HISTORY
In 1986, FN was tasked with designing a compact gun that would penetrate body armor and reach beyond the range of a 9mm handgun with accuracy. It must have taken some guts to wipe the slate clean before beginning.
Not only was the gun completely original, but the primary cartridge was new, too. Military and police units were encountering bad guys with body armor, and the 9mm pistol cartridge was not stopping them. A short-barreled carbine with high-velocity ammo was needed. The P90 (select-fire) and 5.7x28mm cartridge were the perfect solution.
Related: Spotted in an Austrian Lake – The FN P90 at Work
MY THOUGHTS
My first time holding a PS90, I thought, “What a compact little powerhouse! The gun requires a bit of study to discover how to hold it. There are three major differences that separate it from other carbines and bullpups. First, it has a thumbhole grip, not a pistol grip. This allows a low-profile height.
Secondly, the magazine is mounted horizontally, allowing it to hold up to 50 rounds while maintaining a low profile. Finally, it is designed around the innovative 5.7x28 bottleneck high-velocity cartridge. At 2,800 feet per second of muzzle velocity, the PS90 sends the pointed 40-grain bullet downrange with minimal drop. It is also very accurate.
Although the carbine is equipped with minimal peep sights that I found to be pretty terrible, it does have a good Picatinny rail that readily accepts my Holosun HS510C holographic sight. With three reticle choices, I can choose between close, medium, and long-range sight pictures. This compact solar-powered sight is a perfect fit for the PS90. However, I could mount a short-range tactical riflescope for more precise long-range work. The carbine is versatile.
OPERATION
Like many good bullpups, rounds are ejected out the bottom of the frame forward of the buttstock. However, this magazine takes rounds from horizontal double-stacked storage and turns them rapidly to chamber in the breech. This happens very quickly.
The carbine is truly ambidextrous with simple controls. The safety is centrally located inside the trigger guard, and the charging handle works from both sides, as does the magazine release. The trigger pull is a bit mushy at first but breaks cleanly at around 5 to 6 pounds.
Empty weight of 6.2 pounds and length of 25.2 inches means this gun will shoot well at close quarters and stow away into a small spot.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Weight: 6.28 pounds
- Length of Pull: 13.5 inches
- Barrel: 16 inches; hammer-forged, chrome-lined
- Trigger: 6 pounds
- Safety: Ambidextrous, inside the trigger guard
- Magazine: 10, 30, or 50-round versions; horizontal double-stacked, rotate feed
- Sights: Picatinny rail with primitive back-up iron sights
- Stock: Synthetic black polymer
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Action: Blowback, closed bolt
RANGE TIME
Area 51 is in prime shape today, and there are plenty of targets to test this carbine and ammo combo. Holding the gun is strange at first, as its weight is concentrated to the rear. Once my right hand finds its place in the thumbhole grip, I notice how smooth and comfortable it is. However, my left hand instinctively reaches for the forearm.
There is none! I must learn to hold the smooth notch forward of the trigger guard for this. Awkward at first, I realized that the FN design allows me to place my left elbow against my ribcage, thus solidly supporting the carbine.
Comparing the 5.7x28 cartridge to the 9mm shows a vast design difference. The 5.7 is a mini rifle round with its 40-round Hornady V-Max bullet. It is designed to fit efficiently in the magazine. Look at that strange magazine! I can see the 30-round capacity through the translucent plastic. Loading it horizontally, I must slap it down hard to lock it in place. Failure to do so will cause failures to feed.
Time to sight in on my steel plate at 15 yards. I notice no kick as the carbine groups nicely. The “flapper” is easy to hit, as are head shots on steel. The trigger is a bit mushy until it breaks. This is not a target rifle, but I learned it quickly.
Time for 2-liter root beer targets! The first one hit explodes more violently than I imagine possible surprising me. The V-max 40 grain bullet comes apart as intended inside the liquid target turning into foam! The other 2 liters disappear quickly. This is fun! What a great plinking gun. I am amazed at its accuracy.
My 60- yard steel target is easily hit several times. I am challenged by a long-range 2-liter bottle, but one shot is all that is needed to blow it to bits. Not bad for a bullpup short-barreled carbine. No jams were encountered, and accuracy was splendid.
PROS & CONS
Pros:
- High quality
- Compact, lightweight
- Ambidextrous
- High magazine capacity potential
- Accurate
- Flat-shooting
- Low profile, easily stored
Cons:
- Backup sights are difficult to see
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Mushy trigger
CONCLUSION
While FN’s design originally was intended for law enforcement and military use, I imagine many uses for civilian shooters. Its compact bullpup design is perfect for stowage in most vehicles. The high-capacity magazine means fewer reloads.
The 5.7x28 round has gained great respect and a solid following due to its flat-shooting, hard-hitting potential. This gun impressed me with its unusual design, solid quality, accuracy, brilliant magazine, and flat-shooting cartridge. If you want to make a big change, the FN PS90 is for you.
