AllOutdoor Review – FN Five-seveN MK3 MRD 5.7x28mm Optics Ready

When it comes to discussions involving the iconic 5.7x28mm cartridge and its associated pistol – the FN Five-seveN – it is the stuff of legend. It invokes thoughts of spy warfare, espionage, shooting through bullet-proof vests, and being one of the zippiest, most under-rated cartridges on the market today. So, that begs the question for the average range shooter… why would you want to own the new FN Five-seveN MK3 MRD?… Moreover, as hunters here at AllOutdoor, how can this firearm serves us in our explorations in the great outdoors?… We will look to answer all of those questions and more as we review the FN Five-seveN MK3 MRD 5.7x28mm Optics Ready pistol here today!

FN Coverage on AllOutdoor

Specifications – FN Five-seveN MK3 MRD 5.7x28mm Optics Ready

The FN Five-seveN MK3 MRD 5.7x28mm Optics Ready pistol has an MSRP of $1,509 which makes it a bit pricey, but you can decide if this fire-breather will make its way into your safe some day. At first-glance, the FN Five-seveN MK3 MRD looks similar to other polymer-framed, centerfire pistols in aesthetic and overall design, but the more attention you give the Five-seveN MK3 MRD, the more you realize it is truly a one-of-a kind pistol. The toggle safety is up in the middle of the frame, and is easily manipulated with a safe trigger finger beside the frame of the firearm. To field-strip this pistol you don’t need to pull the trigger or yank the slide a foot forward off the frame. Simply pull back on a tab on each side of the frame with a magazine out and lift up. These are some simple yet unique cliffnotes of the Five-seveN MK3 MRD. The rest of the specifications can be read below as presented by FN:

Caliber: 5.7x28mm
Operation: Delayed blowback, Single-action only
Mag Capacity: 20 Round
Weight: 25.2 Oz (without mag)
Barrel Length: 4.8″
Overall Length: 8.2″
Twist Rate: 1:9″ Right-Hand
Height: 5.6″
Width: 1.35″
Trigger Pull: 4.4 – 7.87 Lb
Sight Radius: 7″

Primary Features
- Slide cut to mount most optics
- Minimal recoil from the FN 5.7x28mm cartridge
- Enhanced grip with stippled texture
- Adjustable iron sights co-witness with most MRDs

Slide
- Add most MRDs in minutes, without a gunsmith
- Machined steel slide with polymer cover
- Enhanced slide cover improves cocking control
- Photo-luminescent front sight with adjustable rear

Barrel
- Cold hammer-forged barrel for enduring accuracy
- Precision 5.7x28mm chamber for feed reliability
Frame
- Stippled texture for adverse conditions
- Internal single-action hammer
- Smooth trigger pull, breaks at ≈ 6.2-lbs.

With more than two decades of trusted service, the original FN Five-seveN breaks new ground in 2022, redefining handgun accuracy standards with new optics-ready capabilities, enhanced ergonomics, and improved controls.
The FN Five-seveN MRD’s proprietary optics-mounting system consists of a series of plates that match your optic to the slide for a quick and seamless setup – simply remove the cover plate, select the compatible optic plate and screw set that match your MRD and mount using the provided hardware. The system is compatible with most common optic footprints, offering an unmatched variety of options.
New stippling and textures on the ergonomic frame as well as enhanced serrations on the slide, trigger guard and safety selector enable superior grip and control in an already soft-recoiling pistol. The internal hammer and smooth trigger pull, coupled with the long-lasting 4.8-inch cold hammer-forged barrel, provide the ultimate package to achieve precision at distance.

Field Use – FN Five-seveN MK3 MRD 5.7x28mm Optics Ready

For the uninitiated, the FN Five-seveN MK3 MRD has a lot to offer as evident by its laundry list of features and benefits, but how does it perform out in the wild? Or, a gun range? When you first handle the Five-seveN MK3 MRD you will notice it has a larger grip circumference (front to back) yet it is slender on the sides. It fills your hand well, but it is not too large to appropriately and confidently manipulate all of the functions on the handgun. Another miniscule element to note is that this pistol has a magazine safety. I am not a personal fan of a magazine disconnect safety, but that is an item of personal preference.

