Garand Thumb Retests the FN 5.7x28mm in Ballistics Gel

Garand Thumb put the FN 5.7x28mm back under high-speed cameras, testing a lineup of factory and specialty loads against clear ballistics gel to see whether the round's reputation for rifle-like performance holds up when fired from a pistol.

Snapshot

Using a Phantom high-speed camera capable of 1.6 million frames per second, the Garand Thumb crew chronographed and fired several 5.7x28mm loads into clear ballistics gel, comparing penetration, yaw and fragmentation. The host says this round of testing corrects an earlier video where he felt he'd misjudged the cartridge, and notes the armor-piercing capability of the round is part of what makes it notable.

Key points

• Blue tip (V-Max style): Clocked around 1,720 fps and produced what the host calls "incredibly violent" terminal performance, with about 14 inches of penetration, yaw, fragmentation and petals breaking off.
• Black tip (armor-piercing): Traveled near 1,990 fps, penetrated roughly 12 inches, and destabilized immediately on impact despite being rated to defeat level 3A armor, which the host calls incredible performance.
• SS192 hollow point: The fastest round tested at over 2,000 fps, but only reached about 8 inches of penetration; the host and guest Jordan agree they'd favor the black or blue tip over it.
• Hornady Critical Defense: A 40-grain load that matched its advertised 1,810 fps, delivering about 14 inches of penetration with heavy fragmentation and good expansion, described as solid pistol-level performance.

Quick take

The testing suggests several common 5.7x28mm loads are dumping energy and penetrating gel in ways the hosts repeatedly describe as rifle-like rather than typical pistol performance, with the SS192 standing out as the exception due to shallower penetration despite its speed.

Watch the full video: Garand Thumb