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HANDGUNMid-Range

Ruger

Ruger-57

Full-size 5.7x28mm pistol that established the value benchmark for the chambering, with a 20-round magazine, adjustable fiber-optic sights, and an optic-adapter-plate cut.

Key Highlights

  • Established the value benchmark for full-size 5.7x28mm at roughly half the FN Five-seveN's price
  • 20+1 capacity with two 20-round magazines included
  • Optic-adapter-plate cut with adjustable fiber-optic sights; Ruger 1/2x28 threaded barrel kit sold separately

Specifications

Price
$459
Weight
1 lb 8.5 oz
Calibers
5.7x28mm
Rail Type
picatinny

Capability Profile

0-10 Scale Across 8 Axes

Compatibility Tags

family: handgunframe: ruger-57caliber: 5.7x28interface: picatinny-pistoloptic-system: adapter-plateoptic-mount: rmr

Overview

The Ruger-57 is the pistol that made 5.7x28mm affordable. When it launched it undercut the FN Five-seveN by roughly half, and it remains the value benchmark for the chambering: a full-size, 20-round, optic-ready 5.7 that sells in the $430 to $470 street range against MSRPs north of $1,400 for the FN. For shooters who want flat-shooting, low-recoil 5.7 ballistics without the FN's price, this is the default answer.

The 4.94-inch barrel ships non-threaded; Ruger's drop-in threaded barrel kit (1/2x28, about $200) swaps in without gunsmithing when you want to mount a 5.7-rated or 9mm-rated can. Capacity is 20+1, and the gun ships with two 20-round magazines; ten-round versions cover restricted states. The slide is drilled and tapped for the Ruger optic adapter plate, which mounts a Docter-footprint red dot directly, and aftermarket plates open the cut to RMR and Holosun 407C/507C-footprint optics. Iron sights are a fiber-optic front with an adjustable rear, a more useful factory setup than the fixed sights on most competitors.

The internal-hammer, single-action design with a manual thumb safety produces a clean, light trigger that flatters the cartridge's mild recoil. The polymer frame and alloy slide keep weight to 24.5 ounces despite the full-size footprint. The tradeoffs are the ones inherent to 5.7: ammunition costs more than 9mm and is less available, and the cartridge's terminal performance is debated for defensive use. As a range gun, a soft-shooting trainer, and a suppressor host once you add the threaded barrel kit, the Ruger-57 is the most cost-effective entry into the platform.

Key Features

  • 5.7x28mm, 20+1 capacity, ships with two 20-round magazines
  • 4.94-inch non-threaded barrel; Ruger 1/2x28 threaded barrel kit sold separately
  • Slide drilled and tapped for the Ruger optic adapter plate
  • Adjustable rear sight with a fiber-optic front sight
  • Internal-hammer single-action with a manual thumb safety
  • Picatinny accessory rail for lights and lasers
  • 24.5 oz with a polymer frame and alloy slide

Pros

  • +Roughly half the price of the FN Five-seveN for the same chambering and capacity
  • +Ruger's drop-in 1/2x28 threaded barrel kit (about $200) adds suppressor capability when you want it
  • +20-round magazines and two included keep range sessions long
  • +Adjustable fiber-optic sights are a step up from the fixed irons on most rivals
  • +Mild recoil and a light single-action trigger make it easy to shoot well

Cons

  • Optic mounting needs the Ruger adapter plate; there is no direct RMR/507C slide cut
  • 5.7x28mm ammunition costs more and is less available than 9mm
  • Manual thumb safety is not to everyone's preference
  • Full-size grip frame is large for concealed carry

Detailed Specifications

caliber
5.7x28mm
Barrel Length
4.94 inches
Overall Length
8.65 inches
width
1.2 inches
height
5.6 inches
weight
24.5 oz
capacity
20+1; two 20-round magazines included
barrel
4.94-inch non-threaded (Ruger 1/2x28 threaded barrel kit sold separately)
trigger
Internal-hammer single-action with manual safety
sights
Adjustable rear, fiber-optic front; optic-adapter-plate cut
msrp
$549

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