28mm cartridge is described as a small-diameter, high-velocity round originally intended for use in compact personal defense weapons and service pistols, offering flat trajectory and minimal recoil. The FN’s magazine safety is mentioned, and its magazine is praised as particularly easy to load compared to the others.
The shooters transition to the Ruger 57, initially using a SIG P320 Alpha Mega holster as a workable fit. The Ruger’s bright green fiber optic front sight is appreciated for visibility, but for carry or duty use, the FN Five-seveN’s taller, more robust sights are preferred. Focus then turns to trigger characteristics. The Ruger 57’s trigger shows noticeable take-up and longer travel, with a very long, indistinct reset that initially feels like a dead trigger until the shooter adapts. In contrast, the FN Five-seveN’s trigger has a clearer wall, slightly heavier pull, shorter travel, and a more positive, easier-to-feel reset, making it the preferred trigger between those two despite the FN’s magazine safety. The Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 enters the discussion through its magazine and shooting feel. Its magazine is marked for 22 rounds but becomes extremely stiff, realistically accepting about 19 rounds without excessive effort. Despite this, the pistol’s ported slide, threaded barrel, and optics cut combine with a very pleasant shooting experience that sets expectations high before full live-fire testing.
Live-fire testing of the Ruger 5.7 reveals practical issues. The shooters experience a magazine that does not always fully seat when the slide is released, leading to a dead trigger until the magazine is firmly locked in. The Ruger’s long trigger travel and weakly defined reset contribute to recurring moments where the shooter believes the gun has malfunctioned, only to realize the trigger has not fully reset. Switching to the Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7, the trigger is described as initially gritty but functionally excellent, with a two-stage-like feel, very short takeup, and the shortest, most positive reset of the three pistols. This makes it the standout trigger in the lineup. The M&P 5.7 is also the most affordable option, reinforcing its appeal. The reviewers outline their ideal 5.7 pistol: Ruger’s ergonomics, the M&P’s ambidextrous controls and trigger, the FN Five-seveN’s superior sights, and the M&P’s threaded barrel, combining the best traits from each platform.
As shooting impressions deepen, the M&P 5.7’s recoil behavior becomes a major highlight. It is praised for exceptionally soft, finely tuned recoil that makes rapid follow-up shots easy and the gun very controllable. Compared to the FN Five-seveN, which is already light and soft-shooting, the M&P feels even more refined in how it manages the 5.7x28mm cartridge. The concept of an ideal hybrid pistol is revisited: combining Ruger’s excellent ergonomics, the M&P 5.7’s outstanding trigger and fully ambidextrous controls, the FN’s proven sights and reliable magazines, and the M&P’s threaded barrel and ported slide. Value becomes a central theme. The M&P 5.7’s price is low enough that a shooter could nearly buy two, or even approach three, for the cost of a single FN Five-seveN MRD. Despite a general appreciation for FN products, the reviewers stress that the FN’s high price and somewhat dated-feeling design make it hard to justify against the more modern, feature-rich, and affordable competitors.
The comparison shifts to long-term practicality, focusing on magazines and reliability. The M&P 5.7’s magazine is called the pistol’s biggest flaw: although marked for 22 rounds, it is difficult to load to full capacity and becomes extremely stiff, encouraging users to settle for fewer rounds. The Ruger 5.7’s magazine generally performs well but does exhibit a single feeding issue when fully topped off, reinforcing the need for careful seating. In contrast, FN Five-seveN magazines are praised for reliability and ease of loading, standing out as the best of the three. The reviewers reiterate their appreciation for FN’s excellent sights and Ruger’s comfortable ergonomics. They argue that if FN’s magazines and sights, Ruger’s grip and feel, and the M&P 5.7’s overall design, threaded barrel, ported slide, and red dot capability could be merged, it would create a near-perfect 5.7 pistol. These tradeoffs underline how each gun excels in different areas but none is flawless.
In closing, the reviewers weigh all factors—price, features, ergonomics, triggers, recoil, and reliability—to declare a clear winner. The FN Five-seveN MRD, while historically significant and equipped with excellent sights and magazines, is judged too expensive for what it offers compared to newer designs. The Ruger 5.7 earns praise for its ergonomics and visible fiber optic front sight but is held back by its long, vague trigger reset and occasional magazine seating issues. The Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7, despite its stiff, underperforming magazine and basic factory sights, delivers the best overall package: optics-ready slide, threaded barrel, ported design, ambidextrous controls, outstanding trigger, and exceptionally soft recoil at the lowest price point. The video concludes by naming the M&P 5.7 the clear value and performance winner in this 5.7x28mm pistol comparison and invites viewers to consider whether they would still choose the premium-priced FN or opt for one of the more affordable alternatives.
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