BOOM: Ruger’s 2020 Bombshell, the Ruger-57
Last updated: April 30, 2020 · Originally published: January 7, 2020
The folks at Ruger know how to harness the high energy of a New Year, and the brand-new Ruger-57 pistol is all the proof you need. As you might expect from the name, this exciting new handgun is chambered in the high-performance, flat-shooting, low-recoiling 5.7x28mm caliber. Boasting a revolutionary approach to ergonomics, the Ruger-57 is a full-featured handgun wrapped around a standard capacity, 20-round steel magazine. This new rollout is yet another signal that the gun industry is returning to the simple idea that guns should be fun to plink and train with, as evidenced by its tagline: “Fun to shoot, cool to own.”
Speaking of all of the above, Ruger has also ensured that there are two versions of this white-hot new handgun. The first version is, of course, for those of us who rejoice in the fortune of living in America; the second is a “restrictive state” compliant handgun for everyone who is still working out the logistics of moving to Texas.
We’ll start with that 5.7 chambering, since it’s long been recognized for its superior ballistic performance. The lighter weight projectiles have significantly less felt recoil than 9mm Luger, which allows the shooter to reacquire their sight picture rapidly in follow-through. The slender steel magazine is surrounded by a glass-filled nylon frame featuring an optimized texture, making for a natural and ergonomic grip. Despite the longer cartridges, the trigger reach is no longer than many common 9mm Luger handguns. All of the controls are easily accessible, like the 1911-style ambidextrous manual safety, robust slide release and the reversible magazine latch.
Rounding out the package is a windage and elevation adjustable, serrated rear sight and rapid acquisition fiber optic front sight for fast, accurate shooting; Picatinny-style accessory rail; and Secure Action fire control which combines Ruger’s reliable and proven internal hammer with a short, crisp trigger pull and a positive reset. To top it off, the slide is drilled and tapped for easy mounting of optics with a separately available optic adapter plate, available at ShopRuger.com.
“The Ruger-57 is destined to become one of America’s favorite handguns,” said Ruger President and CEO Chris Killoy. “This pistol is soft shooting, accurate, powerful and just plain fun to shoot.”
The through-hardened, billet steel slide with lightening cuts features enhanced front and rear cocking serrations. The steel barrel features a black nitride treatment for wear resistance, and the fire control housing is precision CNC-machined from anodized aluminum. The pistol is 8.65″ long and weighs 24.5 ounces. It ships in a lockable hard case and includes two, 20-round steel magazines for states that allow them.
MSRP is $799; dealer prices are likely to be somewhat lower. Click here for more information!
different strokes for different folks…
Only problem with the 5.7 X 28 is it’s NOT safe to reload.
Not much of a carry weapon at 8.65″ Long. Who needs windage adjustable sites when in a defence no one has time to adjust the sites.
Now for a carbine crossbreed like version between an ak with the mini-14. I’ve contacted other smaller gun makers that produce replica M-1 Carbines. Their replies indicated that they could not produce one with that caliber.
I think the 5.7 is more than a plinkster. This cartridge needs more platforms. I am glad that Ruger recognizes that. A 10/22 type rifle would be nice in 5.7
I will buy it when they come out with a compact and no thumb safety. Never did like those except on a 1911 and Browning Hi Powers. It seems like some pistols are priced way to much and others are very reasonable, like a S&W Shield for example. I know it will be cheaper than retail but it should have been around $550 retail. The ammo is already expensive and coming out with an expensive pistol that doesn’t hit the mark, will not increase ammo sales.
I’m glad to see a Ruger five-seven pistol. Some people will persist in comparing the 5.7X28 to the .22 WMR but there really is little in common other than bullet diameter and similar length. The bottle neck case of the five-seven has a much greater powder capacity than the straight case of the .22 mag. The five-seven also is loaded to much higher chamber pressures. The max pressure of any rimfire round is limited by the fact that the case rim has to be thin and soft enough to be easily indented by the firing pin. The centerfire 5-seven can handle much higher pressures than is possible with any rimfire. Comparing the velocity of similar bullet weights the 4.7″ barrel of the FN pistol produces velocities similar to the .22 mag from an 18-24″ rifle. You won’t get anywhere near five-seven ballistics from a .22 WMR pistol.
Let the gun companies cut their own throats by overpricing their guns, and especially the ammo. The high cost of the ammo deprives the owner of such a pistol, to really enjoy the firearm. That is unless the owner has a never empty wallet. Thus, more power to him/her. For the rest of most of us, we will have to settle for more mundane types of firearms and ammo.
It’s kind of like buying that inexpensive printer, until you find out how much the ink cost$$$.