III. Firearms Information by Type

C. Semi-Automatic Pistols

1. Commonly Available Cartridge Types

by Chris Luchini (luchini@scrye.com) and Ed Rudnicki (erudnick@Pica.Army.Mil)

Cartridges with the same actual bore diameter are grouped together

Common US Name .22 Short
.22 Long Rifle .22 Magnum
.25 ACP .30 Luger 7.62mm Tokarev .30 Mauser .32 ACP .380 ACP 9mm Police 9mm Luger 9x21mm 9mm Largo .38 ACP .38 Super 9mm Makarov .40 S&W 10mm .41 AE .45 ACP .45 Win Mag .50 AE
Synonyms Notes .22/5.6mm Lang fuer Buechsen 6.35mm Browning 7.65mm Parabellum 7.62x25mm 1,2 7.63mm Mauser 1 7.65mm Browning 9mm Short/Kurz/Corto 3 9x18mm, 9mm Ultra 4,5 9x19mm, 9mm Parabellum, 9mm NATO 5,6 5,7 9mm Bergmann-Bayard 8 9 9 9x18mm 4,5 .40 Smith & Wesson 10 .41 Action Express .45 Winchester Magnum .50 Action Express

Common US Name	.22 Short
.22 Long Rifle	.22 Magnum
.25 ACP	.30 Luger	7.62mm Tokarev	.30 Mauser	.32 ACP	.380 ACP	9mm Police	9mm Luger	9x21mm	9mm Largo	.38 ACP	.38 Super	9mm Makarov	.40 S&W	10mm	.41 AE	.45 ACP	.45 Win Mag	.50 AE

Notes:

1. Some sources consider these interchangeable, and some military users (notably the Chinese) treat them as such. There are dimensional differences, and it is best to use the correct cartridge.
2. Czech-produced 7.62x25mm cartridges are loaded to higher pressures and should only be used with Czech Vz.52 (CZ-52) pistols.
3. Not to be confused with _.38_ ACP.
4. These are not interchangeable. 9x18mm Police/Ultra uses a .355"/9mm dia bullet, while 9mm Makarov uses a .363"/9.25mm bullet.
5. Where used, the second number in a cartridge designation (i.e. 9x19mm) denotes cartridge case length. Although all cartridges can be designated thusly, here it is used only where it is consequential.
6. 9mm Luger/Parabellum is available in many power levels. 9mm NATO is loaded to pressures substantially higher than most commercial ammunition and is only suitable for use in modern pistols designed for it and in good condition. Always follow manufacturers' instructions in this regard.
7. 9x21mm is the same as 9mm Luger except that the cartridge case is 2mm longer.
8. The similar 9mm Steyr will function safely in 9mm Largo firearms. It may not feed properly in all of them.
9. .38 Super is a higher pressure loading of .38 ACP, and should only be used in firearms properly marked for its use.
10. Two distinct power levels are available for this cartridge: a full-power load and a reduced load giving ballistics similar to .40 S&W. All 10mm pistols will safely handle both.

There are a number of traditional revolver cartridges for which semi- automatic pistols have been adapted:

.32 S&W
.38 Special
.357 Magnum
.41 Magnum
.44 Magnum