Top 10 differences between the 5.7x28 vs 9mm: Ballistics, Performance, and Practical Applications

If you’re into handguns or personal defense, you’ve probably run across the 5.7x28mm and 9mm cartridges. They both get a lot of attention, but they’re pretty different in ways that actually matter—performance, price, and what you can do with them.

Getting a grip on the real differences between 5.7x28mm and 9mm helps shooters pick what works for them. Let’s break down the details so you can see what each has going for it.

1) Caliber Size: 5.7x28mm has a smaller diameter bullet than 9mm.

Right off the bat, bullet diameter sets these two apart. The 5.7x28mm fires a bullet about 5.7 millimeters wide; the 9mm, not surprisingly, is 9 millimeters across.

Because the 5.7x28mm is slimmer, it slips through the air with less drag. It almost looks like a tiny rifle round, not your average pistol bullet.

The 9mm, on the other hand, is chunkier and heavier. Its round, fat shape is easy to spot, and you’ll find it in all sorts of standard pistols—probably because it’s just so tried-and-true.

This size difference isn’t just academic. It means the bullets act differently in the real world. Curious about the specifics? Check out this 5.7x28mm vs. 9mm bullets comparison for a deeper dive.

2) Recoil: 5.7x28mm offers noticeably softer recoil compared to 9mm.

Recoil is where you’ll feel a big difference. The 5.7x28mm is famous for its soft, almost gentle kick in a similarly sized handgun.

Shooters often say the 5.7x28mm kicks about 30% less than your standard 9mm. If you’re putting in long hours at the range or firing quickly, that matters. Lower recoil means you can keep the muzzle down and follow up faster.

Since the 5.7x28mm uses a lighter bullet and less powder, it just doesn’t push back as hard. New shooters and anyone who wants to keep things easy on their hands or wrists seem to love this trait.

For home defense or sports shooting, that soft recoil can really help you stay accurate and react quickly. There’s a more detailed breakdown in this comparison of 5.7x28mm and 9mm.

3) Muzzle Velocity: 5.7x28mm generally achieves higher muzzle velocity.

Speed is the 5.7x28mm’s calling card. It usually leaves the barrel a lot faster than 9mm. Muzzle velocity, if you care about numbers, is all about how quickly the bullet exits the gun.

A typical 5.7x28mm can hit around 2,300 feet per second or even more. Most 9mm rounds are closer to 1,200 feet per second. That’s not a tiny gap—it’s a big one, thanks to the 5.7x28mm’s lighter, sleeker bullet.

With that extra speed, the 5.7x28mm reaches targets faster and can perform better at longer ranges. It also affects how deeply it can punch through stuff. Want more stats? Take a look at Ammo.com.

Still, speed isn’t everything. The 9mm is popular for a reason—it balances speed, power, and recoil in a way a lot of folks like.

4) Trajectory: 5.7x28mm has a flatter trajectory than 9mm.

Thanks to its higher velocity, the 5.7x28mm flies flatter than the 9mm. The bullet just doesn’t drop as much as it travels.

If you’re shooting at distance, you won’t need to aim as high with the 5.7x28mm. That makes longer shots less of a guessing game.

9mm bullets are heavier and slower, so they drop more over the same distance. You’ll have to adjust your aim more with 9mm, especially as the target gets farther away.

At longer ranges, this difference stands out. Many shooters find the 5.7x28mm’s flatter trajectory makes it easier to stay accurate, whether for target shooting or certain defensive scenarios.

The fast, light design is what gives the 5.7x28mm its edge here. If you care about stretching your shots out, it’s worth considering.

5) Penetration: 5.7x28mm excels at penetrating body armor compared to 9mm.

The 5.7x28mm was built to go fast with a light bullet, and that speed helps it punch through some soft body armor that would stop a standard 9mm.

Most 9mm rounds use heavier bullets, but their slower speed means soft vests can usually stop them—especially the typical loads used by police or civilians.

Certain 5.7x28mm loads can pierce soft armor, whether you’re firing from a pistol or a carbine. That’s why you see it in some military and law enforcement circles. Of course, actual results depend on your gun and ammo.

Basic 9mm isn’t made to defeat armor. The 5.7x28mm’s ability comes from its smaller, lighter, and faster bullet. If you want to see this in action, check out the ballistic tests on Kentucky Ballistics.

6) Wound Channel: 9mm creates larger wound channels than 5.7x28mm.

Wound channel size matters when it comes to stopping threats. The 9mm is known for making wider wound channels than the 5.7x28mm, mostly because its bullets are bigger and heavier.

Bigger wound channels usually mean more tissue damage. That can help stop an attacker faster, which is a big reason 9mm remains a go-to for personal defense.

