| 9×19mm Parabellum | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Type | Pistol | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of origin | German Empire | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service history | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Used by | Most military and civilian agencies around the world | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wars | World War I – present | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Production history | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Designer | Georg Luger | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Designed | 1901 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Produced | 1902–present | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Variants | 9×19mm Parabellum +P | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Specifications | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parent case | 7.65×21mm Parabellum | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Case type | Rimless, tapered | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bullet diameter | 9.01 mm (0.355 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Land diameter | 8.82 mm (0.347 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Neck diameter | 9.65 mm (0.380 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Base diameter | 9.93 mm (0.391 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rim diameter | 9.96 mm (0.392 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rim thickness | 1.27 mm (0.050 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Case length | 19.15 mm (0.754 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Overall length | 29.69 mm (1.169 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Case capacity | 0.862 cm3 (13.30 gr H2O) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rifling twist | 250 mm (1-9.84in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Primer type | Berdan or boxer small pistol | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maximum pressure (CIP) | 235.00 MPa (34,084 psi) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maximum pressure (SAAMI) | 241.3165 MPa (35,000.00 psi) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ballistic performance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Test barrel length: 118 mm (4.65 in) Source(s): Sellier & Bellot,[1] CIP,[2] Norma Ammunition,[3] Underwood Ammunition,[4] RBCD Performance Plus Ammunition[5] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The9×19mm Parabellum (also known as9mm Luger,9mm NATO or simply9mm) is arimless,centerfire, taperedfirearms cartridge.
Originally designed by Austrian firearm designerGeorg Luger in 1901,[6] it is widely considered the most popular handgun and submachine gun cartridge due to its low cost, adequatestopping power and extensive availability.[7][8][9]
Since the cartridge was designed for theLuger semi-automatic pistol, it has been given the designation of9mm Luger by theSporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI)[10] and theCommission internationale permanente pour l'épreuve des armes à feu portatives (CIP).[2]
A 2007 US survey concluded that "about 60 percent of the firearms in use by police are 9mm [Parabellum]" and credited 9×19mm Parabellum pistol sales with making semiautomatic pistols more popular thanrevolvers.[11]
The cartridge was developed by Austrian firearm designerGeorg Luger in 1901. The cartridge was derived from an earlier round designed by Luger (7.65×21mm Parabellum), which itself was derived from a cartridge used in theBorchardt C-93 pistol (7.65×25mm Borchardt). Shortening the length of the cartridge case used in the Borchardt pistol allowed Luger to improve the design of the toggle lock and to incorporate a smaller, angled grip.
Luger's work on the Borchardt design evolved into theLuger pistol, which was first patented in 1898 and chambered in 7.65×21mm Parabellum. Demand from Germany for a larger caliber in their military sidearm led Luger to develop the 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge for the eventual P08 pistol. This was achieved by removing the bottleneck shape of the 7.65×21mm Parabellum case, resulting in a tapered rimless cartridge encasing a bullet that was 9 millimeters in diameter.
In 1902, Luger presented the new round to the British Small Arms Committee, as well as three prototype versions to theUS Army for testing at theSpringfield Arsenal in mid-1903. TheImperial German Navy adopted the cartridge in 1904, and in 1908, theGerman Army adopted it as well.[7]
To conserve lead duringWorld War II in Germany, the lead core was replaced by an iron core encased with lead. This bullet, identified by a black bullet jacket, was designated as the 08 mE (mit Eisenkern—'with an iron core'). By 1944, the black jacket of the 08 mE bullet was dropped, and these bullets were produced with normal copper-colored jackets. Another wartime variation was designated the 08 sE bullet and can be identified by its dark gray jacket and was created by compressing iron powder at high temperature into a solid material (Sintereisen—'sintered iron').[12]
The name "Parabellum" is derived from the Latin motto ofDeutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken (DWM),Si vis pacem, para bellum ('If you want peace, prepare for war').[13][14]
After the end ofWorld War I, the popularity of the 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge increased with the vast number ofsemi-automatic pistols andsubmachine guns being adopted by many militaries and law enforcement agencies around the world.[15]
From the 1980s to the 1990s, a sharp increase in popularity occurred withsemi-automatic pistols in the United States by both law enforcement and military personnel, a trend foreshadowed by the adoption of theSmith & Wesson Model 39 by theIllinois State Police in 1968. In addition, theBeretta M9 (a military version of theBeretta Model 92) was adopted by the US Army in 1985. Previously, most American police departments issued.38 Special and.357 Magnum caliber revolvers with a five- or six-round capacity. The .38 Special was preferred to other weapons, such as variants of theM1911, because it offered low recoil, was small and light enough to accommodate different shooters, and was inexpensive.[16] The 9×19mm cartridge is ballistically superior to the .38 Special revolver cartridge,[17] is shorter overall, and being an autoloader cartridge, it is stored in flat magazines, as opposed to cylindrical speedloaders. This, coupled with the advent of the so-called "wonder nines", led to many US police departments exchanging their revolvers for some form of 9mm semiautomatic pistols by the late twentieth century.[16] The 9×19mm Parabellum has become the most common caliber used by US law enforcement agencies, primarily due to the availability of controllable compact pistols with large magazine capacities that use the cartridge.[18]
In 2013, a chart of popular calibers that was released by the website Luckygunner.com showed 9×19mm Parabellum as having 21.4% of the entire cartridge market, followed by the.223 Remington at 10.2% (with5.56 mm included this is 15.7%). The next most popular caliber was.45 ACP.[19]
The 9×19mm Parabellum has 0.86 ml (13.3 grains H2O) of cartridge case capacity.
