It’s been 30 years for the reason that zippy little 5.7×28 cartridge was launched, it it was solely in August of Anno Domini 2024 that the spherical was formally accepted by SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Producers’ Institute). Whereas the spherical was popularized early on within the FN P90 (and its online game incarnations), the spherical has discovered its approach into extra typical firearms as effectively. Such is the case with the Ruger LC Charger, a large-frame pistol design launched in 2023 that many have dubbed the “MP7 at residence.”
Lets cowl the finer particulars earlier than going sizzling.
Tech Specs
Barrel: 10.3 in. Nitride End General Size: 16 in. Weight: 66.5 ounces Twist Fee: 1:9RH Receiver Coating: Sort III Arduous-Coat Anodized Handguard: MLOK Attachment Slots Journal Capability: 10 and 20 rounds Sights: None
With the again of the receiver having a vertical 1913 picatinny rail, the LC Charger is begging for a brace or SBR inventory. Likewise, the threaded barrel yearns for a suppressor, so I added an SAS Reaper. Whereas some will shoot with out both, I refuse. The Ruger LC Charger comes with no iron sights, equally remedied in a rush with a Bushnell TRS-125.
The LC Charger is available in bare at simply over 4 kilos, extraordinarily heavy by conventional handgun requirements, and light-weight by trendy SBR/PDW requirements. With a inventory/brace, optic and suppressor, it’s nonetheless within the 6 kilos vary.
Doing a little dry fires and manipulation drills, the LC Charger reveals promise. The ambi-safety, bolt launch and magazine launch are all stationed carefully collectively. The charging deal with is discovered ahead and left, within the location made widespread by HK weapons just like the Mp5, and extra lately the PSA JAKL. It’s a superb location, and I’m completely happy to see extra weapons utilizing it.
The set off is fairly customary trendy fare, which isn’t any insult in any respect. pull, a little bit creep, earlier than you hit the wall with a clear break. Taking over the slack nearly feels such as you’re pulling a 2-stage set off. It won’t be a 2-stage, however it’s not going to be your limiting consider wonderful accuracy except you’re fairly rattling good.
Vary Days
I hit the vary with 4 kinds of ammunition, with projectiles all at 40 grains. There have been American Eagle, FN GUNR SS201, Speer Gold Dot Private Safety and FN SS197SR.
First up, I grabbed a fast zero at 25 yards, and shot a number of 5-round teams with every kind of ammunition. Teams ranged from 1 to 2 MOA. FN SS197SR hovered round 1 MOA, regardless of being the most cost effective spherical presently (round $.42/per), whereas Speer Gold ($.73/per) was constantly on the 1.1 MOA mark. American Eagle ($.46/per) grouped effectively sufficient, usually beating 1.5 MOA by a sliver, and FN’s GUNR ($.43/per) spherical appreciated the two MOA mark.
I popped a pair rounds into 10% calibrated ballistic gel from Clear Ballistics. Each FN rounds, in addition to America Eagle penetrated by way of the 16-inch block and bought caught within the classic degree IIa smooth armor behind the goal. Speer’s Gold Dot stopped very constantly 12.5-inch deep within the block, +/-.5 inch.
I shot metal at 100 yards, working over the mini E-type silhouette with ease. Every spherical dropped proper the place the pink dot was holding. The LC Charger is mild and properly balanced.
I did CQB drills at 15 yards with the suppressor off, as a result of as a lot as I like capturing with a can on, I do have some duty to ensure it runs with out one. Even with the SAS Reaper Ti muzzle brake/suppressor mount on, this gun doesn’t have a lot ‘growth.’ There’s quite a bit much less powder and strain than with a .223 spherical and it’s noticeable.
Only for kicks, I arrange the outdated Degree IIa smooth plate on the Infinite Protection goal and popped it with every spherical. As I utterly anticipated, there have been little laser beam holes by way of the armor. I didn’t really want to do that, however it was enjoyable.
What I Preferred
There’s quite a bit to love within the Ruger LC Charger, so I’ll speedy hearth right here. That is an correct gun. Ergonomics are fairly good. The protection particularly, I naturally hit it after I decrease the rifle. It’s in simply the precise spot. There may be laughably little recoil. In a pair vary days (and no cleansing), I’ve had one failure-to-feed. It occurred within the first 200 rounds and hasn’t occurred once more since. The LC Charger is mild and compact. It’s positively a superb truck gun in the event you don’t want a caliber with extra ass.
What I Didn’t
The 5.7 is longer than most “pistol” calibers. This issues in weapons the place the magazine is throughout the grip, as it’s within the LC Charger. The grip is longer front-to-back than I choose, however my caveman fingers are shorter and wider than most. If you happen to’re over 5 foot, 7inches I doubt you’ll discover. It’s not such an enormous grip that it’s unshootable, simply much less snug. I wager my youngsters are going to like capturing this, regardless.
There’s one little hiccup that occurred, and is fascinating to me. The primary spherical from each magazine was loaded by letting the bolt drop from the locked place. The recoil impulse on that first spherical was considerably totally different than each different spherical. Caught me off guard a number of instances, to the purpose I broke the gun right down to verify for a squib. Nope, capabilities and accuracy have been unchanged on these “mild” recoiling first rounds… Possibly the bolt is locking up in another way when dropped from a locked place reasonably than racking and dropping the bolt from full rearward journey? Price mentioning even when it by no means led to an issue, as it’d throw you off the primary time, too.
Finish of the Line
Small rifle/massive pistol, verify. The LC Charger is enjoyable to shoot, and shoots effectively, verify. The 5.7 spherical holds up its finish of the discount as a low recoil, zippy little fella, verify. If a .22 Magnum hit the health club for leg day, the 5.7 is what you’d find yourself with. That is my first expertise with 5.7, and I’m now a fan. Now, I’m wanting ahead to getting some terminal knowledge gathered on critters.
The Ruger LC Charger has an MSRP of $999 and a present road worth round $750. If you happen to’re on the fence, I hope my expertise has given you a stronger opinion somehow. As for me, I dig the LC Charger and stay up for making this part of my everlasting assortment.
The place To Purchase
Try extra articles from Jens “Rex Nanorum” Hammer or go to him on Instagram @Rexnanorum.
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