FN Five-seveN MK3 MRD 5.7x28mm vs Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 5.7x28mm

Both are full-size 5.7x28mm pistols: optic-ready, single-action, with ambidextrous safeties and two magazines. The Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 5.7x28mm holds 22 rounds to the FN Five-seveN MK3 MRD 5.7x28mm's 20, runs a 0.2" longer barrel (5.0" vs 4.8"), sits 0.25" narrower (1.1" vs 1.35") and 0.35" lower (5.25" vs 5.6"), and comes with a threaded barrel the FN does not have. Its listed trigger is 2.8 lb lighter (3.4 lb vs 6.2 lb). The FN is 1.5 oz lighter (25.2 oz vs 26.7 oz) and 0.3" shorter overall (8.2" vs 8.5"). MSRP is the widest gap: $1,509 against $699.

Pick the FN Five-seveN MK3 MRD if:

• You want the lighter gun at 25.2 oz against 26.7 oz, and 0.3" less overall length (8.2" vs 8.5")
• You want an adjustable rear sight and a photo-luminescent front rather than steel white-dot irons
• An ambidextrous frame safety suits you better than a thumb safety

Pick the Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 if:

• You want the $699 MSRP rather than $1,509, an $810 difference
• You want 22 rounds instead of 20 and a 3.4 lb listed pull against 6.2 lb
• You want a threaded barrel from the factory and the narrower 1.1" slide (against 1.35")

Both mount an optic and their sight radii are close at 7.13" and 7.0". The choice is the FN's lighter, shorter package against the M&P's higher capacity, much lighter listed trigger, threaded barrel and $810 lower MSRP.