One of the criteria for the success of any fighter is weapons selected individually for his needs and role in the battle. This is exactly what Belgian gunsmiths thought when they created a new development specifically for the crews of tanks and similar military equipment, vehicle drivers, artillerymen and other soldiers for whom fire contact with the enemy is a necessary measure to save their lives.
From this photo you can easily imagine the real size of the presented PP
The history of the creation of the FN P90 submachine gun
Such types of weapons did not fade into the background after World War II. And if previously automatic weapons chambered for a pistol cartridge were almost the main argument in the hands of the infantryman (MP-40, PPSh and no less well-known analogs from other countries), now they have found a “second wind” in the hands of crews of various equipment, signalmen, and pilots.
By 1987, the Belgians from Fabrique Nacional presented new developments: the FN P90, the Five-Seven pistol and a 5.7*28 mm cartridge developed specifically for them. The main thing that was required from the Belgian prototypes was compactness in size, light weight and superiority in destructive power over existing 9*19 mm caliber SMGs. Looking ahead, I will say that the competitors coped with these tasks perfectly.
Development history
The developer of the FN P90 pistol is the reputable Belgian manufacturer FN Herstal.
The company’s specialists began designing the model back in 1986. Initially, the pistol was created for a new format of 5.7x28 mm caliber cartridges, which were significantly different from all previously known ammunition. The development of the FN P90 pistol ended in 1990. Almost immediately after the successful tests, weapons were purchased by numerous countries participating in the NATO bloc. Soon the model became so popular that the demand for it began to significantly outstrip the production capabilities of the manufacturer.
Currently, the FN P90 weapon is in service with special forces in more than forty countries. Such a wide distribution of the model is explained by its versatility, high mobility, small dimensions, ease of maintenance and operation.
Description of design
For greater compactness while maintaining combat qualities, the P90 is made according to the “bullpup” design. In very simple terms, its design implies a minimum of free space, some key elements are located in the butt, and instead of the usual magazine for automatic weapons under the forearm, this submachine gun is equipped with a two-row “pencil case” placed in the upper part.
To increase the magazine capacity, gunsmiths from Belgium used an unusual solution: the cartridges are positioned horizontally and each of them is rotated 90 degrees before entering the chamber.
Also noteworthy is the modular assembly, thanks to which the P90 can easily be disassembled into three main groups:
- barrel and sight;
- bolt group;
- assembly of moving parts.
This approach greatly simplifies the maintenance and repair of the PCB.
Poster with a diagram of the complete disassembly of the presented weapons
Ammo
For the FN P90 model, pointed, lightweight bullets are produced, the shape of which is more reminiscent of rifle ammunition than pistol cartridges. This solution was implemented by the developers, since the penetrating effect of most standard ammunition is often insufficient to solve specific combat missions. For example, American-made modular body armor of the Ciras brand was no longer penetrated by the same standard 9x19 mm bullets. And this despite firing from a distance of several tens of meters. However, the FN P90 cartridges fully coped with this task, reaching full range when firing from 150-200 m.
Operating principle of FN P90
The P90's automatic action is based on a free, short-stroke bolt, which provides it with a very high fire density. For greater convenience, the cocking handle and the magazine latch are duplicated and are located on both sides, and the safety is located next to the trigger guard.
It has three modes:
- weapon blocking;
- single shot;
- automatic fire.
However, if you press it briefly in automatic mode, only one shot will fire. To fire, you need to “sink” the trigger guard. The barrel, equipped with a flash suppressor-compensator by default, deserves special attention. This detail allows us to draw a small parallel with the family of weapons authored by Mikhail Kalashnikov.
Purpose
Initially, the submachine gun was developed to meet the specific needs of military personnel who do not directly participate in combat.
These are primarily artillerymen, tank and self-propelled vehicle crews, and support vehicle drivers. However, gradually the FN P90 model received the status of a favorite weapon, most often used by police and special forces. Several varieties of such a submachine gun have already appeared in large-scale military conflicts. Currently, FN P90 submachine guns are available to users in several versions: standard and tactical. The latter option contains an additional rail with cartridges in the handle area, which ensures quick reloading of the weapon in difficult combat conditions.
Ammunition for weapons
The 5.7*28 mm cartridge was created literally “from scratch” and is unique in the world of weapons. Despite the similarity with small-caliber rifle cartridges that are used by sports shooters and hunters, such a bullet has decent armor-piercing and lethality. Relatively recently, NATO experts conducted research in which they found out the superiority of Belgian ammunition over competing German 4.6*30 mm. Superior effectiveness against lightly armored targets, unpretentiousness to temperature changes and a more “gentle” attitude towards the barrel of a weapon were noted.
Pointed bullet for penetrating body armor
Types of cartridges:
| Name | Purpose | Options |
| SS190 | Against lightly armored opponents | Bullet weight – 2 g Initial bullet speed – 715 m/s |
| SS195LF | Expansive bullet, has less armor-piercing, but greater damaging effect compared to the previous one | Bullet weight – 1.8 g Initial bullet speed – 720 m/s |
| SB193 | Subsonic velocity cartridge for use in conjunction with a suppressor | Bullet weight – 3.6 g Initial bullet speed – 305 m/s |
Modifications and operation
At the end of the 90s, a modification of the FN P90 TR went into production. It differs from the original version by having a Picatinny rail installed instead of the standard sight. Two more slats are installed on the sides. The model with a built-in collimator sight was not discontinued from production, but was also equipped with two side rails.
