9×39mm
The 9×39mm is a Soviet rifle cartridge.[2]
9×39mm | ||||||||||||||||
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![]() 9×39mm SP-6 (7N9) cartridges with blue-tip armor-piercing bullets | ||||||||||||||||
Type | Rifle, subsonic | |||||||||||||||
Place of origin | Soviet Union | |||||||||||||||
Production history | ||||||||||||||||
Designed | Began in 1940s, finished in 1980s | |||||||||||||||
Specifications | ||||||||||||||||
Parent case | 7.62×39mm | |||||||||||||||
Case type | Rimless, bottleneck | |||||||||||||||
Bullet diameter | SP-5: 9.25 mm (0.364 in) SP-6: 9.26 mm (0.365 in) | |||||||||||||||
Land diameter | 9.00 mm (0.354 in) | |||||||||||||||
Neck diameter | 9.98 mm (0.393 in) | |||||||||||||||
Shoulder diameter | 10.36 mm (0.408 in) | |||||||||||||||
Base diameter | 11.35 mm (0.447 in) | |||||||||||||||
Rim diameter | 11.35 mm (0.447 in) | |||||||||||||||
Rim thickness | 1.50 mm (0.059 in) | |||||||||||||||
Case length | SP-5: 38.76 mm (1.526 in) SP-6: 38.78 mm (1.527 in) | |||||||||||||||
Overall length | 56 mm (2.2 in) | |||||||||||||||
Ballistic performance | ||||||||||||||||
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Test barrel length: 270 mm (10.5 in) Source(s): Russian military data, RifleShooter Magazine [1] |
History and design
The 9x39 is based on the Soviet 7.62×39mm round, but with the neck expanded to fit a 9.3 mm bullet. Final design was completed by N. Zabelin, L. Dvoryaninova and Y. Frolov of the TsNIITochMash in the 1980s. The intent was to create a subsonic cartridge for suppressed firearms that had more power, range and penetration than 7.62 US subsonic round used in AKM-type rifles at the time. The commercial Wolf Ammunition bullet weighs 276 grain, or 18 grams, a little more than double that of the normal 123 gr 7.62×39 mm round, and has only subsonic muzzle velocity. This reduced velocity does not produce a sonic boom, but also limits the muzzle energy and effective range of a weapon when compared to high velocity rounds normally used in (non-suppressed) rifles. The round has an optimistic effective lethal range of 400 to 530 meters and a maximum penetration of up to 10 mm of steel. Like the 5.45×39mm cartridge, 9×39mm SP-5 features an airpocket in the tip, which increases its tendency to yaw or "keyhole" upon impact, thus increasing soft tissue damage in human targets. The armor-piercing SP-6 cartridge is more effective against light armor, vehicles, or light barrier targets.
Variants
Cartridge | SP-5 | SP-5UZ | SP-6 | SP-6UCh | PAB-9 | SPP | BP |
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Type | Sniper | Test (increased charge) | Armor-piercing | Training | Armor-piercing | Sniper (increased penetration) | Armor-piercing |
Bullet weight [g] | Up to 16.8 | About 16 | Up to 17.3 | ||||
Muzzle velocity [m/s] | 280–320 | 280–320 | 280–320 | ||||
Muzzle energy [J] | 658-860 | 678-886 | |||||
Maximum penetration | Up to 8 mm of steel | Up to 8 mm of steel[3] |
SP-5 (7N8) – The SP-5 (СП-5) (SP: Spetsialnyj Patron; "special cartridge") was developed by Nikolai Zabelin. It is a conventional lead core FMJ bullet, developed for accuracy.
SP-5UZ – The SP-5UZ (СП5-УЗ) is an SP-5 variant with an increased charge intended for a factory-specific strength testing of the weapons.
SP-6 (7N9) – The SP-6 (СП-6) was developed by Yuri Frolov. It has a hardened metal armor-piercing core. It can penetrate 2 mm (0.079 in) of steel at 500 meters or 6 mm (0.24 in) of steel, 2.8 mm (0.11 in) of titanium or 30 layers of Kevlar at 200 meters. At 100 meters it can penetrate 8 mm (0.31 in) of steel or GOST 3 rated body armor, while retaining enough power to inflict damage to a soft target behind it.[3][4]
SP-6UCh – The SP-6Uch (СП-6Уч) is an SP-6 variant intended for training.
PAB-9 (7N12) – The SP-6's bullet is expensive to manufacture, so an attempt was made to make a lower-cost version of the cartridge. The PAB-9 (ПАБ-9) used a stamped rather than machined steel core. It sacrificed too much performance to be usable. As of 2011, its usage by Russian troops is prohibited.[3]
SPP – The SPP (СПП) (SPP: Snaiperskiy, Povishennaya Probivaemost; "sniper – increased penetration") is a sniper round with increased penetration.
BP – The BP (БП) (BP: Broneboinaya Pulya; "armor-piercing bullet") is an armor-piercing round. Three modernizations of PAB-9 were created under the designation of BP to remedy its unusable performance.
Weapons
References
- "The 9x39 – A New Cartridge from Russia". RifleShooter Magazine. 2018-12-14. Retrieved 2020-05-11.
- Николаев, Андриан. "Патроны для стрелкового оружия – Военный паритет" [Ammunition for firearms]. Militaryparitet.com (in Russian). Retrieved 2013-12-08.
- "Специальные патроны СП-5, СП-6 и ПАБ-9" [Special bullets SP-5, SP-6 and PAB-9.]. artillerist.ru (in Russian). 2008-04-02. Archived from the original on October 16, 2012. Retrieved 2015-03-24.
- F., Nathaniel (2017-11-03). ".300 Blackout vs. 9×39mm: Russia's Subsonic Brute". Retrieved 2020-12-12.
Bibliography
- Jane's Infantry Weapons 1997–98[1]
External links
Cartridges
- photo of cartridges
- photo of cartridges
- photo of bullets
- Modern Firearms - Special purpose small arms ammunition of USSR and Russia
- 9×39mm special cartridges
- Jane's Infantry Weapons 1997-98 (23rd ed.). Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group. p. 458. ISBN 0-7106-1548-5.