The Loadout Blog

Firearms|Handguns

Warning!: This is my opinion and hands-on impression of the Ruger-57. My time was limited with the pistol to only the show floor. I didn’t have access to Range Day on Monday. So, my impressions are from the multiple times I visited the Ruger’s booth to spend sometime with the pistol. That time gave me the opportunity to refine my thoughts of new Ruger pistol chambered in 5.7. 

When, I found out that Ruger had developed and released a pistol chambered in 5.7×28, I was instantly intrigued. First, I wanted to know the price point. Which Ruger set at $799. Coming in cheaper than the FN 5.7 pistol which retails at $1,300. That calculates to savings of $500 without tax and background check included. Again, which is a steal and a deal. Second, I wanted to know how the Ruger-57 handle compared to the 5.7 pistol. 

Shot show gave me the ability to get a hands-on impression of Ruger-57. The overall impression of the firearm is good but, I will get into more detail about what I enjoyed and what left me wanting more. My time was limited with the pistol.,So, my only time I have with the Ruger-57 is my multiple incursions with the weapon at the booth and dry firing. 

First, I will tackle the positives of the Ruger-57. Second, I will discuss the negative(s) of the pistol. Finally, I will wrap it up with my overall impression of the firearm. 

Positives 

There are three things that stood out to me about the Ruger-57. Those things where aesthetics, ergonomics, and sights. 

Aesthetics

Visually, the Ruger-57 is a better looking gun than its FN counterpart. It is not as boxy and rough round the edges visually as the 5.7 pistol. The lines on the Ruger are clean, simple, and eye-catching. I enjoy the clean lines of the front and rear slide serrations, along with a nose angle on the front. Which will allow for positive control during a press check. All-in-all the Ruger has designed a visually pleasing pistol design. 

Ergonomics 

Ergonomics on the Ruger-57 are a pleasure. The way the frame fits into your hand feels natural. Which allows you to get a high firm grip on the frame of the handgun, which is awesome. Ruger took inspiration for the design of the frame from the legendary 1911 pistol. The texture on the frame feels good and not super abrasive. In turn allows for good grip even if hands were to get a wet or sweaty. The ergonomics where quite a delight for me with the Ruger-57. I thought it would be a nice feeling pistol in my hands but, it beat my expectations. 

Sights

The sights on the Ruger-57 are simple and clean. You have a rear adjustable sight for windage and elevation with a fiber optic front sight. The pistol is rocking a 3-Dot iron sight system with that fiber optic front sight I mentioned before. The fiber optic front sight allowed for quick acquisition when I tested it coming from the low ready. Only natural downside is they aren’t night sight. But, that’s nitpicking at this point. 

Negative(s)

When it comes to negatives I have a major one—the trigger. This trigger is a mixed bag from me. It definitely has its strength and weakness as a trigger. Overall, it leaves the trigger dynamics in a muddled place. Let’s dive right in and I’ll explain. 

The Trigger

The initial uptake before the break of the trigger on the Ruger-57 is clean and fluid. Not much in the way of wasted movement on the trigger. I have no issues there. When the trigger  breaks on the pistol it is clean and crisp. For a stock trigger it is definitely solid. In my opinion out preforms a stock Glock trigger. 

Now, to the complicated part of the trigger—the reset. When, it comes to triggers reset is important to me. You look for a nice short reset with a good audible “click”.  I listen for that audible  “click” of the trigger being reset while I’m releasing the trigger of the Ruger-57. To me that audible “click” isn’t there. If it is there it is very faint “click” sound at best. I had to bring the Ruger pretty close to ear for me to hear it. Which is disappointing to me because it’s something I look for in a trigger. 

Next, the travel back to the starting position for the trigger is not well defined. I pulled trigger and racked the slide multiple times to test reset of the trigger. In my experience the reset wasn’t consistent. The feel of the reset felt long or short depending how I took my finger of the trigger. When it comes to reset you want that reset to feel same the every time. The feel of the reset on the Ruger-57 was soft and muddled in my view. Which left me with a complicated view of the Ruger-57 trigger. I enjoy the uptake and break of the trigger. Yet, I am not a fan of the reset of the trigger.

Overall Impression 

My overall impression of the Ruger-57 is that it is a good pistol and a worthy competitor to the FN 5.7 pistol. I enjoy the aesthetics, ergonomics, and sights on the Ruger-57. Ruger brings in the value on keeping the price affordable. The Ruger-57 retails for $799. While the FN 5.7 retails at $1,300 on Cabela’s website. The only major flaw is the muddled trigger within the pistol. The front half of the experience is good (i.e. the uptake and break) but, the lackluster back half of experience is ruined by a soft and muddled reset. Overall, I think Ruger may potentially have a winner on their hands with the Ruger-57.

I would like to shoot the Ruger-57 and review it to give a better assessment of the pistol. 

What do you think about the Ruger-57? Let us know in the comments below. 

Thanks For Reading

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