The 5.7x28mm, being narrower, tends to leave a smaller wound. Some tests and shooters have pointed out that it’s less likely to incapacitate unless it hits something vital. You’ll find plenty of firsthand stories and debates about this in places like this Reddit thread.

So, if you want maximum tissue damage and blunt force, 9mm is still the more common pick for self-defense.

7) Ammunition Availability: 9mm is more widely available and affordable.

Finding 9mm ammo is easy. Gun shops, sporting goods stores, even big box retailers—it’s almost always in stock. No need to hunt around or pay a premium.

The 5.7x28mm, though? Not so much. Most stores don’t carry much, if any, and you might have to order online or wait for a shipment. That can be a pain if you like to shoot a lot or don’t want to plan ahead.

9mm is also way cheaper. On average, 9mm ammo costs less per round than 5.7x28mm, sometimes by a lot. That means you can stock up or shoot more often without blowing your budget.

With 9mm, you can train more, thanks to the price and availability. That’s a huge reason it’s so popular worldwide.

8) Firearm Options: More guns are chambered in 9mm than 5.7x28mm.

The 9mm is everywhere—pistols, carbines, even some rifles. Big gun makers offer tons of 9mm models, so you can pretty much always find something that fits your hand, style, or budget.

Meanwhile, the 5.7x28mm is more of a niche. Only a few companies, like FN and Ruger, make handguns or carbines for it. That means fewer choices if you want to go this route.

With 9mm, it’s also easier to find magazines, holsters, and spare parts. Accessories for 5.7x28mm guns are harder to come by and often cost more. Ammo? 9mm wins there, too. It’s in nearly every gun store and usually cheaper than 5.7x28mm handgun ammunition.

If you want options and easy access to gear, 9mm is the obvious choice. More selection just makes life simpler.

9) Range: 5.7x28mm is more effective at longer ranges than 9mm.

The 5.7x28mm flies faster and flatter than the 9mm, so it holds up better at distance. Its lighter bullet and higher speed mean less drop as it travels.

With less recoil, shooters can stay on target more easily at longer ranges. Follow-up shots are quicker, too.

Plenty of folks agree: the 5.7x28mm outperforms the 9mm once you’re shooting past typical handgun distances. That flatter trajectory really starts to matter as the range increases.

Both rounds work fine up close, but if you want to stretch things out, the 5.7x28mm is just easier to keep on target. The 9mm drops more and loses speed, making long shots trickier.

10) Stopping Power: 9mm generally offers greater stopping power on soft targets.

When it comes to stopping power on soft targets, the 9mm usually takes the prize. Its bullets are heavier and bigger than what you get with the 5.7x28mm, so it delivers more energy where it counts.

That bigger diameter means a wider wound channel, which helps the 9mm do more damage in a single shot. That’s why police and military units often stick with it.

Tests show 9mm ammo often penetrates deeper and keeps up its performance in soft tissue. That’s a big reason it’s such a common self-defense round. If you want a full breakdown, check out this comparison.

The 5.7x28mm is smaller and faster, and while it can punch through some armor and has low recoil, it just doesn’t hit as hard in soft tissue as the 9mm. If stopping power is your main concern, you’ll probably lean 9mm.

Technical Specifications

The 5.7x28mm and 9mm cartridges aim for different things, which shows in their design and how they behave. When you compare them, it’s really about what each round brings to the table—bullet speed, weight, energy, and overall feel.

Cartridge Design and Dimensions

The 5.7x28mm cartridge is slim, a bit longer, and honestly, it looks more like a mini rifle round than a typical pistol cartridge. Its case stretches out to 28mm and uses a bottlenecked shape, which lets it reach higher velocities. The bullet itself is about 5.7mm wide, and the whole round comes in at roughly 40.5mm long. Most factory 5.7x28mm loads fall between 27 and 40 grains.

The 9mm Luger is chunkier and shorter, with a straight-walled case measuring 19mm. Its bullet is wider at 9mm, and the full length is about 29.7mm. Bullet weights usually range from 115 to 147 grains. That makes the 9mm heavier and thicker, and it packs more energy for close-range shots.

Since 5.7x28mm rounds are lighter and narrower, you can usually fit more of them in a magazine compared to 9mm. But the 9mm’s beefier build changes its recoil and how it performs overall.

Ballistics and Performance

5.7x28mm rounds are fast and shoot pretty flat. With a 40-grain bullet, you might see muzzle velocities up to around 2,350 feet per second, and energy lands at about 367 foot-pounds (more on velocities and energy). The bullet’s speed means it drops less at distance.

9mm loads, usually with bullets between 115 and 147 grains, hit muzzle velocities from about 1,100 to 1,300 feet per second. They’re slower, but the extra weight gives them more momentum. Muzzle energy runs from about 340 to 390 foot-pounds, depending on the load (see detailed comparisons).