The cartridgeheadspaces on the mouth of the case.[20] The commonriflingtwist rate for this cartridge is 250 mm (1 in 9.84 in), six grooves, ø lands = 8.82 mm, ø grooves = 9.02 mm, land width = 2.49 mm and theprimer type is small pistol.
According to CIP rulings, the 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge case can handle up to 235.00 MPa (34,084 psi) Pmax piezo pressure. In CIP-regulated countries, every pistol cartridge combination has to beproofed at 130% of this maximum CIP pressure to certify for sale to consumers. This means that 9×19mm Parabellum chambered arms in CIP-regulated countries are currently (2014) proof tested at 305.50 MPa (44,309 psi) PE piezo pressure.[2]
TheSAAMI pressure limit for the 9×19mm Parabellum is set at 241.32 MPa (35,001 psi) piezo pressure.[21]
The round was originally designed to be lethal to 50 metres (160 ft), but is still lethal at longer ranges.[22]The 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge combines a flattrajectory with moderaterecoil. According to the 1986 bookHandloading, "the modern science ofwound ballistics has established beyond reasonable doubt that the 9 mm cartridge is highly effective."[23]
In 2014, the United StatesFederal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released a report detailing the potential combat effectiveness of the 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge when compared to other calibers such as the.40 S&W and the.45 ACP cartridges that were specifically developed for use by the FBI.[24] The report indicated that the new powders and more advanced bullet designs used in current 9×19mm Parabellum defensive loads allowed for the caliber to deliver adequate performance compared to other calibers, like the .40 S&W and .45 ACP. In addition to this, the lower recoil, less wear, cheaper ammunition, and higher capacity were all reasons that the report cited for the recent surge in orders of the ammunition from various police agencies. With a wider selection of officers able to shoot handguns chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum, many departments chose this caliber to standardize a single firearm and loading, making logistics and supply easier. Due to all these factors, law enforcement orders of 9×19mm Parabellum ammunition from all major ammunition manufacturers have risen significantly.[25][24]
The round is also known as "9mm NATO" because it has become a standard pistol caliber for NATO forces.[26] The cartridge has been manufactured by, or for, more than 70 countries.[9]
9mm NATO can be considered anoverpressure variant of 9×19mm Parabellum that is defined byNATO standards. The proof pressure is 3,150 bars (45,700 psi), corresponding to a maximum service pressure of 2,520 bars (36,500 psi) (both using CIP methodology).[27]
While the NATO standards do not specify the type of bullet to be used, Declaration III of theHague Convention of 1899 prohibits the use of expanding ammunition in warfare by signatories, so official NATO 9 mm ammunition is FMJ "ball" bullets.[28] Declaration III does not apply in conflicts involving non-signatories to the Hague Convention, including paramilitary and other nongovernmental fighting forces.[29]
In 2021, with the standardization of STANAG-4509, NATO adopted the5.7×28mm SMG/pistol cartridge for thePDW program.[30] It is in the same power range as 9×19mm Parabellum but has a few additional advantages such as a larger magazine capacity and improved armor penetration.
