9 MM Markarov VS 380

AngelB

Are these two calibers the same? On the Walther PPK it says 9MM/380.
Any information will be helpful.

babun

The 9mm Markarov is a caliber all to it self. It is fatter than any of the "normal" 9mm's or .380acp's. The .380acp is also known as the 9mm Short,or 9mm Kurtz. The Markarov is sold as "9x18mm" but remember, it IS fatter than any other 9mm which are normally .355 inch diameter. It is confusing with all the names and numbers...a .38 special uses the same bullet size as the .357 mag. A 9mm luger uses a .355 bullet size just as well as a .38 Super. bob

Hawk Carse

The 9mm/.380 designation on a Walther refers to the European designation of the .380 as 9x17 or 9mm Browning Short (Often seen as 9mm Kurtz, Corto, or other foreign language word for short.)

If the Makarov round were properly described as 9.2mm or 9.2x18 there would be less confusion. It is not interchangeable with anything else I have ever heard of.

nononsense

AngelB,

9 MM Markarov VS 380

Sort of a mixed metaphor...

First and foremost, they are NOT interchangeable.

9mm Makarov is a cartridge. The bullet diameter is really 9.25mm or 0.364".

.380 is a suggestion of a cartridge since it's part of the name but not a true diameter expression of a caliber. The bullet diameter is 0.355".

.380 ACP (L) 9mm Makarov (R)


* 9x17 = 9mm Kurz = 9mm Short = .380 ACP. Bullet diameter = .356"
* 9x18Ultra = 9mm Police. Bullet diameter = .356" (used in some Walther pistols...do not shoot this in your Makarov).
* 9x18M = 9mm Makarov. Bullet diameter = .364"
* 9x19 = 9mm = 9mm Parabellum = 9mm Luger. Bullet diameter = .356"

There are others such as 9mm Ultra, 9mm Police, 9x21, 9mm Largo, etc. Note that none of these, except those with equal signs, are the same things. Do not exchange them for what your gun is chambered for.

Here is a quick reference to the case dimensions:



Best.

Hawk Carse

I am really glad to see that drawing on another front.
So many people lump the Ultra and the Police rounds together, not realizing that the Ultra was a pre WW II development for the Luftwaffe and the Police was a 1970s project for German cops. Neither went very far, both outfits going with 9mm P in the end.

nononsense

Hawk Carse,

It's always best to use all the resources at hand to illustrate...

Best.

AngelB

To all, thanks very much for the wealth of information. As always,
if you need to find the right answers, ask the right people. This
information will be filled for future use also. Thanks again.