Popular Milsurp Pistol Cartridges

Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to cover some popular milsurp pistol cartridges today. This list will cover calibers which are readily accessible and are complimented by popular semi-automatic milsurp handguns. In this list, we will briefly discuss each caliber while delving some of the firearms which utilize each cartridge. Without further ado, let’s talk about some popular milsurp pistol cartridges.

What is Milsurp?

First thing’s first, what is milsurp? The term “milsurp” is a commonly used amalgamation of “military” and “surplus.” This term is essentially a shorthand way to describe an item as military surplus. Beyond the designation of milsurp, the general term “surplus” is also commonly-used. Law enforcement used or police trade in firearms and equipment are also categorized as surplus good, though not military in nature. The term is generally used to refer to firearms, ammunition, and a variety of gear and equipment used by militaries in the past. Some milsurp goods are imported from other countries such as China, Russia, Britain, and Germany to name a few. Other milsurp goods are of a more domestic nature, representing a variety of American firearms and pieces of equipment and gear.

9mm Luger

The 9mm Luger is one of the most commonly employed cartridges in the world and is arguably the most popular handgun cartridge in the world. Notably, the cartridge has achieved NATO standardization and is widely used by military, law enforcement, and civilian end users. Since the cartridge’s introduction in 1901 by Georg Luger, the 9mm Luger has been employed by countless nations. Popularity soared for the cartridge during the 1970s and 1980s as “Wonder Nines” legitimized service handguns in 9mm Luger. The 9mm Luger is commonly employed in semi-automatic handguns and submachine guns.

As far as milsurp firearms go, one will encounter a diverse range of offerings. Classical, vintage examples of P08 Luger handguns in the caliber are among some of the most collectable and sought-after 9mm Luger milsurps to this day. Other popular examples of 9mm Luger milsurp handguns include Walther P38s, Browning Hi Powers, Beretta 92s, CZ-75s, and many other popular, classical handguns. These handguns are often typically available with accessories such as holsters and cleaning kits. Luckily, owners of these types of pistols can easily shoot their firearms as 9mm Luger ammo is plentiful.

.45 ACP

The .45 ACP is an iconic military cartridge which was introduced by John Moses Browning in 1904. The cartridge is most commonly associated with 1911 style handguns but has also been chambered by countless other designs since its introduction. While the cartridge has waned in popularity over time, mainly due to the increasing viability of 9mm Luger, it still sees widespread use today. The cartridge is particularly popular among suppressed shooters these days. Since its introduction, various handguns and submachine guns have been chambered in the .45 ACP cartridge.

The most common types of milsurp firearms one will encounter in .45 ACP will be of the 1911 variety. Many 1911 variants have served the United States military throughout history, even after its official replacement by the Beretta M9. Additionally, many foreign countries have utilized surplus 1911 pistols from the United States or have benefitted from things such as the Lend Lease Program. These variables have led to a wide range of 1911s with different stories and service histories entering the surplus market. Pistols of this type have been utilized in many of the conflicts throughout the 20^th century.

.32 ACP

The .32 ACP was introduced by John Moses Browning in 1899 alongside the FN M1900 handgun. Notably, the handgun helped to legitimize the concept of semi-automatic handguns, paving the way for future refinement and development of the concept. Handguns chambered in .32 ACP have been utilized for service use and for concealed carry in the early 20^th century. The cartridge was eventually supplanted as a mainstream service pistol cartridge by the .380 ACP, another cartridge designed by John Moses Browning. Due to its popularity in Europe, the cartridge is also known as the 7.65 Browning Short.

Shooters will find a variety of surplus handguns on the market chambered in .32 ACP. These handguns are available from various countries and manufacturers throughout the 20^th century. Early production offerings are available in the form of FN produced handguns, Ruby pistols, and Savage Model 1907 pistols. Later offerings are available in the form of things such as Yugoslavian Zastava M70 handguns and Czechoslovakian CZ VZ 70 handguns. Like most surplus handguns, these offerings can often be accompanied by accessories such as holsters, magazines, and cleaning implements.

.380 ACP

The .380 ACP was introduced by John Moses Browning in 1908 for use with Colt’s Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless pistol. The cartridge is notably more powerful than the .32 ACP and is typically featured in blowback operated handguns. These handguns generally feature fixed barrels, allowing for high levels of mechanical accuracy. When compared to the .32 ACP, the cartridge was deemed to be a sufficient round for service pistol use, leading to its widespread use in Europe. Metrically, the cartridge is denoted as 9×17 or 9mm Kurz. Ultimately, the cartridge waned in popularity as 9mm Luger rose in popularity.

