The 9mm Cartridge. What the hell is the differnce?

[Black Majik]

Hey all...

Well I've been reading around, and trying to learn about the 9mm cartridge.

And now I've seen 9mm Luger (which I guess is the standard 9mm round?), 9 x 18, 9 x 19, and 9 x 23.

What are the differences in the sizes?

Are there guns out there that only take one specific type of bullet, or would any of those 9mm sizes fit into a 9mm gun?

I'm soon to acquire a Sig 226 in 9mm. What type of round should I be using? I'm assuming the 9mm Luger? (is there a specific size for the luger? What size?)

Also, what is the standard grain weight for the 9mm. I've read that the 115 gr. and 124 gr. are the most common. Am I correct?

TIA for your help.

[CraigC]

If I remember correctly, the 9mm Luger, Parabellum, and 9x19 are all the same round.

I've seen the Makarovs use the 9x18 rounds (appears to be an East Bloc calibre), and the 9x23's are something that I've seen in 1911 race guns.


are 9x23's similar in dimension to a .38 super?

[CastleBravo]

Here is the correct answer:

9x19, 9mm Luger, and 9mm Parabellum are all different names for exactly the same cartridge.

9x18 is a former Soviet bloc cartridge that is about the same power as .380 ACP.

9x21, 9x23 and 9x25 are each different cartridges.

None of the above are interchangeable.

[Bearlaker]

Don't forget the 9x17 the .380 ACP.

[K1500]

To add a bit, the second number is the case length in mm. A 9x19 is 19 mm long. a 9x 23 is 23 mm long. 9x19, 9mm Luger, 9mm Parabellum, and 9mm NATO are all the same thing and most folks just call it a 9mm.

[Black Majik]

Thanks all, that explained my question nicely.

[rick458]

9 x 18mm is 9mm kurtz isn't it that's what the Makarov fires
9 x 17mm is sometimes called 9mm Polize over here we call it .380

[HiVelSword]

Originally Posted by rick458

9 x 18mm is 9mm kurtz isn't it that's what the Makarov fires
9 x 17mm is sometimes called 9mm Polize over here we call it .380

Rick, you must be bored for ressurecting a thread over two years old.

[Str8_Shot]

We also need to bring up that the explanation for 9mm Kurtz is also wrong. The correct comparison is below.


380 acp = 9mm Kurtz = 9mm short = 9 mm Corto = 9x17mm


The 9x18 Makarov is an animal un-to-it-self.

For more information on each of the 9mm calibers and their various designation I suggest refering to any reloading manual.

[rick458]

I was doing a search and saw that one

[nsmike]

The 9x18 Polizi is not the same as the 9x18 Mak. The 9x18 Polizi is the same as the 9x18 Ultra and uses a .355 bullet. The Mak bullet is a little larger.
Mike

[Black Majik]

Holy moly this thread is old I even forgot about it! I feel even dumber that this thread was started by me!

[special-ed]

Bought my first 9mm this last week. ( a SA 1911) I found this thread most helpful....alot better then asking the girl at Wal-Mart.