Personal Defense Weapon cartridge designed to defeat body armor. High velocity, low recoil. Developed for MP7 submachine gun.
Type: Pistol
Introduced: 1999, Germany
Parent case: None
Standardization: Proprietary
Bullet diameter: 0.18" (4.6 mm)
Case length: 1.181" (30 mm)
Overall length: 1.535" (39 mm)
Max pressure: 54,000 PSI
Rim type: Rimless
Primer: Small Rifle
Typical twist rate: 1:6.3
Muzzle velocity: 2300–2400 fps
Muzzle energy: 300–400 ft-lbs
Effective range: 200 yd
Common bullet weights: 26, 31, 40 gr
Primary use: Military, Self Defense
Production status: Active
Also known as: 4.6x30mm · HK 4.6x30
History: Developed by Heckler & Koch in 1990s for NATO PDW trials. Designed to replace 9mm for vehicle crews, pilots, and rear-echelon troops who needed better armor penetration. Lost NATO competition to 5.7x28mm but still adopted by German military and various special forces. Proprietary to HK, limiting civilian adoption.
Notable firearms: HK MP7, HK MP7A1
Military use: {"country":"Germany","years":"2001-present","conflicts":["Afghanistan"]}, {"country":"Various special forces","years":"2000s-present","conflicts":["Counter-terrorism"]}
Similar cartridges: 5.7x28mm FN, 5.56x45mm NATO