Pistol · Not SAAMI standardized
.356 TSW
Smith & Wesson and Federal's Tactical Sport Weapon cartridge developed for high-capacity duty pistols.
- Caliber
- 0.3559″ · 9.04 mm
- Introduced
- 1998
- Case
- Semi-Rimmed
- Primary use
- Self-Defense
- Status
- Discontinued
- Introduced
- 1998
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Smith & Wesson
- Manufacturer
- Smith & Wesson / Winchester
- Standard
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Collector
- Case capacity
- 15.5 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:10
- Primer
- Boxer Small Pistol
- Case type
- Semi-Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 50,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 50 yd
- Recoil
- 6–9 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .356 TSW — an obsolete/collector cartridge.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 9.04 | 0.356 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 9.65 | 0.380 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 9.92 | 0.391 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 10.01 | 0.394 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.27 | 0.050 | ✓ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 21.59 | 0.850 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 29.46 | 1.160 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .356 TSW is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Connected reference
History
Developed by Smith & Wesson and Federal Cartridge in the late 1990s for high-capacity duty pistols. Designed to fit in double-stack magazines while offering performance between 9mm and .40 S&W. Never achieved significant market penetration despite S&W's promotion.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .356 TSW use?
- .356 TSW typically uses a 1:10 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .356 TSW?
- .356 TSW uses a 0.3559″ (9.04 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .356 TSW still in production?
- .356 TSW is discontinued; typical availability is collector.
- What is .356 TSW used for?
- .356 TSW is primarily used for self-defense.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 14 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →