FN markets the 5.7 mm round as being able to penetrate Five seveN and incapacitate an enemy, but there has been controversy over these claims. Conventional alveolate tittle bullets rely on multiplication to build a full wound channel, but the Five-seveN's bomb is express to hit, travel a few inches, then tumble end over end without deforming.

The Five-seveN is a semi-automatic pistol manufactured by Fabrique Nationale de Herstal (FNH). It's alias is derived from the unique cartridge it uses.