5.7x28mm vs 9mm vs .357 for Self Defense

With new technology since the initial production of self-defense rounds in the early 20th century, a plethora of different options have graced the market.  This article assesses three specific self-defense rounds:  the 5.7x28mm, 9mm, and .357 magnum.

The 9mm reigns supreme in platform and cartridge options for self-defense.  The 5.7x28mm is a trendier choice with limited options outside of rifle platforms. The .357 Mag is great for someone that enjoys revolvers, with plenty of cartridge options, though a .357 semi-auto is almost nonexistent.

Comfort and Considerations

The 5.7x28mm is the newest of these three cartridges to be used for self-defense. With the Ruger 57 as an affordable handgun option for this round, many are considering this when wanting something that has low recoil, is lightweight, and has high capacity.

The 9mm has more overall options out of the three.  Handgun platforms include full-size options, 1911s, compacts, and sub-compacts, all with different feels depending on the size and muzzle length of the weapon.  Popular models right now include the Smith and Wesson M&Ps, Glock-43 or 44, Springfield XD-S, and the Sig Sauer P365.

The .357 Mag generally has the most significant recoil when compared to smaller compact models listed above, but are the hardest hitting when interacting with a target.  Most platforms for this caliber will be revolvers, both double and single action. 

There is a .357 Magnum Desert Eagle option, though most semi-automatic handguns for this caliber only fire hard to find .357 SIG rounds.   

Ballistics

Ballistics is a great way to compare ammunitions’ performance specifications. Each caliber varies based on brand, grain weight, and type of bullet, and they also may vary depending on the weapon firing them.

The load of your ammunition matters, too. Overall, jacketed hollow point is preferred for self-defense due to the expansion component. The FBI has specific testing protocols when testing ammunition, especially when it comes to penetration depth, that ammunition manufacturers consider; for self-defense, a penetration depth of 12-16 inches is preferred.

The following chart is to get an idea of how fast and far each of these rounds can fire as a full metal jacket, as well as a hollowpoint:

The 5.7x28mm is generally lighter and faster than 9mm or .357 Mag.  The .357 is the heaviest of the three, which means it will generally hit a target harder than 9mm or 5.7x28mm.  There’s many more intricacies of these rounds, but this gives a fair reference point.

Performance

Terminal performance and the emphasis on penetration is in the top tier of caliber performance.  The FBI standards have been a long-standing litmus test followed by munitions companies. Penetration is precluded by accuracy and velocity. 

According to Richard Mann, writing for Shooting Illustrated, “...the bullet must penetrate at least 12 inches in 10-percent ordnance gelatin, and it must do so when encountering a variety of barriers.”  And munitions developers have used this as a benchmark when developing new specifications for calibers variants.

9mm

9mm is the most versatile choice for personal defense.  Its velocity allows it to be on par with penetration specs of the .357, and the lighter weight and semi-automatic platform allows the user to carry more rounds and have a more accurate follow-up when firing multiple shots.

Having a weapon fed by a magazine compared to a cylinder allows for faster reload time.  Semi-automatic platforms become inoperable with misfires or malfunctions. Practicing clearance drills are pivotal.

The 9mm overall has sufficient stopping power when engaging one-on-one with a threat. It hurts, pierces through thick clothing adequately (along with bone) without having too much muzzle energy to control subsequent shots in high-adrenaline situations.

.357 Magnum

The .357 Magnum round has a long-standing history of stopping fights and dropping threats to the ground on a dime due to its heavier nature leading to more expansion on impact. 

A caveat to the .357 revolver-heavy platform is a low capacity–counting your shots will be especially important if engaging a threat. A major advantage of this platform would be reduced mechanical/misfire error.  There are fewer moving parts for malfunction.

Out of the three, this round retains better terminal ballistics at a longer range, leading to over-penetration in more urban environments at close range. In comparison, if you had to engage a threat seeking cover through a car door, a wall, maybe even a refrigerator, this round would still hold enough energy to cause crippling damage–ouch. 

The .357 is best controlled on larger-framed guns; however snub-nose revolvers more suited for concealment are often carried. Shorter muzzles lead to stiffer recoils and result in less accuracy for an average-strength person after firing the first shot.

5.7x28mm

The 5.7x28mm has a solid history as a rifle round that’s light and fast enough to pierce through armor, metal, vehicles, and has a light enough recoil for rapid-fire engagement.  This caliber is limited to just a few semi-automatic pistol platforms, making it a niche choice for personal carry.

The recoil of this cartridge is about 30% lower than a 9mm, with nearly double the muzzle velocity.  Additionally, you can fit an average of 20 rounds of this caliber in a typical magazine, making this one of the best options for combat-type engagement.  Low recoil and a lighter weight definitely contribute to a high accuracy when firing multiple shots.

The primary concern of this round for self-defense is low energy transference on impact leading to lower wounding capability–sort of like stepping on a sharp nail vs. a dull one. The dull one is going to hurt a lot worse.  This being said, it retains accuracy and velocity at a longer range than a 9mm or .357, while remaining effective against cover or armor.

Conclusion

The 9mm is versatile with a wide range of options, allowing most people to find something they’re comfortable using. The .357 has a classic feel and major stopping power.  The 5.7x28mm is a good long-range option when you need to confidently hit a target no matter what they’re hiding behind. At the end of the day, landing a shot on an attacker is going to hurt no matter what.

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