Common surplus handguns in the caliber include pistols such as the Czech vz. 38, FN Model 1922, Beretta Model 1934, some Zastava M70 pistols, and CZ 83 pistol. Additionally, the cartridge was also utilized by the iconic Walther PPK, a handgun which was popular with German officers during World War Two. Additional surplus handguns in the caliber include some of Beretta’s Cheetah pistols such as the Model 84 and Model 85. These pistols, though surplus in nature, were utilized by law enforcement personnel rather than military forces.

7.62×25 Tokarev

The 7.62×25 Tokarev is a unique handgun cartridge due to its bottleneck nature as it resembles the appearance of a rifle cartridge. As a bottleneck cartridge, the 7.62×25 Tokarev boast high velocities, low recoil, and flat trajectories. This cartridge was developed in the 1930s by the Soviet Union and is most known for its use in the Tokarev TT-33 pistol and the PPSh-41 submachine gun. In addition to being used by the Soviets, many Eastern Bloc nations and other countries like Vietnam utilized the 7.62×25 Tokarev. The cartridge was ultimately replaced by the 9mm Makarov in the 1950’s.

When it comes to surplus firearms in the caliber, one will find that there are many options to choose from. Many Tokarev TT-33 handguns from countries like Russia, China, and former Yugoslavia are still present on the milsurp market. Notably, some TT-33 type handguns have been fitted with safeties to make them legal to import. Additionally, other types of firearms such as the Czechoslovakian CZ 52 are available in the caliber. It should be known that Russian examples of firearms in the caliber may be tougher to find and demand a higher price tag due to sanctions and their growing scarcity.

9mm Makarov

The 9mm Makarov was developed in the Soviet Union in 1951. Development of the cartridge was spurred by the Soviet’s desire to replace the 7.62×25 Tokarev cartridge and TT-33 handguns. The Soviets ultimately wanted a cheaper, blowback operated handgun in a different caliber, and thus the Makarov PM and 9mm Makarov were born. In addition to the Soviets, a number of Eastern Bloc nations and other countries such as Cuba and India have utilized the 9mm Makarov cartridge. The cartridge has been utilized in various handguns and submachine guns and is still employed in the modern era.

As far as milsurp offerings go, the most common handguns chambered in 9mm Makarov are going to be Makarov type handguns. Handguns following the design of the Makarov PM have been produced by a number of countries such as Russia, Bulgaria, China, and East Germany. Additionally, handguns such as the Radom P-64, P-83 Wanad, and the Czech CZ 82 have been chambered in 9mm Makarov. These types of handguns can sometimes be accompanied by various milsurp accessories such as holsters, additional magazines, cleaning tools, and more.

Not An Exhaustive List

Obviously, this is not an exhaustive list of military surplus handgun calibers by any means. More obscure cartridges, such as the 7.62x38r or the 8mm Nambu were not included on this list due to things such as scarcity of ammunition and firearms. This list mainly focused on calibers and firearms which are accessible and can be found with little difficulty. Cartridges primarily used for revolvers, such as .38 Special, were also not included as we are mainly focusing on semi-automatic pistol cartridges. That said, many Smith & Wesson revolvers, such as Victory model revolvers, tend to be available on the surplus market.

Concerns with Corrosion

When shooting surplus ammunition, one should be sure of the type of loading they are dealing with. During the 20^th century, many countries produced ammunition with corrosive primers. When fired, these loadings release corrosive salts into the firearm, something which can lead to erosion and corrosion if neglected. These loadings will not cause immediate, irreparable damage by any means, but one should be prepared to take prompt action to avoid damage or decay if necessary. Not all surplus ammunition is corrosive, meaning that some older ammo offerings can be shot without worrying about corrosion. In short, one should be sure of the ammunition they are using when shooting.

Conclusion

All in all, this list encompasses many of the popular milsurp pistol cartridges which are used by various common surplus handguns. Like the handguns that shoot them, these calibers are well-used by shooters in the modern era and are quite accessible. We here at True Shot Ammo carry various loadings for each of the calibers on this list, providing shooters with many options to stock up on. These calibers can be acquired in the form of individual and bulk ammo quantities. Whether you want to stock up on a caliber on this list or purchase ammo of a different type, we here at True Shot Ammo have got you covered. As always, happy shooting.

Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at [email protected] for more ammo options.

Tyler Elsberry

Tyler Elsberry is an author for True Shot Ammo, boasting over a decade of experience in the firearms industry. His extensive knowledge and hands-on expertise make him a valuable asset to the True Shot team. Tyler's deep understanding of firearms, coupled with his passion for the ammunition industry, allows him to provide insightful and practical guidance to enthusiasts and professionals alike. His writings often reflect his commitment to delivering accurate, up-to-date information on the latest trends, products, and advancements in the field. Tyler's ability to convey complex technical details in an accessible manner has earned him a loyal following among readers seeking reliable advice and information in the world of firearms and ammunition.