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Ruger 57 as concealed carry weapon
- Thread starter ATN082268
- Start date
dakota.potts
New member
I'm not sure a rating of 1 to 10 is appropriate.
I don't think it's too big to carry if you're willing to commit to carrying IWB with a good holster/belt and dressing around it.
I'm not as enthralled with the 5.7 as a defensive round as some of its adherents but I don't think it's the worst in the world either. It's certainly an option for recoil sensitive people. Ammo is insane right now (you can get it in GunBroker if you're willing to pay $2 a round).
One thing that gives me big hesitation is that, last I heard, Ruger doesn't recommend carrying with a loaded chamber due to lack of a firing pin safety. Now whether you believe that safety is necessary or not, carrying a gun that the manufacturer states you shouldn't carry chambered is a big red flag for me. That situation may have changed since I last looked into it.
Are you looking specifically to carry something in the 5.7mm round? That's the only reason I can think to land on this specific model for concealed carry.
I don't think it's too big to carry if you're willing to commit to carrying IWB with a good holster/belt and dressing around it.
I'm not as enthralled with the 5.7 as a defensive round as some of its adherents but I don't think it's the worst in the world either. It's certainly an option for recoil sensitive people. Ammo is insane right now (you can get it in GunBroker if you're willing to pay $2 a round).
One thing that gives me big hesitation is that, last I heard, Ruger doesn't recommend carrying with a loaded chamber due to lack of a firing pin safety. Now whether you believe that safety is necessary or not, carrying a gun that the manufacturer states you shouldn't carry chambered is a big red flag for me. That situation may have changed since I last looked into it.
Are you looking specifically to carry something in the 5.7mm round? That's the only reason I can think to land on this specific model for concealed carry.
peacefulgary
New member
Too big and bulky for me.
I've been down the big and bulky CC road before...Glock 22, Ruger GP100, CZ 75B...I've learned that sometimes smaller is better when it comes to CC.
I've been down the big and bulky CC road before...Glock 22, Ruger GP100, CZ 75B...I've learned that sometimes smaller is better when it comes to CC.
Desmosedici
New member
Can't imagine wanting to carry the 5.7 for any sort of self-defense role, unless I worked on a ranch or something similar, in which case I wouldn't likely need to conceal it. Bigger pistol to conceal, too. I'm sure it could be done, though, especially for a larger than average person.
That said, I have rented the FN and it's a fun, fun gun to shoot. Nearly nonexistent recoil and you can dump the contents of its 20 round mag in a few heartbeats, accurately. I'd love to have one. I have read that the Ruger is an improvement in grip vis a vis the 5.7, and it certainly is a more appealing looking weapon, aesthetically.
Interesting to hear your thoughts on this pistol and why you'd desire to conceal it.
That said, I have rented the FN and it's a fun, fun gun to shoot. Nearly nonexistent recoil and you can dump the contents of its 20 round mag in a few heartbeats, accurately. I'd love to have one. I have read that the Ruger is an improvement in grip vis a vis the 5.7, and it certainly is a more appealing looking weapon, aesthetically.
Interesting to hear your thoughts on this pistol and why you'd desire to conceal it.
Can't imagine wanting to carry the 5.7 for any sort of self-defense role, unless I worked on a ranch or something similar, in which case I wouldn't likely need to conceal it. Bigger pistol to conceal, too. I'm sure it could be done, though, especially for a larger than average person.
That said, I have rented the FN and it's a fun, fun gun to shoot. Nearly nonexistent recoil and you can dump the contents of its 20 round mag in a few heartbeats, accurately. I'd love to have one. I have read that the Ruger is an improvement in grip vis a vis the 5.7, and it certainly is a more appealing looking weapon, aesthetically.
Interesting to hear your thoughts on this pistol and why you'd desire to conceal it.