The TR model submachine gun was later renamed the P90 Tactical.
Model FN PS90 is a self-loading carbine for sale on the civilian market, launched into production in 2005. It is distinguished not only by the inability to conduct continuous fire, but also by a long (407 mm) barrel, as well as a magazine of reduced capacity (up to 10 or 30 rounds). A cartridge with an expansive bullet weighing 1.8 g was also developed for the civilian market.
Although the P90 was created as an auxiliary army weapon, it was most widely used in police anti-terrorism units, as well as in army special forces. The submachine gun was first used during Operation Desert Storm. Now it is used by more than 40 countries - from the USA to Mali, from Poland to Suriname.
In 1997, the Belgian submachine gun proved its best - with its help, Peruvian special forces destroyed all the terrorists who took hostages in the Japanese embassy.
Technical characteristics of FN P90
In order not to be unfounded, let's compare the FN P90 with its ideological analogue in the ranks of the Russian (and not only) armed forces - the AKS-74U assault rifle:
| FN P90 | AKS-74U | |
| Caliber | 5.7 mm | 5.45 mm |
| Weight without cartridges | 2.78 kg | 2.7 kg |
| Weight with cartridges | 3.1 kg | 3.0 kg |
| Length | 500 mm | 730/490 mm (stock unfolded/folded) |
| Rate of fire | 900-1000 rounds per minute | 650-700 rounds per minute |
| Effective range | 200 m | 300 m |
| Magazine volume | 50 patr. | 30 patr. |
When discussing the comparison results, it is worth keeping in mind that the “opponents” have practically no common features, from the layout or caliber to the design of sights or ergonomics.
Photo FN P90
FN P90 from a Belgian soldier
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Comments
0 Grandfather 03/26/2017 17:15 Original design. I first saw this in the Stargate series. For a long time I could not understand how it works
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0 Fomich 03/26/2017 17:16 It’s still nothing. mechanism wear, dirt, overheating, and cartridge defects will lead to delays and distortions. for elite special forces - I took it from a clean warehouse, shot it, and took it to a gunsmith for inspection.
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0 Vulture 03/26/2017 17:22 The P-90 in Russian service is stated in only one source - Wikipedia, without indicating the original source, so you cannot prove that you are not a Pokemon. But personally, I have no doubt that the FSB has the P-90, the specifics of the work are such that you need to constantly monitor new products (and have the best weapons for specific tasks (info from documentaries on alpha), for example, the Glock 17 is officially declared (by the Department of Logistics of the Ministry of Internal Affairs) , 400 pistols are in service with the special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but the airborne forces and army special forces are already doubtful.
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0 Gray 03/26/2017 17:23 Quoting Vulture:
The P-90 in Russian service is stated in only one source - Wikipedia, without indicating the original source, so you cannot prove that you are not a Pokemon. But personally, I have no doubt that the FSB has the P-90, the specifics of the work are such that you need to constantly monitor new products (and have the best weapons for specific tasks (info from documentaries on alpha), for example, the Glock 17 is officially declared (by the Department of Logistics of the Ministry of Internal Affairs) , 400 pistols are in service with the special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but the airborne forces and army special forces are already doubtful.
And the FSB most likely will not accept the R-90 into service - the specifics of the work require stoppers, and the 5.7X28 is precisely armor-piercing.
It was created to penetrate body armor - but how often does the FSB work on them? On the other hand, if there is no body armor, there will be a through penetration, which not only may not stop the barmaley (the bullet takes away the overwhelming majority of the energy with it), but also hit a civilian who happens to be in the path of the bullet at the wrong time. That is, well, it’s not a weapon for the FSB at all. Reply | Reply with quote | Quote Update list of comments
Advantages and disadvantages
First, let's talk about the positive aspects that the Belgian submachine gun can boast of:
- The main advantage is innovative ergonomics with very compact dimensions and low weight. The PP is easy to learn for right-handers and left-handers (used cartridges are ejected from below so as not to hit the shooter’s face, regardless of which shoulder the shooting is fired from);
- Outperforms analogue models of “pistol” calibers (9*19 mm, .45) in terms of accuracy and shooting accuracy, while having relatively low recoil;
- The P90 combines a high rate of fire with a large magazine capacity. For the convenience of the shooter, the magazines are made of transparent plastic, so the fighter always knows how many cartridges are left in the magazine;
- At short distances the bullet has excellent armor-piercing properties.
Now about the cons:
- Doubtful lethality;
- The complex design of the reloading process and the general unreliability of the magazine;
- High production cost: one P90 is equal in price to approximately three “classic” assault rifles or 5-7 Uzi SMGs.
The photo shows a fighter of the Austrian Jagdkommando
Design
What does the FN P90 look like?
Photographs show that the appearance of the development is extremely unusual for a weapon, which, according to its purpose, method of use and range of destruction, actually acts as a pistol. At first glance at the sample, it may seem that in practice its use will not be very convenient. The model does not contain a pistol grip, which is familiar to shooters. An alternative to the latter here are holes in the body, through which, in fact, the weapon is held during firing. The shooter’s palms rest on the back side of such specific handles. In addition, the weapon is pressed against the shoulder with a miniature butt.
Holding the FN P90 submachine gun turns out to be frankly inconvenient for users who are just getting acquainted with the model. However, such weapons are much more difficult to knock out of hands compared to pistols of the usual design.
On both sides of the body there are switches for firing modes, presented in the form of fuses-translators. They are located close to the trigger. This structure significantly speeds up the removal of weapons from locking and changing firing modes.
