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About 9mm Ammunition

The 9mm Luger cartridge is easily the most common handgun round in common use. The caliber goes by many names, often being referred to as 9mm NATO, 9mm Parabellum, 9x19mm, or just generically “9mm”. The cartridge’s origins can be traced back to the early 20th century and is the brainchild of Georg Luger. Originally found in firearms such as the Borchardt C-93 and the P-08 Luger pistol, the round has become a common chambering for handguns in civilian and military use from the 20th century onward. Firearms such as pistols and submachine guns in 9mm Luger have commonly been used by military and law enforcement personnel across the globe, leading to the round establishing a reputation for being a reliable service cartridge.

Types of 9mm Luger Loadings

• Full Metal Jacket (FMJ):Like the name suggests, these types of loadings feature projectiles which are adorned with metal jacketing. This jacket is generally made of copper and will cover the tip and sides of the projectile. Typically, the base of the projectile is left uncoated. These types of loadings are well-suited for range use and are some of the most common types of ammo one will encounter.
• Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP):JHP loadings feature hollow point projectiles which are adorned with a full metal jacket. These loadings are generally found in the form of defensive ammo offerings and are designed to facilitate reliable expansion upon impact. Additionally, these types of loadings are designed to achieve adequate levels of penetration for defensive purposes while not overpenetrating the target and risking collateral damage. A good hollow point loading is one that achieves an appropriate level of penetration while expanding reliably upon impact within the target.
• Frangible:Frangible ammunition is different from traditional ammunition due to the fact that projectiles fragment and essentially disintegrate when they impact something hard. Rather than being composed of lead, frangible projectiles typically consist of a mixture of powdered metals. Common powdered metals utilized for frangible projectiles include tin, copper, zinc, or tungsten. Typically, frangible ammunition will have lighter grain weights than their traditional counterparts. Frangible ammunition can be found in a variety of popular rifle and pistol calibers, particularly those commonly associated with duty use.
• Hollow Point (HP):HP loadings feature hollow point projectiles like the name suggests. This removal of material makes the projectile lighter and promotes high velocities. These types of loadings are optimized for self defense or match use and have a tendency to expand on impact. A good hollow point loading is one that achieves an appropriate level of penetration while expanding reliably upon impact within the target.
• Total Metal Jacket (TMJ):These types of loadings feature projectiles which are entirely and completely enclosed within a metal jacket. TMJ loadings differ from FMJ loadings as they feature projectiles which are completely enclosed. In most cases, this jacketing is copper and is applied via electroplating. These loadings notably reduce the amount of lead one is exposed to during the firing process, specifically due to the elimination of an exposed lead projectile base. Also referred to as TMC, or Total Metal Case loadings by some manufacturers.

Firearms that Use 9mm Luger Ammo

Due to the fact that the cartridge is so popular, many firearms are available in a 9mm Luger chambering. A variety of handguns that utilize the round have been introduced for over a century. Examples can be found in single action, double action, and striker fired form. Furthermore, handguns are often available in multiple sizes, catering to both hand sizes of shooter and specific roles such as concealed carry. Besides handguns, one can find rifles and carbines, often referred to as pistol caliber carbines (PCCs). These firearms can be found from a variety of manufacturers and offer shooters a way to shoot the affordable 9mm Luger cartridge in something larger than a handgun.

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