The Ruger 57 appeals to me primarily due to it's small, high velocity rounds and to a lesser degree its high magazine capacity and low recoil.
the rounds are small in diameter but long. they fit more in a magazine due to this, however the grip is longer due to it. It is without a doubt a full sized / duty sized handgun. High velocity it good, but you gotta have the penetration too. if you cant get that 12-16in you may nit hit vitals. Low recoil is always good.
can you carry it, yes, it is ideal or even good for that purpose, not even close.
can you carry it, yes, it is ideal or even good for that purpose, not even close.
dakota.potts
New member
Could always look into the .22 TCM and its 9R variant. I think the RIA 1911 is the only factory semi auto available right now that chambers the full length .22 TCM, while the slightly slower 9R variant can be fired out of a standard 9mm magazine such as Glock or CZ pattern mags. And if you have a Glock, you should be able to find a barrel and recoil spring assembly for something like $150-250 if I'm remembering correctly to try it out and see if you like it. The TCM is using the same weight bullets as the 5.7X28 but actually edges it out in terms of velocity. It's essentially a mini .223 case, or very close to a 9mm case necked down to .22. Ammo is a single-supplier proposition as far as I know - all available ammo being supplied through Armscor.
I'm very interested in the high velocity bottleneck pistol cartridges myself, but I think they currently suffer for lack of good systems to run them through for practical purposes. I'd love to see 6.5X25mm CBJ barrels and ammunition imported to convert a number of factory 9mm guns here but I'm very certain that's nothing but a pipe dream.
I'm very interested in the high velocity bottleneck pistol cartridges myself, but I think they currently suffer for lack of good systems to run them through for practical purposes. I'd love to see 6.5X25mm CBJ barrels and ammunition imported to convert a number of factory 9mm guns here but I'm very certain that's nothing but a pipe dream.
I don't own one so I really can't rate it, (although I'm sure that hasn't stopped the majority of others from doing so) but I think you could do a lot worse. It's big, but it's also rather thin, and it holds a lot of rounds in the magazine.
I'm not really sure how I feel about the 5.7x28 FN cartridge. It was designed as a potential replacement for the 9mm Luger, with a heavy emphasis on armor-piercing and the versatility to serve not only as a pistol cartridge but also as a PDW cartridge. Unfortunately, due to it being contested by the German delegation, it was never adopted by NATO forces. Furthermore, its once impressive armor-piercing capabilities have diminished, as it seems like body armor has since been designed to stop 5.7x28 FN.
Proponents of the theory of Hydrostatic Shock often state that projectiles travelling at over 2500fps are capable of generating remote wounding effects, but if such is indeed the case, then it's not visible in Ballistics Gel with 5.7x28.
So yeah, it wouldn't be my choice for a CCW, and its advantages are of dubious viability in such a role, but you could do worse.
The most important facet of self-defense is confidence, because if what you're carrying doesn't make you feel confident, then you're more likely to hesitate or even panic in a self-defense situation. So if carrying a Ruger-57 make you feel more confident than carrying something more conventional, then by all means carry it.
Personally, I trust .40 S&W, although the prevailing sentiment right now is that it offers no substantial ballistic advantage over 9mm Luger and that carrying it is entirely detrimental because everyone shoots 9mm faster and more accurately.
There is no such thing as the ideal one-size-fits-all platform for self-defense, so the best anyone can do is to choose what they feel most confident with, train until they've become proficient with it, and carry it with the knowledge that in the event in which they need it, then they'll be far better prepared than the guy who is constantly swapping out their carry gun in accordance with the latest trends in pursuit of the illusive ideal carry gun.
I'm not really sure how I feel about the 5.7x28 FN cartridge. It was designed as a potential replacement for the 9mm Luger, with a heavy emphasis on armor-piercing and the versatility to serve not only as a pistol cartridge but also as a PDW cartridge. Unfortunately, due to it being contested by the German delegation, it was never adopted by NATO forces. Furthermore, its once impressive armor-piercing capabilities have diminished, as it seems like body armor has since been designed to stop 5.7x28 FN.
Proponents of the theory of Hydrostatic Shock often state that projectiles travelling at over 2500fps are capable of generating remote wounding effects, but if such is indeed the case, then it's not visible in Ballistics Gel with 5.7x28.