Shooters will also note the gripping texture on the frame. From the front strap to the sides to the rear strap, you see varying styles of texturing yet they all meld together for a good purchase and strong dexterity on the pistol. I could have even appreciated a more aggressive texturing, but the pistol as is handles great.

The next ability of this pistol shooters will appreciate is its ability to accessorize. We have a whole new 21st century generation of shooters coming through the ranks and we love (I include my 36 year old self) to add accessories to our firearms. From additional Cerakotes to flashlights to micro red dots, we love to make our firearms an outward expression of ourselves and to be high speed, low drag. With the Five-seveN MK3 MRD, you get all of the necessary optics plates to add nearly any red dot on the market today (I opted for a Trijicon RMR). Also, you have a Picatinny rail that can host nearly any weapon-mounted light (WML) as well, and I chose the Streamlight TLR-1 HL.

So, beyond the accessories, dexterity, and handling, how does it shoot?… Well, with my experience at the range I would say it is curiously accurate and I will elaborate. I shot off-hand groups (and so did another one of AllOutdoor’s writers – Samuel Schaust) at varying distances from 5 – 15 yards accomplishing impressive accuracy 99% of time. We would get groups the size of a 50 cent piece that left us very impressed, but then 1 in 50 rounds we would see a complete and utter flyer. Some round would get a mind of its own and “be in left field.” The shooter seemingly didn’t flinch, the gun never had a single malfunction, was decently clean, we were shooting new ammo. We didn’t have an explanation for it.

My only thought for the random inaccurate anomalies was it being the ammo. I’ve seen this before in .22 WMR rounds. The 5.7x28mm cartridge – similar to 22 Magnum – is a hot rod. It is a fireball lobbing, son of a gun! Inexplicably when shooting .22 WMR rifles and handguns I would see unexplainable flyers. It’s hard to control a hot rod 100% of the time. I view 5.7x28mm through the same lens. Were our flyers 3 feet off?… No, when we’d have a nice group going a flyer would come in 3″ – 4″ outside and at 15 yards that is still an acceptable defense hit in my mind.

The last component worth mentioning is the trigger in the FN Five-seveN MK3 MRD. It has a moderate amount of travel before it breaks, and once it does, it feels mechanical. It is not a bad trigger, but there is room for improvement. I’m unaware of aftermarket triggers (and I’m not suggesting you shadetree gunsmith your own firearm; that will likely void the warranty entirely). If you want to improve your trigger slightly, bring it to a competent gunsmith well-versed in the Five-seveN.

Final Thoughts – FN Five-seveN MK3 MRD 5.7x28mm Optics Ready

So, what are my final thoughts in the FN Five-seveN MK3 MRD 5.7x28mm Optics Ready pistol?… Overall, I believe the $1,509 MSRP is worth it for this handgun if you are using it for specific purposes. This would be one hell of a self-defense pistol for everyday carry: lots of rounds on board, light recoil, and light to carry. This would serve you well for varmint hunting or dispatching varmints on a farm/ranch: 5.7x28mm is a stout round, you have lots of ammunition, and again, whether you are carrying it on yourself or you throw it in a vehicle, this is a very manageable firearm. For the recreational enthusiast, this is admittedly an expensive pistol, but you will likely be grinning from ear-to-ear the entire time you are shooting it. In sum, everybody should give this gun a shot. You might fall in love with it.

In closing, I want to say thank you to FN for allowing AllOutdoor and myself the opportunity to try out their FN Five-seveN MK3 MRD 5.7x28mm Optics Ready pistol. That is greatly appreciated. Also, we would like to know what all of you guys and gals think? Do you believe that the FN Five-seveN MK3 MRD 5.7x28mm Optics Ready pistol is something worth spending your money on? As always, let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.

Adam Scepaniak