| AR-57 | |
|---|---|
 The AR-57 | |
| Type | Semi-automatic rifle/pistol-caliber carbine (civilian variant) Personal defense weapon Submachine gun |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2019–present |
| Wars | Venezuelan crisis |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 2008–2016 |
| Manufacturer | Rhineland Arms (original), AR57 LLC |
| Unit cost | US$1,099 |
| Produced | 2008–present |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 7.45 lb (3.4 kg) (AR-57 PDW)1 |
| Length | 30 in (762.0 mm) (AR-57 PDW)1 |
| Barrel length | 16 in (406.4 mm) (AR-57 PDW)1 |
| Cartridge | FN 5.7×28mm2 |
| Feed system | FN P90 detachable box magazines2 |
| Sights | M1913 Picatinny rail2 |
The AR-57, also known as the AR Five Seven, is available as either an upper receiver for the AR-15/M16 rifle or a complete rifle, firing 5.7×28mm rounds from standard FN P90 magazines.34
It was originally designed by Rhineland Arms but produced by AR57 LLC.56
Design
The AR-57 PDW upper is a new design on AR-15/M16 rifles, blending the AR-15/M16 lower with a lightweight, monolithic upper receiver system chambered in 5.7×28mm. This model is also sold as a complete rifle, supplied with two 50-round P90 magazines.1 The magazines mount horizontally on top of the front handguard, with brass ejecting through the magazine well. AR-15/M16-based STANAG magazines can be used to catch spent casings by taking out the feed lips, spring and follower.7 Sheet metal brass catchers can also be used on the AR-15/M16 lower.7
Various scopes and other accessories can be mounted on the picatinny rail.8
Unlike the standard AR-15 configuration which uses a gas-tube system, the AR-57 cycles via straight blowback.9 A fully automatic version exists and was marketed as a competitor to the P90 and other personal defense weapons.10
Suppressed versions are also available.10
User
Venezuela: Venezuelan soldiers who defected to Juan Guaidó were photographed using an AR-57 during the crisis in Venezuela in 2019.1112
References
References
- "AR Five-seven Rifles: AR57A1 PDW Carbine". AR57 LLC. Archived from the original on 2010-05-23. Retrieved 2010-04-05.
- "AR Five-seven Image Gallery". AR57 LLC. Archived from the original on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2010-04-05.
- "Gun Review: The Fully Functional AR57". americanshootingjournal.com. 2022-06-30. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
- D'Costa, Ian (2020-05-06). "The AR-57 Could Be the Weirdest AR Variant You'll Ever See". Breach Bang Clear. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
- "Rhineland arms". Archived from the original on 2010-01-13. Retrieved 2010-01-13.
- https://www.forgottenweapons.com/ar57-fun-times-with-a-tiny-carbine-aka-fss-hurricane/
- "The Second Generation AR57: Drop-in 5.7 Upper For Your AR - Small Arms Review". 2023-01-01. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
- "P90 Goes AR-15 - SWAT Survival | Weapons | Tactics". 2022-07-06. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
- "Patent US20110168009". Retrieved 2012-12-05.
- "Sneak peek of suppressed full auto AR57 -". 30 November 2008.
- "POTD: A Venezuelan AR57 Appears -". 9 May 2019.
- Trevithick, Joseph (2019-04-30). "Venezuela's Capital Is In The Grips Of Violent Upheaval And Here's What You Should Know". The Drive. Retrieved 2023-12-14.