The new version of the FN Five-seveN handgun is now called the FN Five-seveN MRD. Just a week after FN Herstal released their completely new FN HiPer Pistol in 9×19, it’s time for a new model from FN America, this time in 5.7x28mm NATO. The new MRD comes in black or flat dark earth (FDE) colors and it’s compatible with almost any mini red dot sight.

FN @ TFB

• The FN HiPer Pistol – Dedicated To Armed Forces & Law Enforcement
• FN America Introduces FN 509 Midsize Tactical
• New NATO Caliber – FN Herstal’s 5.7x28mm
• FN Herstal’s New Ultralight Machine Gun: EVOLYS
• FN SCAR Rifles Now in MultiCam

Below you can see the FN Five-seveN MRD with optics.

From FN America: “The ultimate precision pistol just got a major upgrade. Introducing the FN Five-seveN® MRD, here to redefine handgun accuracy standards with new optics-ready capabilities, enhanced ergonomics and improved controls. Available in both matte black and flat dark earth with a standard capacity of 20 rounds.”

And without optics, for a more classic look.

For lovers of suppressors, the Five-seveN MRD is designed to take subsonic cartridges, in perfect combination with the optional long threaded barrel and sound suppressor (seen in the top image). The MRD also features a new multi-surfaced texture for increased grip. There are also wider grooves on the slide for easier cocking and press checks. The MSRP is $1,449.

Here is the full product announcement:

FN’S FIVE-SEVEN PISTOL RECEIVES MAJOR UPGRADE – THE ULTIMATE PRECISION PISTOL IS NOW OPTICS-READY

(McLean, VA – June 13, 2022) FN America, LLC is proud to introduce the all-new FN Five-seveN^® MRD optics-ready pistol chambered in 5.7x28mm. After decades of trusted service with global militaries, law enforcement and civilian sport shooters, the FN Five-seveN receives a complete design update with a factory-milled slide to accept most micro red dot optics. Coupled with major upgrades to the frame and slide, the new FN Five-seveN MRD sets a new standard for optic-interoperability, control and accuracy.

“The FN Five-seveN pistol has been immensely popular since its introduction. Its original design capturing the performance of the FN-designed 5.7x28mm cartridge made it an instant success, and it’s positioned to do it yet again with the dramatic redesign of the FN Five-seveN MRD,” said Chris Cole, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for FN America, LLC. “With the addition of an integral optics mounting system on the slide, an already accurate pistol now redefines what handgun accuracy means. We’re truly excited to bring this new pistol to market with features our customers want in their favorite FN caliber.”

The FN Five-seveN MRD, like its predecessor, is a 5.7x28mm-chambered, delayed blowback-operated pistol. The internal, single-action-only hammer produces a clean and consistent trigger pull that breaks at approximately 6 pounds, with minimal take-up and a short reset. FN’s 4.8-inch cold hammer-forged barrel combined with the inherent benefits of the design and high velocity bottleneck cartridge produces a flat-shooting pistol with extremely low felt-recoil. Users can stay on target with accuracy and precision at extended ranges, unmatched by any other semi-auto handguns.

“When we embarked on this design update for the Five-seveN MRD, we focused on the core benefits our user base wants in a modern pistol,” said John Ryan, Director of Product Management for FN America, LLC. “The Five-seveN pistol was already extremely accurate and reliable, although there was untapped performance in the design and cartridge to bring forward. Milling the slide in the factory allows for immediate mounting of almost any MRD on the market, with improved ergonomics and controls, the Five-seveN MRD delivers more precision and versatility for the modern handgunner.”

Following FN’s optics-ready pistol tradition, the Five-seveN MRD’s optic mount consists of a series of plates that mate the optic to the slide. Just like FN’s 509 optics-ready pistols, users are able to mount a miniature red dot sight within minutes using the corresponding plates and screws provided with the pistol. The system is compatible with most common miniature red dot sights including the Leupold DeltaPoint Pro, Trijicon RMR, Vortex Optics, Burris FastFire series, Docter Optics and more. The three-dot photo luminescent sights glow in low light conditions, are adjustable for elevation and windage and co-witness with certain optics.

With newly enhanced slide serrations and extended cocking ridges at the rear of the slide, the Five-seveN MRD’s overall operability and user manipulations are vastly improved while the ergonomic changes to the frame’s backstrap allow for a more natural point of aim and better fit. A new stippled texturing on the grip frame along with more extensive front strap serrations improve grip consistency for complete control. The magazine release has also been enlarged and reshaped for intuitive control and rapid reloads. Carrying over from the original design are the 20-round standard magazine, safety selector located directly above the trigger, serrated trigger shoe and trigger guard.

The FN Five-seveN MRD is available in matte black or FN-signature flat dark earth (FDE) and ships in a zippered pistol case with two 20-round magazines and optics-mounting hardware required to mount an optic. To learn more about the FN Five-seveN MRD, please visit www.fnamerica.com.

TFB did a dedicated article about the new NATO caliber, FN Herstal’s 5.7x28mm in 2021 if you want to read more. Note the subsonic round, with its white tip bullet.  

There will be more coverage of the new FN Five-seveN MRD here on TFB, so stayed tuned. Before you leave, let us know what you think about this upgraded pistol in the comments section below.