The 5.7x28mm’s speed gives it a flatter trajectory, while the 9mm’s heavier bullet means deeper penetration and stronger stopping power up close. These traits shape how people use them for self-defense, sport, or law enforcement.

Use Cases and Practical Considerations

People choose between 5.7x28mm and 9mm cartridges based on where and how they’ll use them. Things like effectiveness, price, and how easy it is to find ammo can make one round a better fit for your needs.

Home Defense and Personal Protection

For home defense, 9mm pistols are a go-to for many. They’ve got solid stopping power and are trusted by police departments all over. Short barrels and manageable recoil make 9mm handguns pretty user-friendly for most adults. Plus, there’s a huge variety of 9mm defensive loads, many designed to expand reliably and disrupt tissue—giving them an advantage in stopping a threat quickly.

The 5.7x28mm, being lighter and faster, tends to create smaller wound channels from a pistol. But you can fit more rounds in a similar-sized mag, and recoil is low, so follow-up shots are fast. Where the 5.7x28mm really stands out is its ability to punch through some types of body armor (if you’ve got a longer barrel), though that’s not usually a concern for home defense. Ballistics tests and user feedback tend to agree: a well-chosen 9mm load expands better in soft tissue and is more likely to stop a threat in typical self-defense situations. The 5.7x28mm does offer less recoil, but also less tissue damage in most cases. If you want to dive deeper, check out this 9mm versus 5.7x28mm discussion.

Ammunition Availability and Cost

Ammo price and availability matter to a lot of shooters. The 9mm is everywhere—local shops, big box stores, online—you name it. Bulk ammo is cheap, sometimes less than half the price of 5.7x28mm. That makes 9mm way more practical for regular practice and high-volume shooting.

5.7x28mm ammo, though, is harder to find and costs more. Local stores might have a tiny selection, and online prices can be double or triple what you’d pay for standard 9mm. Some 5.7x28mm loads have cool features like armor penetration or extra speed, but you’ll pay even more for those. For most folks, 9mm just makes more sense for everyday use, especially when you factor in cost and availability.

Quick Comparison Table

Frequently Asked Questions

The 5.7x28mm and 9mm rounds don’t just differ in speed and recoil; they each have their own quirks when it comes to self-defense and real-world use.

What are the ballistic performance differences between 5.7x28mm and 9mm?

The 5.7x28mm uses a smaller bullet that flies a lot faster than 9mm. That speed gives it a flatter path at distance, while 9mm is slower but brings more weight.

5.7x28mm usually kicks less, so it’s easier to shoot quickly. Folks like 9mm for its reliability and how common it is.

How does the stopping power of 5.7x28mm compare to that of 9mm rounds?

9mm is known for stopping power, mostly because its bullets are bigger and heavier. That means more energy on impact, which matters for personal defense.

5.7x28mm leans more toward speed and penetration than blunt stopping force. It can punch through some barriers, but its lighter bullet often transfers less energy to the target.

What are the self-defense capabilities of 5.7x28mm versus 9mm ammunition?

Both rounds see use in self-defense, but their strengths are different. 9mm is everywhere, easy to practice with, and has a reputation for reliable stopping power up close.

5.7x28mm has less felt recoil, which helps with fast, accurate follow-up shots. Some people like it for its ability to get through soft body armor, though that’s a niche advantage.

How do 5.7x28mm and 9mm rounds behave in ballistic gel tests?

In ballistic gel, 9mm usually makes a bigger temporary cavity thanks to its weight and energy. That shows up as more immediate tissue damage.

The 5.7x28mm usually goes deeper but leaves a narrower wound channel. Most 5.7x28mm loads don’t expand as much as many 9mm hollow-points in gel.

Is there a significant difference in the lethality of 5.7x28mm relative to 9mm?

Lethality depends on a bunch of things—shot placement, bullet type, and so on. Generally, 9mm is considered more lethal for typical handgun encounters, especially with expanding bullets.

The 5.7x28mm is built to get through light armor and works best at high velocity, but its lighter bullet can limit tissue damage compared to the heavier 9mm.

What are the typical use cases for 5.7x28mm ammunition compared to 9mm?

Most folks reach for 9mm when it comes to handguns—military, law enforcement, civilians, you name it. People like it for self-defense, target shooting, and everyday carry. It’s just kind of the default choice.

5.7x28mm? That’s a bit more niche. You’ll see it show up in firearms built for specific jobs, like personal defense weapons or scenarios where you want less recoil or need to punch through armor. If you’re curious about the nitty-gritty differences, check out this comparison of 5.7x28mm and 9mm.