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Written by JT McAvoy
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 It is inevitable that the world changes. As the world changes so does political states, which in turn changes the face of combat. Combat in this country and outside of it is getting increasingly more dynamic and complicated. Criminals are now better trained (many by our own military), better armed, and increasingly more creative with their tactics. These changes demand that the weapons (the good guys use) change as well. Just a few of the requirements that new weapons must meet are lightweight, compact, easy to use, and also requires a new caliber bullet. This bullet needs to be effective but not overly effective like most standard rifle bullets. Thus enters FN Herstal’s FN P90 Submachine Gun and it seems to fit the bill to a “T”.
Technically this weapon is given the designation of a PDW (Personal Defense Weapon). My first encounter with this weapon was at the Shot Show. The FNH representatives were more than happy to show off this seemingly exotic weapon. From the first time that I held the weapon I knew I had to have one. It was lightweight, had a futuristic design and other features that I will touch on that sold me on it. After doing more research on it I decided to purchase one. The P90 comes in several different models to include a triple rail system, as well with a black or olive drab stock and you can get the short barrel version. The 8” barrel though makes no difference in the ballistics (I will touch on this later) and to me was not worth the paper work because the 16” barrel version is still very compact.
As always one feature that is important to me is a weapon must be ambidextrous. Not only must I be able to use it but if I go down I want my team member to be able to as well. The P90 is an ambidextrous weapon in every way. The safety, cocking handle, magazine release, and different sling attachments are the same no matter how you shoot. The shell ejector also was made with this in mind as was the bullpup design of the gun. This design allows your hands, and arms to be placed in a straight line for quick response shooting. This center position also allows for stable shooting in semi or full auto shooting with very little to no recoil. The ejection of cases are downward about half was back in the stock. So in a CQB type environment shells are not ejected into other team members. This type of ejection also keeps particles from rapid shooting from blowing back into the eyes of the shooter. The bottom line is no matter if you are a right or left handed shooter the gun is the same.
As I mentioned the FH P90 comes in semi-auto and full auto versions. Like any weapon a selector switch is located on the safety to choose the mode of firing. The safety is in the trigger guard just in front of the trigger. This keeps you from having to move your hand and prevent quick reaction firing. In full auto mode the P90 boasts a rate of fire of 900 rounds per minute. The firing is from a closed bolt system. This allows the weapon to be used in the worst conditions possible and allows for maximum accuracy. There is also a safety sear that blocks the hammer until the bolt is forward. In short if you drop the P90 it will not accidently discharge. To date I have fired around 750 rounds through this weapon. I have never had it fail to fire, had a magazine jam, or any type of failure or problem for that matter. This makes it one of the most reliable weapon systems that I have ever owned.
The magazines are truly a work of genius. I hope that FN gave the person that designed them a paid vacation. The magazine sits horizontal on top of the weapon but under the rail system. It is stream lined just like the weapon and does not hinder the shooter in anyway. The bullets sit perpendicular to the weapon and are “twisted” 90 degrees forward to enter the block and be fired. The P90 magazines are made of a see through polycarbonate. This material in conjunction on where it is located on the weapon makes it easy to do a quick ammo check and be back on target in a split second. Not once have I had a magazine fail, just like the gun extremely reliable.
The FN P90 as I said before comes in several versions. I opted for the standard version as I was very curious about the factory sighting system. The standard sight is holographic and without magnification or color. In high lighting it is inverter cross hairs with a circle and dot. Even in low light the sights are retained due to a tritium capsule. The sights in low light change to a bigger circle with two smaller ones in the center. The factory sight is impressive and makes shooting the gun easy no matter what the lighting situation.
Like the magazine on the P90 the cartridge is unique as well. The caliber for this weapon is 5.7x28mm. The round is smaller than the .223 but packs just as much heat. The muzzle velocity is 2,346 feet per second and generates 40% less recoil than a 9mm. The muzzle of the P90 is ported at the top and solid on the bottom which provides an unbelievably effective muzzle break. So any recoil that was there is now gone, there is little to no recoil when shooting this gun. At 50 yards with single shot, double, and triple tapping it is easy to hit the target in the intended area (such as the head). The 5.7x28 also has a flat trajectory which increases accuracy. With the P90 you can engage targets out to 200 meters (219 yards), at that range the bullet will still penetrate body armor up to Level IIIA. According to NATO the P90 can deliver a lethal hit out to 400 meters (437 yards) on an unprotected target. For me personally I would not be too thrilled about engaging targets beyond 150 meters with the standard round. As with any round you can get a variety of bullets such as training rounds, tracers, armor piercing, hollow points, and subsonic. The 5.7x28 round for the P90 falls between a pistol and rifle caliber. Quite frankly a gap that needed to be filled, and makes for a great multipurpose round with unbelievable power.
The FN P90 not unlike many other weapons has a long list of accessories available. The one accessory that I ordered was a shell catcher that fits on the bottom of the gun. It is a small and relatively inexpensive piece but one that can prove invaluable in a tactical situation. Let’s face it you don’t want to be the guy who slipped and fell on you empty casings. Despite its small size the catcher will hold in the neighborhood of 70 shells. The catcher also has a quick empty feature as well, if nothing else that is just plain fun. Other accessories such as a triple rail system, multiple tactical lights, suppressors, and carrying slings are available. You do not have to order these from FN many other people make these and the list will only get longer as the popularity of the gun increases.
My instinct proved right on this weapon, it is logically, and tactically unique in many ways. This allows even a novice shooter to engage targets out to 50 yards with dangerous effectiveness. All of the features of the P90 from its ergonomics and sighting system to its interesting caliber of ammunition make it a formidable weapon. The compact size and concealability of the weapon allows rapid acquisition and engagement of protected targets out to 200 meters (217 yards). The FN P90 is just as at home on the open battlefield as it is in a CQB situation. Due to the low recoil on the weapon if you are injured it can be effectively fired with one hand. I know of no other PDW that can match this list of requirements and extras. Improvements will come over time I am sure but it will be hard to improve on this system. The P90 will no doubt provide all types of teams and protective services with lightweight, compact, and formidable firepower well into the future.
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