9mm Parabellum entered Swedish service as m/39 with the import of theKulsprutepistol m/39 from Austria, with a bullet weight of 7.5 grams (116 gr).[31]During theCongo Crisis, the Swedish UN-contingent issued complaints about the performance of the m/39 cartridge (regular 9mm Parabellum) used. This resulted in a commission of the Swedish Army establishing in 1962 that a new round was needed for theCarl Gustav m/45. The resulting m/39B had atombac-plated steeljacket surrounding the lead core. Whilethe lands of the barrel can cut into the tombac, the steel jacket resists deformation, thus causing the gas pressure to rise higher than the previous soft-jacketed m/39, giving the 7.0 grams (108 gr) bullet a Vo of 420 m/s (1,378 ft/s)[32] and an impact energy of 600 joules. The mantle also acts like a penetrator when striking a target, going through up to 50 layers of kevlar, 7 cm of bricks, or 25 cm of wood, allowing the bullet to defeat body armor up toType IIIA.
Attempts to improve the cartridge's ballistics came in the early 1990s with the widespread availability of high-pressure loadings of the 9mm cartridge. Suchoverpressure cartridges are labeled "+P" (38,500 psi) or in the case of very high-pressure loadings, "+P+" (42,000 psi).[33] Velocity of these rounds is improved over standard loadings. In addition, improvements in jacketedhollow-point bullet technology have produced bullet designs that are more likely to expand and less likely to fragment than earlier iterations, giving a 9mm bullet better terminal effectiveness.[34]
The Russian military has developed specialized 9×19mm cartridges that use relatively light bullets at high muzzle velocities for both pistols and submachine guns to defeatbody armor.[35]
Besides enhanced penetration capabilities, these overpressure variants offer a flatter trajectory and lessened recoil. The increase in service pressure causes a rise inbolt thrust, so this overpressure ammunition induces more stress on critical weapon parts during firing. After initial research conducted in the late 1980s under the codename "Grach", the Russian armed forces adopted two specialized 9×19mm variants.[36][37]
| 7Н21 (7N21) | 7Н30 (7N30) / RG057 | 7Н31 (7N31) / PBP | 7Н35 (7N35) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cartridge weight | 9.5 g (147 gr) | 9.4–10.1 g (145–156 gr) | 8.1 g (125 gr) | 11.45–11.60 g (176.7–179.0 gr) |
| Bullet weight | 5.2 g (80.2 gr) | 6.8–7.0 g (105–108 gr) | 4.1 g (63.3 gr) | 7.35–7.50 g (113.4–115.7 gr) |
| Muzzle velocity | 460 m/s (1,509 ft/s) | 420–445 m/s (1,378–1,460 ft/s) | 550 m/s (1,804 ft/s) | 550 m/s (1,804 ft/s) |
| Muzzle energy | 561 J (414 ft⋅lbf) | 601.3–694.5 J (443–512 ft⋅lbf) | 620 J (457 ft⋅lbf) | 713.5–795.3 J (526–587 ft⋅lbf) |
| Accuracy of fire at 25 m (27 yd) (R50) | 25 mm (1.0 in) | |||
| Maximum pressure | 280 MPa (41,000 psi) | 275 MPa (39,900 psi) | 275 MPa (39,900 psi)[38] | 275 MPa (39,900 psi) |
The 7N21 (Cyrillic: 7Н21) 9×19mm overpressure variant features an armor-piercing bullet and generates a peak pressure of 280 MPa (41,000 psi).[36] The 7N21 bullet features a hardened (sub-caliber) steel penetrator core, enclosed by a bimetal jacket. The space between the core and jacket is filled with polyethylene, and the tip of the penetrator is exposed at the front of the bullet to achieve better penetration. The penetration range for body armor is specified at up to 40 m (130 ft). TheMP-443 Grach andGSh-18 pistols andPP-19 Vityaz,PP-90M1 andPP-2000 submachine guns were designed for use with this overpressure cartridge.Jane's Infantry Weapons stated in 2003 that the 7N21 cartridge combined the 9×19mm Parabellum dimensions with a9×21mm Gyurza bullet design and was developed specifically for the penetration of body armor and for the MP-443 Grach pistol, the latest Russian service pistol.[39]
The 7N31 (Cyrillic: 7Н31) / PBP 9×19mm overpressure variant uses the same concept with a similar but lighter bullet that achieves higher muzzle velocity. The penetration of an 8 mm (0.31 in)-thick St3 steel plate is specified at up to 10 m (33 ft).[40] The 7N31 cartridge was developed in the late 1990s for theGSh-18 pistol. The 7N31 was adopted for the PP-90M1 and PP-2000 submachine guns. Its maximum service pressure remains unclear.
