EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE 9MM ROUND

9mm ammunition is arguably the most common and widely used handgun ammo on earth, and for good reason.

Names

9mm ammo is aptly named according to its measurements. A 9mm round is sized to be fired through a 9mm diameter barrel. (Note: Often a bullet’s width is slightly over sized, so when forced through the correctly sized barrel, the bullet makes a good seal, preventing gas from escaping around the bullet, which would cause a loss in power.)

There are many 9mm rounds, but when people refer to a 9mm, they are most commonly referring to the 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge, AKA:

  • 9x19mm Luger
  • 9×19(mm)
  • 9mm
  • 9
  • 9mm+P (high pressure variant)
  • 9mm+P+ (high pressure variant)
  • 9mm NATO (high pressure variant)

Attributes

9mm ammo
  • Relative affordability
  • Worldwide availability, in every imaginable variety
  • Good ballistics – excellent down range energy, for its size
  • Smaller size – more rounds per magazine and good concealability
  • Relative low recoil – ideal for follow up shots, long training sessions, weaker shooters & lighter pistols

History

The 9x19mm Parabellum was designed by George Luger for use in his semi-auto pistol, you guessed it… the Luger. It was introduced in 1902 by the German firearms manufacturer, DWM (Deutsche Waffen – und Manitionsfabriken). The word Parabellum, the round’s namesake, is derived from DWM’s motto “Si vis pacem, para bellum.” Translated: “If you seek peace, prepare for war.”

Naysayers

9mm ammo

Some argue that the 9mm isn’t big or powerful enough. It’s sometimes dismissed as being the smallest acceptable self defense round, barely worth carrying.

I completely disagree. Do the math, read the facts and learn its history and you’ll see that the 9×19 Luger is an extremely well vetted round, proven capable of self defense and even war.

Love it or leave it, “the 9,” as the kids call it, has earned its reputation and place as one of the greatest handgun rounds in the world. Not many other calibers of ammo can boast the versatility, popularity and heritage of the 9x19mm Parabellum.

What about the 9x18mm Makarov?

9mm ammo

Do not confuse the 9X18mm Makarov with the 9x19mm Parabellum. The 9x18mm, as its name implies, is 1mm shorter than the 9x19mm, which may seem insegnificant, but it makes a difference. Although both are technically 9mm ammo, they are not interchangeable. The 9x18mm Makarov is generally a weaker round than the 9x19mm and are not comparable.