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.
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.
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:
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.
I own one. Must SBR to avoid the “dork/wannabel factor.
Must get a can to complete the package.
When suppressed, the supersonic ammo is so tiny that it has a minimal “crack” signature.
The entire manual of arms is odd (mag placement, etc.
I’ll bet her problem with the AR is not recopil, but noise. Try it with a can, if you can (You’ll want to SBR to avoid excessive length.)
Or get a pistol caliber carbine. Try the TNW ASR, or any of a host of others.
But mastering the AR is the best suggestion. The PS90 is a novelty, not an ideal for just a out anyone.
Yes.
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. However, it is NOT for those who simply aim center mass and fire once. If that's your model of employment, get a shotgun. It was designed for fighting, that's the way it should be employed.
Does it feed reliably?
Absolutely!!! Furthermore, it sends the brass straight down instead of bouncing it off the wall you happen to be standing next to....
Or is this a gun designed for a full auto machine pistol role which loses value when confined to a semi auto capability?
As it was designed in conjunction with the five seven pistol, which does not fire automatically, one would have to conclude the round was designed to function in the semi-auto role as well. This little carbine has been the end of many hogs and dogs in its short history.
I have shot the PS90, shoots like a .22lr. The bullets are the same size as .556 but are limited to the lwr grains, 40 gr is common. The round itself is specifically designed to impart all of its energy into about 10 inches of ballistic gel. It is very effective for home defense. The rifle is short and held with two hands making it easy to maneuver, aim and difficult to take out of your hands. ARs are greet, medium range rifles with more power but unless you want to pickup a BP or make a SBR the PS90 gets my nod between the two for close quarter defense. That said for home defense and money wise I rank them shotgun, high cap pistol, PS90 ( ammo is not much more than .556 but rarer) and last an AR. Again I’m talking close quarter defense. Hard to beat two hands holding a stick with 30 rounds of firepower while angling around corners. The full auto is an animal unto itself.
“Or is this a gun designed for a full auto machine pistol role which loses value when confined to a semi auto capability?”
This. Well, more than a pistol, but the point is to start with the smallest viable cartridge (pistol compatible) and build a compact system capable of penetrating soft body armor to lethal effect. That meant punching LOTS of holes REAL FAST with accuracy, so we got an 11” barrel bull pup design with a friggin’ 50 round mag, high cycle rate, and negligible muzzle rise.
Semi-auto, it’s not much different from a .22 Hornet.
Awesome ground-up design. Full auto is critical. Alas, 922(o) has stopped civilian machine gun advancements cold.