A Look Back: The Genesis of the Contenders
The Reign of the Ten Millimeter
The story of the ten millimeter begins with a desire for enhanced power. The late 1970s witnessed a growing interest in powerful handgun cartridges, and the development of the ten millimeter auto by firearms guru Jeff Cooper and the Dornaus & Dixon Enterprises aimed to fill this void. Born from the need for a more effective round for personal defense and combat applications, the idea was to create a cartridge that could deliver significant energy in a semi-automatic handgun. This led to the design of a potent, bottlenecked cartridge.
The adoption of the ten millimeter was initially tied to the Bren Ten handgun, a pistol designed specifically to house it. However, the Bren Ten’s brief production run and subsequent financial difficulties threatened the round’s future. But the ten millimeter persevered, finding a second life with the introduction of Glock’s models chambered for this cartridge, and more recently in a host of other manufacturers’ offerings. The ten millimeter auto remains a respected round among hunters, competitive shooters, and those seeking robust self-defense options.
The Ascent of the Five Seven
The Five Seven, on the other hand, comes from a more recent era of firearms design. Developed by Fabrique Nationale Herstal (FN) of Belgium, it was created to address a specific need in modern warfare: a personal defense weapon (PDW) capable of defeating body armor. The Five Seven’s genesis was closely linked to the FN P90, a bullpup-style submachine gun, and the FN Five-seveN pistol. Its design emphasized lightweight construction, high capacity magazines, and a flat trajectory.
The Five Seven’s appeal lies in its ability to provide high capacity magazines and a flatter trajectory. This makes it a contender for concealed carry and military or law enforcement roles where its unique characteristics, particularly the ability to defeat certain types of body armor in specific ammunition variants, can be valuable. The evolution of the Five Seven has changed the landscape of PDW style weapons as well as self defense handguns.
Deconstructing the Design: A Comparative Analysis of Specifications
Bullet Basics
The fundamental differences between the ten millimeter and the Five Seven stem from their physical dimensions. The ten millimeter, a larger cartridge, utilizes a wider bullet diameter. This has a direct impact on its energy delivery. It typically employs bullets ranging from 135 to 220 grains, and its cartridge cases are designed to withstand higher pressures, allowing for more powerful loads. The ten millimeter’s overall length also dictates the size of the firearm that it’s chambered in.
The Five Seven takes a different approach, focusing on compact design. The bullet is smaller in diameter than the ten millimeter, leading to lighter projectiles, which enables higher velocities, lower recoil, and larger magazine capacities. The cartridge itself is significantly shorter and narrower, allowing for more rounds to be carried in a standard-sized magazine. The cartridge’s design allows for ease of production and reliability in a diverse set of firearms.
Velocity Variations
Muzzle velocity is a crucial factor. The Five Seven, with its smaller and lighter projectiles, typically achieves significantly higher velocities. This velocity advantage contributes to its flatter trajectory and, with the right ammunition, enhanced penetration capabilities. The ten millimeter, although not as fast, generates substantially more energy. This translates to a hard hitting round.
Understanding the Numbers: Ballistics and Performance on the Range
Trajectory and Drop
The ballistic performance of each round tells a story of contrasting priorities. The ten millimeter, known for its power, excels in delivering a hard impact. Its heavier bullets impart a greater amount of kinetic energy upon impact, increasing the potential for stopping power. The downside is the steeper trajectory compared to the Five Seven, and the felt recoil is much more pronounced. The ten millimeter’s energy delivery is effective at longer ranges.
The Five Seven’s flatter trajectory translates to a greater effective range and less need to compensate for bullet drop at distance. The ammunition may not be as hard-hitting as the ten millimeter, but the velocity facilitates superior penetration through certain materials, which is a key advantage. Low recoil makes follow-up shots are faster and more precise. The lightweight ammunition allows for more rounds to be carried.
Stopping Power and Penetration
When considering penetration, one has to take into account the specific ammunition loads. Some Five Seven rounds are designed specifically for high penetration, allowing them to pass through soft body armor. The ten millimeter, though, is designed to deliver substantial energy, which is a key advantage in many common defense scenarios.
Arsenal of Options: Exploring Firearm Compatibility
Ten Millimeter Platforms
The ten millimeter’s adoption by Glock, along with the availability of other manufacturers’ options, means a variety of handguns are now available. These include 1911 style pistols, and, more recently, some modern semi-automatic platforms that offer a variety of features like optics ready slides. The ten millimeter auto’s performance also makes it a strong consideration for firearms like carbines and pistol-caliber-sized rifles.
Five Seven Availability
The Five Seven’s existence is primarily associated with its two primary platforms: the FN Five-seveN pistol and the FN P90 submachine gun. While other manufacturers have begun to produce firearms chambered in this cartridge, it is still most commonly associated with the original FN designs. The Five Seven also opens up unique weapon configurations such as personal defense rifles due to its relatively low recoil.
The Balance Sheet: Weighing Advantages and Disadvantages
Merits of the Ten
The strengths of the ten millimeter lie in its power and versatility. It’s effective for hunting, self-defense, and competitive shooting. The heavy bullet design offers greater energy at impact and is less affected by external factors such as wind. The potential for the ten millimeter to penetrate certain materials is a great asset in several situations. However, the ten millimeter’s recoil can be a drawback, especially for shooters who are not accustomed to it. Ammunition costs can also be higher compared to some other rounds.
The Five Seven’s Points
The Five Seven’s advantages are in its lightweight design and ability to deliver very high capacity magazines. These benefits make it an excellent choice for concealed carry and situations where rapid follow-up shots are necessary. The lower recoil is particularly attractive for new shooters. The downside lies in the lower energy delivery, which may limit its effectiveness at longer ranges, and potential overpenetration concerns in some circumstances.
The Right Tool for the Task: Applications and User Profiles
Ten Millimeter Roles
The ten millimeter, with its robust energy, is well-suited for hunting medium-sized game and self-defense in environments where larger predators may be encountered. It’s also popular among target shooters who enjoy the challenge of managing its recoil and appreciate its potential for long-range accuracy.
Five Seven Use Cases
The Five Seven finds favor in personal defense scenarios where minimizing recoil and maximizing capacity is a priority. It has also found its place in military and law enforcement. Its flat trajectory and high capacity are especially valuable in close-quarters combat situations.
Dollars and Sense: Examining Ammunition Dynamics
Cost Considerations
The economics of ammunition are a crucial consideration. Ten millimeter auto ammunition is generally more expensive than the Five Seven. The variety of bullet weights and styles available for the ten millimeter further impacts cost, from hunting loads to self-defense rounds.
Availability and Pricing
The Five Seven, while not as widely available as more common pistol calibers, has a decent selection of ammunition, and its price is comparable to many other modern handgun rounds.
Conclusion: Making the Informed Decision
The ten millimeter and Five Seven are both impressive cartridges, each with its own unique characteristics. The ten millimeter offers potent impact, making it a good selection for those prioritizing raw stopping power. The Five Seven provides high capacity and flat trajectory and may be perfect for those wanting to maximize ammunition capacity and follow up shots. The choice between them depends on your individual needs and preferences. Evaluating your primary application will help you determine which of these rounds is the right choice. Whether you are seeking a hard-hitting round for hunting or a high-capacity self-defense tool, understanding the nuances of each round will allow you to make an informed decision.
It is important to always prioritize safe gun handling practices and obey all local and federal laws regarding firearm ownership and use.
