Preview: FN Five-SeveN MRD

FN has upgraded its well-known and regarded Five-seveN pistol platform chambered in the tiny, but capable, 5.7x28 mm FN cartridge. This new rendition of the pistol, called the FN Five-seveN MRD, comes with a host of improvements over the older generations, including the ability to mount micro red-dot sights onto a pre-machined mounting based added to the slide.

As stated by vice president of sales and marketing for FN America, LLC., Chris Cole, "The FN Five-seveN pistol has been immensely popular since its introduction. Its original design capturing the performance of the FN-designed 5.7x28 mm 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. 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.”

Like the previous Five-seveN, the new pistol uses a delayed-blowback operation and a single-action internally housed hammer. The single-action trigger pull breaks at 6 lbs., with a short reset to boot. With an overall length of 8.2", the Five-seveN MRD features a 4.8" cold hammer-forged steel barrel inside the slide. This slide itself is streamlined, and features enlarged charging serrations machined into the front and back portions of the sides of the slide.

On top of the slide is the most significant change from the previous Five-seveN pistols, a pre-machined mounting point to attach most popular micro red-dot optics currently on the market. Using FN's system of different mounting plates to interface the optics to the slide, the Five-seveN MRD can adapt optics like the Leupold DeltaPoint Pro, Trijicon RMR, Vortex Optics options, the Burris FastFire series, Docter Optics and others to its slide. Each pistol comes with a set of plates and mounting screws, along with a cover, should no optic be desired.

Also included on top of the slide are a set of raised iron sights. These sights are set at a height to allow use through the windows of some micro red-dot optics, and also feature glowing inserts to aid in low-light visibility. The rear sight is also fully adjustable for windage and elevation. Aspects of the polymer frame have also been changed, with the addition of more aggressive stippled texturing to the grip. The backstrap is reshaped to afford a more comfortable grip, and the front strap has added serrations for greater retention. 

For controls, the Five-seveN MRD features an enlarged magazine release and slide catch located on the left side of the frame, along with an ambidextrous safety lever located just above the trigger. There is also a five-slot Picatinny rail molded into the dust cover. Like the previous Five-seveN, the Five-seveN MRD comes standard with two 20-round, double-stack, magazines, though 10-round magazines are also available for restrictive states.  It comes available in two color selections, black or flat dark earth, with both versions having a suggested retail price of $1,449. For more information, visit fnamerica.com.