The 5.7x28mm is quite an interesting cartridge. Developed in the 80s at the behest of NATO as an intended replacement for the long-lived 9×19 cartridge, 5.7 promised to have better range, better accuracy, greater capacity firearms, and better terminal performance – even against lightly armored targets. However, almost 40 years later, the 5.7x28mm cartridge is still somewhat obscurity with very few firearms being chambered for it in comparison to 9mm which has seen vast improvements and widespread adoption by law enforcement, military, and civilians. However, despite all this, 5.7x28mm isn’t dead yet and today we’re receiving a new firearm for the hot little cartridge in the form of the new Ruger LC Carbine.

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5.7mm on the Rise? Ruger Releases the New 5.7x28mm LC Carbine

Specifications – Ruger LC Carbine

• Caliber: 5.7x28mm
• Stock: Folding, Adjustable, Picatinny attachment, AR Compatible
• Handguard: M-LOK Aluminum Free-Float
• Capacity: 20+1 or 10+1 (Uses same mags as Ruger-57 pistol)
• Barrel: Fluted, Nitride 16.25″ Threaded 1/2×28 | 1:9″ RH Twist | 8 Groove
• Overall Length: 28.7″ to 30.6″ (22.6″ Folded)
• Sights: Ruger Rapid Deploy Folding Sights
• Weight: 5.7 lbs unloaded 
• Suggested MSRP: $979

5.7x28mm enthusiasts out there will note that the 16.25″ barrel length far exceeds the optimal 10″ barrel length that the cartridge was designed around. This should prove to be a boon to both velocity and terminal ballistics, theoretically increasing the range that you can effectively use the cartridge – we’ll obviously be doing some chronograph tests to see how this pans out in the real world.

A couple of other cool features that the Ruger LC Carbine has have entirely to do with its nearly 100% ambidextrous nature. Most of the controls including the charging handle, magazine release, safety, and even the direction that the stock folds can be changed to suit either left or right-handed shooters. Earlier we mentioned that it uses the same 20-round magazines as the Ruger-57. This should come as no surprise as astute observers should immediately recognize the telltale design elements of the pistol being used as the basis for the grip of the LC Carbine.

The charging handle is non-reciprocating and can be swapped to either the left or right-hand side of the rifle.

Much Testing Ahead

Although it may not be the prettiest firearm I’ve seen come out of Ruger’s factories, on paper at least, the new Ruger LC Carbine looks to be a great firearm worth taking a look at especially if you’re already an owner of the Ruger-57 pistol which uses the same magazines. With a longer barrel than is normal for the 5.7x28mm cartridge, and one of the most ergonomic designs out there, the Ruger LC Carbine should make for a great varmint hunting rifle that is compact and lightweight enough to pack around the homestead.

A full in-depth review should be coming shortly. Obviously, we want to know how reliable it is, how accurate it is, and just how handy the rifle is but we’ll also be taking a closer look at its internals to see how Ruger implemented their bolt-over-barrel design to keep the Ruger LC Carbine’s design so short. As always, we’d like to hear your thoughts and comments on this new firearm. What are your expectations of it? Would you have gathered Ruger to release this as a pistol first with a 10″ barrel rather than a rifle? Is $1,000 too much to ask for what you’re getting? Let us know what you think in the comments!