Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 5.7x28mm 5in Black Armornite Pistol With Manual Thumb Safety – 22+1 Rounds

Frt 15 is a Houston, TX-based retailer specializing in firearms and accessories for responsible owners. The Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 5.7x28mm 5in Black Armornite Pistol With Manual Thumb Safety – 22+1 Rounds is a purpose-built handgun chambered in the high-velocity 5.7x28mm cartridge. It bridges the gap between a duty pistol and a PDW with its impressive capacity and flat-shooting performance. This model is in stock and ready to ship today for $584.99.

Who Is This Pistol For? A Range Day Perspective

After handling countless polymer-frame pistols, I see the M&P 5.7 fitting a few specific roles. It’s not your everyday concealed carry piece; think of it more like the utility player on your range day roster. It’s for the shooter who wants something different from the 9mm crowd, maybe for varmint control or as a high-capacity home defense option that’s easier to handle than a rifle for some family members. It’s also a fantastic training tool for new shooters who might be intimidated by heavier recoil, as the 5.7x28mm is notoriously mild. I’ve seen it help build confidence in younger shooters under proper supervision.

What Makes the Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 Stand Out

1. The 5.7x28mm Chambering: This is the heart of the pistol. You’re getting a round that travels fast and flat, with very little felt recoil. It’s like the difference between throwing a baseball and a wiffle ball; the speed is there, but the pushback is minimal. This makes follow-up shots incredibly fast and accurate.
2. 22+1 Round Capacity: Having over twenty rounds on tap in a standard magazine changes your mindset. It’s the kind of capacity that, in a training scenario, lets you focus more on technique and less on constant reloading drills. For a home defense role, it provides a significant reserve.
3. Manual Thumb Safety: This is a big one for families or anyone who prioritizes an extra mechanical layer of security. It’s a positive, clicky safety that’s easy to operate but out of the way when disengaged. Teaching a new shooter? This feature is worth its weight in gold for building safe handling habits from day one.
4. 5-Inch Barrel with Optimized Twist Rate: Smith & Wesson didn’t just slap a barrel in there. The 5-inch length and specific rifling are tuned for the 5.7x28mm, helping stabilize those light, fast projectiles for better accuracy downrange. It’s the kind of detail you appreciate after the first box of ammo.
5. Armornite® Finish: This isn’t just black paint. Armornite is a corrosion-resistant finish that holds up. I’ve seen plenty of finishes wear from holster use, but this one is built to handle the humidity of a Texas summer or being stored in a vehicle.
6. M&P Ergonomics & Optics-Ready Slide: The grip texture and frame angle are classic M&P – they just work for most hands. The optics-ready cut means you’re not locked into iron sights. Want to mount a red dot for faster target acquisition? The platform is ready for it.

How It Stacks Up: M&P 5.7 vs. The Competition

Think of it this way: The Ruger is a direct competitor and a great gun, but it lacks the manual safety option, which for some buyers is a deal-breaker. The FN is the original and has a legendary status, but you’re paying nearly double. The Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 sits squarely in the sweet spot: proven M&P platform, essential features like the safety and optics cut, at a price that makes the 5.7x28mm platform much more accessible.

Technical Specifications

The Honest Breakdown: Pros & Cons

What I like (The Pros):

• ✅ Low Recoil, High Fun Factor: This is one of the softest-shooting centerfire pistols you can buy. It makes for an enjoyable, low-fatigue range day.
• ✅ High Capacity in a Slim Package: 22 rounds in a magazine that’s not much larger than a typical 9mm double-stack is impressive engineering.
• ✅ Manual Safety for Peace of Mind: A clearly defined, easy-to-use safety is excellent for safe storage and teaching new shooters proper manual-of-arms.
• ✅ Optics-Ready Out of the Box: The market is moving this way, and it’s great to see Smith & Wesson include the mounting plates.
• ✅ Established M&P Platform: You’re buying into a system with a huge aftermarket for holsters, sights, and other accessories.

What to consider (The Cons):

• ❌ Ammunition Cost & Availability: 5.7x28mm ammo is more expensive and less common than 9mm. You won’t find it at every gas station. Factor in the cost of practice.
• ❌ Not a Concealed Carry Primary: The 5-inch barrel and full-size grip make it a large pistol. For everyday carry, check our compact handguns.
• ❌ Platform-Specific: It’s a 5.7. Your existing 9mm/.40/.45 magazines, holsters, and parts won’t interchange. You’re committing to the caliber.

Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Buy This Pistol

Buy the Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 if:

• You’re a recreational shooter looking for a unique, low-recoil, high-capacity range toy.
• You want a modern, high-capacity option for home defense that’s easier for smaller-stature family members to handle than a 12-gauge.
• You’re a fan of the M&P platform and want to step into the 5.7x28mm world without FN’s price tag.
• You value having a manual thumb safety on your firearms.

Skip the Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 if:

• Your primary goal is concealed carry. Look at our compact and subcompact pistols instead.
• You’re on a tight ammunition budget and need the cheapest practice ammo possible. Stick with 9mm.
• You want a one-and-only do-everything pistol. This is a specialist.

Frequently Asked Questions

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