The construction of the two rounds allows them to be effective against both unarmored and armored targets. If the bullet strikes an unarmored target, it holds together to produce a wide wound channel. If the bullet strikes an armored target, the sleeve is stripped away, and the core penetrates alone. The disadvantage of the rounds is that high impact velocities are needed to work effectively, so the bullets are relatively light to maximize their muzzle velocity. This means they lose velocity relatively quickly, limiting their effective range.[41]
The 7N30 (Cyrillic: 7Н30) or RG057 consists ofhardened steel core tension-fitted into a metal sheath.[42]
The 7N35 (Cyrillic: 7Н35) consists of lead core in a metal sheath. It was never accepted into service.[43]
9mm Parabellum ammunition is offered in a wide array of types and variations, designed to meet the specific needs and preferences of its users. This diversity in 9mm ammunition encompasses multiple standard categories, such asfull metal jacket (FMJ), jacketed and unjacketedhollow point (JHP),frangible ammunition,soft point,tracer and other specialized variants tailored for competitive shooting or law enforcement applications.[44] VBR-B produces specialized bullets for this cartridge, a two-part controlled fragmenting projectile and an armor-piercing bullet that features a brass sabot and a hardened steel penetrator. These are designed to increase the content of the permanent wound cavity and double the chance of hitting a vital organ.[45]
The energy delivered by most 9mm loads allows for significant expansion and penetration with premium hollow-point bullets.Illinois State Police,border patrol,Federal Air Marshals, andUnited States Secret Service favored and used 115 gr (7.5 g) +P+ 9mm loads at 1,300 ft/s (400 m/s) for years with excellent results.[34]Massad Ayoob has stated that the "Tried, Tested, and True" 115 gr (7.5 g) +P or +P+ is the best self-defense load in this caliber.[34]
| Manufacturer | Load | Bullet mass | Velocity | Energy | Expansion[46] | Penetration[46] | PC[46] | TSC[46] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cor-Bon | JHP+P | 7.5 g (115 gr) | 410 m/s (1,350 ft/s) | 630 J (465 ft⋅lb) | 14 mm (0.55 in) | 360 mm (14.2 in) | 56 mL (3.4 cu in) | 631 mL (38.5 cu in) |
| Atomic Ammo | JHP+P | 8.0 g (124 gr) | 400 m/s (1,300 ft/s) | 630 J (465 ft⋅lb) | 15 mm (0.60 in) | 330 mm (13 in) | "N/A" | "N/A" |
| Speer | Gold Dot JHP | 8.0 g (124 gr) | 350 m/s (1,150 ft/s) | 494 J (364 ft⋅lb) | 18 mm (0.70 in) | 337 mm (13.25 in) | 84 mL (5.1 cu in) | 616 mL (37.6 cu in) (est)[47] |
| Federal | HydraShok JHP +P+ | 8.0 g (124 gr) | 360 m/s (1,170 ft/s) | 511 J (377 ft⋅lb) | 17 mm (0.67 in) | 340 mm (13.4 in) | 77 mL (4.7 cu in) | 734 mL (44.8 cu in)[47] |
| Remington | Golden Saber JHP | 9.5 g (147 gr) | 300 m/s (990 ft/s) | 430 J (320 ft⋅lb) | 16 mm (0.62 in) | 370 mm (14.5 in) | 72 mL (4.4 cu in) | 544 mL (33.2 cu in) |
| Winchester | Silvertip | 7.5 g (115 gr) | 373 m/s (1,225 ft/s) | 519 J (383 ft⋅lb) | 18 mm (0.72 in) | 200 mm (8.0 in) | 54 mL (3.3 cu in) | 274 mL (16.7 cu in) |
| Winchester | WWB JHP | 9.5 g (147 gr) | 300 m/s (990 ft/s) | 430 J (320 ft⋅lb) | 15 mm (0.58 in) | 400 mm (15.9 in) | 69 mL (4.2 cu in) | 321 mL (19.6 cu in) |
| Winchester | FMJ | 7.5 g (115 gr) | 352 m/s (1,155 ft/s) | 462 J (341 ft⋅lb) | 9.1 mm (0.36 in) | 620 mm (24.5 in) | 41 mL (2.5 cu in) | 174 mL (10.6 cu in) |
Key:
The word 'Parabellum' is derived from the Latin phrase Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum or 'If you want Peace, Prepare for War'. It naturally followed this new cartridge would be commonly referred to as the 9mm Parabellum
Georg Luger looked at his design, took the .30 Luger case and expanded it to hold a 9mm bullet. ... From the Latin phrase Si vic pacem, para bellum came parabellum. Translated it means 'If you desire peace, prepare for war'.
