Thirty years in the making, the 5.7ร28 cartridge has had a long journey from niche interest to mainstream acceptance. It wasnโt until August 2024 that the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturersโ Institute (SAAMI) finally gave this speedy little round its official stamp of approval.
Many gun enthusiasts first came across the 5.7 in the iconic FN P90 โ a firearm made all the more famous through video game appearances and tactical lore. However, today, this round has worked its way into a broader variety of firearms, appealing to a crowd far beyond the gaming world. One such firearm is Rugerโs LC Charger, a 2023 release thatโs already generating buzz as a kind of “MP7 for the masses.” Letโs dive into what makes this unconventional pistol unique, why it has stirred up so much interest, and, of course, how it performs on the range.
A Close Look at the Ruger LC Charger
The Ruger LC Charger is a pistol with a big frame and an even bigger personality. When it comes to tech specs, the LC Charger has enough features to catch the eye of even the most seasoned gun enthusiast:
- Barrel: 10.3 inches, Nitride Finish
- Overall Length: 16 inches
- Weight: 66.5 ounces
- Twist Rate: 1:9RH
- Receiver Coating: Type III Hard-Coat Anodized
- Handguard: MLOK Attachment Slots
- Magazine Capacity: Options for 10 and 20 rounds
- Sights: None included
At a glance, itโs clear Ruger didnโt skimp on the details. The LC Charger has a vertical 1913 Picatinny rail at the back of the receiver, making it practically beg for a brace or an SBR (short-barreled rifle) stock. The threaded barrel also seems to be calling out for a suppressor, so naturally, I equipped it with an SAS Reaper. Iโm not one to skip out on these kinds of upgrades; they make the shooting experience that much better. Since the LC Charger doesnโt come with any iron sights, I also threw on a Bushnell TRS-125 red dot, transforming it into a complete, rugged, and ready-to-go setup.
Weighing in at just over four pounds naked, the LC Charger is heavy by handgun standards but relatively light in the world of PDWs (personal defense weapons) and SBRs. Adding a brace, optic, and suppressor still only brings the weight to around six pounds, keeping it manageable yet substantial.
The Design in Action: Ergonomics and Handling
Once I started some dry fire practice and manipulation drills, the LC Chargerโs design choices became even more evident. The controls are placed with efficiency in mind. The ambidextrous safety, bolt release, and mag release are all within close reach of each other, a setup that feels natural in action. The charging handle is located forward on the left side, in a position familiar to fans of HK-style firearms like the MP5, as well as more recent models like the PSA JAKL. Itโs an intuitive placement, and itโs nice to see Ruger taking cues from popular design features that work well.
When it comes to the trigger, the LC Charger doesnโt disappoint. Itโs not a competition-grade trigger, but itโs solid โ offering a consistent pull with just a touch of creep before a clean break. You get a bit of slack as you pull, almost feeling like a two-stage trigger, but it doesnโt technically qualify as one. Nevertheless, this trigger wonโt limit your accuracy unless youโre at a level where youโre chasing the last fraction of a percent. For most users, this trigger is more than adequate, providing a clean experience that enhances rather than hinders precision.
Range Day: Putting the LC Charger to the Test
No review is complete without some time on the range, so I took the LC Charger out with four different types of 40-grain ammunition to see what it could do. The contenders were American Eagle, FN GUNR SS201, Speer Gold Dot Personal Protection, and FN SS197SR.
First up was a quick zero at 25 yards, followed by some five-round groups. The results were solid across the board, with groups varying from 1 to 2 MOA. The FN SS197SR took the lead, consistently landing around 1 MOA, which is impressive for its current price of about $0.42 per round. Speerโs Gold Dot, priced higher at $0.73 per round, performed well at around 1.1 MOA. American Eagle came in next, reliably just under 1.5 MOA, while the FN GUNR held at 2 MOA.
I then put the rounds through Clear Ballistics 10% calibrated gel, and the results were telling. The FN rounds and American Eagle all managed to penetrate through a 16-inch block and were stopped only by the level IIa soft armor backing the target. The Speer Gold Dot had a different trajectory, stopping at around 12.5 inches in the block โ consistent penetration with a half-inch margin.
Moving out to 100 yards, I took aim at steel targets, and the LC Charger made easy work of it. Each shot was on target, delivering rounds right where the red dot was pointing. Even without the suppressor, itโs a pleasant experience with minimal recoil โ one of the perks of the 5.7ร28โs low powder and pressure compared to larger rounds like the .223.
Performance and Peculiarities
I also ran some CQB (close-quarters battle) drills at 15 yards without the suppressor. As much as I enjoy the suppressor, I wanted to test the gun in its simplest configuration to see if there were any notable differences. Despite the modest SAS Reaper Ti muzzle brake/suppressor mount attached, this setup had very little โboom.โ Itโs refreshing to shoot a gun with less blast and recoil, especially in a platform like this.
For a bit of fun, I set up an old level IIa soft armor plate on my Infinite Defense target. Unsurprisingly, the 5.7ร28 rounds punched right through, leaving precise little holes โ โlaser beams,โ as I like to call them. I didnโt need to do this, but itโs always a bit of a thrill to see these rounds in action against armor.
Interestingly, I noticed a peculiar quirk with the LC Charger. When loading the first round from a locked bolt, the recoil impulse was significantly lighter than subsequent rounds. This difference caught me off guard a couple of times. I even broke down the gun to check for a squib round, but everything was in order. My theory is that the bolt may be locking up differently when dropped from a locked position, as opposed to when itโs cycled from the fully rearward position. It didnโt cause any functional issues, but itโs something to keep in mind if you notice a similar phenomenon.
Pros and Cons
The LC Charger has plenty going for it. Accuracy is top-notch, the ergonomics are intuitive, and the weight feels balanced. I particularly appreciate the well-placed safety; itโs easy to engage and disengage naturally when lowering the gun. The recoil is laughably light, making this a highly controllable firearm. Across a couple of range days and hundreds of rounds, I only encountered one failure-to-feed within the first 200 rounds, which never recurred. Rugerโs LC Charger is compact, reliable, and definitely fits the bill as a โtruck gunโ for those who donโt need a larger caliber.
On the downside, the 5.7 round is a bit longer than most typical โpistolโ calibers, which affects the LC Chargerโs grip. Itโs longer front-to-back, which feels a bit awkward for my hand size, though it likely wonโt be an issue for those with larger hands. My kids, for example, are probably going to love shooting this gun.
Final Thoughts
The Ruger LC Charger is everything I hoped it would be and more. Itโs a large pistol that feels almost like a small rifle, and it brings a lot to the table for anyone looking for a fun, low-recoil gun with good accuracy. The 5.7ร28 cartridge really shines in this platform, offering a balance between speed and manageable recoil thatโs ideal for a PDW-style firearm. If the .22 Magnum had a workout routine, itโd probably look like the 5.7ร28 โ compact, zippy, and efficient.
For those who are considering adding a new firearm to their collection, the LC Charger is a solid choice. It has an MSRP of $999, though it can be found on the street for closer to $750. Whether or not you decide to take the plunge, I hope my experiences shed some light on what this gun is all about. As for me, the LC Charger is a keeper โ and I canโt wait to see how it performs out in the field.