So yeah, it wouldn't be my choice for a CCW, and its advantages are of dubious viability in such a role, but you could do worse.
The most important facet of self-defense is confidence, because if what you're carrying doesn't make you feel confident, then you're more likely to hesitate or even panic in a self-defense situation. So if carrying a Ruger-57 make you feel more confident than carrying something more conventional, then by all means carry it.
Personally, I trust .40 S&W, although the prevailing sentiment right now is that it offers no substantial ballistic advantage over 9mm Luger and that carrying it is entirely detrimental because everyone shoots 9mm faster and more accurately.
There is no such thing as the ideal one-size-fits-all platform for self-defense, so the best anyone can do is to choose what they feel most confident with, train until they've become proficient with it, and carry it with the knowledge that in the event in which they need it, then they'll be far better prepared than the guy who is constantly swapping out their carry gun in accordance with the latest trends in pursuit of the illusive ideal carry gun.
GE-Minigun
New member
Not too big to carry…I know a guy that’s 6’ and maybe 150…rail thin is an understatement…he conceals a P226 all the time…the 57 would be a piece of cake for him. I would be worried about over penetration…so a 3
I used to CC a Ruger P95 iwb back when I started carrying 12+ years ago, and I have a 33 waist, so it’s doable. However now I either pocket carry a LCP or wear a larger compact owb using a slide or pancake holster, much more comfortable. If I had to CC a 57, I’d opt for a high riding pancake holster or a shoulder holster, both with an overshirt.
"small, high velocity rounds, low recoil, high mag capacity"...seems direct opposite of the standard 1911 .45. I am not at all familiar with the 57, if striker fired or DA ?, but one thing it might have in common with a FS 1911 is size but I'll bet not weight.
Then you got bulk mentioned. I wouldn't consider the 1911 bulky despite it's size, I carry a FS 1911 often even though I prefer a Commander or Mak, so why not tote a 57?
Then you got bulk mentioned. I wouldn't consider the 1911 bulky despite it's size, I carry a FS 1911 often even though I prefer a Commander or Mak, so why not tote a 57?
How common is the ammo? what is so great about this ammo that the normal more popular 9mm, .40, 10mm and 45ACP cannot measure up that one has to buy something like this?
as for CC, Are you serious? I would vote 0 if that's an option. When comes to CC, I won't even consider anything bigger than LCR, Walther PPK. I don't go out to protect the gun, How can you enjoy carrying something like this? Be it you have the best holster, still it's a piece of rock either at your back or your stomach. How can you enjoy anything when you cannot even sit comfortably? You really have to ask yourself whether you are protecting the gun or the gun protecting you? If it doesn't fit in my pants pocket or the jacket pocket, it ain't a CC gun for me. I believe in living and enjoying life.
Of cause, in this political climate, if you go to some place that you expect trouble, it's a different story. But I still have my Glock 26 9mm that is small enough to hide somewhere in the jacket pocket so I can hold the jacket in my hand if it's too hot. A 5" barrel? You serious?
as for CC, Are you serious? I would vote 0 if that's an option. When comes to CC, I won't even consider anything bigger than LCR, Walther PPK. I don't go out to protect the gun, How can you enjoy carrying something like this? Be it you have the best holster, still it's a piece of rock either at your back or your stomach. How can you enjoy anything when you cannot even sit comfortably? You really have to ask yourself whether you are protecting the gun or the gun protecting you? If it doesn't fit in my pants pocket or the jacket pocket, it ain't a CC gun for me. I believe in living and enjoying life.
Of cause, in this political climate, if you go to some place that you expect trouble, it's a different story. But I still have my Glock 26 9mm that is small enough to hide somewhere in the jacket pocket so I can hold the jacket in my hand if it's too hot. A 5" barrel? You serious?
Alan0354 said:If it doesn't fit in my pants pocket or the jacket pocket, it ain't a CC gun for me. I believe in living and enjoying life.
I carry a compact Glock 19 sized pistol most of the time. I feel like I enjoy life.