Posted on 06/24/2013 9:44:44 AM PDT by LucianOfSamasota
Does anyone have first hand experience with the FN PS 90?
Would it be a 'good' self defense choice for a woman who is not comfortable with a 5.56×45mm carbine due to weight and recoil? (Not me.)
Does it feed reliably?
Or is this a gun designed for a full auto machine pistol role which loses value when confined to a semi auto capability?
My thoughts (as someone shopping a PS-90 and an AR57).
- Ammunition is very expensive and difficult to find.
- PS-90 has one, non-adjustable LOP. If it’s not comfortable for your, you’re out of luck.
- PS-90 requires that the shooters hands be placed close together, in exactly the same place. Again, if you don’t like that, you’re out of luck.
- PS-90 IS very soft shooting.
Because it’s so unique, the PS-90 is really a gun that the individual MUST handle (and should shoot) before buying. A lot of people either love them or hate them.
I’ve read the Secret Service uses the full auto version.
IMO the caliber is too light for home defense. You have to put a lot of rounds into a target to stop them.
A shotgun or a revolver would be better for someone with limited experience and strength.
Ping.
Isn’t that an SBR? 5.7mm ammo isn’t all that common, unless you are going to reload.
No, the PS-90 typically sold in the US has a 16”, but it’s very short since it’s a bullup.
Many people do SBR them, however.
It is a fun gun to fire.
Would it be a 'good' self defense choice for a woman who is not comfortable with a 5.56×45mm carbine due to weight and recoil? (Not me.)
Yes; the recoil is on-par with a .22 rifle.
Does it feed reliably?
I think I've had a total of one round not fire — I suspect it was a dud primer, but I have had no problems with the feeding.
Or is this a gun designed for a full auto machine pistol role which loses value when confined to a semi auto capability?
I've only fired semi-auto, it's a good firearm IMO. I've heard from some Army-buddies that the full-auto is even more fun, but that's 2nd hand.
In a riot situation* the 50 rd magazine makes a lot of sense, because if there's a crowd coming to get you, you do't want to run out of ammo.
* - I bet a damaged food supply-line would escalate things to riot
pretty quickly.
>>>Isn’t that an SBR? 5.7mm ammo isn’t all that common, unless you are going to reload.<<<
Isn’t it a caseless ammo?
I can’t imagine someone who is uncomfortable with the weight and recoil of an AR-15 being comfortable with any other defense-grade rifle ought there. As for P90, I’m not sure the rounds available on the civilian market are viable for self-defense.
Unless she has some sort of medical problem that would preclude doing so, best advice would be for her to continue shooting the AR-15 until she gets used to it.
IMHO, a better option for somebody who wasn't comfortable with a 5.56 and was looking for something in the PDW class would be the good ole M1 carbine with a folding stock:
The first thing people say when they pick it up is they can't believe how light it is.
The first thing people say when they shoot it is they can't believe how tame and accurate it is.
Hornady is also now making their Critical Defense loads for the .30 carbine:
I love, love, love the PS-90!
THAT ONE ON THE FAR LEFT IS A WOMAN...........AS PER USUAL............
It's noisy and very soft-shooting, very fast on target for follow-up shots. Recoil hardly worth talking about. the 90 I shot could have used a little trigger-work but it isn't all that bad right out of the box.
Warning on the ammo - there is a lacquer coating that should NOT be polished off if you're reloading it. After a couple of reloads the stuff starts flaking off by itself and has to be removed from the chamber with a solvent that will melt the plastic on the gun if you're not careful to keep it off. That's the price you pay for bleeding-edge technology.
If you have money to burn on the PS-90, see if you can get a full auto uzi. It will cost considerably more, but the ammo is cheaper, and nothing says “get out of my house scumbag” like getting hit with a short burst from a smg.
Did you convince DrO to get you one yet?
If not, there is always the next shoot. [smiles]
The full-auto P90 seemed to easily penetrate heavy Jaffa armor at long ranges.
Well, not yet. He’s a tightwad. I’ll have to let the impact of the saved cig money hit. :)
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