FOGHORN March 2024

Twobirds Flying Publications

Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 Two Tone

Copyright 2024, Towbirds Flying Publications. All Rights Reserved.

 Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 Two Tone
Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 Two Tone
M&P reliability with a fresh take on a flat-
shooting Cartridge.
By: Sal Palma
The Smith & Wesson M&P line has become
synonymous with reliable, polymer-framed
pistols for shooters of all skill levels. In 2023,
Smith & Wesson shook things up with the M&P
5.7, a pistol chambered in the 5.7x28mm
cartridge. This review looks at Smith& Wesson’s
M&P 5.7, exploring its design, performance, and
suitability for various uses.
Before jumping into my review, not all readers
may be familiar with the 5.7x28 mm cartridge.
2024
The origins of this high performance round dates
to 1990 when Fabrique National, in response to
a NATO request, developed it. It is used in the
company’s P90, a high cyclic rate, high capacity
PDW. The new round had three important
advantages.
High Velocity & Flat Trajectory: The 5.7x28mm
boasts impressive speed, translating to a flatter
trajectory over longer distances compared to
traditional pistol rounds like 9mm. This makes
aiming less sensitive to range estimation.
Low Recoil: Despite the high velocity, the
lightweight projectile keeps recoil manageable,
allowing for faster follow-up shots. This is
especially noticeable in pistols designed for the
caliber.
Increased Penetration: The 5.7x28mm can
defeat some body armor types, making it
appealing for specific tactical applications.
However, it is not all roses, and there are
downsides that will delay widespread adoption
of the 5.7x28 round.
Limited Ammo Selection: Compared to common
pistol calibers, 5.7x28mm ammo selection is
limited. This can affect availability and price.
Higher Cost: Production costs are reflected in
the price tag. The 5.7x28mm tends to be more
expensive per round than many popular pistol
calibers. It is not unusual to pay as much as $1
per round.
Overpenetration Concerns: Its high penetration
can be a liability in some situations. If
overpenetration is a concern, bullet selection is
crucial.
These are conditions that will be addressed by
ammunition manufacturers as firearm
Copyright 2024, Towbirds Flying Publications. All Rights Reserved.
 Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 Two Tone
2024

manufacturers add the caliber to their product

lines.

At the heart of the M&P 7.5 is the TEMPO barrel

system. Its unique barrel design is a ported
barrel with a series of gas rings.

The M&P 5.7 retains the familiar lines of the

M&P series pistols. The FDE, polymer frame
features a grip with the same general shape but
with a slimmer profile to accommodate the
narrower 5.7x28mm round. Despite its slim grip, The barrel rides inside a sleeve which is also
the M&P 5.7 is surprisingly comfortable in the threaded in ½ x 28 for a muzzle device. When the
hand. Texturing is present but not overly pistol is fired, gas pressure is applied causing the
aggressive, a viable choice considering the low barrel to rotate inside the sleeve creating a delay
recoil of the 5.7 round. and resulting in an impressive reduction in the
recoil impulse.
The stainless-steel slide features a significant
cutout for weight reduction and optics
mounting. Aggressive serrations run along the
front and rear of the slide, offering ample
gripping surface for manipulation. The M&P 5.7
comes with white-dot sights, which are usable
but scream for an upgrade to a red dot optic via
The M&P 5.7 has one of the best triggers on the
the milled slide.
market. Smith & Wesson utilizes a single-action-
What I found unique about the M&P 5.7 is its only internal hammer system. The trigger safety
TEMPO barrel system. TEMPO is a gas operated disengages the internal hammer, revealing a flat-
design used in the M&P 5.7 and M&P 22 faced trigger with a crisp break around a
Magnum. consistent 4 pounds. The trigger is smooth with
minimal take-up and a short clean reset.

Copyright 2024, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights

 Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 Two Tone
2024

The only issue for me was the size of its small

trigger guard making it difficult to shoot the
pistol while wearing winter gloves. Baring this
minor and singular concern, the M&P 5.7 is one
of the most shootable pistols available at all
levels of expertise.

(10 yards, OEM sights, unsupported)

Taking down
the M&P 5.7 for
routine
maintenance is
a simple matter
requiring
removal of the
slide stop. You align the slide stop with a notch
on the slide then from the opposite side push
the slide stop pin through; once done, you can
proceed to field strip the pistol.

The M&P 7.5 ships with two 22 round magazines

besting competing pistols.
At the range, the M&P 5.7 was outright fun to
shoot, its low recoil and accuracy made it a

Copyright 2024, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights

 Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 Two Tone
2024

gratifying experience. The only thing that keeps Manufacturer Specifications:

the shooter from an afternoon of plinking is the
ammunition’s price. There has been • WIDTH: 1.1 in
improvement in availability and price, but it is • LENGTH: 8.5 in
still a disincentive to owning a firearm • HEIGHT: 5.25 in
chambered in 5.7x28 mm. • WEIGHT: 26.7 oz
• CALIBER: 5.7X28MM
Concluding thoughts:
• SIZE: FULL
The M&P 5.7 caters to a specific niche of • CAPACITY: 22
shooters. It is ideal for those seeking a high- • ACTION: INTERNAL HAMMER FIRED
capacity, low-recoiling pistol with impressive • BARREL LENGTH: 5
ballistics. Recoil-sensitive shooters or those new • GRIP: POLYMER
to firearms may find the M&P 5.7 to be a • SIGHTS: WHITE DOT
confidence-inspiring platform to learn on. • OPTIC READY: YES
• SAFETY: NO THUMB SAFETY
If you are looking to get into the 5.7x28 scene,
• COLOR/FINISH: FDE/BLACK
Smith& Wesson’s M&P 5.7 is the best deal in
• STATE COMPLIANCE: N/A
town. It is available at an excellent price point
• THREADED BARREL: YES
and loaded with features like an extended
• FRAME: POLYMER
threaded barrel, optics ready, the best trigger of
any competing 5.7x28 pistols on the market, and • LASER: NO
a gas operating system that effectively mitigates • PERFORMANCE CENTER: NO
recoil. Can it be improved? I think so, with a • NUMBER OF MAGAZINES: 2
couple of tweaks: • BARREL MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL

1. Increase the trigger guard size, so it can

be more comfortably used with gloves.
2. Although the pistol is optics ready, the
M&P 5.7 could benefit from improved
sights.

-SP

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