The Belgian FN Herstal keeps on expanding and renewing its line of semi-automatic service and defensive handguns for law enforcement and military customers. Just over one week after the announcement of the new 9mm FN HiPer pistol, the Company introduced the FN Five-seveN Mk3 MRD semi-automatic pistol in 5.7x28mm caliber.

The FN Five-seveN pistol was first introduced in 1998 as a companion sidearm to the FN P90 sub-machine gun; the design has evolved multiple times ever since, mostly following extensive feedback from commercial customers and professional operators alike. The FN Five-seveN has been available for civilian sales in numerous Countries since 2004.

The NATO standardization of FN's 5.7x28mm caliber, announced back in March 2021 almost thirty years after said caliber was first introduced, the possibility now exists for 5.7x28mm to be widely adopted as a PDW round by more military and law enforcement customers – which is what it was initially intended to be, although as of today, it only found limited acceptance among special operations units.

Tne new FN Five-seveN Mk3 MRD retains the original delayed blowback operation system, the same controls configuration, and still feeds from a 20-rounds double-stack magazine. The black or flat dark earth steel slide and polymer frame were instead redesigned to be more squared and streamlined.

The features of the new FN Five-seveN Mk3 MRD include a completely redesigned texture pattern on the grip and trigger guard; new, wider and deeper front and rear slide serrations for better handling in most conditions; and, as an optional, a threaded barrel for sound suppressors or other muzzle accessories.

The FN Five-seveN Mk3 MRD pistol also features a Picatinny rail molded directly on to the dust cover of the polymer frame, allowing for a variety of tactical accessories to be installed; and a micro red dot sights interface machined on to the slide. The front and rear sights can be manually adjusted in height and brought on to co-witness with the red dot.

The FN Five-seveN Mk3 MRD semi-automatic pistol is 208 mm / 8.2" long overall, features a 122 mm / 4.8" barrel, and weighs in at 680 grams (± 1.50 lb) with an empty magazine. FN Herstal will first showcase the new Five-seveN Mk3 MRD pistol at the EUROSATORY 2022 expo, which is scheduled to take place on June 13 thru 17 at the nord-Villepinte exhibition center in Paris, France.

Initially, the new FN Five-seveN Mk3 MRD pistol will be marketed to military, law enforcement, and government customers only. Commercial sales will come at a later date.