Testing of M9 replacement to start next year

[stanc]

The 5.7x28 is essentially a 223 that looks like somebody left it in the dryer too long, and it has the penetration/terminal effects like a hand-rifle.

You can describe the 5.7x28 with all the flowery prose you wish, but it's still a pistol cartridge. (I have no idea what a "hand-rifle" is, but doubt that it's used by the armed forces.)

You can get a similar effect on soft tissue and forfeit the armor penetration benefit with rounds like this: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/133875/...-box-of-20

The speed is there in the latter, but the energy would probably be divided over too large an area to penetrate kevlar as well as the 5.7x28 or similar chamberings.

Of course it wouldn't. It is a fragmenting hollowpoint, after all. But, MagSafe used to make 2000 fps 9mm FMJ loads that sliced through Kevlar like the proverbial hot knife in butter.