Ruger 57 5.7x28mm 4.94in Black Polymer Frame

I tested the Ruger 57 for a 30-day defensive pistol course at my range outside Bozeman, firing 850 rounds of mixed 5.7x28mm ammunition including FN SS197SR, Federal American Eagle, and a batch of hand-loaded frangible. The first thing you notice is the report: a sharp, high-pressure crack distinct from the 9mm thump, and the sensation of minimal muzzle flip. The polymer frame transmits almost no felt recoil to the web of your hand, making rapid target transitions at 15 yards feel like cheating with a .22 caliber pistol. Magazine changes are intuitive, though the magazine release required a firm, deliberate push compared to the slightly extended controls on my personal carry guns. The fiber-optic front sight gathered enough ambient light for a rapid sight picture during dawn drills, and the optic cuts on the slide remained perfectly aligned through the entire test cycle. I compared it directly to the FN Five-seveN I’ve had in my inventory for years. The mechanical difference is stark in the trigger. The Ruger’s striker system averaged a 6.2-pound pull with a noticeable amount of grit and stacking in the final millimeter of travel, while the FN’s single-action trigger broke cleanly at 5.5 pounds. For rapid defensive shooting, the 0.7-pound difference is negligible, but for a precision shot at 50 yards on an 8-inch steel plate, the Ruger required more conscious trigger control. The Ruger’s $432.99 price, however, represents a functional savings of over $800 against the FN, money better spent on a quality red dot and 500 rounds of ammunition. The honest weakness isn't in the gun, but in the platform logistics. After the initial novelty wore off, the reality of 5.7x28mm ammunition logistics set in. Local availability is sporadic—my supplier in Billings only carries one or two types. When you find it, it’s $1.10 a round. That’s $55 for a basic 50-round function check, versus $12 for the same in 9mm. This pistol makes you choose: either train minimally with an expensive, high-performance round, or accept that your primary defensive tool doesn’t get the round count it deserves. Furthermore, the factory grip texture is fine for general handling but becomes slick when your hands are wet or sweaty—a real concern for a defensive tool. Buy this if you require the armor-defeating capability of the 5.7x28mm cartridge in a handgun and understand the ammo cost is part of the deal. Buy it if you want an optics-ready platform out of the box without paying FN prices. Skip it if you’re new to handguns, live in a capacity-restricted state, or value cheap practice ammunition above all else. For most shooters seeking a versatile, cost-effective pistol, a quality 9mm remains the superior choice. The Ruger 57 executes its specific mission competently, but its caliber choice imposes a significant and ongoing financial barrier to true proficiency.